By The Star Staff
Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) Secretary Anaís Rodríguez Vega, who resigned Monday effective Dec. 31, said her successor must continue pursuing the administrative process against the in-laws of Governor-elect Jenniffer González Colón for illegal construction and environmental damages within La Parguera Natural Reserve in Lajas.
“That is a case that is active in the Department. There are administrative procedures that must continue no matter who is the nominating authority of the Department …” Rodríguez Vega said during a radio interview. “Those cases [against González’s in-laws] were filed, and their administrative processes must continue, and the parties will have the opportunity to present all the allegations.”
The governor-elect has yet to appoint a new DNER secretary.
Since May of last year, the agency has been investigating a complaint against José Vargas Cortés and his wife, Irma Rivera Llavona, for allegedly cutting down mangroves and expanding a dock without the required permits. The couple has denied any wrongdoing.
González Colón has said the allegations against her in-laws are part of a political ploy. She also said she has nothing to do with any actions taken by her in-laws.
The matter has caused friction between the parties. During the administrative process, the governor-elect’s in-laws questioned the impartiality of Rodríguez Vega to adjudicate the case because several times she issued statements to the media that they contended were prejudicial toward them.
The DNER secretary, for her part, has said in various instances that all of the agency’s administrative processes are governed by strict compliance with the law.
The outgoing secretary, who had been on maternity leave from the DNER for several months, said she is satisfied with her work despite the pressure from different sectors.
“You have two highly vocal sectors,” she said. “One has a purchasing power that demands its projects move quickly, and another sector, which is also very vocal, is looking out for the environment, and we have to reach a middle ground between the two.”
Rodríguez Vega’s resignation follows that of Public-Private Partnerships Authority Executive Director Fermín Fontanés Gómez last week. Education Secretary Yanira Raíces Vega announced her resignation on Dec. 6.
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