
By The Star Staff
New Progressive Party (NPP) President Jenniffer González Colón participated on Saturday in the last of the 15 platform hearings to prepare the party’s government plan.
“We are the only party that has carried out an initiative like this, reaching out to the people, listening to their feelings, needs and concerns, which will be the central axis of the government platform and which we will put into effect from day one,” the NPP candidate for governor said in a written statement, noting that some 360 proposals were heard over the course of the hearings, where more than 2,000 people contributed. “We thank all the people who have responded to this call and for the trust they have placed in us. We assure you that your voices will be heard and heeded.”
At the hearing, 11 proposals were presented, covering topics related to economic development, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals, nonprofit organizations, artificial intelligence, housing, health and community-based health clinics known as 330 centers, early childhood, entrepreneurship, energy and security.
The first speaker was at-large Sen. William Villafañe Ramos, the NPP candidate for resident commissioner in Washington, who presented his recommendations for the government plan with respect to the proposed agenda to be advanced in the U.S. capital.
The other speakers were Luis Pizarro, president of the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce; Rafael Castro, vice president of operations of the Pharmaceutical Industry Association; Alejandro Ballester, treasurer and member of the board of directors of the Institute for Economic Liberty; Bryan L. Rosa Rodríguez, executive director of the Youth Development Institute; Lucy Crespo, CEO of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust; Víctor Dominguez, president of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, Puerto Rico Chapter; Christian Bravo, treasurer and deputy director of the public policy and governance committee of the Association of Centers for the Care and Development of Children; Dr. Gloria Viscasillas, executive director of “Echar Pa’lante”; Dr. Iván Baigés of Sustainable Wind Energy for Puerto Rico; and attorney Francisco Quiñonez.
“They [proposals] are all being read and considered. The committee behind these hearings has done a titanic job and we are very grateful to everyone for their commitment,” said Verónica Ferraiuoli Hornedo, executive director of the Luis A. Ferré Public Policy Institute. “We are convinced that, through these proposals, the next governor, Jenniffer González, will be able to address the real well-being of all Puerto Ricans.”
The Resident Commissioner have been an active and engaged NPP member for the past 20 years, occupying positions as Representative, Speaker of the House, chair of the PR Republicans and Resident Commissioner for two terms. She had occupied these positions under the administration of Sila Calderon, Acevedo Vila, Fortuno, Garcia Padilla, Rosello (hijo) and Pierluisi which means she was an active member of the ruling party or a working participant in the political life of the last 20 years.
In other words, she had been in the middle of the dysfunctional governments of the last two decades and now, suddenly, she comes up with ideas (an energy czar, etc.) to address the current crisis the country is experiencing as if…