Republica Dominicana
Presidential Decree No. 048-DR
Issued by: Future DR President
Subject: Establishment of Centralized National Government Facility and Designation of Palacio Nacional as National Museum
Effective Immediately
I. PURPOSE AND RATIONALE
This decree establishes a modern, centralized government facility to consolidate all executive and judicial functions of the Dominican Republic. The current distributed government infrastructure creates operational inefficiencies, security vulnerabilities, and unnecessary public expenditure. Consolidation improves governmental response time, reduces operational costs, enhances national security, and enables coordinated policy execution.
The historic Palacio Nacional is redesignated as a national museum and cultural heritage site, preserving Dominican history while generating revenue for its sustainable operation.
II. ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW GOVERNMENT COMPLEX
Article 1: Location and Jurisdiction
A new national government complex shall be constructed in the Las Américas region, proximate to Juan Manuel García International Airport (JBQ), Santo Domingo Province. The facility shall occupy approximately 150 hectares of land and shall serve as the central seat of executive, administrative, and judicial government functions.
Article 2: Primary Components
The complex shall include the following integrated facilities:
- Presidential Residence and Executive Offices
- Cabinet Ministry Offices (organized by floor by ministry)
- Supreme Court Building and Appellate Courts
- National Secret Service Headquarters and Training Facility
- Staff Housing for Cabinet Members and Senior Government Officials
- Secure Vehicle Maintenance and Fleet Operations Center
- Helipad for Emergency and International Transport
- Secure Communications and Emergency Operations Center
- Public Conference and State Reception Halls
Article 3: Architectural and Operational Standards
All facilities shall be designed and constructed to international standards for government buildings, incorporating:
- Energy efficient systems (solar power, rainwater harvesting, sustainable infrastructure)
- Security systems meeting international standards for head-of-state facilities
- Accessibility compliance for all citizens conducting government business
- Environmental sustainability and green building practices
- Redundant communications and emergency systems
III. TRANSPORTATION AND SECURITY INFRASTRUCTURE
Article 4: Secure Government Road
A dedicated secure road shall be constructed from the new government complex to Juan Manuel García International Airport (JBQ). This road shall be equipped with security checkpoints, climate control capacity for secure vehicles, and exclusive presidential transport access.
Article 5: Security Perimeter
The complex shall maintain a secure perimeter with controlled access points, professional security infrastructure, and integrated surveillance systems. The National Secret Service shall establish permanent headquarters at the facility to manage all presidential and government security operations.
Article 6: Vehicle Fleet and Maintenance
A dedicated secure vehicle maintenance facility shall operate at the complex to maintain all government vehicles, emergency response vehicles, and presidential transport fleet. This centralizes logistics and improves operational readiness.
IV. FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK
Article 7: Funding Structure
The construction and operation of the new government complex shall be funded through:
- Government capital budget allocation (primary source)
- Public-Private Partnership agreements (if approved by Congress)
- Operational efficiency savings from consolidated government functions
- Revenue from the Palacio Nacional National Museum
Article 8: Budget Allocation and Timeline
- Phase 1 (Years 1-2): Land acquisition, site preparation, architectural design, security infrastructure planning
- Phase 2 (Years 2-4): Construction of core facilities (Presidential residence, Executive offices, Supreme Court)
- Phase 3 (Years 4-5): Construction of support facilities (Staff housing, vehicle maintenance, communications center)
- Target Completion: End of Year 5
Initial capital allocation shall not exceed RD$8.5 billion, subject to Congressional appropriation and oversight.
Article 9: Operational Efficiency Savings
Consolidation of government facilities shall reduce operational costs by eliminating duplicate facilities, reducing presidential motorcade expenses through dedicated airport access, reducing energy costs through integrated sustainable systems, and improving administrative efficiency through co-located ministries.
V. PALACIO NACIONAL DESIGNATION AND MUSEUM OPERATIONS
Article 10: Historic Preservation and Museum Designation
The Palacio Nacional de la República Dominicana is hereby designated as a National Museum and Cultural Heritage Site. The building shall be preserved, restored, and maintained as a museum dedicated to Dominican history, governance, and cultural heritage.
Article 11: Museum Operations and Revenue
The Palacio Nacional National Museum shall operate under the direction of the Ministry of Culture with the following revenue-generating activities:
- Public admission fees (recommended RD$150 Dominican residents, RD$250 international visitors)
- Guided historical tours and educational programs
- Special events and cultural programming
- Research access and archival fees
- Gift shop and visitor services
Article 12: Dedicated Revenue Stream
All revenue generated from the Palacio Nacional National Museum shall be dedicated to:
- Building maintenance and restoration (60% of revenue)
- Curatorial and educational staff (25% of revenue)
- Visitor facilities and programs (15% of revenue)
The museum shall operate as a sustainable cultural institution independent of annual government budget appropriations.
Article 13: Historical Documentation
All government records, photographs, artifacts, and historical materials related to Dominican governance shall be catalogued and preserved at the Palacio Nacional National Museum, creating a comprehensive archive of Dominican political history.
VI. IMPLEMENTATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Article 14: Authority and Responsibility
The President of the Republic, in conjunction with the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Finance, shall oversee all aspects of the new government complex construction and operation. A dedicated Project Director shall be appointed to manage implementation with direct accountability to the President.
Article 15: Congressional Oversight
The Dominican Congress shall maintain budget oversight and shall receive quarterly reports on project progress, expenditure tracking, timeline adherence, and any material changes to the project scope or budget.
Article 16: Consequences for Non-Performance
Failure to meet construction timelines or budget constraints without Congressional approval shall result in automatic review and potential replacement of project leadership. All contractors shall be subject to performance bonds and penalty clauses for non-compliance.
VII. TRANSITION PLANNING
Article 17: Phased Government Relocation
Upon completion of each facility phase, government agencies shall relocate to the new complex in the following order:
- Presidential residence and Executive offices (Phase 2 completion)
- Supreme Court and Judicial functions (Phase 2 completion)
- Cabinet ministries (Phase 3 completion, ministry by ministry)
- Support services and administrative functions (Phase 3 completion)
Article 18: Historical Commemoration
A plaque at the Palacio Nacional shall commemorate the building's role in Dominican governance and shall acknowledge all government officials and citizens who served the nation within its walls.
VIII. FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 19: Congressional Approval
This decree shall take effect upon approval by the Dominican Congress and signature by the President of the Republic.
Article 20: Amendment Authority
Congress retains the authority to amend or modify this decree through standard legislative procedures. Material changes to project scope, budget, or timeline require Congressional approval.
The Dominican Republic will no longer accept a government scattered across a dying city, bleeding resources into motorcades and inefficiency. The president will work where the people can see the work happening. Government will function like it means something. And every peso saved through competent infrastructure will go toward actually serving this nation.
The Palacio Nacional will stand as a monument to what we were. The new complex will be a monument to what we are becoming.
This is not a building decree. This is a declaration that the Dominican Republic refuses to operate like it does not matter.
Signed,
Future DR President Candidate
President of the Dominican Republic
Date: Day One, Term One