Day: July 30, 2024

Citizen Forum presents urban planning alternative proposal for families with housing shortages in the Alcarrizos community

The report was presented at a Citizens' Meeting on Budgeting, which brought together various public institutions and community groups from the Freddy Beras Goico neighborhood. Participants agreed to establish a dialogue to facilitate a comprehensive solution to the problem. The General Directorate of Budget (DIGEPRES) and the Housing and Habitat Commission of Foro Ciudadano held a Citizens' Meeting to address the housing situation of families currently sheltering in the "Los Coquitos" school under construction in the Freddy Beras Goico neighborhood, located in the municipality of Los Alcarrizos. During the meeting, Virginia Pastor, an urban planner from Ciudad Alternativa, presented the comprehensive diagnosis and proposal to government representatives with sectoral responsibility for the issue. The goal was to define an urban and housing alternative for the 389 displaced families, according to field surveys conducted by Ciudad Alternativa. In the presentation given by members of civil society, the implications of forced evictions were emphasized, as they render invisible the efforts of individuals and families to create a physical and social space that allows them to develop memories and a sense of belonging built over a lifetime. Similarly, the proposal outlines support for communities and the promotion of social housing production projects and the right to housing for those who lack it and wish to obtain it through alternatives to the real estate market. Following the presentation, a discussion took place, using as a starting point the data presented by the team from the Housing and Habitat Commission of Foro Ciudadano. The meeting concluded with an agreement to establish a working group between civil society organizations, including community members from the sector, and government institutions, comprised of the Ministry of Housing and Buildings (MIVED), the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development (MEPyD), the Santo Domingo Province Senatorial Office, and the National Council for Presidential Management (Conagep). About the Citizen Meeting: The Citizen Meeting was sponsored by DIGEPRES, represented by its Director General, José Rijo Presbot; Iván Ramírez, Deputy Director General of Budget; Juan Luis Corporán, Deputy Director of Ciudad Alternativa; Digna Reynoso, Executive Director of the National Council for Presidential Management (Conagep); Manuel Mercedes, President of Human Rights; as well as representatives from the Ministry of Housing and Buildings (MIVED), the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development (MEPyD), the Santo Domingo Province Senatorial Office, COOHABITAT, and technicians from Ciudad Alternativa and the Budget Office. Also present were Odilys Hidalgo, Director of Budgetary Services; Griselda Gómez, Director of the Directorate of Quality and Evaluation of Budget Management; and Rafael Jovine, Director of Economic Studies and Financial Monitoring of the Budget Office. Rafael Alejandro Morel, Rosa Ruiz, and Lester Silfa, from the Ministry of Housing and Buildings (MIVED), and representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Planning, and Development (MEPyD), along with Budget and Alternative City officials and technicians, participated in the event. The welcoming remarks were delivered by Rafael Jovine, who emphasized that DIGEPRES, as the governing body of the General State Budget, seeks to encourage social participation in the budget formulation stage. “These meetings are proactive, going beyond simply monitoring government institutions' budgets or ensuring transparency in public accounts. They also aim to generate specific solutions to societal problems,” Jovine stated. The closing remarks were delivered by the Director General of the Budget, José Rijo Presbot, who highlighted the importance of the event, provided an overview of the country's fiscal situation, and underscored the necessity of this dialogue forum. The Government and its commitment to housing policy. It is worth noting that decent and adequate housing, a fundamental human right, has been included as one of the main priority policies of the current National Multi-Year Public Sector Plan 2021-2024, with metrics for expected results, public production targets, identification of participating institutions, and public investment projects with budget allocations. Furthermore, the Government Program 2024-2028 identifies housing as one of the drivers of development, as a basic premise for people's quality of life. The event took place in the Juan Bosch Hall at DIGEPRES.