On Thursday, Dominican Republic Vice President Raquel Peña undertook an official working visit to the eastern province of La Romana, where she spearheaded the launch of three major public development initiatives and marked the municipality’s 126th founding anniversary, advancing the national government’s agenda to boost local security, upgrade public services and expand quality-of-life opportunities for regional residents.
The first stop of Peña’s itinerary was the inauguration of a brand-new Armed Forces operational complex in the coastal town of Bayahibe. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the vice president emphasized that the purpose-built facility represents a critical upgrade to the Dominican military’s operational capabilities, particularly for monitoring and protecting the nation’s territorial coastline. The fully outfitted complex integrates cutting-edge coastal surveillance systems, modernized staff quarters, a dry dock marina, dedicated public parking, and permanent family housing for deployed military personnel, addressing longstanding gaps in infrastructure for coastal defense units.
Next, Peña formally reopened the extensively renovated San Martín de Porres Sports and Cultural Club, located in La Romana’s Papagayo neighborhood. The rehabilitation project was executed by the national General Directorate of Community Development, and is projected to deliver expanded, improved recreational and cultural programming to approximately 1,475 local children and young people, creating a safe, accessible community hub for youth development.
During commemorative events marking the 126th anniversary of the La Romana municipality, Peña highlighted the scope of the current administration’s investment across the province, noting that more than 25 high-priority strategic projects have already been completed. These cross-sector initiatives span upgrades to public healthcare facilities, new sports infrastructure, and core community development projects that have transformed services for local residents.
The vice president’s visit concluded with a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 5.3-kilometer drinking water distribution network. The pipeline project will bring improved potable water access to more than 35,000 residents across Romana del Oeste, Caleta, and adjacent underserved communities, fulfilling a longstanding demand for reliable, safe drinking water in the region.