National Palace. Photo Martin Wesoly
Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic ranks fifth in a budgetary transparency index in a list of 12 Latin American countries, a study by Mexico’s Analysis and Research Center says, where Costa Rica figures as the most transparent nation in elaborating its public expenditure budget.
The study gives Dominican Republic 44 percentage points in a scale from 1 to 100, in the facilities its leaders offer the population to know all aspects to draft, discuss and approve their national budget.
Topping the index is Costa Rica with 69 percent; Peru 54%, Panama 50%; Brazil 49% and Argentina 48%, with Venezuela in the last place with a 23 percent.
The report was presented in the Montalvo Center by the organization Citizen Forum, whose spokeswoman Yenny Torres said the study shows how Dominican Republic’s budget is handled.
She said the law was broken for next year’s budget, since it was submitted 45 days after the established date and that the authorities don’t take enough time to discuss the piece conscientiously. “We’re speaking of how the money for public policies is going to be assigned, which requires time and awareness.”
From: Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata
"most transparent nation in elaborating its public expenditure budget. "
...and most obscure when it comes to spending the money.
Written by: Belly, 25 Nov 2009 1:39 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Houston,Texas y San Francisco, DR
Dominican Republic ranks 5th of 12 in regional budgetary transparency and the other news is Dominican Republic ranks 13th of 12th in politicians listening to corruption cases.
Written by: josean, 25 Nov 2009 1:57 PM
From: United States
The so called "transparency" is even darker than the photo assigned to this story!
Transparency and the Dominican Government are like oil and water never shall the two mix!
Written by: Belly, 25 Nov 2009 2:06 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Houston,Texas y San Francisco, DR
Josean
The DR gov. is transparent when it comes to putting information out so people can read it but like your hero Guillermo said we are allow to talk but the problem is nobody is listening on the other side which makes the transparency law stupid to begin with.
Written by: juanb, 25 Nov 2009 3:36 PM
From: Dominican Republic
How much did our government pay to get such a good ranking?
Written by: juanb, 25 Nov 2009 3:58 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Here's where the money goes:
Government wants more city councilors
The Senate and Chamber of Deputies have given priority to changing Law 176-07 to increase the number of city councilors for the National District and municipalities that will be elected in the May 2010 municipal election. The changes now increase city councilors to 5 for populations with up to 25,000 inhabitants, to 7 for municipalities with up to 50,000 inhabitants and to 9 for those with 75,000 and 11 for those with more than 100,000. Those with more than 100,000 can elect a city councilor for each increment of 50,000 and thereafter for each 25,000 increment. Of course now the JCE needs more money to monitor these elections.
Written by: juanb, 25 Nov 2009 3:59 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Good ole DR1:
Just more money for government
The 1990 budget was for RD$6.7 billion, by 1996 it had grown to RD$24.7 billion, in 1997 it was RD$33 billion, while the 2010 budget is expected to be at RD$263 billion, according to El Caribe. While the government has been more efficient in generating revenue, especially through improved tax collections, a growing culture of clientelism, unrestrained public sector employment and benefits for government employees are prevalent in the use of revenues. Despite the bonanza in revenues, problems in key areas such as electricity, security, education and medical services have not seen improvements to reflect the amount of increased revenues the government has been handling.
Written by: josean, 25 Nov 2009 4:02 PM
From: United States
Belly,
I am proud of you for quoting the next president, Guillermo Moreno 2012!
Written by: josean, 25 Nov 2009 4:04 PM
From: United States
"Despite the bonanza in revenues, problems in key areas such as electricity, security, education and medical services have not seen improvements to reflect the amount of increased revenues the government has been handling."
juanb, I wonder how Ricky Romana and all the other LIE-onelitas will spin that one?
From: Dominican Republic, vieja Santo Domingo
I do not consider my self an ite of anyone and as I have said many times before I believe that the President has done a good job in many ways except that he has not been able to reign in quickly or strongly enough corruption in some areas ..
