Puerto Plata once again played host to President Leonel Fernadez yesterday (Thursday 8th May) when he visited the city for the opening ceremony of the San Felipe Cathedral.
Also at the ceremony were Mayor Walter Musa, other local dignatories and officials of the Catholic Church.
Independence Square and the Cathedral were filled by people who had flocked from miles around to see the ceremony and watch the red-ribbons being cut by bishops Julio César Corniel and Nicanor Peña, signifying the inauguration of the refurbished Cathedral.
The supervisor in charge of the reconstruction, Félix Bautista, said that the refurbishment of the Cathedral and the reconstruction of the neighbouring plaza cost in total 564.4 million pesos (US$17 million).
He also said that 5673 million pesos (US$172 million) has been spent recently improving the Puerto Plata province with 138 different improvement projects.
Local Bishop, Monseñor Julio César Corniel Amaro expressed his gratitude for the refurbishment, indicating that after the destruction of the 2004 earthquake, he didn’t imagine that his request for help would be fulfilled so majestically.
The ceremony culminated with a concert by the Municipal Music Band in Central Park Plaza and a firework display.
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