Evangelical Council Asks DGII to Review Vehicle Tax Increase Over Family Costs
Dominican evangelical leaders want the vehicle registration tax hike reviewed. They warn it adds pressure to household budgets already strained by high prices.
Key points
- The CODUE, led by Feliciano Lacen Custodio, is asking the DGII to review the increase in vehicle registration (marbete) fees.
- The group sees the hike as an extra burden on Dominican families.
- It warns that fuel, electricity and food costs are already squeezing household budgets.
- It urges the government to prioritize the economic and food stability of the population.
The Dominican Consejo Dominicano de Unidad Evangélica (CODUE) has asked the Dirección General de Impuestos Internos (DGII) to review the increase in vehicle registration fees (marbete) for the 2026-2027 period. The group says the measure is an extra economic burden on Dominican families.
Feliciano Lacen Custodio, the organization's president, said authorities should carefully weigh decisions that directly affect household budgets. He noted that many workers' wages are not enough to cover basic needs.
According to Lacen Custodio, economic decisions should not rely only on statistics, financial indicators or growth figures. He stressed that the daily reality of the population, especially lower-income sectors, must also be considered.
The CODUE urged authorities to assess the impact of economic and administrative measures before implementing them, so their effects do not fall disproportionately on the most vulnerable groups.
The organization also expressed concern about the international situation affecting the Dominican economy, especially fuel prices despite state subsidies. It also cited higher electricity rates and rising costs of basic foods, which, it said, reduce families' ability to meet their monthly obligations.
The CODUE added that the difficulties facing the health system are another cause for concern. It said this situation calls for greater sensitivity from authorities when making decisions that create new costs for citizens, and it concluded by calling on the state to prioritize the social, economic and food stability of families through policies that take their real ability to pay into account.
Why it matters
The higher marbete fee means added costs for vehicle owners in the Dominican Republic. Families already dealing with pricier fuel, electricity and food could feel more strain on their monthly budgets.