SANTO DOMINGO.-Few public hearings have been as attended as yesterday’s in the Chamber of Deputies.
The debate over tax reform attracted institutions and individuals, extending the day to seven hours and fifty minutes (at the time of writing) and counting.
Representatives of entities had five minutes to present their arguments and personal representatives only three. The work was led by the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Alfredo Pacheco, together with Francisco Paulino, who chairs the finance commission, and the rest of the legislators that make up it.
There were protests on the Congress esplanade. ANYELO MERCEDES
In the morning, dozens of legislators joined the audience as part of the audience, while on the congressional esplanade some protesters carrying banners came and went as the stifling heat allowed.
Dialogue and discussion
Before the work began, Pacheco declared that after the public hearings and the condensation of the proposals made by the participants, they will call a meeting with the president of the Republic and his economic team. That is, there will be readjustments to the piece.
In fact, just yesterday representatives of evangelical churches met with the president and, according to reports, the same sector of the Government promised them not to tax the entities they represent, the majority of which are classified as NGOs.
Making a quick summary of everything presented by those attending the public hearings, the institutions defended their sector, individuals criticized the initiative and asked for its withdrawal, and some argued with the deputies over the presentation time.
“I’ve been here since nine in the morning and it’s been five minutes,” said a young woman yesterday after seven at night when she was notified by Paulino to finish.
“No, you get three minutes according to the rules,” he responded.
Among the attendees was Osmar Benítez representing the Dominican Agribusiness Board.
He pointed out that since the 1991s, they managed to convince President Joaquín Balaguer that food should not be touched on in the tax reforms.
The day was civil at all times. Anyelo Mercedes
He highlighted the country’s capacity to generate 90% of the food it consumes and that recording them could discourage the sector.
Hans García, who presides over the Dominican Association of Film Industry Professionals, highlighted the contributions of the sector.
He said that it was an almost entirely formalized group and that to date they have 775 companies that pay taxes and that represent the food and hopes of 1,200 families.
Mario Pujols, from the Association of Industries of the Dominican Republic, warned that eliminating portions of the pro-industry law puts the national productive framework at risk.
He stressed that this is a noble law that in its implementation has not shown any fraudulent use. This is how the others continued, defending their sectors.
Of interest
—1— Matches
Rosanna Ruiz executive president of ABA.
Various political parties and entities also attended the meeting.
—2— The intention
The project is expected to be reworked. Perhaps that was the initial intention of the authorities as a way to mitigate its long-term political cost.
ABA warns about savings
Banking. The Association of Multiple Banks of the Dominican Republic (ABA) warned that increasing taxes on savings, as stipulated in the Fiscal Modernization project, encourages informality and the use of cash, affects the flow of capital and penalizes investment that generates wealth , quality jobs and social equity in the country.
The banking union summarized its considerations on the Fiscal Modernization project during the public hearings held this Thursday by the Chamber of Deputies, where it was represented by Julio Lozano, director of Economic Studies of the entity.
During his appearance in Congress, Lozano explained that savings should not be taxed, but encouraged, so the ideal scenario would be to eliminate article 306 B of the Tax Code or discard what was proposed.
