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Sereno
  4/10/2014 18:34 EST

We all know that news associations spin things. This one of several that I look at; cause it's in English and easy for me. I do scan others too.

http://www.dominicantoday.com/

Reading and learning is a mixed bag here and I sometimes don't know what to make of what is going on.

We are in a major drought but the money spent on other projects and not the basics just has me shaking my head not understanding why the basics are not addressed. Yet high cost of unnecessary projects that require other country's to do is the normal way of doing business.... for the "kick backs" to a few.

It now is a problem of WHAT needs the priority and get done. Riots in some areas and many without water at all.

Not to stir the pot, just my opinion. You that live here add yours and let others know along with the "news".

BTY. NO one tells us the real reason for no water. NO one. I send my own people out to learn.

"It's NOT MY fault!". The always heard Dominican chant.

Sorry for my rant? No. It's sharing and learning experience.

; Sereno

Ltindal
  4/10/2014 20:39 EST

Hello again Sereno: Just like you, I just roll my eye's and keep moving. I keep a very low profile to stay safe. I never tip the cab drivers as an example. Things like water I stock up on for my dogs and the Mrs. and me. I never let it go less than 5 bottles in the house. Matches and candle's are other items that I stock up on that can last a year in a pinch. Tool's, weapons, picks, shovels, and other items to barter in case of national uprising. And enough cash to get the hell out of here, if need be. I'm reading a 588 page book titled The Creature From Jekyll Island. By Edward Griffin. It's about the Federal Reserve, The IMF & The World, and how they have the national leaders around the world addicted to fiat money. There, you will find the answer to your question about conditions here, the big projects, and all of the unaddressed daily issues here in DR. I'm now at page 489 and counting. This book can be a challenge for most to read and understand, but don't give up.

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Sereno
  4/11/2014 17:31 EST

LOL. I am familiar with how many financial systems try to work and some do better then others. It has been very interesting to watch all the economies work to over come. Some do better then others.

What I don't understand is how the D.R. gets SOOO much money in loans and does not pay them back but manages every year to get MORE? This is a long history with many facets that I just don't understand.

We are not survivalist. We are practical people that understood that we had to put systems in place to be safe and comfortable. Much more then .... just about every X-pat that is doing what I use to do with my chicken rant.

We learned to take care of ourselves. Be it water, electric or candles.

Your point of having back up stuff should be well noted.

Your reinforcing a Plan B to get out IF needed also noted.

People? I don't think that Plan B will be need because ... we have planed and can ride out in comfort to live here.

Thanks Lt. for sharing.

Sereno

Ltindal
  4/11/2014 21:32 EST

Sereno, the answer to your question as to how the DR still gets money, when they never entend to re-pay the loans to The World Bank & The IMF, is simple. Both organizations are the offspring of the Federal Reserve. To continue the perpetual issuance of fiat money, the Fed could not directly print it and give/loan it to DR; therefore the creation of the World Bank & the IMF, as clearing house's. Once a bank loans $1.00, it can receive $9.00 more from the Fed. The ongoing cycle of the DR no paying, causes the IMF to rescue them with new loans, in which hundreds of millions are shaved off the top for heads of state for personal use and to run there government. A large portion of the loan is re-paid to the bank as intrest on the previous defaulted loan, which now still alive as part of the new loan. This is the source of inflation. People are not aware that when the value of their money falls, they're facing additional taxes when goods and services cost more. Hope to sit and chat when you come to the capitol again.

Sereno
  4/21/2014 11:01 EST

Hi all. Thanks for your input LT.

The World Bank has loaned the D.R. BILLIONS of $s over many years with the promise from the D.R. that Electricity will get better. They claim to know how to fix and year and year they get the money and year after year nothing gets fixed or changes.

http://www.dominicantoday.com

Dominican Republic is world’s 6th worse in lost energy: World Bank

Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic is the world’s sixth worse country in energy distribution and power lines losses, according to the World Bank study on World Development Indicators 2014, which evaluated 223 high, low and middle income countries.

In the report the country figures with losses as high 30%, second only to Botswana (56%), Congo (46%), Haiti (55%), Iraq (35%) and Nepal (34%).

Data from Dominican Republic’s State-owned Electric Utility (CDEEE) however losses close to 40%

The World Bank classifies Dominican Republic as a "medium-high income country," a group with distribution losses of 9%.

For low-income countries, the average is 15%, for medium is 10% income and for high income is 6%.

The percentages show that the country has to trim its losses from around 38% to 9%, which will lead to saving of US$715.0 million.

I'm really happy with our Solar system. ;) Sereno

Sereno
  4/21/2014 11:13 EST

And on another problem? Really.... we have problems here in Paradise? jajaja!

Our area, North Coast, has had 1 (ONE) day of good city water in over 6 weeks. We sometimes get a trickle for a few hours at night. The water trucks have been very busy and the cost for a 3,000 gallon truck load is 3,000 RD. Up over 3 times the normal price. We had 3 trucks last week.

This drought has effected most of the Island and we keep learning of other areas without water also.

Yet... I can ride around on my horse and see some people getting water while the next house does not. Working with our water company (something very new for us since .... never mind) and we all know that some individuals are changing valves and some have put in valves to stop the water passing their place.

