SEPTEMBER 2010

La Canela Industrial Park opens in Santiago

Should generate more than 8,000 jobs in its first stage

BREAKING NEWS: Santiago.- The Center for Development and Industrial Competitiveness (PROINDUSTRIA) began operations Tuesday at La Canela Industrial Park, which is expected to generate over 8000 jobs during its first stage.

To enable the opening of this facility, the Reformed Businesses Endowment Fund invested 86 million pesos. The new park is the third of its kind that PROINDUSTRIA has put into operation this August.

During the opening ceremony, a blessing was given by parish priest Pedro Pablo Corona, who stressed the importance of works such as this which generate jobs.

The governor of Santiago, Raúl Martínez, highlighted what he called vision of progress and development by the government through the operation of this and other industrial parks. There was also the presentation of a documentary about the before and after of the lot where the industrial park was erected.

Santiago Live, 01.09.10

Student from Santiago wins National Math Contest

Receives a trophy and a check for RD $50,900

BREAKING NEWS: Santiago.- Gustavo Ricardo Castellanos, a fourth year high school student from Santiago, won the Sixth National Mathematics Competition, which took place over three consecutive days and was broadcast around the country on network television.

The general manager of the, Daniel Toribio, awarded the young Mr. Castellanos the trophy and a check for RD $50,900.

The other finalists were ; Guillermo Sánchez Fat, from the National District, Yanel Núñez Ventura, from Monsignor Nouel High School; and Silvana Joan Tirado de Soto, of La Romana.

All finalists, including Mr. Castellanos, were awarded RD $8,000 pesos from Banco de Reservas and a lap top from the Ministry of Education. Both institutions sponsored the educational event in conjunction with the Office of the First Lady.

Santiago Live, 06.09.10

Mayor of Santiago executes ambitious asphalt plan

To meet the needs of the population

BREAKING NEWS: Santiago.- The mayor of Santiago has laid more than 400 cubic meters of asphalt concrete in different strategic areas of the city as part of a paving and patching program, which includes all the major routes of transportation.

The municipal mayor, Dr. Gilberto Serulle, reported that the resurfacing and patching plan satisfies the program designed to respond to the requests made by different sectors of the local population.

He said that brigades of workers paved roads that make up the routes A, C, E, F, P, G, O, ZP, including avenues; 27 de febrero, Imbert, Colon, Valerio, Augusto Lora , Hermanas Mirabal, Highway Gregorio Luperon, Pedro M. Hungria, Gurabito and the entrance to Cienfuegos sector, among others.

Mr. Serulle said that Fausto Tejada, Director of the Department of Paving & Patching, will supervise these works, as he is aware of the need for the municipality to have streets and avenues in suitable condition for vehicular traffic.

In that sense, this department has placed more than 400 cubic meters of asphalt concrete to help solve one of the more pressing emergencies of the inhabitants of the municipality, he said.

The mayor said the paving and patching program will be reinforced in the coming days, in order to be extended to different sectors and neighborhoods of the city, while pointing out that the poor condition of streets and avenues was another weaknesses of the past administration.

The director of the Department of Paving and Patching of the Municipality of Santiago said that the program has been embraced with enthusiasm and support from drivers of public vehicles, as well as citizens concerned by the deterioration of the urban roads.

Since taking over City Hall, Dr. Gilberto Serulle has followed a series of initiatives to rescue the city, which was in a state of abandonment by the previous authorities of the municipality.

Santiago Live, 08.09.10

Construction begins on school in Navarrete, Santiago

At a cost of RD $4,430,000 pesos

BREAKING NEWS: Santiago.- The Fund for the Promotion of Community Initiatives (PROCOMUNIDAD), began construction on two schools in two localities in the northern region as part of agreements with various institutions, with an investment of more than RD $7 million pesos.

The Executive Director of the institution, José González Espinosa, expressed his delight at the groundbreaking ceremony for a school which will be built, at a cost of RD $4,430,000 pesos, in the Manolo Tavares Justo sector, in the municipality of Navarrete, Santiago.

For me it’s a huge honor and a joy to open a school in a place that bears the name of this illustrious symbol of freedom and democracy of the Dominican people, said the visibly emotional director.

