Verón-Punta Cana territorial plan hearings delayed for consultations

The territorial planning process for Verón-Punta Cana is currently in a consultation phase, with no firm date set for public hearings on the proposed Plan de Ordenamiento Territorial (POT). Local authorities are actively engaging with business leaders and community representatives to reconcile differing viewpoints before proceeding with the official discussion.

Ramón Ramírez, the district director of Verón-Punta Cana, stated that the current focus is on consolidating proposals from various sectors to present a unified stance. The draft POT has been accessible online for approximately ten days, allowing institutions, organizations, and individuals to review its contents and submit their observations.

This week, the district administration is holding a series of meetings to facilitate dialogue. Scheduled discussions include a community gathering in La Ceiba on Wednesday, an engagement with business owners and developers on Thursday, and a session with representatives from the Dominican Transport Association on Friday. Meetings are also planned with the Association of Tourist Ranches.

Ramírez emphasized that these consultations are not limited to specific local issues like the situation in La Ceiba del Salado but aim to socialize the overall territorial planning strategy. The objective is to ensure all stakeholders understand the proposal, voice their concerns, and offer recommendations prior to the formal public hearings. The ongoing discussion of the POT is particularly relevant given Verón-Punta Cana's rapid urban, tourism, and population expansion, which underscores the need for structured land-use and development criteria.