Candidates pose reduce crime and increase health spending

April 19, 2016

Seven of the eight presidential candidates for the elections next May
held the Monday night intense debate where they presented their proposals
to the population on issues such as public safety, health, education and
immigration policy.
In the debate participated Luis Abinader, the Modern Revolutionary
Party (PRM); Guillermo Moreno, Alianza Pas (AP); Tavarez Mirabal
Minerva, Alliance for Democracy (APD); Soraya Aquino, the Party of
National Unity (PUN); Pelegrin Castillo, National Progressive Force (FNP);
Elias Wessin Chavez Quisqueyano Christian Democratic Party (PQDC);
and Hatuey De Camps, the Social Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRSD).
When asked about the issue of public safety, Luis Abinader said that this
is one of the priorities of his government plan, proposing a reform of the
National Police, which he said would cost 23 billion pesos.
He argued that reaching the Presidency would increase the salaries of
policemen noting that $ 500 a month is the average salary of police officers
in Latin America.
Abinader also proposed to strengthen the Public Ministry, specialization
of prosecutors in the types of crimes and invest in modern techniques to
fight crime, why - he said - hired former mayor of New York, Rudolph
Giuliani.
"At our government will reduce crime dramatically," said Abinader.
Meanwhile, Guillermo Moreno said that crime can only be met if the
economic aspect is attacked - social, noting that drug trafficking has
become employer in many neighborhoods.

"It must create conditions for employment opportunities, education,

technical training and must be accompanied by improvement transforming
the National Police into a civilian body," he said.
He argued that should create technical career to cut the links between the
police and crime, as well as implementing a minimum wage of 20 pesos a
month for agents of that institution.
While Tavarez Mirabal Minerva said a new police to protect citizens
needs and respect their rights, ensuring good wages, housing, pension and
training.
"We want a police force that does not kill, that no poor mother who lost
her children in an exchange of fire," he said.
On the subject, Pelegrin Castillo said the first line of defense against
crime must be the country's borders, both by air and sea and land, noting
that "it is important to reform the institutions that have to do with that part,
besides working with the values".
While Elias Wessin Chavez went on to improve the living conditions of
the police and military, saying "this has been an insensitive government
with that kind".
"You have to give the police salary increase and fringe benefits, because
winning five thousand pesos they will not care anyone believe that lacked
sensitivity on this issue," noted Wessin Chavez.
Also, Hatuey De Camps said he should train the police and the Armed
Forces for citizen security problems while improving wages.
"The fact that a cell kill a person is a verdadra awful lot for this country,"
De Camps said.

While Soraya Aquino focused his reply on the subject of law, ensuring
that standards must be met, "put strong hands and you have to clean the
inside to give a good image outside."
Health
When asked about the issue of health, several of the candidates focused
on raising a budget increase for the sector while improving social security.
In that regard, Moreno proposed to change the paradigm of public health
system, because "we must move to a preventive system instead of healing."
Also, Luis Abinader said that in addition to an increase in the budget for
the health sector must implement the Social Security Act to ensure health
insurance Dominicans.
In this regard, Pelegrin Castillo said he agreed with a progressive
increase investment in health while creating primary care centers,
decentralize regional spending, improve medical services and implement an
effective quality policy to medicines .
Meanwhile, Tavarez Mirabal said the system is in crisis and needed "a
system that does not discriminate against people", so he suggested that
reaching the Presidency will focus on investing in health whatever it takes.