Santo Domingo.- The National Office for Seismic Evaluation and Vulnerability of Infrastructure and Buildings (ONESVIE) has proposed strengthening and updating, through legislation, the earthquake-resistant construction standards that govern public and private buildings in the Dominican Republic, as part of a national strategy to reduce seismic risk. Reyes Madera warned that many buildings have been constructed without permits or outside established standards, significantly increasing public safety risks. He stressed that both private developers and government contractors must comply with current regulations and that stronger, ongoing oversight by the Ministry of Housing and Construction is essential. He also noted that some construction professionals fail to act with the responsibility required, even ignoring minimum earthquake-resistance provisions. The ONESVIE director emphasized the need to give legal force to seismic construction obligations, since their current basis in a presidential decree weakens enforcement and oversight.