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On Sunday, Hiram Torres Montalvo, the Secretary General of the New Progressive Party (NPP), expressed his disapproval of former Villalba Mayor Luis Javier Hernández Ortiz for departing from the municipality with a debt exceeding $251,000 owed to LUMA Energy and $3.4 million to the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA).
Torres Montalvo mentioned that the transition committee for the new mayor plans to look into possible inquiries regarding Hernández’s administration.
In response to the accusations, Interim Mayor and Administrator Marena Navarro stated on Monday that the debts owed to both utility providers had built up over many years, though there are confirmed and current payment plans in effect.
She added that there are items being disputed by the municipality, clarifying that the actual debt to LUMA Energy stands at $135,000, rather than the $250,000 claimed by Torres Montalvo.
Navarro conveyed her disappointment regarding the incoming administration’s misrepresentation of public information and partial truths, promising that every inaccurate claim would be handled swiftly. She underscored her dedication to clarity and accountability, asserting that the facts would come to light. Moreover, a sum of $400,000 has already been allocated to PRASA from the Special Additional Contribution to tackle the outstanding debt.
Navarro deemed it “unfortunate” that the forthcoming transition team opted to “mislead the public.”
“The facts are well documented in the final transition report that we have already submitted to the incoming party,” she stated.
Danny Santiago Nuñez from the New Progressive Party was elected Villalba’s next mayor last month, securing 51% of the votes. The second-place candidate, Wilfredo Santos Colón from the Popular Democratic Party, garnered 47%.
Hernández, who has served as Villalba’s mayor since 2013, was elected to an at-large position in the island Senate in November. He also recently held the presidency of the Puerto Rico Mayor’s Association, which comprises mayors from the island’s Popular Democratic Party.
