House poised to approve proposed bill of rights for severely disabled students

Public Affairs Secretary Hiram Torres Montalvo, at lectern

By THE STAR STAFF

The Public Buildings Authority (PBA) will begin school rehabilitation this week, as reported by La Fortaleza on Sunday as the agency kicked off the “Back to School 2025” program.

“This initiative aims to refurbish and rehabilitate each school with the urgency required by our students, teachers, and other school staff,” PBA Executive Director Félix Lasalle said.

The refurbishment work will focus on specific needs identified at each school, including plumbing, electrical systems, structural improvements, landscaping, welding and painting.

This announcement was part of a weekly report presented by Gov. Jenniffer González Colón to keep the public informed about relevant public policy issues. The information was shared by Secretary of Public Affairs Hiram Torres Montalvo, along with Family Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes, Lasalle and Norberto Almodóvar Vélez, assistant secretary of the Permit Management Office (OGPe).

“This week has been productive, with important projects unveiled not only for the governor but for all Puerto Ricans,” Torres Montalvo said at a press conference.

He highlighted several significant announcements made by the governor, including the establishment of a comprehensive care unit for senior citizens at La Fortaleza, aimed at centralizing efforts and resources to ensure more efficient and coordinated service for seniors. The modernization of adoption applications has enabled more parents to access child care assistance by raising the federal eligibility threshold for these benefits. Meanwhile, the Puerto Rico Coliseum has become the first venue in the Americas to offer permanent sign language interpreters for its event programming.

Other measures introduced include removing the police from the Public Safety Department and regulating lobbying practices. Additionally, the longstanding 15-year wait for families in Comerío seeking property titles has come to an end, while the closure of seven regional offices of LUMA Energy was halted, Torres Montalvo noted. New government appointments have been made as well, he said.

The OGPe official discussed a preliminary report prepared by a group tasked with closely analyzing the permitting process under an executive order.

“Through technological innovations like artificial intelligence and improved customer service tools, we are streamlining the process,” Almodóvar Vélez said. “We remain committed to updating and prioritizing efforts to ensure critical projects progress without unnecessary delays. Our focus on simplicity, transparency, and reducing bureaucracy continues to be our top priority.”