Santo Domingo – The Director of Media of the Presidency, Federico Reynoso Benzan, assured that President Luis Abinader will guarantee Christmas dinner for Dominican families in poverty, with the announcement of ‘La Brisita Navideño,’ which includes bonuses, food rations, dinners and lunches, food fairs, and initiatives such as ‘Together at Christmas’ and ‘The Route of Hope.’
In addition, a security operation so that Dominicans can have quiet and safe festivities.
Reynoso Benzán stressed that these programs aim to humanize social aid and ensure that low-income families have an additional contribution to complement the resources allocated to purchasing food during the Christmas season.
The official reported that the Christmas Bonus was increased to three million beneficiaries this year, who will receive RD$1,500 through the Banreservas Mastercard Christmas Bonus Card. “This bonus prioritizes people in extreme poverty, economic vulnerability, unemployment or formal income registered in the Social Security Treasury (TSS) that does not exceed RD$30,000 per month.”
Support through food
The Christmas Fairs organized by the Price Stabilization Institute (Inespre) will benefit 480,000 people, who can purchase products at affordable prices in more than 400 mobile warehouses and 95 weekly farmers’ markets, with an approximate reach of 190,000 beneficiaries.
For their part, the Economic Dining Rooms of the Presidency will distribute 10 million cooked rations between Christmas lunches and dinners and 400,000 raw rations that will include items from the basic basket and Christmas products. These rations will be distributed through social organizations throughout the country.
There are also 300 mobile kitchens, which offer Christmas dinners and lunches for 1,000 people in each place. More than 2,500 Christmas dinners and buffet lunches are also provided for community gatherings, benefiting 500 people per activity.
Villa Navidad and Christmas traditions
‘Villa Navidad’ returns to Santo Domingo and Santiago as part of these festivities. In the capital, it takes place at the Palacio de los Deportes from November 30 to January 6, while in Santiago, it takes place in the Gardens of the Gran Teatro del Cibao from December 2 to January 6. Attractions include drone shows, puppets, foam with the Grinch, carousels, sports museums, road safety education, and fireworks every weekend.
Additionally, Christmas parks in different provinces, including La Romana, Higüey, Moca, San Cristóbal, San Francisco de Macorís, Santo Domingo Norte, Cotuí, Azua, Puerto Plata and Mao, promote traditions and family entertainment.
‘Flavors of Christmas’ and ‘The Route of Hope’The
communities will also enjoy Flavors of Christmas, with dinners and lunches that are taking place from December 16 to 20 in towns such as Montecristi, Santiago, Bonao, San Juan de la Maguana, San José de Ocoa, Baní, Monte Plata, San Pedro de Macorís, Santo Domingo Oeste, Distrito Nacional and Santo Domingo Este.
On the other hand, the program La Ruta de la Esperanza through the Social Assistance Plan of the Presidency will benefit two million Dominicans through visits to their homes, which will include Christmas music, delivery of belongings, medical operations, support for pregnant women, and other surprises.
Federico Reynoso Benzán concluded by recalling President Luis Abinader’s words: “Let’s go together, society and Government, to work so that this is the happiest Christmas that everyone has ever had.”