The mayors of Villalba, Yauco and Toa Baja made a new call to Governor Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia not to delay any longer the request to activate the emergency fund that responds to the needs in the municipality as a result of Hurricane Fiona.
The first municipal executive of Villalba, Luis Javier Hernández Ortiz, described the event as a nightmare as it continues with 12 refugees, semi-impassable highways (PR-149 and PR-150, for example), landslides and flooding. He also described that his municipality continues without electricity, while there are many people without drinking water service.
“I contacted the governor. I spoke to him, raised the concern and the need for the emergency fund to be activated as soon as possible. We need that emergency fund to continue the recovery. In other words, you know that the municipalities are not doing well economically, and we had to take from what we don’t have”, emphasized Hernandez Ortiz, emphasizing that he advises his colleagues, even those who have first experience. in a natural disaster.
Rescue 55 people after fleeing the Yauco River
For his part, the mayor of Yauco, Ángel “Luigi” Torres Ortiz, reported that the PR-127 has been cut off because the Yauco River has broken its course, a situation that also led to the rescue of 55 people from the surrounding communities. In addition, he reported that the construction of a containment dam after Hurricane María by the Corps of Engineers and the Government failed.
On the other hand, he reported that the families of the Ciénagas sector community went to spend the night after the emergency, but indicated that they have not yet had access to the emergency fund for the 2020 shocks to meet this need.
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Like his counterpart, he asked the chief executive to activate the economic rescue for his municipality, who replied that he is already in conversation with the Fiscal Agency and the Financial Advisory Authority (AFAF).
“It is necessary that all our municipalities can help this emergency. I think that the call by the president of the Association (of mayors, Luis Javier Hernández Ortiz) is very correct. Yesterday I had a dialogue with the governor, we also talked about that issue, about the importance of accelerating it now, in the next 48 hours, to start this recovery process”, García Ortiz said.
4000 affected families in Toa Baja
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Likewise, the mayor of Toa Baja, Bernardo ‘Betito’ Márquez García, indicated that the western area, which includes the urban area, is the most affected area at the moment and that at least 10 people have been rescued. On the other hand, he specified that this time the Levittown area has not been flooded compared to Hurricane Maria and specified that 4,000 families may be affected.
“I am sure and claim that this fund should be activated. In other words, the mayors need that fund, and I know that this is a consultation that the governor should also do with the Fiscal Control Board. So this is another of the emergencies that we mayors have to face and the funds that are requested are necessary to help our people meet their urgent needs,” said Márquez García.
Meanwhile, Governor Pedro Pierluisi indicated in a press conference that we are in the emergency response phase, although he has advanced and realized that the damage is catastrophic.