From DominicanToday

Rains ease Greater Santo Domingo’s water crunch

Santo Domingo.- Greater Santo Domingo’s aqueduct utility (CAASD) on Sunday said potable water service has improved after the rains over the Isa, Duey and Haina river basins, adding 47 million gallons to be distributed today Monday across the urban area.

CAASD director Alejandro Montas said that production on Sunday jumped from 303 to 350 million gallons per day.

He said the Haina-Manoguayabo aqueduct system, whose production hasn’t exceeded 22 million gallons per day since the current drought began, is currently producing 55 million gallons per day.

We have had very little rain where I am. About 1.5 inches in the last 6 weeks. We do catch rain water off our roof so that helped with around 2,000 gallons. We also store more then most with 2 cisterns totaling over 15,000 gallons.

Yards, gardens and pastures all dried up. Trees are dropping leaves and soon will have none.

Looking for some rain for the North Coast. ;) Sereno

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Sereno
  4/22/2014 08:41 EST

As mentioned above, water is a problem. In this article that state that trying to clean up the major river in Santo Domingo has failed several times.

I would think that it would be almost impossible to change the decades long habits of those that use the river as their sewer and garbage place. Not to mention business' that pour tons of toxins in. The cost of cleaning up a river is huge but paying for correcting the problem is much larger.

www.dominicantoday.com

Another project to clean the Dominican capital’s waterway

Santo Domingo.- President Danilo Medina met with Nobel Peace Prize, Professor Mohan Munasinghe at the National Palace Monday afternoon, together with representatives of the Coalicion Rio (river coalition), created with his assessment to solve the Ozama river’s pollution.

The Coalition is formed by the Tropigas Foundation, San Souci Holdings, the Environment Ministry, Jaime Moreno, Domingo Contreras, William Gutiérrez and the MIND Institute, headed by Munasinghe.

The project aims to develop, clean and recover the Ozama riverbanks over 10 years, and eliminate organic and solid wastes and manage and control sewage in the first two years.

The coalition also presented Medina with an "unique and historic collection of 15 studies over the past three decades by local and foreign agencies on the pollution and which could solve the problem affecting the Ozama river: Families, banks, creek beds and everything else", said René De el Risco, a senior executive of the Martí Petroleum Group, owner of the Tropigas Foundation.

He said in a meeting last year Medina asked Munasinghe’s cooperation to solve Ozama’s pollution, which is four times higher than international standards.

He said since then, work on the project is being done through the Tropigas Foundation and with the advice of the Nobel Peace Prize and his MIND Institute, as well as other coalition entities. "Professor Munasinghe, with a methodology called MIND, has worked abroad on cases a lot more serious and also a lot large than this."

"What we seek with this visit is to introduce the scope of these studies, the scope of what we have. How we’re already to start, how, and in what manner we can develop this platform, not only to work right away, but also to access international resources from various institutions to solve this problem," del Risco said.

Failed projects

The announced cleanup of the Dominican Capital’s main waterway is the latest attempt to tackle the gargantuan dilemma, and include a failed effort three years ago by an Italian group to develop real estate projects on Ozaman’s trash-choked banks.

Sereno
  4/22/2014 09:06 EST

Google Earth and follow the river. Look at the photos.

I was even more amazed at the scope of this problem of cleaning the river up.

IMHO? Ain't ever gonna get close.

:( Sereno

Sereno
  4/22/2014 09:15 EST

Just to keep you busy? Let's ruin more of the D.R.... (put a mad face here.)

www.Dominicantoday.com

Fires set by farmers char Los Haitises National Park, deputy warns

Monte Plata, Dominican Republic.- As many as 100 wildfires char the forests at Los Haitises National Park (northeast), ruling PLD party deputy Ricardo Contreras affirmed Monday, blaming Haitians who plant cash crops under instructions from "criminal hands.”

He called Los Haitises the Antilles’s biggest ecological lung, home to numerous rivers that supply water to Greater Santo Domingo and Monte Plata. He said it’s also home to a great variety of fauna of flora.

The lawmaker also warned of deforestation at Sierra de Yamasa range, the source of the Ozama River, the country’s fifth biggest watershed.

President Danilo Medina executive order 360-13 named a Commission to solve to the problem of the squatters evicted from Los Haitises and prevent its continued destruction.


Sereno shaking his head.

(we had .14 inches of rain last night that provided just under 200 gallons into our cistern from our roof catching. ;) )

StevenBarr
  4/22/2014 17:37 EST

Yes the electrical grid in Luperon is uneliable. Lack of power is bad for the tourist business no ice for their drinks and no ac at night after a long day at the beach. With 8 solar pannels and 8 batteries 96% of the time the sun supplies me electric. The gov run electric company cannot supply electricity 50% of the time. Thanks mister Sun!! Lets not look to any gov for any services they will be exprnsive and the services are of poor quality that includes US medical services. Happy expat living off the grid with wife and kids.

Sereno
  4/25/2014 13:29 EST

ROFL!

