SANTO DOMINGO.- To December 5 the Government disbursed more than RD$80 billion to subsidize the electrical sector, propane  gas (GLP), diesel for trucks and buses and RD$2,000 per month for each free zone worker.

According to the Hacienda Ministry, the total amount for subsidies rose 38 percent mainly for the increases on electricity and GLP, after the jump in fuel prices until September, which topped at 45.25 percent and by the non-sincerity of the import parity prices.

The total accumulated subsidy to December 5 reaches RD$80.7 billion, said the report, and that the Government subsidizes more than 30 million gallons of diesel to the truckers and passenger vehicles.

Also subsidized were the basic staples such as rice, wheat flour for bread, milk, eggs, chicken and beans.

Free zones employees were also subsidized at RD$2,000 each, a figure that totals more than RD$2.3 billion, and the fuels that sector uses was exempt taxes.

The Government also subsidizes to 800,000 families with the Solidarity card, who receive RD$228 per month as well, to buy GLP and for the more than 15,000 passenger vehicle drivers, with RD$5,700 per month under the Bonogas program.

With the jump in the number of the Solidarity card’s beneficiaries, from 400,000 to 800,000, the amount the Government’s monthly average disbursement for the focused social subsidies program reaches RD$450 million.

The global amount that’ll be given to poor families in 2009 is estimated at more than RD$6 billion.

Subsidies just for the Solidarity Program and its three components: To Eat is First, Incentive for Scholastic Attendance and Aid to the Aged total around RD$150 million. They have monthly fixed amounts of RD$550, RD$150 and RD$300 respectively per beneficiary family.

According to Hacienda, to December 5 the Government’s accumulated deficit was RD$15.9 billion; total expenses were RD$244.4 billion, whereas revenues totaled RD$228.4 billion.

SOURCE: diariolibre.com