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On Thursday, San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo conducted the fourth round of urgent assistance aimed at alleviating the economic and operational challenges endured by various businesses and residents because of recent extensive power outages affecting the island’s capital.
This initiative, launched through executive order on May 7 of this year, provides support of up to $5,000 for eligible businesses and $1,500 for residents.
“We are now proceeding with the fourth distribution of this kind of assistance, delivered sincerely, showing our dedication to support our residents, merchants, and business owners in the Capital City,” Romero Lugo stated. “As with the previous three distributions, our priority remains the prompt restoration of operations for businesses impacted by electrical outages, ensuring they can return to normalcy as soon as possible, and aiding citizens in mitigating their losses.”
The ongoing blackouts have led to substantial losses across various sectors in San Juan, impacting operations, leading to unexpected costs, damaging inventories and equipment, alongside other expenses. Thus, the initiative focuses on beneficiaries utilizing the funds for purchasing generators or batteries, fuel, covering inventory loss or purchasing new inventory, replacing equipment, and other essential resources for maintaining their business operations or daily activities. Currently, approximately 108 business applications are under review.
Additionally, San Juan residents have experienced losses of appliances and other items.
In this fourth distribution, over $46,960 was allocated to 12 business owners from San Juan who completed the application process and met the requirements for the subsidy. Cumulatively, assistance provided to business owners since July totals nearly $280,000 across 76 establishments in San Juan.
The mayor remarked that “we are also issuing 22 checks to residents, amounting to a contribution of: $14,332.95. With this latest round of assistance, the total disbursed sums to: $57,732.69.”
Business owners impacted by the energy crisis can apply for assistance through the San Juan Municipality website www.sanjuan.pr, by calling 787-480-4444, or by visiting the Business Concierge located on the first floor of Plaza Las Américas. Residents may visit the Citizen Assistance Office at City Hall in Old San Juan or call 787-480-4040 for inquiries.