In relation to electricity , leonel has put in a new boss and he seems to be doing well, in relation to security ,I can not say but in relation to medical services,I know for a fact that these have improved dramatically and are being used by many more people as medical insurance is in employment conditions for most workers now.
Education needs to have a greater priority ..I totally agree with that.
As for the survey ,,I can not imagine that any country should be happy when the top mark is only 69% .
Written by: Belly, 25 Nov 2009 8:54 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Houston,Texas y San Francisco, DR
Josean
I am proud of you for quoting the next president, Guillermo Moreno 2012!
He is talking the right language but i have seen this movie so many times before that is hard to believe anything until i see it happening but we all as citizen have to start making better selection than we have been making because at the end of the day we are responsible for them being in office and nobody else is to be blamed.
Written by: pelaut, 26 Nov 2009 8:14 AM
From: United States
44% is awful.
C.R., the best, is 69%, also awful.
L.A. traditional strongman dictatorship Venezuela 29%, surprisingly near to D.R.
All these are shameful to anyone who wants to be proud of L.A.
Written by: BASTA, 26 Nov 2009 8:19 AM
From: Dominican Republic, =Ghetto/Legalize Drugs
leonel has put in a new boss after how many years= So what! my service is worse and just how many does our new boss have on the payroll? Oh my god I have lights how wonderful and no one says I am so happy to pay for something that costs so much. Wake up Boyer was a better leader than this talk,talk fraud! God cause an engine failure, please.
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...and most obscure when it comes to spending the money.
Transparency and the Dominican Government are like oil and water never shall the two mix!
The DR gov. is transparent when it comes to putting information out so people can read it but like your hero Guillermo said we are allow to talk but the problem is nobody is listening on the other side which makes the transparency law stupid to begin with.
Government wants more city councilors
The Senate and Chamber of Deputies have given priority to changing Law 176-07 to increase the number of city councilors for the National District and municipalities that will be elected in the May 2010 municipal election. The changes now increase city councilors to 5 for populations with up to 25,000 inhabitants, to 7 for municipalities with up to 50,000 inhabitants and to 9 for those with 75,000 and 11 for those with more than 100,000. Those with more than 100,000 can elect a city councilor for each increment of 50,000 and thereafter for each 25,000 increment. Of course now the JCE needs more money to monitor these elections.
Just more money for government
The 1990 budget was for RD$6.7 billion, by 1996 it had grown to RD$24.7 billion, in 1997 it was RD$33 billion, while the 2010 budget is expected to be at RD$263 billion, according to El Caribe. While the government has been more efficient in generating revenue, especially through improved tax collections, a growing culture of clientelism, unrestrained public sector employment and benefits for government employees are prevalent in the use of revenues. Despite the bonanza in revenues, problems in key areas such as electricity, security, education and medical services have not seen improvements to reflect the amount of increased revenues the government has been handling.
I am proud of you for quoting the next president, Guillermo Moreno 2012!
juanb, I wonder how Ricky Romana and all the other LIE-onelitas will spin that one?
In relation to electricity , leonel has put in a new boss and he seems to be doing well, in relation to security ,I can not say but in relation to medical services,I know for a fact that these have improved dramatically and are being used by many more people as medical insurance is in employment conditions for most workers now.
Education needs to have a greater priority ..I totally agree with that.
As for the survey ,,I can not imagine that any country should be happy when the top mark is only 69% .
I am proud of you for quoting the next president, Guillermo Moreno 2012!
He is talking the right language but i have seen this movie so many times before that is hard to believe anything until i see it happening but we all as citizen have to start making better selection than we have been making because at the end of the day we are responsible for them being in office and nobody else is to be blamed.
C.R., the best, is 69%, also awful.
L.A. traditional strongman dictatorship Venezuela 29%, surprisingly near to D.R.
All these are shameful to anyone who wants to be proud of L.A.