Government invests RD 409.5 million to transform the eastern margin of the Ozama River into Las Lilas

Santo Domingo.- The Minister of the Presidency, José Ignacio Paliza, made a tour this Tuesday of supervision through the Las Lilas sector, in Los Tres Brazos, Santo Domingo Este, to verify the progress of the project “Recovery of the eastern margin of the Ozama River”, an integral intervention executed by the Executive Unit for the Redevelopment of Neighborhoods and Environments (URBE), with an investment of RD 409.5 million, aimed at recovering and cleaning up the riverbank, improving urban infrastructure and dignifying the living conditions of thousands of families. During the visit, Paliza highlighted that this work is part of the Government’s comprehensive policy to transform vulnerable communities into safe, organized spaces with real opportunities for human development, through projects that combine infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion. “We are betting on a profound transformation of urban planning and the environmental recovery of the Ozama River, but above all that prioritizes families by restoring their dignity and hope, because no one deserves to live in uncertainty,” expressed the minister.

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The project, backed by the Decree 521-25, contemplates the creation of a environmental and social corridor that will integrate safe public spaces, green areas, road infrastructure, community and sports facilities, as well as renovated and newly built essential services. It is estimated that this intervention will impact 62,815 inhabitants of the area. The first stage is currently underway, covering approximately 16,000 square meters of urban intervention. The works are being carried out in coordination with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the National Environmental Protection Service (SENPA) and the Santo Domingo Este City Council, as part of the efforts of the Ozama-Isabela Cabinet, an initiative created by the Presidency to direct and make transparent the actions of rescue, sanitation and integral recovery of these hydrographic basins. In that sense, the general coordinator of URBE, Rocío Vidal, assured that the work is progressing according to the schedule, prioritizing the quality of the work and the social support to the affected families. “We are developing a comprehensive intervention that combines infrastructure, environment, and social components. Our commitment is to ensure that each family receives fair treatment and that the final result is a dignified, functional, and sustainable space for the entire community,” Vidal affirmed.

Project Details

The complete intervention includes 800 linear meters along the riverbank, of which the first phase includes the construction of a 350-linear-meter road along the riverbank, with soil stabilization and bank protection. It also includes the renovation of key community infrastructures such as the medical dispensary, the police detachment and sports fields, along with the improvement of the residential environment and the strengthening of basic services. The project also includes 5,800 square meters of green areas and landscaping, as well as new community facilities such as a children’s baseball field, a community center, and recreational parks. You can also l To date, 198 structures, including homes and commercial premises, have been demolished, and 98 remain pending. It is estimated that the process will impact a total of 365 families, who will be relocated and compensated in accordance with the technical surveys.

Next phase

The second stage of the project, whose awarding is scheduled for July 2026, will continue the recovery of the eastern bank of the Ozama River, focusing on consolidating the edge and soil stabilization system, as well as strengthening the green corridor through vegetation and spaces that guarantee environmental sustainability and collective well-being. This intervention is framed within the Prioritized Goals of the Presidency, as part of the national efforts aimed at reducing climate vulnerability and building territorial resilience in communities exposed to environmental risks.