SANTO DOMINGO — Top Dominican Republic officials, including President Luis Abinader and Vice President Raquel Peña, chaired the 59th regular session of the nation’s Council of Ministers on Monday, where the administration greenlit the 2027 Annual Budget Policy. The policy establishes clear national spending priorities that align directly with the country’s ambitious long-term development blueprint, Meta RD 2036.
After the conclusion of the gathering, José Ignacio Paliza, the country’s Minister of the Presidency, outlined the core priorities of the new budget framework. The 2027 policy will center public investment on four key pillars: growing the nation’s human capital, expanding critical public and commercial infrastructure, boosting national productivity, and strengthening public sector institutions. At the same time, Paliza confirmed that the government will preserve all existing social support programs while upholding its commitment to disciplined, responsible fiscal management that avoids unsustainable debt accumulation.
Paliza emphasized that the budget policy is intentionally structured to direct limited public resources toward initiatives that deliver the most meaningful, long-lasting gains for both national sustainable development and the daily well-being of Dominican citizens.
Among the key commitments outlined in the policy, the administration will retain education spending at 4.05% of the country’s gross domestic product, matching current investment levels that prioritize long-term human development. The government will also continue rolling out its multi-decade education initiative, the Horizon 2034 Plan, with targeted investments to expand school infrastructure across the country and improve accessible student transportation services.
Beyond education, public health will receive significant allocations, with new investment going toward upgrading existing hospitals, expanding primary healthcare units that serve underserved communities, strengthening the National Emergency Network, and expanding the reach of social protection programs for low-income and vulnerable populations.
Major infrastructure investments will also be a core focus, with funding earmarked for new highway construction, integrated regional public transportation systems, expanded aqueduct networks, upgraded sanitation infrastructure, and nationwide housing improvement projects. Additional funding will be allocated to reinforce the independence and capacity of the national judiciary, as well as boost both citizen safety and border security. High-priority security projects include the completion of a cutting-edge smart border fence and the construction of new, modern correctional facilities across the country.