Gov’t has disbursed $416 million for reconstruction so far this year

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón

By The Star Staff

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón announced Sunday that her administration disbursed $416.4 million in federal funds for reconstruction during the first four months of 2025, according to a statement.

The funding was secured through the efforts of the island government, the governor noted, even amid new evaluation requirements imposed by the U.S. government for all states and territories managing grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction, and Resilience Executive Director Eduardo Soria Rivera said the amount includes $122 million disbursed from FEMA’s Public Assistance program during the week of April 21-25. Those funds benefited various municipalities, agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Soria noted that key municipalities receiving funds include Salinas with $3,994,160, Naranjito with $2,347,358 and Orocovis with $1,165,152. Additionally, the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority will receive $85,583,536, the Department of Education some $3,994,991, and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority $2,777,093.

Several nonprofit organizations are also set to receive funding, including the Archdiocese of San Juan with $2,258,672, the International Pentecostal Church of God Movement with $1,139,582, and the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico with some $876,224.

“These disbursements should be reflected in the recipients’ accounts within the next 3 to 5 days,” Soria said. “This means we are no longer discussing projections or promises; it’s now a reality. One of Governor Jenniffer González’s primary goals was to see prompt results so that the people could benefit from the necessary reconstruction projects for municipalities, agencies, and nonprofit entities. That’s what we’re achieving.”