By The Star Staff
Similar to initiatives by President Donald Trump, the Puerto Rico government is planning a restructuring of all agencies to position the private sector as the main driver of the island’s economic development.
Recently, Gov. Jenniffer González Colón issued an executive order to update government structures and simplify regulations. Under this order, the island secretary of state will be responsible for establishing the necessary procedures and protocols to conduct a comprehensive review of the administrative framework and regulations across all agencies, departments, corporations and instrumentalities of the central government.
“Our vision for Puerto Rico’s economic development is focused on strengthening and empowering the private sector as the primary agent of economic prosperity,” the order states. “In this approach, the government must adopt the role of a facilitator, concentrating on reducing and eliminating excessive regulations and bureaucratic processes. This will allow the private sector and the free market to determine the direction of our economic future.”
The secretary of state will also coordinate actions to fulfill the objectives outlined in the executive order, which includes issuing guidelines and collecting all necessary information and documentation.
Within 30 days, the head of each central government agency must appoint an agency committee, which will assist in implementing the provisions of the executive order.
“The Agency Committees will operate under the direction of the Secretary of State to conduct a thorough review of the administrative structures, processes, rules, and regulations of each government entity,” the order specifies. “Special attention will be given to the aspects that directly or indirectly impact the services provided to citizens and our economic activities, as well as the processes for obtaining licenses, authorizations, certifications, or permits.”
The secretary of state will then submit quarterly reports to the governor, detailing any structural, legislative, or regulatory reforms or amendments needed to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the central government’s administrative work. Those reports will also include a list of programs or services that could be digitized to improve citizen services.
To ensure that any reforms, processes, regulations, or rules established by the government align with the current fiscal plan, the secretary of state is tasked with coordinating and collaborating with the Financial Oversight and Management Board to fully achieve the objectives of the executive order.
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