Santo Domingo.- Economist José Manuel Luna Valiente described as correct the decision of President Luis Abinader to maintain subsidies and social programs aimed at protecting the most vulnerable population, despite pressures to increase tax collection or reduce public spending.
“That is the correct position for a statesman,” expressed Luna Valiente when referring to the president’s decision to preserve social aid in the current economic and fiscal context.
The economist maintained that this policy must be accompanied by investments in infrastructure, development projects, and actions that strengthen the business climate, incentivize investment, and promote the growth of companies.
The statements were made during an interview on the program El Avance Radio, which airs Monday through Friday, from 7:00 to 9:00 in the morning on the 100.1 FM station, hosted by journalists Carlos Del Pozo, Yulissa Reyes, Martín Severino, Patricia Dipré, and Víctor Herazme.
“In parallel, we must advance along another track, promoting infrastructure, development works, and strengthening the State’s capacity to facilitate business, progress, and development,” he stated.
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Luna Valiente also highlighted President Abinader’s work agenda and valued his proposal to project the development of the Dominican Republic with a view to the year 2036.
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However, he considered that the changes recorded in the international scenario following the COVID-19 pandemic, the war between Russia and Ukraine, the increase in transport costs, and other global conflicts make it necessary to constantly review national planning.
In his view, the Government must maintain a long-term vision, but without losing sight of the immediate needs of the population and establishing short- and medium-term goals.
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“The scenario for the future must be looked at more closely, because major global changes create many obstacles. You cannot wait ten years to plan, because people need answers now,” he stated.
Regarding economic matters, the analyst assessed the management of monetary policy by the Central Bank, considering that it has been conducted appropriately. However, he stated that the country’s main structural challenge continues to be the fiscal sphere.
In that sense, he maintained that the Dominican Republic needs to strengthen its collection capacity, reduce tax evasion, and move towards a more progressive tax system, where those with higher incomes contribute proportionally to their economic capacity.
“If I pay taxes, I must have the certainty that whoever has many more resources is also contributing in the same proportion,” he pointed out.
On the political front, Luna Valiente considered that, although the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) may show some wear, President Luis Abinader maintains a higher rating than the main opposition leaders.
Likewise, he estimated that the president’s support could be decisive in the selection of the ruling party’s presidential candidate for the 2028 elections, especially in the face of an opposition that, in his view, has yet to consolidate a unified proposal.
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When asked about the possibility of Abinader leaving the PRM in power at the end of his constitutional term, he responded affirmatively: “I think so.”
