Archive for January, 2019
The Ministry of Energy and Mines has announced it is working with representatives of associations and small mining cooperatives to coordinate actions to improve the exploitation of larimar, the semi-precious stone that is only found in the Dominican Republic.
The first meeting was announced between Energy and Mines Minister Antonio Isa Conde and the associations and cooperatives, following the executive order that instructed the Ministry to regulate the exploitation, permitting, processing and export of larimar and amber. Isa Conde said that they would be exploring how to improve levels of security, improve productivity are improve the working and living conditions of miners as well as how to increase the economic benefits for the communities where the mines are located.
Larimar is only found in a specific area, mainly the mine at Los Checheses-Los Chupaderos, around ten kilometres from Barahona in the southwest of the country. Since 1975, around 500 miners have worked in the mines to extract the mineral. It is estimated that 200 artisans work to transform the stone into jewellery and ornamental pieces.
Source: DR1, Elnuevodiario
Jan 21, 2019
PUERTO PLATA .- In response to the concern about the large cluster of algae that accumulated on the beach of Cabarete, local businessmen with the support of tourism authorities undertook a cleaning operation.
The Association of Entrepreneurs of Cabarete directed by Carlos Atahualpa Paulino began the cleaning work on the beach there.
“When this type of situation occurs, it causes a considerable decrease in the visit of tourists to the beach of Cabarete, so we call on all authorities and interested to join these cleaning work,” said Paulino.
To remove dozens of tons of sargazo seaweed that invaded the beaches of Cabarete, heavy equipment was contracted – a shovel and two trucks volteos, which, together with brigades of the Ministry of Tourism, cleaned the whole environment.
The unexpected arrival of a tidal wave of sargazo seaweed took over the beaches of Cabarete which is adverse to the delight and recreation of thousands of natives and tourists who regularly visit Cabarete, located in the eastern part of Puerto Plata.
Source: DR1, Puerto Plata Digital
Jan 14, 2019
PUERTO PLATA.- A foreign citizen died on Sunday (Jan 13th) due to the strong blows that he received in the head after being hit by a car, he was drving a motorcycle on the Sosúa – Cabarete highway.
The victim, identified as German – Egon Gutberle, was aboard a motorcycle along the Sosúa-Cabarete road stretch, near Playa Laguna, he was rammed by a vehicle.
It was also pointed out that, although the tragic accident occurred in the afternoon hours of Sunday, the body of the foreigner remained lying on the road for more than two hours and authorities were slow to arrive.
At the scene of the accident there was a Hyundai car, model Sonata, which was supposedly driven by an unidentified lady who struck the deceased on his motorcycle.
Source: Puerto Plata Digital
Jan 14, 2019
The Organization of American States (OAS) voted to not recognize Nicolas Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela. Maduro staged his re-inauguration on 10 January with representatives from 94 countries present (according to Venezuela government sources).
The Permanent Council of the OAS called an extraordinary session to vote on a motion introduced by Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the USA, Peru and Paraguay. The document was backed by 19 countries, 13 of the 14 countries in the Lima Group, the US, the DR, Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica and Haiti. On the other side, Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Surinam and Dominica voted against the measure. There were 7 abstentions, including Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, El Salvador and Belize.
This is the first time the Dominican government has not voted in favor of recognizing the incumbent Venezuelan government.
Source: DR1, Eldia
Jan 14, 2019
The Dominican-Colombian company, Autopistas del Nordeste (the official name of the toll road between Las Americas Highway and Nagua) has increased tolls by RD$82 starting late last week. The cost of travelling the toll road that cuts a lot of time between the East and the area of the Samana Peninsula will now be RD$2,126 instead of the RD$3,044 paid before. The Atlantic Touristic Boulevard (the road between El Catey and Las Terrenas) will now cost RD$571.00 each way.
At the Marbella tollbooth, the first one between Las Americas Expressway and the road north to Samana, will now cost RD$66.00. At El Naranjal, at the Monte Plata crossroad, the toll bill will be RD$196, up RD$7.
Apparently, every year the consortium increases the tolls on this highway, in spite of the fact that the Dominican government heavily subsidizes the company.
Source: DR1, Elnacional
Jan 14, 2019
Dominican authorities have not yet received any information from the United States regarding rumors that the Trump Administration would act to remove the DR and other countries participating in DR-CAFTA from the trade privileges. Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas said that the news reports are just rumors. During an interview on one of the morning talks shows, Vargas said the United States is one the main beneficiary of the DR-CAFTA. “The trade balance is favorable to the United States at this time, but I must reiterate that this is not an official declaration and it does not correspond to the official position of the United States…” El Dia reports the US has a US$2.6 billion trade surplus with the Dominican Republic.
