EN 
ES The Budget Office is holding a talk on the rational and responsible use of energy in accordance with Decree 158-23
The activity, part of the Sustainable Budget project, facilitated the dissemination of information to foster an institutional and civic culture of energy conservation. Within the framework of its commitment to environmental sustainability, the General Directorate of Budget held the workshop “Rational and Responsible Use of Energy,” with the objective of promoting, raising awareness, and educating about the culture of saving and using electricity efficiently. The talk was given by specialist Eliyen Rodríguez, Energy Efficiency Facilitator at the Ministry of Energy and Mines, who explained the importance of efficient electricity use in both public and domestic management. Rodríguez highlighted the general content of Decree 158-23, which seeks to foster an institutional and civic culture of energy conservation to continue advancing the improvement of the Dominican electrical system. “Decree 158-23 presents savings targets, strategic and operational plans, and the design of a national campaign to promote energy saving and efficiency,” Rodríguez stated. He also reported that institutions have a responsibility to promote actions among their employees that are aligned with optimizing how resources and equipment are used to minimize electricity consumption. “Rationalizing energy use doesn't require a large financial investment, but it does require dedication, time, and outreach to create a culture of saving around energy efficiency,” Rodríguez stated. The energy specialist highlighted relevant aspects of Decree 158-23, such as energy consumption initiatives for small consumers, obligations, the role of the energy manager, savings policies, efficiency, and the legal framework of the energy sector. During the workshop, the facilitator addressed practical tips for saving energy at work and at home, including purchasing equipment efficiently, optimally controlling air conditioning, using energy-efficient light bulbs, turning off lights in unused spaces, cleaning air conditioning system filters, and avoiding excessive use of electronic devices, among other measures. The workshop, organized by the Human Resources department of Digepres, was attended by employees from different areas of the institution and was held in the Juan Bosch meeting room. It is worth recalling that President Luis Abinader declared the implementation of an energy saving and efficiency policy in all public administration bodies under the Executive Branch a high national priority through Decree 158-23. Sustainable Budgeting: The General Directorate of Budget is carrying out a social responsibility project that, through its functions and institutional performance, seeks to implement joint actions to protect the environment. The Sustainable Budgeting work plan also incorporates measures for efficiency and the intelligent use of resources, aiming to foster a culture of environmental protection through small actions that generate significant changes. To date, talks and reforestation campaigns are held regularly, and recycling measures have been implemented at all levels to reduce environmental impact.
Sustainable Budget reforestation day manages to plant 2,000 trees in Villa Altagracia
La iniciativa, parte del proyecto institucional Presupuesto Sostenible, congregó a más de 40 colaboradores de la institución. RD se cuenta entre países pioneros con un clasificador funcional de Cambio Climático en su Presupuesto. San José del Puerto, Villa Altagracia. – La Dirección General de Presupuesto (Digepres), en coordinación con el Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, realizó una Jornada de reforestación en el distrito municipal de San José del Puerto en el municipio Villa Altagracia. La actividad de responsabilidad social buscó elevar las acciones que, desde la Digepres, se impulsan a través del proyecto institucional Presupuesto Sostenible, para minimizar la problemática ambiental que afecta la vida de las presentes y futuras generaciones. El subdirector de Presupuesto, Iván Ramírez, encabezó la comitiva de servidores públicos a quienes agradeció su participación en dicho encuentro y el aporte a favor de la preservación del medio ambiente. “Con esta iniciativa ayudamos a contrarrestar el impacto al medioambiente y se motiva a otras instituciones y ciudadanía a sumarse a estos esfuerzos, que contribuyen a la conservación del planeta”, dijo Ramírez. Asimismo, valoró el apoyo de los técnicos de Medio Ambiente por su acompañamiento e instrucciones sobre el procedimiento para una siembra adecuada. De su lado, Javier Gómez Iglesias, de la Dirección de Reforestación del viceministerio de Recursos Forestales del Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, agradeció la colaboración de Presupuesto en promover acciones a favor de la naturaleza. “Día a día debemos concientizar más a nuestros hijos, vecinos y colaboradores en la importancia de cuidar el medioambiente, porque es cuidar la vida y el país”, destacó Gómez. En la Jornada de reforestación participaron más de 40 colaboradores de Presupuesto y se plantaron cerca de 2,000 plantas de pino caribaea. Proyecto Presupuesto Sostenible En febrero de este año, Digepres puso en marcha el proyecto Presupuesto Sostenible, iniciativa que busca elevar la conciencia ambiental entre los colaboradores y público en general a través de actividades programadas y la difusión de material educativo. Además, contempla la conformación de un voluntariado para respaldar las acciones llevadas a cabo en la vida del proyecto. Presupuesto Sostenible también se suma a las acciones que se ejecutan a través del nuevo clasificador funcional de Cambio Climático en el Presupuesto General del Estado, que busca identificar y destinar el gasto eficiente y medidas favorables para el medio ambiente. República Dominicana se cuenta entre los países pioneros con la implementación de este clasificador.
