Government Concentrates Efforts in Santiago

Government Concentrates Efforts in Santiago

Employees of major government and civil defense agencies have moved their operations to Santiago, in the north of the country, in order to evaluate and take rigorous measures to mitigate the damaging effects of Tropical Storm Olga.

In compliance with directives from President Leonel Fernández, the Secretary of State, directors and administrators of government institutions have been working in Santiago since early Wednesday morning where they are assessing and dealing with the damage caused by the cyclone, according a press statement from the President’s office.

Bautista Rojas Gómez, Secretary of State for Public Health, sent three mobile clinics and several ambulances to attend to the medical needs of people affected by the storm and families forced from their homes.

The mobile clinics were posted to various shelters where they are providing medical treatment for those in need.
In addition, Secretary of State for Public Works, engineer Víctor Díaz Rúa, has traveled to the province to evaluate road and bridge damage. He said that as soon as technical engineers have assessed the damage, they will begin the repair work. He explained that it is necessary to wait until the province’s swollen rivers have receded.

Also present in the province were Agriculture Minister, Salvador (Chío) Jiménez, Alma Fernández, architect and director of INVI, and Redhames Segura, engineer and vice-president of the Dominican State Electric Company to take stock of the disaster that has befallen the area.

Professor José Izquierdo, the provincial governor, expressed gratitude for the rapid response of the government and first responders who came to save lives and property.

Professor Izquierdo said government institutions will not skimp on their wide-reaching efforts to return Santiago province back to normal as soon as possible.

The President Visits Affected Areas

President of the republic, Leonel Fernández, visited Santiago to make sure families made homeless by the storm are being taken care of and are receiving all they need.  He instructed the Social Security offices to immediately provide blankets, mattresses, food and other vital necessities to these families.

The head of state also visited the main station of the Corporation of Aqueducts and Drainage Systems of Santiago (CORAASAN) to supervise the water distribution system in the city.

“What has occurred is regrettable and tragic. But with the hard work being undertaken by the government, with the participation and collaboration of the church and civil society, we will return this area back to normal in a very short time and you will all be able to return to your homes as we overcome the terrible situation facing us at this moment,” President Fernández said while visiting the displaced families at the Gregorio Urbano Gilbert Club in the Libertad de Santiago extension hall.

President Fernández added that, according to the report issued by CORAASAN’s executive director Hamlet Otañez, work is being done to provisionally replace water service, the lack of which is affecting some 30 percent of the province’s population.

Efforts are also being made to restore electricity. President Fernández said the report he received from the Minister of Public Works indicated that the storm did not provoke major damage to the roads and bridges in the province.
The president added that the most devastating damage was felt in the agricultural area, especially to the plantain and banana plantations.