Governor announces $150 million federal allocation to cover PAN expenses during gov’t shutdown

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the availability of approximately $150 million to cover PAN expenses,” Gov. Jenniffer González Colón, left, stated in a video posted on her social media accounts.

By THE STAR STAFF

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón announced Monday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has made some $150 million available to cover expenses for the Nutritional Assistance Program (PAN by its acronym in Spanish) on the island.

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the availability of approximately $150 million to cover PAN expenses,” González Colón stated in a video posted on her social media accounts. “This complements our efforts to ensure that the 1.2 million PAN beneficiaries on the island are not left without support during this federal government shutdown.”

The governor noted that the funds will allow the program to continue operating during the U.S. government shutdown, guaranteeing the continuity of food assistance for participating families.

The Nutritional Assistance Program impacts more than 1.2 million people in Puerto Rico and is administered locally by the Family Department, with funds from the federal Department of Agriculture.

The governor made the announcement alongside Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration Executive Director Gabriella Boffelli. The two officials, along with Economic Development and Commerce Secretary Sebastián Negrón Reichard, are leading a trade mission in Spain.