Day: March 5, 2026

Rijo Presbot launches "Budget in the Classrooms" education initiative in Hato Mayor

This is a budget education program aimed at high school and university students to promote student participation in the budget cycle, as well as to familiarize them with the tools citizens use to monitor the General State Budget. Mata Palacio, Hato Mayor – The General Directorate of Budget (Digepres) formally launched the “Budget in the Classroom” program with its first activity at the Santa María del Batey School in the Mata Palacio municipal district of Hato Mayor province. “Budget in the Classroom” is part of the institutional strategy aimed at consolidating open, accessible, and educational budget management, aligned with the principles of good governance, the right to know, and social participation. The first installment of “Budget in the Classroom” was led by the Director General of the Budget, José Rijo Presbot, who shared a presentation with students entitled “Understanding and Participating in the Budget.” The presentation focused on explaining the main components of the 2026 General State Budget, with a direct emphasis on its impact on national development and on the province of Hato Mayor. During his presentation, Rijo Presbot stressed the importance of new generations understanding how the General State Budget is formulated, approved, and executed, as well as the role that public institutions play in the efficient management of resources. He also emphasized that budget education is a key tool for strengthening democracy and accountability. The Director of the Budget encouraged the students to prepare themselves and strengthen their knowledge as a foundation for success in life and reminded them, as a native of Hato Mayor, that he himself had left the classrooms of that same province to pursue his university studies. On the other hand, Rafael Jovine, Director of Economic Studies and Financial Monitoring for the Budget Office, addressed topics related to spending, spending rigidities, functional classifications, and the impact of the Budget on the province of Hato Mayor. He also explained in detail each of the budgetary tools that the Budget Office (Digepres) makes available to the public to monitor and participate in the Budget process. Paola Chaljub, Head of Communications, provided details of the “Budget in the Classroom” initiative, which aims to familiarize high school and university students with the workings of the Dominican State, promoting a culture of transparency, citizen participation, and a responsible understanding of the use of public resources. Sister Sandra Milena Vélez, Director of the center; Ana María Sánchez, Technical Coordinator of the polytechnic center; and José Manuel Mesa, a professor, welcomed the Budget Office's technical team and expressed their gratitude for being chosen to launch “Budget in the Classroom.” The Santa María del Batey School has an enrollment of over 400 students from Mata Palacio, Hato Mayor, Morquecho, Elupina Cordero, Yerbabuena, and surrounding areas. The school, which offers education from preschool through high school, is hosting its first graduating class of students trained in Administrative and Tax Management at its polytechnic institute this year. Budget in the Classroom: Greater Youth Participation. The “Budget in the Classroom” program includes talks and training sessions in schools across various provinces of the country, accompanied by audiovisual materials, educational presentations, and digital resources designed to facilitate the understanding of budgetary concepts in a clear and accessible way. With this initiative, the Budget Office reaffirms its commitment to government transparency and civic education, striving for a more informed, critical, and participatory citizenry in budgetary matters.