JULY 2010

Greenhouse opened in Los Haitises

Greenhouse at Los HaitisesTo teach farmers how to produce without affecting the ecosystem

BREAKING NEWS: Samaná.- The Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources and the Special Fund for Agricultural Development (FEDA), opened a greenhouse in the buffer zone of National Park in the community Haitises Pilancón, Bayaguana, Monte Plata province.

The action is part of the inter agency cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Environment, in the person of the minister Jaime David Fernandez Mirabal, and the executive director of FEDA, Hannibal Portorreal.

The greenhouse is being used to demonstrate and train farmers in techniques that can be utilized without affecting or harming the important ecosystem of the Haitises National Park.

The introduction of these new production systems will allow the incorporation of alternative crops to replace traditional ones such as the taro and the yam, guaranteeing income and responding to the concerns of those fighting for the preservation and conservation.

At first, this demonstration unit has been put in the hands of 15 women in the community to be the spokespersons for the experiences gained in the production of plants in controlled environments. The 15 women have been organized by Ramona Diaz, Pilancón community leader.

The resources for the construction of this greenhouse were provided by the FEDA through its Technology Research Program in support of activities implemented by the Ministry of the Environment to preserve and protect this national park

This greenhouse consists of a wooden structure with an area of 576 square meters, covered with plastic antepyretic, anti insect mesh sides, an irrigation system equipped with Arquillo technology for fertigation.

Samaná Live, 09.07.10

Government investment in education surpasses the RD $1 billion mark

School in SamanáIn the province of Samaná

BREAKING NEWS: Samaná.- Regional Director of the School District14-04, Lorenzo Moya, pointed out the investment made by the President Leonel Fernández in the construction and repair of schools in this province.

Mr. Moyastated that, during the school holidays, a program of repair and renovation of schools would begin so that the campuses were in optimum condition for the start of the new school year.

He explained that the administration of President Fernandez has disbursed more than 1,400 million pesos in the various communities in the province of Samana.

Because of this investment, Mr. Moya said that hundreds of students in rural areas can complete their primary and secondary education without leaving their communities. He said there are four secondary high schools and 18 elementary schools that are being remodeled.

He said the schools are located in the communities of Las Galeras, El Limón, Castellanito, Rancho Español and Los Cacaos .

The Municipal District Secondary High School in Las Galeras was built with twelve classrooms, bathrooms and a sports field.

Meanwhile, in the school in el Limón consists of nine classrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen and a sports fields. Los Cacaos has eight classrooms, as does Rancho Español. Mr. Moya said some of these projects have yet to begin.

Samaná Live, 13.07.10

Vista Mare tourism project in Samaná

Cayo Levantado in SamanáNew tourist facilities

BREAKING NEWS: Samaná.- Joel Santos, vice president of Coral Hospitality Corp., which manages Vista Mare in Samaná, thanked Jacinto Peynado for the opportunity to use their space to advertise the program. He explained that this new type of offering of guaranteed service quality, based on apartments with top quality equipment, strengthens the position of the Dominican Republic as a tourist destination by providing a type of accommodation, the differential all inclusive hotel, which hasan important market segment.

The executive explained that the advantage of this tourist hotel development model is that it has more of an impact on the communities where these complexes are built, because the owners and guests account for a greater demand of additional supplies in the surrounding area.

Vista Mare Coral Elite Residences has 87 apartments of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedrooms near a beautiful bay in Samaná, 45 minutes from El Catey International Airport, and features a restaurant, a bar & lounge, a spa, a gym, concierge service, swimming pools, cable TV, internet, safety boxes and other facilities.

Coral Hospitality Corp. specializes in the marketing and operation of residential tourist complexes and hotels. Apart from Vista Mare in Samaná, CHC has a portfolio of managed properties, such as Aquamarina I and II, Fundadores, Villas Caletón and Golden Bear in Cap Cana, as well as, Stanza Mare in Punta Cana and Velero in Cabarete.

Samaná Live, 14.07.10

Creation of the Association of Hotels and Tourism Companies of Samaná (Aehtsa)

Sunset on a beach of Samaná PeninsulaIn order to develop the area

BREAKING NEWS: Samaná.- The Samana tourism business sectors announced yesterday the creation of the Association of Hotels and Tourism Companies of Samaná (Aehtsa) to further develop the area.

