Spanish
Santo Domingo. – The Ministry of Tourism began this Monday the remodeling work of 34 houses in vulnerable sectors of the Colonial City, with an investment of RD$192 million donated by the European Union.
The project, executed with the support of the IDB, will directly impact communities such as San Antón, San Miguel, Santa Bárbara, San Lázaro and the South Zone.
The activity, led by the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, marks the beginning of a deeply human stage within the integral project of revitalization of the historic center of Santo Domingo. "Today we are not talking about streets or facades, but about homes, dignity and social justice. The riches of tourism cannot stay only in hotels; they have to reach the people," said Collado when speaking to community members, authorities and representatives of the IDB and the European Union.
The official highlighted that the renovation will not only transform the physical structures of the homes, but also the lives of the families who live in them. "This is one of those days when it's worth being a public servant. This project touches the most sensitive chord: improving the quality of life of those who have been forgotten for years," he said.
Collado also thanked the European Union for the non-refundable donation of RD$192 million, a contribution he described as a gesture of confidence in the institutional framework and in the transparency of the management of public funds. "Here there is no improvisation. I asked the IDB to redouble the controls and guarantee social oversight in each bidding process. Because transparency is not a social media speech, it is a reality that we practice every day," he highlighted.
The IDB representative at the event, Miguel Baruch, valued the project as one of the most significant in Latin America in heritage revitalization with a social focus. "This is not just a historic city; it is a living city. And that's why this program is so special. Putting people at the center makes it a regional model," he said, after revealing that more than 15% of the evaluated homes lacked access to drinking water and other basic conditions.
From the community, Mrs. Rosa Vitalia Ortiz, former president of San Antón, thanked the execution of the program. "We did not have the resources to develop our sectors, but today we are proud of this historic step. The project has already been blessed with water from the sky," she said excitedly.
The event took place in Plaza San Antón, with the participation of community leaders, representatives of the Mayor's Office of the National District, and international organizations. Minister Collado concluded his speech by reaffirming that this effort will not stop: "Spread the word. This project is moving forward and will change the history of our Colonial City."
