Tourism in Pedernales and its Haitian neighbors
We must seek to avoid the dichotomy of a city of luxury versus a city of suffering. This could prove detrimental forever.
Ever since the construction of hotel projects in Punta Cana, CapCana, and Bávaro, La Altagracia province in the 1980s, many Haitian workers have become fundamental in building the infrastructure of the new destination, Cabo Rojo. Situated 23 kilometers southeast of Pedernales and bordering Anse -a- Pitre, an extremely impoverished Haitian commune, the fate of these workers has remained hard.
In the eastern region, economic migrants commonly decided to reside near work centers. As a result, they built favelas, brought their families along, and grew at an uncontrolled rate. This growth lacked basic services due to the neglect of the national authority.
The journey from their country, which is submerged in economic, political, and social turmoil, is at least 500 kilometers. A return trip to Haiti every day is impossible. Hence, with the government’s permissiveness, the path of least resistance found its place early.
Chaos, once sown and nurtured, flourished and intensified due to years of official indifference. We now find ourselves alarmed by the rising insecurity, health issues, and demands for order due to the situation in places such as Bávaro, Hoyo de Friusa, The Other Band, Mata Mosquito, and Verón.
Learning from past experiences, it is highly probable Pedernales will suffer a similar, if not worse, fate if an early solution is not found. This solution must not involve intermittent uproar or violence against migrants, especially economic ones.
The gap between Pedernales and the small towns in southern Haiti, roughly 40 kilometers, is continually narrowing. It now takes only a few steps to enter the Dominican Republic. For Haitian construction workers, travelling to Cabo Rojo might not pose a significant challenge. However, it seems the intent is to settle, as suburbs are already being formed.
The Government is building a border fence at Anse -a- Pitre, but the Sierra del Baoruco mountains and maritime borders remain. Haitians frequently cross the mountains with ease and use the sea routes to access places like the Beata and Alto Velo islands and the Los Frailes islet. Pedernales’ fishermen see them daily, and the wider city population encounters them in various roles such as vendors and beggar children.
Haitians have held a significant presence in agricultural communities for many years.
Large populations of Haitians exist in areas such as the José Francisco Peña Gómez municipal district, the hills, and Las Mercedes. Such situations demand urgent consideration for devising strategies to ensure peaceful coexistence.
Approximate figures suggest that in communities such as La Altagracia and Mencía, Haitians make up a significant percentage of the population. Furthermore, they occupy a substantial portion of school enrollment and healthcare services.
Haitians majorly undertake the laborious task of developing hotel complexes in Cabo Rojo, constructing the airport, converting the port into a tourist terminal, building roads, and other infrastructure necessary for the tourist destination.
Migration pressure from Haiti is only escalating, with more Haitians arriving daily. Moreover, many who migrated for work to the tourist province of La Altagracia may return if the misery of the peripheries continues to burden them and a more promising future seems possible closer to their community.
The government, representative, and professional organizations must collaborate and carefully analyze the current migration situation and future prospects for the tourist destination of Pedernales. Economic migrants aren’t inherently bad, but order and well-structured policies are crucial to prevent the province from degrading into unserviceable, crime-ridden shantytowns.
In contrast to the east, we are inevitably confronted with the border. Soon, the pressure is expected to escalate further.
If we have lived through it and witnessed the disastrous effects of failed planning in the Puerto Plata poles in the north and the east—beginning with Boca Chica and Juan Dolio—we should aim to avoid a similar outcome in Pedernales.
We must strive to prevent the juxtaposition of a city of luxury versus a city of suffering. It would be detrimental to us indefinitely.
Tony Perez