THE DROUGHT IS OVER! As declared by the Dominican Gov.

www.Dominicantoday.com

Scattered showers into the weekend; the drought is over

Santo Domingo.- The National Weather Office on Friday forecast scattered showers mostly over the Atlantic coast for Saturday, from a trough which has unleashed rainfall over the past few days.

It said cloudiness will increase Friday afternoon along with scattered moderate showers. It said the weather conditions are expected to continue throughout the weekend.

Onamet said the seasonably high temperatures will continue from the prevailing East-Southeast wind, adding that the months-long drought has come to an end for the entire country.
------------
Let's think about this?
I'm on the North Coast on the Atlantic Ocean. We have had about 1.5 inches of rain in the last TWO MONTHS.

Many areas with any city water at all.

Other areas have been reduced and more being done as I write.

I find it odd that they say the this weekend will end the drought since we weekend is not here yet.

My home weather station tells me mostly sun, with no rain for the next 24 to 48 hours and it is usually correct.

Meanwhile, some people are pumping pool and cisterns out of other peoples places... when no one is home. Yep, saw it myself with a couple of others to witness it too.

ROFL while shaking my head.

;) Sereno

P.S. Steven.... we too love our solar and water purification system so our automatic ice maker works full time. ;)

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Sereno
  4/25/2014 13:33 EST

oops. should read:

Many areas without any city water at all.

OH. Winds continue to be out of the N.E. as normal and NOT the E. and S.E.

Sereno
  4/28/2014 07:01 EST

Monday morning so I have the rain data that the Gov. said that we had before it happened. ;)

We had 3 short rain showers each lasting less then half an hour to gave us a GRAND TOTAL OF... watch the decimal point.. .68 of an inch. The wind DID shift coming out of the South with a thunder storm and high winds with what promised to be a soaker. .18 of on inch and all done and over with in less then an hour.

Still no city water in our area going into our 9th week. But we did gain about 880 gallons of rain water into our cistern. The crazy Italian down the street has finished draining the old green pool water from his neighbors place. lol.

Bottom line? The D.R. Gov. MUST be correct. Drought is over as I have affirmed above.

Not laughing this morning but still shaking my head. ;(

Planner
  4/28/2014 08:40 EST

It amazes me that they can be this STUPID!!!! It is culturally normal to waste huge amounts of water here.

So to announce the end of the "drought" when we have not had sufficient rain is a ridiculous thing to do.

Over the weekend we did not get a drop of rain! Already we have water rationing and it is only going to get worse!

what were they thinking???Oh sorry, silly question.

Ltindal
  4/28/2014 11:01 EST

@ Planner; How Dominicans can be so Stupid have stopped amazing me. I've transferred that feeling, as well as all of my frustrations with daily personal experiences of Dominican Stupidity and Corruption, into a general source of being entertained and laughter.

Planner
  4/28/2014 11:06 EST

You have to honey. If you let it get to you it will destroy you.

Couple with that - a genuine awe of their ingenuity!! I am truly amazed at what they can make, fix, create, rejuvenate and repair!!!!

Sereno
  4/29/2014 12:29 EST

Planner: " I am truly amazed at what they can make, fix, create, rejuvenate and repair!!!!"

Especially if they find a Gringo to buy it!

One of the few projects that I like is that Pres. Medina has been working on is education. I don't know if any of the standards have become better but new schools have been built. At least that's a start.

YET... you have some that are directly in charge of the education system that don't have a clue.

www.dominicantoday.com

As students languish, Dominican Education chief laughs off RD$18.0M mock-up.

Santo Domingo.- While students at the San Francisco de Macorís Polytechnic (northeast) endure classes under three mango trees, awaiting the school’s inaugural, Education minister Carlos Amarante laughed off criticism against the RD$18.0 million spent to build a mock-up of the Ministry at the Santo Domingo Book Fair.

He said the replica represents Education and next year’s mock-up will be that of a full- day schools now being implemented across the country.

"I believe the cost is justified and next year we’ll build another replica, not of the Ministry, because that’s what some people didn’t like, let's replicate a full-day school," the official said at the Fair prior to belching out a laugh.

Quoted by local media on Monday, Amarante said the millions spent on the structure sought to encompass “everything relating to the educational revolution motored by president Danilo Medina.”
----------------------
That's over U.S. $416,000. so that the chief gets his pride stroked while he's laughing. I also wonder where all the very expensive windows, lighting, furniture and stuff will end up?

Sereno

Ltindal
  4/29/2014 20:18 EST

My wife and I were at the book fair today Sereno. It was packed with many browsers. We made 4 purchase's. I'll tell you where the expensive lights, furniture, etc will end up. $$$$$! Go to the head of the class Sereno.

Sereno
  4/30/2014 06:13 EST

Hi Lt. So YOUR the ones that bought those 4 items and made the fair a success. LOL.

I tried to find the article about the extravagance of the exhibit building but could not but it appears that you saw and confirm it.

I hope that you both had a good time.

Oh goody. I'm in the 5th grade now?

; ) Sereno

Planner
  4/30/2014 10:01 EST

They just do not understand that this waste of money is a ridiculous example!

And there is NO doubt where the windows, air conditioners, desks and other items will be going after this is torn down.....NONE......

Sereno
  4/30/2014 16:10 EST

Lot's of news today but I ain't gonna depress y'all.

