Day: June 1, 2023

The fourth session of the Decentralization Cabinet was held to present reports and address local government issues.

During the meeting, the institutions comprising the Cabinet focused their discussions on citizen security and strengthening the capacities of municipalities. The fourth session of the Decentralization Cabinet was held, with the participation of the various institutions and entities that make up the body, to continue sharing strategies and actions to strengthen local governments. The Minister of Public Administration, Darío Castillo Lugo, the Director General of the Budget, José Rijo Presbot, and Milagros Ortiz Bosch, Director General of Ethics and Governmental Integrity, led the meeting along with representatives of the state institutions that make up the Cabinet. At the meeting, the technical team presented a report and also shared general aspects of the Municipal SISMAP guide and actions at the local level aimed at strengthening citizen security. During the meeting, the institutions comprising the Cabinet reiterated the need to create strategies and actions to stimulate the economic development of municipalities and ensure better funding for their public policies aimed at promoting and improving services in their territories. The meeting agenda also included a review of criteria for the selection and inclusion of local governments in the Transfer System; a budget analysis of competencies related to citizen security; the competencies and resources of local governments in matters of citizen security and community relations; milestones and stages in the training and awareness-raising process for authorities and technical teams; a timeline for activating indicators of the Public Administration Monitoring System (SISMAP); and a summary of the results of the Congress on “Citizen Security Policy from Local Governments” held during Municipal Week by the Dominican Municipal League (LMD). Additionally, the agenda addressed aspects that would enhance the institutional capacities of municipal governments to provide a timely and efficient response to the demands of their populations, highlighting the growing citizen demand for improved security standards in their territories through targeted prevention programs. Regarding the Decentralization Cabinet, President Luis Abinader, through the Ministry of Public Administration (MAP) and the Dominican Municipal League (LMD), launched the Decentralization Cabinet with the goal of strengthening the capabilities, professionalization, and resources of local governments throughout the country. Also participating in the event were Hadelyne Martínez, Manuel Parra, Hugo Guzmán, and Ángelo Martínez from the Ministry of Public Administration (MAP); Domingo Matías and Horacio Medrano from the Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Development (MEPyD); Berenice Barinas from the General Directorate of Ethics and Governmental Integrity (DIGEIG); Freddy Mesa and Leonardo Martínez from the Comptroller General's Office; Rolkin Lorenzo from the Legal Counsel's Office of the Executive Branch; Manuel Marte and Beatriz Fernández from the Dominican Municipal League; Cinthia Aquino from the Dominican Federation of Municipalities (FEDOMU); Juan Castillo, director of the Solidarity Foundation; and Carlos Villaverde from the Institutionalism and Justice Foundation (Finjus). Also present were Arnold Almánzar and Johnny Ciprian from the Department of Local Governments of the General Directorate of Budget. The event was held in the Juan Bosch Room of the Budget Office.