Aguas Buenas receives $880,000 in additional flood emergency aid

Aguas Buenas was hard-hit by flooding from torrential rains earlier this year.

By THE STAR STAFF

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Orlando C. Rivera Berríos announced earlier this week an interagency transfer of $882,169 from the fiscal year 2024 Emergency Reserve Fund to the Municipality of Aguas Buenas to address damages caused by flooding from torrential rains between April and May of this year.

Although the municipality had received previous funds, an assessment of additional damages not included in the municipality’s original request was still pending. Those funds were identified by the OMB starting in June of this year. The additional transfer was made possible after the completion of a validation process of damage estimates and final, reviewed documentation submitted by the municipality to comply with the legal and fiscal requirements governing the use of emergency funds and the requirements of the Financial Oversight and Management Board.

“This action reflects our ongoing commitment to the recovery and stability of municipalities following significant weather events,” Rivera Berríos said. “Aguas Buenas was one of the municipalities most affected by the floods, and this financial support will allow us to address its needs. We have emphasized that municipalities must comply with all requirements so that we can complete the disbursement of funds with the urgency it deserves and ensure the proper use of resources to guarantee that the affected communities receive the attention they need.”