DR News
The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (BCRD) announced that there will be changes in the RD$2,000.00 and RD$200.00 notes of the 2017 series, as well as in the RD$25 currency, also of the 2017 series, which will be implemented successively from Monday, 15 July 2019. The Central Bank says that the older bills will still be valid.
As of 15 July, the RD$2,000 bill will contain the isotype with the visual identity of the BCRD, which will be printed with optically variable magnetic ink, presenting an effect of drops and giving the sensation of undulating sand; at the same time that, when changing the position of the bill, there is a change of color from green to blue. The BCRD indicates that the isotype will be accompanied by the denomination value in numerical characters.
As for the RD$200.00 bill, the Central Bank states that as of 15 September 2019, it will contain the isotype with the visual identity of the BCRD printed with optically variable ink. When the banknote changes position, the isotype changes color from pink to green. It shall be accompanied by the value of the denomination in numerical characters.
Another modification is the variation in the size of the image of the Mirabal sisters and the relocation of their names with respect to series prior to 2017.
The new RD$25.00 coins that will be released on 30 September 2019 will now carry the inscription Dominican Pesos under the national coat of arms, in compliance with Article 229 of the Constitution of the Republic and Article 25, literal c), of the Monetary and Financial Law 183-02.
The BCRD informs that both bills and the currency of series 2017 will coexist with those of the same denomination of previous years and are valid for the payment of public and private obligations. The notes will keep equal security measures as those currently in circulation.
Source: DR1, Bancentral
July 18, 2019
The Ministry of Public Health shut down a cosmetics clinic in Villa Mella where three women have died, including two from the United States. The clinic was not authorized for plastic surgery operations, but nevertheless, these were carried out there.
The US media has reported that a mother from Westchester, United States has died while getting a tummy tuck at a medical clinic in the Dominican Republic, just weeks after an Alabama teacher passed away while undergoing surgery at the same facility.
Alexandra Medina, 33, of New Rochelle traveled to the country to have the procedure done at the Dr. Ureña Arias Clinic in Santo Domingo last Wednesday, 3 July 2019, for the medical procedure, which also included liposuction, despite her family’s pleas to stay home.
The Ministry of Public Health says that an investigation has been opened. The deceased reportedly was operated with Dr. Felix Almanzar. As reported in the New York Post, the Ministry of Public Health did say that Dr. Almanzar was not licensed to practice surgery.
The family learned that Medina had suffered fatal complications during the tummy tuck, with her preliminary cause of death ruled an embolism. She leaves behind a husband and 14-year old son.
Her death comes after an Alabama teacher died last month at the same clinic, which was briefly closed by the Ministry of Public Health. Alicia Renette Williams, aged 45, suffered blood clots and died from undergoing an elective procedure on 2 June 2019 with the same doctor.
Persons interested in plastic surgery in the Dominican Republic should check that the clinic and surgeon are authorized to practice. Before booking any procedure, see the website of the Dominican Society of Plastic Surgeons to find a qualified surgeon.
Source: DR1, DiarioLibre
July 18, 2019
In the first six months of this year, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has repatriated 610 Dominicans who had completed sentences for drug dealing. Another 541 Dominicans were deported, having served sentences for other crimes.
According to data from Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo, those who had been sentenced for drug dealing served their sentences in jails in New York, Boston, Miami and Los Angeles.
Of those repatriated for drug dealing in the first six months of this year, 34 were women and 576 men.
Source: DR1, Hoy
July 18, 2019
Business and labor representatives agreed on a 14% increase to the general minimum wage. As reported, the proposal came from the government to end a long impasse in the minimum wage talks. The unions called it a victory for workers, even though the increase was less than they had demanded. The labor representatives had sought a 25% increase.
The business sectors were not able to convince labor to approve the reclassification of companies. The reclassification would especially benefit small business that now pays the same minimum wage as large business, even in cases where special sector schemes apply.
The government said that the reclassification of companies would be discussed in 60 days.
Employers were reportedly not happy with the decision and said that they would shortly call a press conference.
The minimum wage for big business is now at RD$17,610, medium-sized business level is RD$12,107 and small company minimum wage is RD$10,728 per month.
Source: DR1, Listindiario
July 18, 2019
On Monday, 8 July 2019, nine people drowned (eight Haitians and one Dominican), when a car they were traveling in, a Toyota Camry, fell into the Ulises Francisco Espaillat irrigation canal, in the community of Barrero, in the municipality of Navarrete, Santiago province. Those who died were three women and six men. There were five people injured and two of them were taken to hospital in Santiago.
The bodies were recovered from the canal, but have not yet been identified. An investigation is ongoing to determine how the tragedy occurred. As reported, it is usual that a large number of illegal Haitians be transported in sedan cars, many hidden in the truck to avoid immigration checks. As reported, the vehicle was evading military patrols in the area to prevent people-smuggling through Dajabón.
Apparently, there were 17 people in the car, including the nine who died, five who are injured and three who fled the scene. Preliminary reports say the driver was Dominican and the passengers were undocumented Haitians.
Source: DR1, DiarioLibre
July 18, 2019
Update:
Following the car accident on Monday, 8 July 2019, when nine people died, the driver has now been identified as 46-year-old Miguel Antonio Castro Mercedes. He had been arrested in 2018 for smuggling 10 packs of marijuana and 249 sacks of garlic.
Of the eight Haitians who died, three have been identified. These are Janvier Dieufait, Jean Bernard Pierre and Exaneau Cabe. The bodies were taken to the National Institute of Forensic Science in Santiago. Nelson Jamel, aged 21, is one of the five who were injured.
