The governor Wanda Vázquez Garced today signed several executive orders that have the purpose of mitigating the situations that have occurred after the earthquakes that affect the island since last December 28.
Apart from these documents and as emergency measures, the president signed a request to the federal government to declare major disaster in Puerto Rico and, on the other hand, urged the mayor of San Juan Carmen Yulín Cruz not to celebrate the San Sebastian Street parties for security reasons.
The executive orders include the allocation of $ 2 million from the emergency fund for each of the municipalities to the south, most affected by the tremors.
Next, a breakdown of what constitutes each order:
1. Executive order to allocate $ 12 million of the emergency fund to municipalities affected by the earthquakes
The executive order 2020-007 authorizes the distribution of $ 2 million to the municipalities of Guánica, Guayanilla, Peñuelas, Ponce, Utuado and Yauco, to attend the emergency before the telluric movements that have been registered for the past few days, being the largest of these an earthquake of 6.4 recorded on January 7.
The disbursement of funds will be monitored by the Office of Management and Budget (OGP) on the control and documentation of expenses. In the event that, for reasons of a federal declaration, municipalities are required 25% of pareo or any other percent, that fund will be authorized for such purposes.
“The funds allocated through this executive order are intended exclusively to repair damages and mitigation related to the emergency. These funds will be carefully inspected to ensure that they meet all disbursement requirements and ensure that they are used in a responsible and transparent manner, ”said Vázquez Garced.
two. Executive order to establish a body of peace officers to assist state law enforcement
Executive Order 2020-004 constitutes a Peace Officers Corps to provide support and assistance in the area of security to state law enforcement agents. It will be composed of all federal law enforcement officials who have the power in law to make arrests and are in the performance of their duties.
This body of officers shall have full authority and power in law to make arrests and perform all functions inherent to their office for violations of state laws, under the same terms and conditions as law enforcement officers. The executive order empowers the secretary of the Department of Public Security to swear, appoint and appoint the Peace Officers and assign the support missions he deems relevant, depending on their availability.
“After the recent telluric movements, road infrastructure, private and commercial property, as well as energy systems and other services were affected. To protect life and ensure the safety of all citizens, it is important that our law enforcement officers have reinforcements that multiply efforts to ensure security is effective, ”said Vázquez Garced.
This executive order is effective immediately and its application will be retroactive to January 7, 2020 and repeals the administrative bulletin OE-2017-052.
3. Executive order to enable the restoration of telecommunications on the island
Executive Order 2020-006 activates the provisions of the Law of Procedures for Emergency Situations or Events (Law 76-2000), as amended, which has the purpose of restoring telecommunications and data services on the island, while authorizes the relevant agencies to use the means they deem necessary to access all telecommunications towers, dedicated facilities and related infrastructure, located on private property.
Said executive order establishes an expedited process, provided in Law 76-2000 for the development of projects that promote a new or improved infrastructure for the provision of services to citizens and for economic development on the island. The projects can be, but are not limited to: repair, construction and replacement of telecommunications infrastructure in Puerto Rico, affected by the earthquake.
The order also establishes that the inter-agency Subcommittee on Environmental Compliance will be maintained in an accelerated way, in charge of evaluating environmental documents submitted to develop any project under this executive order. The subcommittee shall consist of a member of the Planning Board, the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, the Office of Permit Management of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce, as well as any other official designated by the governor.
“After the earthquakes registered in the island during the past weeks, infrastructure of the telecommunications service was impacted, so that the service to the subscribers was affected. Telecommunications are considered an essential service, both for citizens and for the government. It is a priority that infrastructure is reinforced to ensure that all Puerto Ricans have access to the appropriate communication networks, ”said Vázquez Garced.
4. Executive order to allow doctors and health professionals from other jurisdictions in the United States to practice on the island
Executive order 2020- 003 is intended to allow doctors or osteopaths, assisting doctors and health professionals from other jurisdictions in the United States to practice medicine and health services on the island, as well as grant immunity from the state to these volunteer professionals from Puerto Rico and other jurisdictions.
“It is vital to safeguard the health of all Puerto Ricans. This executive order is intended so that these health professionals do not have obstacles to offer their services to the citizens who need it most. That is why this order constitutes a Corps of Volunteer Doctors and Health Professionals that provide support to people who have been affected by recent earthquakes, ”said the first executive.
The executive order establishes that said body will be composed of doctors or osteopaths, attending physicians and health professionals licensed by the Examining Board of the profession they practice, in Puerto Rico or the United States. Those who make up this body will render their services voluntarily. The agencies must keep a record of the doctors who, under executive order, offer their services.
It also allows these health professionals to provide services and to be accredited under the established parameters, can exercise without requesting an expedited license and will be considered as employees of the Government of Puerto Rico and covered by the immunity granted by Article 41.050 of Law No. 77, as amended, known as the Puerto Rico Insurance Code, provided they act in compliance with their duties and functions of the government of Puerto Rico.
This executive order comes into effect immediately and its application will be retroactive to January 7, 2020, the day the state of emergency was granted under OE 2020-01.
