Dominican Republic Congress approves $730 million budget supplement for 2026

The Dominican Republic’s Senate and Chamber of Deputies swiftly passed a budget amendment for the 2026 fiscal year, increasing total appropriations by RD 40,978,300,000 (about US 730 million). The reform raises both projected revenues and expenditures by the same amount, primarily to cover the deficit caused by a recent surge in international fuel prices. The additional funds will support social subsidies and increased allocations to ministries such as Finance, Agriculture, Public Works, Housing, and others.

The legislation also authorises the use of RD 21,147,000,000 from the 2025 balance and permits budget transfers between institutions. In parallel, a fast‑track decree approved US 465 million in external borrowing from the Inter‑American Development Bank for road‑safety projects and flood‑mitigation in the Yuna River basin. Opposition parties criticised the rapid, “fast‑track” procedure and the lack of detailed oversight. President Luis Abinader must now promulgate the law.