JULY 2010

Bahoruco Suroeste Surfing Championship 2010

Bahoruco 2010 Southwest Surfing ChampionshipResults of the Third National Championship of Surfing 2010

BREAKING NEWS: Barahona.- The Bahoruco 2010 Southwest Surfing Championship held by the Dominican Surfing Federation (FEDOSURF) in Bahoruco beach in the province of Barahona, Dominican Republic on June 19-20, 2010 resulted in a resounding success. The event was held on the occasion of the International Surfing Day and qualified as the third competition in the 2010 National ranking.

The competition brought together a large number of athlete surfers and bodyboarders, with representatives from almost the entire North Coast and South of the Island, mobilized by free bus transportation for the competitors, provided by the Dominican Olympic Committee. In the journey beginning in the city of Puerto Plata, the bus made stops in the communities of Sosua, Cabarete, Nagua, Santo Domingo, Nizao and Barahona on it’s way to the competition.

Throughout the weekend, beautiful waves and bright sunshine allowed a magnificent development of the championship, thus achieving the following results:

In the Open Surfing, Eduardo ‘Papito’ Santana of Cabarete won First Place followed by Bahoruco local Julio Betances in Second, Third Place was awarded to Willy Valdez of Puerto Plata, and ranked Fourth was Socrates Medina also of Bahoruco. All of these finalists were awarded with a cash prize and Powerade sports drink products.

For the Open Bodyboard, among the finalists were in First Place Martín Pérez, followed by Second Place Randy Vasquez, both of Nagua, and Third and Fourth Place was won by Mario Gomez and Julfien Sims, both from Puerto Plata. Finalists in this division were also awarded with a cash prize and Powerade sports drink products.

In the Junior Surfing division, First Place was again touched by Eduard ‘Papito’ Santana and Second to his brother Daniel Santana, both from Cabarete. Isaac Croz also from Cabarete won Third Place, and Fourth Place was awarded to Luis Alfredo Felix, from Nizao. All of these finalists were awarded with a surfboard compliments of Gough Surfboards – The Board Spot, and Powerade products.

Rene Gough from Boca Chica was the Longboard division champion, followed by runner-up Marcos Saint Hilaire of Santo Domingo. In Third Place was Angel Comprés of Cabarete.

The Dominican Surfing Federation (FEDOSURF) has developed this tournament at Bahoruco beach for the past two years to help promote this extraordinary destination for surfing in the Southwest of the country. Bahoruco includes such important elements as beautiful beaches, high-quality and consistency of waves, the drive and enthusiasm of local athletes, combined with good weather and the gracious hospitality of its people making this an excellent area for the practice and discipline of surfing on the Island.

Barahona Live, 01.07.10

Cuesta Nacional Center developing eco-tourism guide to Barahona Province

Littoral of BarahonaOrgullo de mi Tierra (Proud of my Land) Project

BREAKING NEWS: Barahona.- As part of the Orgullo de mi Tierra (Proud of my Land) project, the Centro Cuesta Nacional (CCN) produced an ecotourism and cultural guide that includes an inventory of tourism resources and attractions found in the southern provinces of Barahona and Pedernales.

In each of the 112 full color pages that make up the document, there is an invitation to learn about the customs, architecture, folklore, cuisine, culture and the indescribable natural beauty that surrounds the area.

The booklet also highlights the tourism development model that is working in the area based on sustainability and the important involvement of the community as a key element in the growth of this industry.

It highlights places like Delicias de mi Siembra, a restaurant headed by a group of women farmers who grow the food they serve themselves.

The lord of larimar, The World’s Shortest River, the Jewelry of San Rafael, the people of the brave, the youngest and most promising of the provinces, and the Cape of prosperity are just some of the titles of the different sections in the booklet.

The preparation of the guide was provided by Asalvo Communications. El Orgullo de Mi Tierra project is being carried out for the second consecutive year.

Orgullo de Mi Tierra this year invited the Dominicans to visit Barahona and Pedernales, promoting those elements that make these two provinces unique locations.

As part of the project there will be developed a series of talks that will touch 18 issues of importance to the area, such as the foundation of Barahona and other towns, the physical geography of Barahona and Pedernales, the natural resources and economic development in both provinces, Dominican musical history, Maria Montez in the history of world cinema, and the island of Beata and Alto Velo in Dominican history, among other topics.

Barahona Live, 23.07.10

Start of construction of the Monte Grande dam

Monte Grande dam in BarahonaPresident Fernandez attends the ground breaking ceremony

BREAKING NEWS: Barahona.- On Wednesday, President Leonel Fernandez led the ground breaking ceremony of the construction of the dam of Monte Grande and other collateral works which will benefit the residents and farmers of this area in the south of the country.

The president was accompanied by the director of the National Hydraulic Resources Institute, Frank Rodriguez, and provincial authorities. This project will affect, Barahona, Independencia, Bahoruco and other communities.

Fernandez was declared a Distinguished Guest by the city of Barahona, and in the province there were celebrations because after 40 years of promises, the Monte Grande dam will finally become a reality.

In the opening speech, the director of the National Hydraulic Resources Institute, Frank Rodriguez, said the new reservoir will ensure that there will be water to irrigate more than 415,000 tareas, and also provides for the rehabilitation of Sabana Yegua Dam in Azua.

He added that the dam will reduce flooding in Jaquimeyes, Tamayo, Vicente Noble, Uvilla, Peñon, Canoa, Bombita, Fundación and Pescadería.

At a time when there is much concern about the effects of climate change, the dams play a crucial role and represent a safeguard for the management of irrigation, Rodriguez said.

INDRHI director said that as part of this project, collateral works will be immediately implemented, citing the adequacy of the Rio Yaque del Sur on the Barahona road sections, Canoa to Palo Alto.

He said that villagers near Monte Grande will be relocated to decent housing with all the necessary services. In addition, residents of Boca Guiros, Las Minas and others, will be compensated and taken to another area with better conditions.

The power plant to be installed in Monte Grande will generate 92 gigawartts, which is sufficient to meet the electrical needs of Barahona, Pedernales, and Bahoruco said Mr. Rodriguez.

During the opening ceremony, a religious invocation was given by Bishop Luis Felipe Nunez, who said that that work will be a source of employment for many people, and stressed that this project has the support of the entire community.

The Monte Grande dam will help address several critical needs of the inhabitants of the provinces Barahona, Bahoruco and Independencia, such as the irrigation of agricultural land, the supply of the aqueduct in the area, electricity production and control of the floods that periodically occur.

In attendance at the ceremony were; the Ambassador of Brazil, Joao Saolano, the mayor of Barahona, Noel Antonio Suberví, director of the Dominican Agrarian Institute, Héctor Rodríguez Pimentel, Vice President of Andrade and Gutierrez Construction, Ronaldo Pereyra, among others.

Barahona Live, 29.07.10