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Governor Pedro R. Pierluisi has officially signed three important documents that strengthen the authority of several central municipalities to manage their territorial and economic planning, as stated in a La Fortaleza announcement released on Sunday.
He established the Cordillera Consortium, initiated the first Territorial Order Plan (POT) for Patillas, and commenced the Comprehensive Review of the Territorial Order Plans for the municipalities of Aguada, Toa Baja, and Camuy.
Through the Agreement for the Transfer of Powers in Hierarchies I and II to the Cordillera Consortium, composed of the municipalities of Naranjito, Orocovis, and Corozal, these three municipalities in the island’s central mountainous region form a collaboration that permits them to issue permits in line with the powers delegated to them. Furthermore, this municipal unification will simplify planning matters within the area regarding the enactment, review, and implementation of their Territorial Planning, Economic Development, Transportation, and Mitigation Plans.
The governor has also endorsed the Regulation for Municipal Territorial Planning, which lays out a crucial regulatory structure for the territorial planning and development of municipalities across Puerto Rico.
“These documents represent two key milestones in the efforts led by the Planning Board (JP). This Regulation ensures an orderly and sustainable management of municipal territories, while the Transfer Agreement guarantees that residents in these municipalities will have an office nearby to expedite the processes for obtaining permits and citizen services. Having accessible processes is essential for the overall economic development of the island,” stated the governor.
According to Planning Board (JP) President Héctor Morales Martínez, the Regulation for Territorial Planning governs areas related to environmental protection, socioeconomic progress, and safeguarding natural resources. “This tool enhances municipal autonomy by enabling the transfer of planning authorities and permits while optimizing land use efficiency to improve residents’ quality of life,” the official explained.
The Regulation will take effect 30 days after its submission to the Department of State, updating municipal-level territorial planning processes to adhere to new laws, amendments, and the technological realities of this century.
Regarding the Transfer Agreement to the Cordillera Consortium, Morales highlighted that “with the establishment of the associated office located in Naranjito, local citizens will receive outstanding services promptly, with staff knowledgeable about their needs, local territory, and relevant regulations.”
The governor further signed the First Comprehensive Review of the Territorial Planning Plan (RIPOT) for the municipalities of Aguada, Toa Baja, and Camuy, while paving the way for the inaugural territorial planning for Patillas. All municipalities received technical support via a collaboration agreement with the JP.
“Throughout these four years, the JP team has been delivering technical assistance to numerous municipalities engaged in their territorial plans or revisions thereof. This initiative has been a top priority for my administration, given that these plans are vital tools in the comprehensive planning process for the island’s regions and serve as instruments for economic development at the municipal level,” Pierluisi stated.
Morales Martínez elaborated that, in the case of Aguada, it launched the first RIPOT after more than a decade of its POT being in effect, through a collaborative agreement with the JP. The Aguada RIPOT emphasizes a new definition of the Urban Center, incorporating assessments of changes in the urban site’s layout, continuity, population density, infrastructure accessibility, and economic activity.
The Municipality of Camuy, which is home to natural attractions like the Camuy caves and the Camuy River Caverns Park, had its territorial plan approved in 2011, and this marks its inaugural RIPOT.
“We extend our gratitude to Governor Pedro Pierluisi for endorsing this Land Use Plan, along with the Planning Board and the teams of municipal employees who collaborated on this project. This accomplishment symbolizes economic growth and a hopeful future for our city,” remarked Camuy Mayor Gabriel “Gaby” Hernández.
Similarly, Toa Baja finalized its first Revision of the Territorial Planning Plan (RIPOT) after achieving its initial POT in 2008. This RIPOT for Toa Baja arose from a thorough examination of the municipality’s present social, economic, and physical conditions, emphasizing sustainable development principles, adjustments to new demographic trends, and community resilience against natural threats.
“In Toa Baja, two areas have been identified that require special focus, for which specific planning measures will be formulated, such as the Area Plan for the Traditional Urban Center and the Area Plan for the Palo Seco Sector,” Morales stated.
“As for Patillas, it is one of the municipalities that previously lacked a POT, despite efforts initiated in 2005, so its completion of the first planning instrument during this period, following the 2023 collaboration agreement with JP, is a noteworthy achievement,” the governor explained.
Morales emphasized that “this POT notably features the involvement of community leaders and environmental advocates while ensuring the preservation of the Punta Viento Wetland Natural Reserve’s soil. Additionally, the plan encourages the revitalization and densification of the traditional urban center, integrating mixed-use development to strengthen it.”
“With Patillas’ POT approval, five municipalities still need to complete their procedures to finalize their planning documents, with four of them (Arroyo, Añasco, Isabela, and Loíza) already having a Memorandum of Understanding with the JP,” Pierluisi concluded.