The nine died when the Toyota Camry with 17 persons plunged into an irrigation canal in Santiago province. The passengers were undocumented Haitians. The driver lost control of the vehicle when trying to evade military migration checks on the way to Santiago from Dajabón on the border.
Source: Eldia
The Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development announced the signing of a cooperation agreement with Waste Free Oceans (WFO) for the cleanup of the Ozama and Isabela rivers. The agreement also contemplates the construction of low-cost housing in the area.
WFO will assist the government in developing a master plan for the cleanup of the Ozama and Isabela rivers. The agreement will provide recommendations about how to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of surrounding areas.
Working in collaboration with other private and public partners under the Coalición Río (River Coalition), WFO Americas aims to restore the Ozama and Isabela rivers and develop treatment systems for industrial water so that locals can enjoy their beauty again.
The project includes providing technical assistance and education to improve the capacity of communities to collect, recycle and reuse material, and the development of a master plan to identify best practices and opportunities to implement a more circular economy.
Waste Free Oceans collects and transforms ocean plastic into new, innovative products. They partner with recyclers, converters and brands to make optimal use of available resources and to raise awareness on the issue of ocean plastic. Based in Brussels, it also operates in the Americas, Asia and Turkey.
WFO Americas is also contributing to community-led development in the La Nueva Barquita housing development where many impoverished dwellers of the area were relocated to advance on the restoring of the Ozama and Isabela rivers and the sustainable development of the area.
Source: https://www.wastefreeoceans.org/projects
July 18, 2019
Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas traveled to Antigua for the formal opening of the Dominican Embassy in St. John’s. During the event, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, ratified the will of their governments to continue consolidating bilateral ties.
In Antigua, Vargas signed an air services agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Risk Management and Disasters at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Relations in that nation’s capital. The MOU was signed to address the frequent natural disasters in the Caribbean. Trade, Commerce, Industry, Sports, Culture and National Festivals Minister E.P. Chet Greene signed for Antigua and Barbuda. The parties favored increased trade and cooperation in areas that positively impact both countries.
“For the Dominican Republic, the strengthening of relations with the countries of the region is very important,” said Vargas, who pointed out that between 10 and 15% of the population of Antigua is of Dominican origin.
Among other issues, Vargas also raised interest in the former airline LIAT resuming flights to Dominican territory.
In addition, he thanked Prime Minister Browne for donating the land where the definitive headquarters of the Dominican Embassy in St. John’s will be built. The embassy is located at Jasmine Court on Friars Hill Road. The Dominican ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda is Raquel Jacobo.
During the event, Greene said: “The opening of the embassy is a step forward for Antigua and Barbuda and the Dominican Republic who share ties of geography and history, noting that today a significant number of Dominican Republic nationals reside in Antigua and Barbuda.”
He further noted that, since the 1920s, Antiguans migrated to the DR to work in the sugar plantations and many have remained there.”
Greene disclosed that his grandfather was one of those who journeyed to the DR and today he has discovered members of his family living in the Spanish-speaking country.
Greene also mentioned that Antigua and Barbuda would have interest in the DR’s well-developed institute to train diplomats which he learned of on his visit in May. This, he said, would help “to produce a cadre of young, trained diplomats to man the diplomatic services.”
The air services and MOU signed are in addition to three other instruments signed on 27 May when Greene visited Santo Domingo.
Source: DR1, Elcaribe
July 18, 2019
Pitchers Sandy Alcántara of the Miami Marlins and Luis Castillo of the Cincinnati Reds, and fielder Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks were selected for the National League. For the American League, field players Gary Sanchez of the New York Yankees and Carlos Santana of the Cleveland Indians and Jorge Polanco of the Minnesota Twins will be playing in the 2019 Major League Baseball All Star Game.
The Midsummer Classic this year will be played at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio on Tuesday, 9 July 2019 at 7pm, Cleveland time. The game will be transmitted on Fox network.
Source: CBSsports
July 6, 2019
The Customs Agency (DGA) reminds users to register with the Single Customs Registry (RUA). The DGA is now requiring that all those making purchases online register to continue using express dispatch or courier services to receive the goods ordered abroad. The single customs record seeks to combat tax evasion.
The deadline expires on 28 July 2019, as established in DGA General Norm 01-2018 that regulates merchandise that enters the country via courier companies.
The norm is a follow up to Decree 402-05, which allows for duty-free import of items up to US$200 FOB value. General Norm 01-2018 was put into effect in April 2018 as a response to the irregularities the DGA said were occurring when users began to divide up imports to take advantage of the tax exemption of items for up to US$200, when these were intended for commercial purposes.
The DGA now requires all courier users to have a registration number to use the service. An online form needs to be completed. The file seeks to differentiate between those making online purchases for personal reasons and those done for commercial purchases.
The DGA says that as soon as the short form is filled out, the system will reply with an email sent to the email address included by the user to confirm the registration has been made by the owner and not a third party without their consent. This email contains a link, valid for 24 hours, which must be clicked to complete the registration and receive confirmation.
The DGA says that those who have not registered by 28 July could have their packages retained until they complete the registration.
https://dgii.gov.do/legislacion/regl…nts/402-05.pdf
https://www.aduanas.gob.do/de-inter%…istro-courier/
Source: DR1
July 6, 2019
Two Dominican 16-year olds cashed in signing MLB minor league contracts for upwards of US$5 million bonuses this week. Jasson Domínguez (The Martian) with the New York Yankees, a new record for a Dominican prospect. Domínguez will get a US$5.1 million and US$250,000 in potential scholarship money should he choose to further his education. The No. 2 prospect, The Oakland Athletics signed No. 2 international prospect, Robert Puason. Puason and Domínguez trained at the teams’ baseball academies in the Dominican Republic.
Source: DR1, DiarioLibre
July 6, 2019
