Luis Abinader launches “Stoves for Hearths” program to transform rural communities
The President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, launched the social program “Stoves for Hearths” this weekend in the province of San José de Ocoa. This important initiative has the main objective of improving the quality of life for families residing in mountainous areas, while simultaneously promoting the preservation of the country’s forest resources.
During the opening day in Rancho Arriba, about 1,500 people received stoves, gas tanks, and various household appliances. According to official estimates, the total impact of the project in San José de Ocoa will reach nearly 3,900 citizens, who will see their old cooking methods replaced by more efficient and safer alternatives.
It will be a national program in all our mountains, especially in the river basins. Today we begin in Rancho Arriba and we will continue in Santiago Rodríguez, San Juan, and the mountains of Azua.
Luis Abinader, President of the Dominican Republic
A sustainable and social impact
The plan is not limited to the delivery of equipment, but also integrates families into the “Bono Gas” system, guaranteeing the sustainability of stove usage. The Directorate of Social Assistance and Community Food (DASAC), led by Edgar Feliz, led the delivery of essential items including refrigerators, washing machines, mattresses, televisions, and kitchenware, in addition to food rations for the most vulnerable sectors.
The beneficiary selection process was executed through a technical survey conducted by the Single System of Beneficiaries (SIUBEN), in order to identify those households that still depend on firewood or charcoal to prepare their food. With this transition, the Government seeks to:
- Improve respiratory health and living conditions for rural families.
- Reduce deforestation and pressure on the environment in mountainous areas.
- Facilitate access to modern home technology in remote communities.
The activity was attended by local authorities, including Governor Josefa Castillo, Senator Aneudy Ortiz, and the mayor of Rancho Arriba, Alcedo de los Santos, who supported this measure that promises to extend throughout the national territory to protect watersheds and support social development.
