Santo Domingo.- President Leonel Fernandez on Wednesday declared the use of natural gas in vehicles a national priority, for which the Environment Ministry  authorized 16 companies to install those systems, of 133 that filed requests.

Presidency spokesman Rafael Núñez made the announcement after the chief executive met with Environment, and Industry and Commerce ministers Jaime David Fernandez Mirabal and Manuel Antonio.

He said situation of the other companies which have requested permits to install natural gas equipment will be analyzed in a meeting in the National Palace next Tuesday.

“With the use of natural gas Dominican Republic would save a large amount of dollars that use in the import of petroleum,” the chief executive said.

In another topic the Head of State went on a tour with Fernandez Mirabal during which he planted a tree, to motivate the population to do likwise.