NewsWhore
12-04-2009, 01:20 PM
The Inter-American Development Bank has made available US$300 million for the government's Solidarity conditional cash transfer program for the poor. The funds are part of a US$500 million IDB loan, which matures in 5 years and will be disbursed in 18 months. The loan has a grace period of 3 years and its interest rate is based on Libor.
IDB representative in the Dominican Republic Manuel Labrado said yesterday that these resources would be disbursed in 3 yearly payments, aimed at improving the education, health and nutrition plans overseen by Vice President Rafael Alburquerque, who is in charge of the government's social programs.
Labrado spoke highly of the implementation of the Bonoluz (for electricity) and Bonogas (for cooking gas) programs during a workshop held in Santo Domingo where those attending could compare experiences of welfare programs in Mexico, Colombia, Nicaragua and the DR. Labrado described the program as an example for the Latin American region. He did not specify the amount of the first disbursement or the date it would be made.
It is estimated that more than 800,000 families will benefit from the Solidarity program which includes the different components: "Food comes first", Bonogas, Incentives for school attendance (ILAE) and Bonoluz.
Alburquerque stressed that upon taking on the card, beneficiaries were responsible for meeting their commitments. He said that the Solidarity incentive for parents of school-age children has contributed to a reduction in school desertion rates. He also mentioned that workshops and guidance provided by the Ministry of Public Health have led to a reduction in unwanted pregnancies.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#6)
IDB representative in the Dominican Republic Manuel Labrado said yesterday that these resources would be disbursed in 3 yearly payments, aimed at improving the education, health and nutrition plans overseen by Vice President Rafael Alburquerque, who is in charge of the government's social programs.
Labrado spoke highly of the implementation of the Bonoluz (for electricity) and Bonogas (for cooking gas) programs during a workshop held in Santo Domingo where those attending could compare experiences of welfare programs in Mexico, Colombia, Nicaragua and the DR. Labrado described the program as an example for the Latin American region. He did not specify the amount of the first disbursement or the date it would be made.
It is estimated that more than 800,000 families will benefit from the Solidarity program which includes the different components: "Food comes first", Bonogas, Incentives for school attendance (ILAE) and Bonoluz.
Alburquerque stressed that upon taking on the card, beneficiaries were responsible for meeting their commitments. He said that the Solidarity incentive for parents of school-age children has contributed to a reduction in school desertion rates. He also mentioned that workshops and guidance provided by the Ministry of Public Health have led to a reduction in unwanted pregnancies.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#6)