Dominican Senate approves Cultural Heritage Protection bill

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Senate approved in a second reading the Cultural Heritage Protection and Acquisition Bill during an extraordinary session, advancing legislation aimed at safeguarding the country’s historical, artistic, archaeological, and cultural assets.

The bill, introduced by Senator Santiago José Zorrilla, defines the Dominican Republic’s cultural heritage as both tangible and intangible assets of national significance, including archaeological sites, monuments, literature, art, science, folklore, and other cultural expressions. It also strengthens the protection of monuments and historic structures considered to be of national interest.

In the same session, senators also approved in a second reading a bill declaring Azua the “Tomato Capital” of the Dominican Republic.

Lawmakers additionally passed in a first reading legislation creating the National Council for the Development of Health Tourism (CONDETUSA), an initiative sponsored by Senator Daniel Rivera.