A report in Diario Libre cites William Malamud, executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce, said no official information has come from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), that deals with the DR-CAFTA treaty. Nevertheless, Malamud says it is likely the talks have taken place at the National Security Council, albeit unofficially, and the reason is concern among US authorities that China could seek to take advantage of Dominican trade privileges to sell more goods to the United States market. The National Security Council (NSC) is the US presidency body responsible for coordinating policy on national security issues and advising chief executives on matters related to national security.
Source: DR1, DiarioLibre
Jan 14, 2019
The season for whale watching is about to start again. The first humpbacks have already been observed and the tour boats are ready to sail out in the bay of Samaná. The visitors are welcomed on large placards with the slogan: ‘Welcome to the season 2019’.
The season runs from January 15 to March 15. Again, it was emphasized that keeping distance and not disturbing the whales is a necessity. 100 boats have received permission this season to carry out trips with tourists to the humpback whales. In 2016 there were about 55,000 visitors, in 2017 there were more than 57,000 and this year the figure of 60,000 is expected to be exceeded. This time of the year 1500 to 2000 humpback whales arrive from the North Atlantic to the shores of the Dominican Republic to mate and give birth. They can be seen in large numbers in the National Park ‘Los Haitises’ on the peninsula of Samaná. Last year the humpback whale has been spotted regularly near the coast of Sosúa and Puerto Plata, and that is really special and exceptional. If we have the same luck as last year, to be able to observe these mighty mammals in the bay of Sosúa is not certain.
Source: Sosua News
Jan 14, 2019
PUERTO PLATA.- For the eighth consecutive year, the ecotouristic attraction Saltos de La Damajagua, located in the eastern part of the province of Puerto Plata, surpassed its own record of visits during the year 2018.
According to the data provided by Roberto Luis Gómez Santana who is the administrator of the aforementioned natural monument, in 2018 a total of 114,626 hikers enjoyed this attraction, which exceeds by more than 8 thousand visits in 2017.
Gómez Santana, noted that the Natural Monument Falls of La Damajagua had an increase of 8% in foreign tourists of which 40 thousand were cruise passengers who arrived in Puerto Plata via Amber Cove terminal.
“This visitation allowed for 3.5 million pesos for community works in the vicinity of the monument, among which stand out the total remodeling of the softball play of the community of Perez and the counterpart for the construction of two basketball courts in the communities of Baraguana and La Ceiba, “he said.
The official of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, said that other actions were also contributed to the National System of Protected Areas, donating 700 ranger uniforms.
In addition, the areas of public use were improved, the administrative office was reconstructed and destroyed with the floods of 2016, and the monitoring of solenodon populations, which is an endangered species, was initiated.
In another order, during the past year, the management model of the Natural Monument Jumps La Damajagua was recognized nationally and internationally, achieving among other things being part of the Tripadvisor Hall of Fame, an award granted by tourists with a high degree of acceptance.
Source: Puerto Plata Digital
Jan 10, 2019
Morning lows of around 21C or less are forecast for Santiago, Puerto Plata, Duarte (San Francisco de Macoris), Peravia (Baní), San Pedro de Macorís, La Romana, La Vega, Monseñor Nouel (Bonao), San Cristobal, Samanaá, San Juan de la Maguana, Barahona as winter days weather continues. The noon time temperatures nevertheless, will be just as warm as usual, with highs ranging from 27 to 30C in these provinces.
Onamet reports weather extremes of 10C for Constanza, in the mountains, with a noontime high of 25C forecast.
Source: DR1
Jan 10, 2019
The United States is not the only country that deports Dominicans from their territory, even though the highest number of Dominicans are deported from the US. Statistics prepared by the National Migration Institute, part of the Ministry of Interior and Police, has identified other countries that also deport Dominicans. For example, in 2016 some 203 Dominicans were deported from Puerto Rico; 152 from Spain, and 105 from Trinidad and Tobago. In addition, 90 were deported from Chile, 88 from Panama, 62 from French Guyana, 55 from Mexico, 46 from Curacao and 30 from Ecuador. There were an additional 360 Dominicans deported from other countries. The United States, with 1,711 deportees has the highest number accounting for 59% of those deported.
According to Amparo Reyes, director of the Fundación Bienvenido Seas, the United States has the most severe deportation regime, deporting all who have served time in jail, whereas other European countries give Dominicans the option of remaining in the country or returning to the Dominican Republic.
The investigation concludes that Dominican deportations from the United States, continue to increase, with 66,669 Dominican deported from there in the last 23 years. Of these, 68.2% are for criminal cases and 31.8% for non-criminal cases.
Source: DR1, Listindiario
Jan 10, 2019