I remember when they first started the Cafta thing and some prices went down a little but then not only did they go up, they went out of sight on many things. With the loss of some import taxes they raised the sales tax, then added the exempt items taxed and then all services taxed too. Not to mention all the new taxes that have been introduced with more coming.

With people now worried about the full implantation I wonder what a loaf of bread will cost tomorrow?

www.dominicantoday.com

Economic sectors jittery as trade pact opening looms

Santo Domingo.- The US$1.7 billion trade deficit spurred by the Cafta-Dr agreement concerns some retail and productive sectors that it will soar starting 2015, when 97% of the products within the pact with the U.S. and Central America will enter duty free.

Dominican Graphic Industries Association (ADIGA) president Luis Miura on Tuesday said the reduced duties will create an economic imbalance that he affirms could spark a financial recession and a loss of currency. He said the country still isn’t ready to repeal the tariff on products covered by the 2015.

Hardware Stores Association president Domingo Fermin said the lack of information about the types of duty-free products concerns productive sectors. He said hardware dealers are confused because many believe that if they buy in mid- to yearend, a glut of cheap goods at their expense of those in stock may occur starting next January, which in his view would create a problem in inventory.

Producers, dealers and professionals in various areas of the economy expressed their concerns during the 2nd "Tariff elimination DR-Cafta 2015" workshop hosted by the Industry and Commerce Ministry’s Trade Agreements Dept. (Dicoex). They noted the difficulties faced by local industry regarding competitiveness, trade facilitation, and equal opportunities to access international markets.

The Cafta-Dr free trade agreement was signed in 2004 and put into effect from 2007.
----------------------
Why do I feel "jittery" too?

---------
About that book fair exhibit? I wonder how much will come out of the education budget to move it to it's new permanent location on "someones" private property?


I guess that I need to go into the "happy thread". ; )

Sereno

Sereno
  5/2/2014 11:27 EST

www.dominicantoday.com

Sunny weekend.

Santo Domingo.- The National Office Weather –Onamet- forecasts widely scattered showers across the Dominican Republic today and into the weekend, with low probability of precipitation

It said however that scattered showers with some thunderstorms over the Southeast, Northeast, Central Mountains and border area, tapering off during the evening.

Starting Monday ONAMET forecasts increasing showers from a trough entering the territory, with moderate to heavy downpours expected over all regions except the East and Southwest.
------------------------
I read this a couple of times and need help with a translation.

ROFL and still shaking head.
Sereno

Planner
  5/2/2014 11:41 EST

I often am left shaking my head, both at the translation and at the actual message.............

Sereno
  5/12/2014 18:11 EST

Another example of ... I'm SO tired of shaking my head. This has so many players that it... never mind.

(Nice port.)

www.dominicantoday.com

Senate probe targets Dominican Republic southwest port

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican-Venezuelan mining company Company (DOVEMCO), which exports bauxite from Pedernales (southwest) on 11:30am Tuesday will face questions by a Senate panel on alleged lack of security, investment and use of Cabo Rojo Port, leased to the cement plant Cementos Andinos Dominicanos, of Colombian capital.

The announcement comes after months of reports that the area is being used to airdrop drugs as well as narcotics shipments from South America on go-fast boats.

In a statement the Senate Defense Committee said it has already interviewed representatives from the Customs, Antinarcotics (DNCD) Port Security (CESEP) and Mining agencies, the Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM), and of Cementos Andinos Dominicans.

The directors of APORDOM Ramón Rivas, and of Mining, Alexander Medina, told the senators that the contract with Cementos Andinos Dominicanos to manage Cabo Rojo should be terminated, on alleged failure to comply and its resistance to bauxite exports.

According to the statement, Senate Committee chair Adriano Sánchez Roa said the investigation will lead to a full report rendered to the full Senate, regarding port security, payments of fees, the environment, management and business disputes at the port near the city of Pedernales.

The investigation aims to look into the safety levels in which Cabo Rojo Port operates and the contract with Cementos Andinos Dominicanos, while the resolution submitted by Senator Carlos Castillo states that "transnational criminal organizations exploit the deserted space of the Southwest."
--------------------------------
Google bauxite. You might find it interesting.

Lot's of possibilities but the one that gets me most is... this is an small island and dry ground is limited. Just a side thought.

Have a good one and share your thoughts. Sereno

Ltindal
  5/12/2014 20:59 EST

I want to continue living Sereno. Mums the word.

Sereno
  5/15/2014 18:37 EST

I'm posting this for our good friend Lt that loves Santo Domingo that is in the number ONE spot.

I don't think that you can just click the links on this board. Too bad; you can try a copy/paste?

http://www.businessinsider.com/iese-smartest-cities-in-motion-index-2014-5

The 20 Best Cities On The Planet

With globalization, climate change, and social and economical challenges, today’s world cities need to adapt like never before.

The IESE Business School in Spain is out with its annual Cities in Motion Index (ICIM), which ranks the world’s best ("smartest") cities — those that have the highest levels of innovation, sustainability, and quality of life. This year, Tokyo came in first with its impressive public management, technology, economy, and the ability to attract talent from all over the world.

