The prelate’s call has been echoed by other church and community leaders in the southwest for years, and even led to the construction of the Maria Montez International Airport in the late 1990s, which has never serviced regular airline flights in 20 years.

He said a nation lives and develops when its inhabitants can work, for which companies and institutions need to be created. “The Enriquillo region has one of the highest unemployment rates and therefore with the lowest percentage as a source of jobs.”

Felipe Núñez said the first thing to be done is to promote the sources of jobs, so those who are capable can work. “As a work source, we think about the grand project of the Monte Grande dam, of which we have disheartening news regarding that project.”

He asked president Leonel Fernandez to realize that the zone needs the dam, in addition to developing tourism, which could mean jobs for people,” even students who are preparing for diverse university careers, who need to find jobs here and  not have to emigrate outside the region.”