By The Star Staff
The Puerto Rico Mayors Federation (FAPR by its initials in Spanish) is demanding immediate action from the Financial Oversight and Management Board and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to distribute the funds earmarked in the budget for hiring housekeepers and paramedics.
Approved as of July 1, 2024, the funds are critical for delivering essential services to vulnerable communities, the mayors said.
Camuy Mayor Gabriel Hernández Rodríguez, president of the FAPR, emphasized that the certified budget for fiscal year 2025 allocates $9 million for hiring paramedics and $15 million for housekeepers who provide vital assistance to older adults. Six months into the fiscal year, however, eligible municipalities have yet to receive the necessary funding to implement these crucial services, he said.
“The ongoing delay in distributing these funds is directly harming communities that rely on these services for daily care, home support, and health emergenciwes,” Hernández said. “Housekeepers are indispensable in the care of our elderly, and enhancing the additional shift of paramedics in the 9-1-1 system is essential for a swift and effective emergency response.”
The FAPR pointed out that while the oversight board approved a total allocation of $24 million, specific allocations by municipality remain pending due to vague administrative criteria and poor coordination between agencies. The lack of clarity must be addressed immediately in order for the OMB to disburse the vital funds, the mayors said.
“We are talking about funds that have already been approved and are critical for safeguarding the well-being of our communities,” Hernández said. “We will not stand by and allow bureaucratic delays to continue to harm our people. We demand that the Board and the Office of Management and Budget act without delay to release these resources so that municipal leaders can fulfill their responsibilities.”
The FAPR president added that if the funds “are not disbursed without further delay, we will pursue all available options, including organizing urgent meetings with the responsible agencies and mobilizing collective efforts to demand enforcement of approved commitments.”
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