NewsWhore
08-11-2008, 05:50 PM
Each Solidarity welfare card costs taxpayers RD$21 per month, or RD$16.8 million to back the 800,000 beneficiaries. The card is used to distribute propane gas subsidies, and public school subsidies to encourage keeping children in school.
The Diario Libre reports that Van Elder Espinal, the director general of the Administration of Social Subsidies (ADSS) says that even though it is a "little costly", it is the most economic way that is available on the market.
"The cost of setting up the Solidarity Card is high. That is why from the beginning we had a public tender, looking for the best price and we got some good offers."
The Reserve Bank, the Popular Savings and Loan Association, La Nacional Savings & Loan Association, and the Cibao Savings & Loan Association won the bid to manage the card system nationwide, according to Espinal. Espinal pointed out that the offer from the banking institutions has the advantage that any type of subsidy can be implemented without any additional costs.
In addition, the government has to pay for the technological platform that supports the card, such as the placement and programming of the verification-phones (Veriphones) in more than 1,700 commercial establishments that make up the Network of Social Supply (RAD) where cardbearers can use the plastic. At the present time, there are 1,577 markets, 87 pharmacies and 84 establishments around universities, such as bookstores and photocopy places that accept the card.
Next month, 500 LPG stations will accept the card for purchasing the subsidized propane gas for those who hold the "Bonogas" card. The first 400,000 cards will begin to be distributed from 18 August until 5 September, so that by the 25th of next month the beneficiaries can use them in the affiliated establishments.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#10)
The Diario Libre reports that Van Elder Espinal, the director general of the Administration of Social Subsidies (ADSS) says that even though it is a "little costly", it is the most economic way that is available on the market.
"The cost of setting up the Solidarity Card is high. That is why from the beginning we had a public tender, looking for the best price and we got some good offers."
The Reserve Bank, the Popular Savings and Loan Association, La Nacional Savings & Loan Association, and the Cibao Savings & Loan Association won the bid to manage the card system nationwide, according to Espinal. Espinal pointed out that the offer from the banking institutions has the advantage that any type of subsidy can be implemented without any additional costs.
In addition, the government has to pay for the technological platform that supports the card, such as the placement and programming of the verification-phones (Veriphones) in more than 1,700 commercial establishments that make up the Network of Social Supply (RAD) where cardbearers can use the plastic. At the present time, there are 1,577 markets, 87 pharmacies and 84 establishments around universities, such as bookstores and photocopy places that accept the card.
Next month, 500 LPG stations will accept the card for purchasing the subsidized propane gas for those who hold the "Bonogas" card. The first 400,000 cards will begin to be distributed from 18 August until 5 September, so that by the 25th of next month the beneficiaries can use them in the affiliated establishments.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#10)