By The Star Staff
Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia said Tuesday that the Treasury Department is continuing preparations to disburse the refundable incentive sometime in May, even after the decision to suspend face-to-face work in the island House of Representatives until March due to a surge in COVID-19 infections.
“My directive to the Treasury Department is that they continue to prepare, doing all the internal administrative procedures so that this refundable incentive can be paid in a matter of a couple of months,” the governor said in response to questions from the press. “In other words, I have always said that the ideal is that this payment should be made sometime in the month of May. I’m sticking to it. Clearly, it is going to be approved. Due to an apparent health situation, the speaker of the House decided to suspend work until March 4 or 5. But that doesn’t stop the Treasury Department from continuing to do all the work at the level of its system, to prepare to deliver or pay that refundable incentive.”
Pierluisi said the measure will be approved despite the shutdown order.
“No one can object to the fact that the incentive with the lowest amount will be $200, when the Treasury has said that we have the funds to honor it and the [Financial Oversight and Management] board, all those who have to be consulted were consulted,” the governor said. “Again, my directive is that the work in the Treasury proceeds, that the work schedule is not delayed so that these reimbursable incentives are paid in a matter of a couple of months, ideally sometime in May.”
Asked if he would issue a similar order on the use of masks, Pierluisi replied “I have said that I am not inclined to require the use of masks.”
“Yes, I think that people who have delicate health conditions should protect themselves and should wear a mask, particularly when they are going to crowded places and that are indoors not outdoors,” he said. “I have also said that I think it is prudent that masks are also used in medical and hospital facilities. That’s what I’ve said, but I’m not inclined to mandate the use of masks in public government facilities or other spaces. Obviously, I have the advice of the health secretary and his team when I make these statements.”