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The Puerto Rico Mayors Federation (FAPR, by its Spanish acronym) is urging prompt action from the Financial Oversight and Management Board and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to allocate the budgeted funds designated for the hiring of housekeepers and paramedics.
Approved on July 1, 2024, these funds are vital for providing essential services to at-risk communities, according to the mayors.
Camuy Mayor Gabriel Hernández Rodríguez, who serves as president of the FAPR, highlighted that the certified budget for fiscal year 2025 includes $9 million for paramedics and $15 million for housekeepers who render crucial support to seniors. However, six months into the fiscal year, qualified municipalities still have not received the necessary funding to carry out these essential services, he noted.
“The persistent delay in releasing these funds is directly detrimental to communities that depend on these services for daily assistance, home care, and health emergencies,” Hernández stated. “Housekeepers are vital for the care of our elderly, and enhancing the additional shift of paramedics in the 9-1-1 system is crucial for an efficient and timely emergency response.”
The FAPR indicated that although the oversight board approved a total of $24 million, specific fund distributions by municipality are still pending because of ambiguous administrative criteria and inadequate agency coordination. Immediate clarity is required to enable the OMB to disburse these essential funds, the mayors asserted.
“These are funds that have already been sanctioned and are vital for the welfare of our communities,” Hernández remarked. “We cannot remain passive and allow bureaucratic hurdles to continue affecting our citizens. We insist that the Board and the Office of Management and Budget act promptly to release these resources so municipal leaders can meet their obligations.”
The FAPR president further added that if the funds “are not disbursed immediately, we will explore all available options, including arranging urgent meetings with the relevant agencies and rallying collective efforts to demand adherence to approved commitments.”