To establish the ranking, researchers studied 135 cities across 55 countries, and based their results on over 50 indicators along 10 different dimensions including governance, public management, urban planning, technology, environment, international outreach, social cohesion, mobility and transportation, human capital (ability to attract talent), and economy.

Of the top 20 cities, 10 are European (London, Paris, Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Zürich, Basel, and Geneva), six are in the U.S. (New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Baltimore), three are in Asia (Tokyo, Seoul, and Osaka), and one is Oceanian (Sydney). Below is the full list of the top 20 cities:
1.Tokyo
2.London
3.New York
4.Zürich
5.Paris
6.Geneva
7.Basel
8.Osaka
9.Seoul
10.Oslo
11.Philadelphia
12.Los Angeles
13.Dallas
14.Copenhagen
15.Eindhoven
16.Amsterdam
17.Sydney
18.Stockholm
19.Chicago
20.Baltimore

Out of all 135 cities researched, Barcelona is the metropolis that made the best progress overall, moving from 63rd to 51st place in only two years, according to IESE. Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic ranked last, mostly due to low ratings in transportation, technology, human capital, and economy.

After Santo Domingo, the bottom cities were mostly in Brazil, including Fortaleza (133), Recife (132), Brasilia (131), Belo Horizonte (129), Porto Alegre (128), and Salvador (127). Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, was ranked 134, La Paz, Bolivia, was ranked 130, and Caracas, Venezuela, was ranked 126 to round out the bottom 10 cities.
------------------------

Yup. Santo Domingo came in first place as the worse city out of 135.

Now ain't we proud.

; ) Sereno

Sereno
  5/15/2014 18:58 EST

But let's look at some GOOD news. (should there be a ? at the end of that sentence?)

www.dominicantoday.com

State-owned hotels, tourism schools rebuilt for RD$300.0M+

Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic’s hotels and tourism industry development agency (CORPHOTELS) on Thursday announced an allocation of more than RD$300.0 million to recover and rebuild hotels and tourism schools.

CORPHOTELS director Bienvenido Pérez, in a ceremony to reopen its main office, said the investment is of Dominican capital with cooperation from the European Community.

Pérez said the Hotel Santa Cruz at El Seybo (east) is being rebuilt at a cost of RD$48.8 million, as well as Constanza’s (central) Nueva Suiza, at a cost of RD$37.0 million.

He said his agency’s offices were completely remodeled at a cost of RD$11.0 million, in keeping with the parameters of current government administration.

Perez added that similar work is being done at Hotel Montaña and Casa Club Ercilia Pepín, in Jarabacoa, Hotel Agua y Luz, in Santo Domingo and La Mansion, in San José de Las Matas, Santiago.
-------------------------
I'm all for education but I know that a couple of these hotels are privately owned.

Perhaps with the Gov. fixing them up and paying for new students to learn how to make a bed and serve food is a good thing. (should there be a ? at the end of that sentence?)

Planning another riding trip next month in Jarabacoa so will check in a little..... heavy. jajaja.

; ) Sereno

Ltindal
  5/15/2014 22:24 EST

Hey Sereno! Hahahahaha! Thanks for the laugh. I lived in NYC, Los Angeles, and born and raised in Philadelphia. Oh, forgot about Copacabana (RIO). I never gave a thought about rating the cities but, your research appears very accurate. I've been to at least 20 of the worlds biggest cities. Good job Sereno.

Sereno
  5/28/2014 18:51 EST

LOTS OF STUFF!

www.dominicantoday.com

Since some think that this is "negative" news" from an expat I have NO comment.

YOU all figure it out and YOU comment. (some have been here less then 2 months and are already experts.)

Ltindal
  5/28/2014 20:04 EST

@Sereno; I don't feel that your post or response's have been negative at all. I've found them to be on point most of the time, and very helpful. You've got to have thick skin on this forum, or you could crash & burn very fast. Several months ago, I told you that some of the OP's comments were starting to get me burned out. Well, I just made the choice to just try to help as many who would ask or have a question that I had knowledge about. I was always honest about how I felt on the topic, without trying to cover up or defend the local's behavior with the same old excuse that this is their country and it's 3rd world. Some may take my opinions as negative, but I sleep good at night telling the truth. I would be called a smart@ss, if I answered the questions of newbee's by just telling them to move and learn on your own. Boa noite Sereno.

positivlysmb
  5/28/2014 22:19 EST

I've never read a "negative", aka "condescending" comment from Serano. He gives his opinion without putting anyone down. He seems to understand--there are no excuses for the "locals" behavior---just reasons. He seems to respect the reasons. If the condescending shoe fits....

Sereno
  5/29/2014 18:40 EST

Thanks for your comments that help keep us all in "check".

Let us get back to work sharing, helping each other and new people.

Combined we have a lot of experience to share that even an old timer can learn.

Thank you.

Sereno
  5/30/2014 07:28 EST

When we first started coming to the D.R., over 15 years ago we found:
Low crime of opportunity and minor.
Cost of living was very low for just about everything.
Mostly honest people that while even "working" the tourist still offered value.
Lack of infrastructure and services noted but could be lived with.