While in the community of Juma, Bejucal, Monsignor Nouel province, Mr. Gonzalez Espinosa oversaw the beginning of construction of another two-room school, which will include a kitchen and a perimeter fence at a cost of more than RD $3 million pesos.

He stated that with the construction of this school parents will be reassured to know that their children are practically in the backyard, and added that education is the basis for the development and the welfare of the population.

The director said that the importance of the schools should not be measured by their size or by their educational levels, but by what they will teach the young people about learning and cultivating values and how they will help to keep them away from the vices that affect Dominican society.

The event was attended by the Vice Mayor Richard Vargas, Pablo Alfonso Rosario, from PROCOMUNIDAD, and Juan Disla, President of the Neighborhood Association of the sector, among others.

While the blessing of the work was done by Glenny Polanco.

The schools will have two classrooms, an office, a kitchen, bathrooms for both sexes, perimeter fencing and other facilities.

The event in the Monsignor Nouel province was attended by the provincial governor Ignacio García Ovalle, Juan José Vargas, Teodoro Santos, leaders of the Provincial Development Council and Maximo de la Cruz, Local Development Manager of PROCOMUNIDAD, among others.

The works form part of two cooperation agreements between the Provincial Development Council of Monsignor Nouel, the municipality of Navarrete and government agency heads.

The Executive Director of PROCOMUNIDAD, called on the inhabitants of both towns to monitor the construction of such buildings as they will be completed with the resources they pay in state in taxes.

Santiago Live, 09.09.10

The National Competitiveness Council to hold activities

Sign agreement to boost competitiveness in Expo Cibao

BREAKING NEWS: Santiago.- The National Competitiveness Council (CNC) will hold various activities at Expo Cibao 2010, which includes signing an agreement with seven public and private entities to promote the improvement of competitiveness and productivity of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The CNC executive director, Andrew Van der Horst Álvarez, said by signing the Commitment to Competitiveness and Productivity of the MSMEs they are looking to government institutions and private entities to launch a series of programs and initiatives to increase the productivity of MSMEs in the Dominican, and thus become more competitive.

He added that programs and initiatives will be implemented under the National Competitiveness Plan and the National Development Strategy.

He explained that this agreement shall be conducted by the NCC with the Center for Export and Investment of the Dominican Republic (CEI-RD), the Industrial Competitiveness Development (PROINDUSTRIA), the National Council for the Promotion and Support of Micro, Small and Medium Company (PROMIPYME), the Federation of Industrial Associations (FAI), the Dominican Chamber of Commerce (Fedocamaras), the Dominican Confederation of Small and Medium Enterprises (CODOPYME) and the Institute of Technical and Vocational Training (Infotep).

Mr Alvarez, who is also Secretary of State, said that with the Conference on the importance of quality for business competitiveness, scheduled for Friday September 17th at 4 pm, the NCC seeks to inform employers and university students on the importance the culture of quality and the benefits of implementing quality system in SMEs.

Santiago Live, 14.09.10

The Santiago Chamber of Commerce inaugurates the Expo Cibao 2010

Should generate more than 350 million pesos

BREAKING NEWS: Santiago.- With projections of generating 350 million pesos for the local economy, the Chamber of Commerce and Production of Santiago yesterday inaugurated the Expo Cibao version XXIII, which will continue through Sunday at the Barranquita sports complex.

The ceremony attended by businessmen, military, police and church officials, , began with the singing of the National Anthem by Cristina Alba and Samuel Gonzalez, and a blessingby the Archbishop of Santiago, Monsignor Ramon Benito de la Rosa.

The opening remarks were given by Mayor Gilberto Serulle, who said that this type of event, must always be supported as it contributes to the development of the country and the city.

In attendance also were ; entrepreneur, Felix Garcia, and Andrés Van der Horst, Minister of State and executive director of the National Competitiveness Council., who said that this event demonstrates that Santiago and the Cibao are serious about entrepreneurship and taking risks in order to increase production.

The event’s keynote address was given by President of the Chamber of Commerce of Santiago, Oliverio Espaillat Torres, who said that his institution is proud to present the twenty-third edition of Expo-Cibao, under the theme Conquering the world with productivity.

Mr. Torres said, that like every year, the fair is dedicated to creating conditions for the emergence of innovative entrepreneurs, large or small, who wish to grow and diversify.The exhibition includes 250 companies offering different products in 420 exhibition booths.

