SANTO DOMINGO – In a critical move to address seismic vulnerability, the Dominican Republic’s National Office for Seismic Evaluation and Vulnerability of Infrastructure and Buildings (ONESVIE) is advocating for comprehensive legislative reforms to modernize the nation’s earthquake-resistant construction standards. The proposed measures aim to replace technical regulations that have remained unchanged since 1978, which officials deem dangerously obsolete given contemporary urban development challenges.
Leonardo de Jesús Reyes Madera, Director General of ONESVIE, issued a stark warning regarding widespread non-compliance in the construction sector. He revealed that numerous structures have been erected without proper permits or adherence to existing standards, creating substantial public safety hazards. Reyes Madera emphasized that mandatory compliance is essential for both private developers and government-contracted projects, calling for intensified oversight by the Ministry of Housing and Construction.
The director further criticized certain construction professionals for neglecting their ethical responsibilities, often bypassing even minimum seismic provisions. He argued that the current enforcement framework, based merely on a presidential decree, lacks the necessary legal authority for effective implementation. During an appearance on the AcentoTV program “¿Y tú… qué dices?”, Reyes Madera highlighted ONESVIE’s technical advisory role in assessing structural vulnerability while advocating for a strengthened culture of prevention, regulatory adherence, and professional accountability to safeguard communities in seismically active regions.