We thought that we saw an emerging country moving out of the 3rd world status so we planned, bought, built and moved here knowing that we would have to provide for ourselves while learning and adapting.

Sorry for the long intro here.

3 articles here and others in the news that tie into these 3.

www.dominicantoday.com

Government places US$1.25B bond as debt spirals
Santo Domingo.- Presidency administrative minister Jose Ramon Peralta affirmed Monday that the Government had already placed a US$1.25 billion bond, with US$250 million remaining, aside from an issue in pesos, all to shore up this year's budget.

Speaking in the National Palace, the official said payment commitments are of great concern for the government, which had no other solution than to seek more loans. "The debt problem is very serious for this country, this administration and future administrations, because the debt amount has overflowed, and to pay that debt, the Dominican people then have to take more loans."

Peralta said the Government takes fewer funds from loans than it pays to amortize, “as evidenced by the fact that more than half of its revenue goes to pay off debt.”

He said that if close to US$ 4.0 billion of the debt is being paid, a bit more than half is only interest. He said US$170.0 billion has been paid just for the debt this year.

The Central Bank has placed the current debt at $27.1 billion.
------------
Central Banker sees informality-low wages-poverty link

Santo Domingo.- Central banker Héctor Valdez Albizu on Wednesday said informality is directly related to low wages, which in turn is linked to poverty, for which public policies are needed to deal with the challenge.

"President Danilo Medina works steadily with the best intentions to solve the country’s most important problems," he said.

Speaking at a meeting with members of the National Entrepreneurs Union (UNE), the official lauded this year’s economic performance, especially the retail sector, the growth of bank credit, and its challenges and opportunities. "There’s a delicate balance. While labor formality is desirable in social security and fiscal terms, it’s important that people make a living and support their family."

Valdez said many workers voluntarily prefer to be informal after analysing cost-benefit alternatives.

Jobs

According to the Central Banker, the formal sector’s net jobs jumped by 96,261 from October 2012 to October 2013, while the informal sector’s net jobs fell 26,460, a difference of 69,801.
---------------------
Top official discovers Dominicans’ shrunk purchasing power

Santo Domingo.- Banks superintendent Rafael Camilo on Thursday affirmed that the Dominican Republic is the country which saves the least in Latin America at only 8% of GDP, but in an apparent lapse noted that the peoples purchasing power has been declining.

He cited data from 2011 but affirmed that the official figures haven’t changed much since. “It’s a serious situation today, we’re saving 8%, and there’s much explanation for that. But what does that mean?, that we ourselves cannot finance our economy. With domestic savings we cannot finance our economy."

Speaking at a breakfast of Dominican Republic’s Industry Association, Camilo called the situation on saving serious because the country will “always have to borrow and seek loans abroad to finance growth.”

He spoke on the topic "Exports as the axis of a new development model: Its financing and the Bandex," on which the official added:”What’s happened is that real wages have been declining in Dominican Republic.”
--------------

We have seen some things get better over the years. We have also seen and experienced much more that have not.

We are happy with our life here in the D.R. BUT...

We still learn, adapt and adjust in order to meet the ever changing Dominican Republic.

Kiskeyanos
  5/31/2014 07:57 EST

I read this article and I am not sure what is meant by "informality".
On another article it says it
Looks like the DR is trying to get cozy with China to trade, but more than likely, for a means to attain more capital (loans). Now that is scarey

Sereno
  5/31/2014 17:30 EST

The News is always a slight mystery with the real meaning between the lines.

I have yet to find the de-coder ring.

A few years ago the D.R. made a deal with Venezuela to pay some of the oil bill off in beans. The first shipment was rejected due to "not good enough for my cows". Oil stopped flowing for awhile. Bean deal dead.

China? Tourist? New backing and exchange rates? Who knows?

"informality" is like the word "manana". In just about every Spanish speaking country it means the next day as in tomorrow. Here in the D.R. it means.... sometime in the future and we are not telling you when that is.

The Dominican Republic has it's own word meaning and how it is used can change the whole meaning.

Not easy at all. But they are good at it.

Sereno
  7/10/2014 16:22 EST

The news is constantly filled with articles about corruption in just about every sector. Drugs have also become a huge problem that fuels even more corruption.

And we have also talked about the spend and borrow policies of this country and have wondered.... Why would anyone loan money to the Dominican Republic?

www.dominicantoday.com

US$30.0B debt stalks Dominican Republic’s economy

Santo Domingo.- Runaway public debt already near US$30.0 billion, unemployment and a distorted production model that spooks investments are the Dominican economy’s main pitfalls, according to economists Miguel Ceara and Ernesto Selman.

But of the three woes the external debt is what most concerns experts, and with reason: 91% of the interests due in2014 are being paid with new loans.

"We’re not only are paying capital with debt, but also the interests," Ceara said. "That’s money which is literally bouncing because it is not used for any productive activity, and to pay off interest instead."

"There’s a doubt as to whether the money borrowed in the past was used effectively, because in a country with so many institutional weaknesses, it is legitimate to think that the money has been misused," Ceara said

Speaking in the Corripio Media Group luncheon, Ceará added that according to budget figures, this year’s net new debt is RD$77.0 billion, and RD$71.0 billion has to be paid in interest.

