The government is asking the Ministry of Hacienda to approve a RD$650 million loan from the government-owned BanReservas commercial bank in order to pay out the annual holiday bonuses for public employees. The bill, which was accompanied by a note from President Leonel Fernandez, states the loan will be paid off during the next 11 months, in 11 monthly quotas with preferential interest rates. Beginning on 13 December employees throughout the DR will begin to receive their "double salary," or holiday bonus. This marks the start of the holiday and shopping season.

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