In a move designed to embed greater transparency and public accountability into the country’s evolving solid waste management framework, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader has signed Decree No. 498-26, formally creating a new Citizen Oversight Commission tasked with monitoring the DO Sostenible Trust. This initiative marks a key step forward in the government’s commitment to delivering ethical, rule-compliant management of public resources dedicated to improving waste infrastructure across the nation.
The newly formed commission operates as an independent advisory and honorary body, with a core mandate to track both the on-ground implementation and financial management of all projects funded through the DO Sostenible Trust. Its core responsibilities include verifying that all spending and program activities align with the Dominican Republic’s existing solid waste management legislation, as well as publishing regular periodic oversight updates and a comprehensive annual public report on the trust’s operations. This level of public reporting is intended to give civil society and ordinary citizens clear visibility into how public and donor resources are being used for waste management improvements.
Five experienced professionals have been appointed to serve on the commission, selected specifically for their demonstrated independence, established reputation for integrity, and confirmed lack of conflicts of interest related to the trust’s activities. Alliet Ortega will lead coordination of the commission’s work, joined by fellow members Manuel García Arévalo, Giselle Pérez Reyes, Roberto Despradel Catrain, and Ruth de los Santos. Before taking office, all commission members are required to sign a formal ethical commitment that formalizes pledges to maintain their independence, uphold strict confidentiality for sensitive information, and disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may arise during their tenure.
Under the terms of the presidential decree, the commission holds broad authority to fulfill its oversight mandate: it may formally request any necessary information from trust administrators, accept input and recommendations from ordinary citizens and relevant industry stakeholders, and propose targeted policy and operational adjustments to strengthen transparency, institutional integrity, and overall management of the DO Sostenible Trust.
This new oversight body directly supports the full implementation of the country’s General Law on Integrated Solid Waste Management, reinforcing the current administration’s ongoing efforts to build a more sustainable, transparent system for handling solid waste across the Dominican Republic. By creating a formal role for independent citizen oversight, the government has signaled its intent to address longstanding concerns about resource mismanagement in public environmental projects, while creating a new channel for public participation in sustainability initiatives.