Planner
  7/11/2014 16:46 EST

I find some of the articles highly entertaining.

For example this morning in Diario Libre they discussed the fact that they "uncovered" accounting issues and misapplication of funds at CDEEE.

Really, that just cracked me up!!!! Of course there are accounting issues that is how they "find" money for themselves.....

Kiskeyanos
  7/11/2014 18:12 EST

there needs to be a "like" button like face book.
this made me chuckle. "like"

Sereno
  7/12/2014 09:16 EST

I agree! So much is SOOOO bad that all you can do is laugh. ;)

Now for something completely different.......... again and over and over.

I just GOTTA go get me some of these. (I'd like to meet the people that buy this stuff. I've got a bridge in N.Y. to sell them along with land in Florida and all sorts of good stuff.)

www.dominicantoday.com

Reuters: Government boosts 7.45% 2044 bond by US$250M

New York (IFR). - The government of the Dominican Republic, rated B1/B+/B, has launched a US$250m increase of its 7.45% 2044 bond at the final yield of 6.85%, according to one of the lead managers, Reuters reports.

“Final terms came tight to initial price thoughts of 6.95%-7.00% released earlier on Friday,” the outlet said, noting that Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan are the transaction bookrunner. “It will bring the total outstanding amount on the note to US$1.5 billion.

The news agency adds that the proceeds from the transaction will go to infrastructure projects, as well as to support other sectors.
--------------------

I like the part: "...as well as to support other sectors."

New Jeeps for EVERYONE ... (in my family)

Sereno
  7/17/2014 11:18 EST

Now for something to make you laugh.

Oops! Congress forgot Ban Ki-moon speaks English

Santo Domingo.- Dominicans again laugh at their own foibles Wednesday as Congress forgot to hire translators for UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon’s speech in English, leaving most lawmakers looking at each other throughout.

Since only a few had access to translation, many legislators told reporters that they don't know “for sure” what Ban had said in his speech.

The media also report inconveniences and disorganized protocol when they tried to enter the National Assembly Hall.

Planner
  7/17/2014 11:30 EST

HYSTERICAL and they "lead" this country..............

Sereno
  8/4/2014 09:28 EST

www.dominicantoday.com

National land deed system could collapse: Surveyors Guild

Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic’s surveyors guild (Asodagrim) on Sunday urged the Executive Branch to retake control over the Real Estate Jurisdiction to avert a collapse in the certification of properties.

Guild president Miguel Valoy said the Supreme Court’s inability to manage the Real Estate Jurisdiction has led to the waste of US$70 million he affirms were spent in 2007 to modernize Land Court procedures. “The results weren’t what investors expected, which in the end are the most interested.”

He said Asodagrim has sought to work together and find a solution to the as many as 20,000 land titles now pending liquidation, which have negative impact for tourism investment and banking.

Accompanied by guild officers Oqueilis Montero and Rafael García, the expert said they’ve tried without success to get an amendment to Real Estate Law 108-05 for several years, which they affirm has slowed the registration system.

Interviewed by hoy.com.do, Valoy said the government no longer collects significant taxes from land transfer and transactions, because the slow issuing of titles and lack of judges for cases has hobbled the processes.
--------------------
Really? You are JUST figuring this out?

We had a powerful group try to take our land. They lost. It took over 10 years in criminal, land and ??? courts to win our defense. TEN YEARS with each level ending up in the highest courts and setting new laws.

Over TEN FRICKEN YEARS!

We had all our deslinde papers on file 5 years ago just waiting for the final court decision, that we won. (they kept appealing so it continued to go on and on and on.) Guess what? The land courts have lost ALL our paper work and we have had to start all over again. That will take another 3 or more years. That's how long it takes.

Sereno
  8/4/2014 09:48 EST

And now for some FUN news!

The country’s Foreign Service still the laughing stock abroad

Santo Domingo.- President Danilo Medina has left Dominican Republic’s Foreign Service intact and despite a "revolution" promised during his election campaign, has failed to set it forth in his first two years in office.

The results have led to lagoons in the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Foreign Service left by the previous Administration, making it a white elephant with a ballooned payroll and one of Medina’s apparently failed policies.

As the country’s gargantuan representations abroad exploded, Medina opted to pass the crisis on the Office of the Comptroller General, which now controls the payrolls of the hundreds of diplomats, dozens of which allegedly charge rentals and other expenses despite not living in the countries where they’re assigned.

And although the measure resolved the crisis for now, it failed to cull the number of diplomats, or the government’s promise to send young professionals to represent the country abroad so they become agents of business to draw investments or make sure the Foreign Service is no longer “the best paid vacation."

The hundreds of vice consuls, assistants and advisors in Dominican consulates and embassies who’re paid to stay home in the Dominican Republic maintain the country as the laughing stock abroad.

Outlet diariolibre.com.do reported on several cases, such as the 95 vice consuls in the United States, 36 of them in New York, also 102 auxiliaries, 54 of them in that city. A vice consul’s base salary of US$1,750 per month can quadruple when travel expenses and other perks are added.
------------------
Long ago... when we decided to move to the D.R. with all that we owned we had to have a "bill of lading" from our moving company and have it approved by the D.R. consul office in Boston.