This year we put the emphasis on productivity, a condition that will allow us to compete in the globalized world, he said.

Santiago Live, 16.09.10

Governor Martínez presides over the organization of the Santiago carnival 2011

Seeking to enhance its attractions and cultural content

BREAKING NEWS: Santiago.- The organizing committee of the carnival of Santiago de los Caballeros 2011, announced today during a meeting in the Palace of the Governor, that at this years festival there will be a special dedication to the folklorist Manuel Ulises Bonnelly.

The tribute to this distinguished citizen of Santiago, comes in recognition of his hard work for the preservation of this popular and festive tradition.

The Governor of the province of Santiago, Raúl Martínez, who chairs the organizing committee, stressed the need to move towards the realization of a real plan to progressively develop our carnival, to maximize its appeal, enrich its cultural content and encourage greater integration and participation across all social strata.

Mr. Martinez explained that The Carnival of Santiago de los Caballeros, is a tangible cultural tradition for all its citizens, which is why we must ensure that every experience is better than the previous one, that every year we have a more flamboyant and colorful carnival, as well as a more secure and orderly one.

Santiago Live, 20.09.10

City Hall renovates main street, the curbs and sidewalks in barrio Lindo

In the La Herradura section of Santiago

BREAKING NEWS: Santiago.- The council of the municipality today began renovation work and community beautification in Barrio Lindo, in La Herradura section of the city. The project includes the building of sidewalks, curbs and the placing asphalt on main street.

The works were inaugurated by Dr. Gilberto Serulle, who led the brigades of workers, technicians and engineers who proceeded to begin to revamping of the neighborhood.
Mechanized units composed of bulldozers and asphalt equipment, labored from early in the morning in order to complete the remodeling of the main road.

The mayor practically moved his offices to Barrio Lindo, where he dispatched administrative matters, met with community leaders and received the former ambassador to Germany, Dr. William de Jesús Salvador, with whom he exchanged ideas.

The renovation work in the neighborhood was welcomed by the families, who spoke positively about the fact that the administration of Dr. Gilberto Serulle had taken their community into account.

Residents of the place stated, Our neighborhood had been marginalized by the previous authorities, but now it is receiving the attention in the form of this project to save and beautify the environment of Barrio Lindo, La Herradura.

Santiago Live, 22.09.10

The Ministry of Labor launches the project Santiago Work sponsored by the World Bank

To benefit some 4,000 low income residents

BREAKING NEWS: Santiago.- Dr. Max Puig from the Ministry of Labor (MOL) announced today the Temporary Employment Pilot Project Santiago Works, sponsored by the World Bank (WB), which in the first stage will help about 4,000 residents who are currently unemployed in five municipalities in the province of Santiago.

The government official along with Mr. Roby Senderowitsch, a representative of the World Bank, explained that the objective of this project is to improve the employability and incomes of the population of this city.

The representative from the World Bank, Roby Senderowitsch, highlighted the importance of the Temporary Employment Pilot Project, and said his institution is pleased to support this plan.

He stated that the employment is a key component in combating poverty, and added that not only will this program provide people temporary jobs, but will also enable them to have the opportunity to obtain permanent employment.

Santiago Live, 23.09.10

Roadwork begins on the rotunda La Fuente in Santiago

With an investment of 4.5 million pesos

BREAKING NEWS: Santiago.- The Mayor of Santiago, Gilberto Serulle, formally initiated the construction and renovation of the road at the rotunda La Fuente, which will cost over 4.5 million pesos.

Tractors and other heavy equipment began work on removing the rotunda La Fuente in order to replace it with several avenues with the aim of relieving traffic in the area, saving fuel, and reducing pollution and accidents.

The project will be is expected to be completed within 60 days and will cost RD $4.5 million, according to Mr. Serulle.

Secretary of the Municipal Planning Board, Erving Vargas, reported that there will be a digital traffic light system and using solar energy, so that the service will run 24 hours day.

Mr. Vargas said the lights will be digitized, with an independent power system, so that there would be no problems in the case of blackouts.
Santiago has grown from a medium-sized city to a big city, so we are helping to bring Santiago to modernity, said Mr. Vargas.

With the elimination of the rotunda, the city council hopes to reduce pollution in the area, which is caused mainly by the emission of carbon dioxide, by more than 50%..

Santiago Live, 29.09.10