FEMA authorizes an additional $3.9 million for Vieques health clinic
By John McPhaul
jpmcphaul@gmail.com
Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia and Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience (COR3) Executive Director Manuel Laboy Rivera announced Wednesday that they received notification from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announcing an increase of $3.9 million in federal contributions for the construction of the former Susana Centeno Diagnostic and Treatment Center (CDT by its Spanish initials) in Vieques, after the municipality reached an agreement with the insurer.
“My government has a firm commitment to serving the needs of the residents of Vieques. For this reason, we have been giving priority to this health center on the Isla Nena, for the benefit of all Viequenses,” the governor said. “This increase in the federal contribution further highlights the work we are doing in coordination with FEMA, COR3 and the municipality. We will continue to work together so that Vieques finally has the health services it deserves.”
Laboy Rivera noted that as a result of the ongoing conversations with the municipality of Vieques and FEMA, the federal agency authorized the increase in the obligation for the project, which will now have $43.5 million obligated as a federal contribution.
“This increase comes after the municipality reached an agreement with the insurer for the damage to the structure caused by Hurricane Maria,” Laboy Rivera said.
The municipality reached an agreement with the insurer whereby it only paid part of the corresponding amount that had to be disbursed for the damages. Thus, the reasonable effort required was demonstrated to FEMA and additional funds were allocated to the project, as anticipated.
The demolition of the Susana Centeno CDT, which began on May 18, is already well along and is estimated to be completed in the next four to six months.