“People are stopping eating”: Danilo Medina questions the cost of food

Santo Domingo.- The former President of the Republic and president of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), Danilo Medina, questioned the Government’s policies regarding the increase in the cost of the basic food basket and stated that many Dominican families are experiencing difficulties in meeting their food needs.

During a swearing-in ceremony for new leaders and supporters of the PLD in San Gregorio de Nigua, San Cristóbal province, Medina stated that the increase in prices has caused some people to reduce the number of meals they eat daily.

“They talk about the country having overcome hunger in the Dominican Republic. But I ask myself: with what plan have they eliminated hunger in our country? Let them tell me a single measure they have taken so that the hunger that affects an immense number of Dominicans has disappeared,” he expressed.

The political leader maintained that the economic situation has also impacted middle-class sectors, noting that the rising cost of basic products makes it difficult for many families to maintain their usual diet.

“People today are stopping eating three times a day. Many people, even from the middle class, are already only having two meals a day and probably one, because they do not have the income to buy the things they need,” he stated.

Medina compared the current prices of various basic food basket products with those recorded during the PLD administrations, mentioning items such as rice, chicken, meat, eggs, and plantains, while questioning the promises made by the current administration to reduce the cost of food.

The former president recalled that, as he stated, the Government had announced a price reduction for 80 basic food basket products during its first 100 days in office, but he claimed that the opposite occurred.

Likewise, he criticized the results of the Zero Hunger program and defended the social policies implemented during his terms, including support for agricultural production, the Extended School Day, daycare centers, school feeding programs, and investments in public health.

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The activity was attended by the PLD secretary general, Johnny Pujols; the organization’s vice president, Zoraima Cuello; members of the Political Committee, provincial and municipal leaders, as well as new members sworn into the political organization.