In a ceremony full of emotion, the community of La Vega paid tribute to the legacy of Pedro A. Rivera, founder of Induveca, with the unveiling of an imposing 15-foot statue by renowned Dominican sculptor Fermín Ceballos. This work seeks to capture the humanist essence of the illustrious vegan businessman.
The event counted with the collaboration of the Rivera Torres family and the Municipality of La Vega. During the ceremony, Ligia Bonetti, president of Grupo SID, parent company of Induveca, highlighted Rivera’s qualities as a symbol of commitment, vision, generosity, empathy and ethical rectitude.
Tony Rivera, businessman, former senator and son of Pedro A. Rivera, expressed his gratitude on behalf of his family to the people of La Vega and those in attendance, highlighting the significance of the event in honor of his father, and underlining the importance of passing on his legacy of love, values and principles to future generations.
On the thirtieth anniversary of the businessman’s departure, his statue was erected on the avenue that bears his name, symbolizing the lasting imprint of his contribution.
Ligia Bonetti remembered Don Pedro as a man who valued every moment, gifted with a lucid mind and a jovial spirit.
Coming from humble origins, he stood out for his simplicity, generosity and exemplary work ethic, always displaying a neat appearance that reflected his respect and consideration for others.
Mayor Kelvin Cruz highlighted the inspiration of sharing roots with Don Pedro, urging the community to follow his example to foster local development. Sculptor Fermín Ceballos described the distinctive elements of the statue that evoke the remembered businessman, such as his characteristic clothing and the accessories that identified him, bringing a deep symbolic and emotional value to the piece.
The commemoration included an exhibition of images showing the versatility of Don Pedro and a video testimonial with stories from those who knew him, highlighting his experiences and achievements, presented by his daughter Janet Rivera.
The event was blessed by Monsignor Antonio Camilo, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of La Vega, the presence of former President Hipólito Mejía, Vice President Raquel Peña, Don Pedro’s children, Rosario, Tony, Ada, Janet and Letty Rivera and other members of the Rivera Rivera Torres family.
Also in attendance were social, business and political personalities from La Vega and throughout the country, including Roberto Bonetti, José Miguel Bonetti Guerra, José Vitienes and Fernando Armenteros, along with members of the board of Grupo SID and its companies, friends and acquaintances.
Profile of Don Pedro A. Rivera
Pedro A. Rivera, a prominent businessman and politician, left an indelible mark on the Dominican industrial sector as founder of what is now known as Induveca. A native of Jábaba, on the border between La Vega and Moca, he was born in 1922 and began his career in agriculture, initially specializing in the planting of bananas. However, it was in the butchery field where he found his true vocation, using the livestock knowledge inherited from his father to lay the foundations for his entrepreneurial future.
In 1962, Rivera ventured into industry by acquiring a coffee and cocoa factory, which he transformed into a thriving rice factory, elevating it to one of the leading ones in the country at the time. This venture evolved to become Industrias Veganas. Later, in 1968, he expanded his entrepreneurial vision by purchasing a small sausage factory, laying the foundations of what is now Induveca. This company, under his leadership, has grown to become a market leader in various categories, including meat, dairy and beverages, and is recognized for having the largest and most modern meat processing plant in the Caribbean region.