Digepres concludes Water Week with a talk on its importance and sustainable management
Through its Sustainable Budget project, the institution seeks to raise awareness about the importance of water resources, their availability, and recommendations for their conservation. With the aim of raising awareness about the protection of water in all its diversity, the General Directorate of Budget held a talk entitled "Water, Sustainability, Resilience, and the Role of Citizens," aimed at the institution's staff. The activity sought to discuss and reflect on the socio-environmental problems that arise from failing to promote its conservation and care. The welcoming remarks were delivered by the Director General of Budget, José Rijo Presbot, who thanked the speaker and attendees for their presence. He also stated that the institution is promoting efforts to implement an environmental sustainability policy both internally and externally through the Sustainable Budget project. During his speech, Rijo Presbot emphasized the importance of water preservation and conservation, highlighting its fundamental role as a resource for life and the actions taken by President Luis Abinader's administration to ensure that water reaches every Dominican. “From a budgetary standpoint, we have compared water investments in 2018 and 2019 with those of 2021 and 2022, and there has been a 104 percent increase; this means that 2.2 million Dominicans now have access to tap water,” said Rijo Presbot. He added that communities that had lacked access to this precious resource for over 30 years now have access to aqueducts. He also highlighted the incorporation of the National Institute of Drinking Water and Sewerage (INAPA), the Santiago Water and Sewerage Corporation (CORAASAN), and the Santo Domingo Water and Sewerage Corporation (CAASD), among others, into the Financial Management Information System (SIGEF) as another achievement in the water sector; this will ensure transparency and institutional integrity in the management of water resources. The talk, entitled “Water, Sustainability, Resilience, and the Role of Citizens,” was given by architect, environmentalist, and social activist Ico Abreu, who began his presentation by establishing criteria on the topic of sustainability and its importance. He then addressed the issue of water, highlighting how it is obtained and disposed of, and its contamination by discharges from human and industrial activity. “Addressing the issue of conservation and protection of drinking water and rivers is a civic and state responsibility for their sustainability,” Abreu stated. He explained in detail the water treatment process, sanitary criteria and quality parameters for human consumption, and the use, management, and handling of wastewater, including black and grey water. Abreu also highlighted other environmental issues related to international agreements concerning water resources and their management, gas emissions, climate change, the global green movement, and ways to contribute individually and collectively to environmental sustainability. Sustainable Budgeting: It is worth recalling that the General Directorate of Budget (Digepres) presented the Sustainable Budgeting project in February with the aim of raising awareness among the institution's employees and the general public about the importance of protecting the environment. The event, held in the Juan Bosch Room at the Budget Office, was also attended by the Deputy Director of Budget, Iván José Ramírez Vargas; Francisco Manuel Abreu Páez, Head of the Human Resources Department; project managers; and other staff members.
