By THE STAR STAFF
Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia confirmed on Thursday that he is going to extend the executive order declaring a state of emergency for violence against women for six months.
“Yes, my intention is to extend the emergency declaration for six months, until the end of this year,” the governor said in response to questions from the press.
When asked why a six-month extension, Pierluisi replied that “that was the recommendation of the prosecutor Iliana Espada, based on issues that are pending.”
“But nothing prevents me from considering extending it again at that moment [at the end of December],” the governor said. “But it is an extension for six months, based on the recommendation of prosecutor Iliana Espada, who is the compliance officer, who ensures that all the areas covered by the executive order are addressed.”
With the executive order, among other things, it remains a priority government service to establish and execute protection, prevention and orientation programs, along with protocols for access to housing, health services, education and work for gender violence victims and those at risk.