Knowing that this could take days/weeks/months and lots of "lunch money", we did something a little different.

Our atty. in the D.R. is a Brugal and her son worked for us part time. We brought him up to our place in the Boston area and HE went in with us and signed in. The room was packed with people. After a couple of minutes the guy behind the desk looked at the name and within seconds we were called into the private office and everything approved.

You see, it just so happens that the guy behind the desk was returning to the D.R. soon and would need a job and a Brugal is a good contact to have.

Some things CAN work... if you know how to do it?

Sereno
  8/6/2014 18:38 EST

I absolutely did a ROFL with this one. The cultural divide in just a greeting should be one for the books. Kinda like one of the above posts about a U.N. guy being here and how that was handled?

Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic will have access to a study on vehicular traffic by Korean experts in November, to help design a road safety strategy to reduce deaths and disabilities from accidents, on which the country is ranked second worldwide.

The study of what can occur in the country’s transit is carried out by consultants from the Korea Highways Company, a project signed with the IDB and the Eximbank of Korea, nation that cut the number of deaths 50% in 10 years, from 12,653 in 1996 to 6,327 in 2006.

Economy Ministry Infrastructure and Logistics director Víctor Ventura, Deputy minister for Competitiveness Management Juan Reyes and Korea Public Knowledge Sharing Program (KSP) official Jihye Seon signed the agreement, drafted after two days of work.
----------------
I drive a BIG HONKEN REAL JEEP WITH ARMOR.

I've never wondered why.

Sereno
  8/12/2014 19:11 EST

I really do look for good news. I really do want to say support everything D.R.

I look at the D.R. news and other reports saying... how GREAT things are here but I still scratch my head while rolling my eyes with my head going left to right.

SO many reports that I can not keep up with them.

# 2 in world traffic deaths.
#2 in worse power provider.
#3 in worse power costs.
#2 in worse place for drug trafficking.
# 2 in best place to laundry your illegal money.
#3 in corruption. (soon to be #1).
#2 for the worse infrastructure in the world
No confidence from any nation the D.R. is very high.

With the water/drought and electrical shutting down I fell really good.

Hey... I got my solar and water system and over 300 rounds of 9 mm. I'll build on that.

Another day of watching people panic and screwing everyone that they can and I must admit that I've seen a lot of creative ways that people can screw others.

Pathetic.

Sereno
  8/13/2014 08:53 EST

I'm wrong in some areas. Another report published by Forbes puts the Dominican Republic at #1 spot for the worst place to do business.

Copy then paste into your browser.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2014/06/11/the-most-and-least-reliable-countries/

Long article with some interactive charts. Worth giving a look.

I'll now really try to find some good stuff. Really... I will. ;)

Ltindal
  8/13/2014 09:05 EST

Good morning Sereno; Your post made me smile today. Thank You. Hahahahahahahahaha!!!! # 1 worst place worldwide to do business. I figured that out within my first 60 days in DR.

Sereno
  8/13/2014 17:03 EST

I'm happy that you had a good laugh Lt. ;)

Now for some better news IF I read this correctly. BUT... it states that the new tax can not go into effect but then it states that 2 others are needed to stop it but then...

I get SOO confused at times. (make that most of the time.)
-------------------
www.dominicantoday.com

Government’s planned Web shopping tax loses a court round

Santo Domingo.- The Customs Agency (DGA) cannot charge the tax online purchases less than US$200 starting August 15 announced by the government, states a court ruling handed down Wednesday.

The decision by the Superior Administrative Court (TSA) orders Fernando Fernández director cannot charge the t ax until a judge hears at least two requests for a restraining order.

"The application of the measure was suspended, the Court made the decision at the start of the hearing with a statement read by the Secretary of the Court," said Laura Castellanos, spokeswoman for Dominican Republic Couriers Association.

Several civil society groups have filed challenges to the proposed tax on Web shopping in the various courts.
------------------
Since my wife travels about once a month we now order (more) stuff to be sent to hotels where my wife stays and she mules it back.

I really wonder what that article said. 8/

Sereno
  8/14/2014 09:05 EST

Of course coal fired electrical plants ARE my first choice to solve the problem in the D.R. (you DO know that I'm kidding.)

I really don't see what the problem is here in this article. So what's the big deal over a BILLION dollars discrepency?

www.dominicantoday.com

Dominican Republic court halts construction on US$2.4B coal-fired power plant

Santo Domingo.- The Superior Administrative Court (TSA) on Wednesday ordered the suspension of the call for tenders to build two coal-fired power plants, until a challenge of the process is heard.

Presiding judge Delfina Leon ruled a request for an injunction submitted by the Gezhouba Group Company Ltd., against the State-owned Electric Utility’s tender committee, Odebrecht Tecnimont and the Government Purchasing Dept., in addition to a challenged filed by Consorcio Impe.

The judge ruled that the CDEEE’s call for tenders for the power plants’ construction “generated an inconsistency with the value approved by the General State Budget.”

It notes that although article 52 of the call for tenders sets the maximum value at US$1.5 billion for the work, the documentation reveals that it was assigned for US$2.4 billion, an inconsistency which the records provided doesn’t justify.

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