President Cinthia Vega explained that the entity will focus on sustained growth in the region through the use of natural, cultural and social resources and that they hope to involve the largest possible number of employers in order to actively to integrate them.

He also said that Aehtsa will establish solid relationships with government agencies to contribute to a coordinated development of tourism in the area.

The announcement of the creation of Aehtsa was made at a press conference held at the headquarters of the National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (Asonahores), at which Arturo Villanueva, vice president of the entity, was in attendance.

Also present were: Julio Llibre, (Coral Hospitality Corp.), Henry L. Pacheco, (AERODOM), Ernesto Mejia Selman (Nexus RD), Jose Miguel Barceló Vallejo, (Marina Puerto Bonito), Jose A.Quiroz Abreu (DMK Abogados), Ramon E. Prieto Vicioso (Development Promoters Portillo), Cruz Apestegui (Rincon Bay), Rafael Blanco Canto (Viva), Rafael Velasco Espaillat (Bayahibe Electric Company), Juan Francisco Bancalari (Playa Dosu) Barceló Jaime Bermejo (Balcones del Atlantic) and Jose Miguel Gonzalez Cuadra (Centro Cuesta Nacional).

Completan la directiva Julio Llibre, (Coral Hospitality Corp.); Enrique L. Pacheco, (AERODOM); Ernesto Selman Mejía, (Nexos RD); José Miguel Barceló Vallejo, (Marina Puerto Bonito); José A. Quiroz Abreu, (DMK Abogados); Ramón E. Prieto Vicioso (Promotores de Desarrollo El Portillo), Cruz Apestegui (Rincón Bay), Rafael Blanco Canto (Viva), Rafael Velasco Espaillat (Compañía de Electricidad de Bayahibe), Juan Francisco Bancalari (Playa Dosu), Jaime Barceló Bermejo (Balcones del Atlántico) y José Miguel González Cuadra (Centro Cuesta Nacional).

Samaná Live, 15.07.10

Humpback whale watching is a regulated activity

Humpback whale watching in SamanáCrossing in front of whales not permitted

BREAKING NEWS: Samaná.- Whale watching, like any human activity, has a negative impact on the environment. However, the positive effects outweigh the potential damages, these being the economic and educational benefits that are derived from this activity.

This does not mean, however, that observation should not be regulated.If we do not follow a strict protocol governing this productive activity, the impact compromises the reproductive success of the species and, therefore, the observation program.

Bonnelly Idelisa of FUNDEMAS, pointed to The case of the Sanctuary of La Plata and Samaná (SMMRD), the most important breeding area for whales of the Northwest Atlantic where the activity of whale watching occurs with considerable success.

There is a manual of best practices for both precise and different places according to the excursion regime, but this is not always followed effectively. It is in need of more qualified personnel, surveillance boats, communication equipment etc.

Among the regulations for the 2010, include:

  • Only boats authorized by the Ministry of the Environment boats are permitted to whale watch in the sanctuary.

  • No more than three boats per whale or pod of whales.

  • The distance between the boat and the whale should be 270 feet (80 meters), in the case of the mother and calf, and 165 feet (50 meters) for all other cases.

  • Ships in waiting must be 250 meters from the observation area and with the engines in neutral.

  • Observations of more than 30 minutes with a group of whales in the area of observation are not permitted.

  • The speed of the whale watching boats after Cayo Levantado, shall not exceed five knots.

  • No vessel will allow passengers to enter the water with the whales. It is strictly forbidden to swim and / or dive with whales.

  • Vessels should avoid excessive speed or sudden changes in speed or direction.

  • Boats must maintain a parallel movement in the same direction and at the same speed of the whales.

  • Crossing in front of a whale that is resting and / or swimming is prohibited.

  • Aircraft should not fly over whales and / or dolphins nor should fly lower than 1,000 meters high while maintaining a maximum horizontal distance of 1,000 meters from the whale.

  • The observation of whales from helicopters is prohibited.

Samaná Live, 22.07.10