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Mayors decry DNER’s abrupt cancellation of water pumping contracts

Writer's picture: The San Juan Daily StarThe San Juan Daily Star



By The Star Staff


The mayors of San Juan, Salinas, Guaynabo and Cataño, Miguel Romero Lugo, Karilyn Bonilla Colón, Edward O’Neill Rosa and Julio Alicea Vasallo, respectively, expressed dismay over the weekend regarding the cancellation of contracts for flood mitigation water pumping by the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources without at least notifying them in advance.


“It is unacceptable and unsustainable that the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources has waived the contract for pumping operations in the middle of hurricane season, putting the lives and property of our people at risk,” Romero Lugo said in a written statement. “We have acted in good faith and communication has not been reciprocal. We expect urgent action. We cannot wait another minute.”


Bonilla Colón criticized the agency’s process for lacking a comprehensive communication plan.


“It is worrying that yesterday [Friday] they canceled that contract without first presenting an action plan to the citizens and the mayors, in order to work together,” she said. “The municipalities have always been willing to collaborate. In the case of the pumps in Guapo in Playita, Parque en la Playa and Las 80, they have rented pumps since some of the DNER pumps are not in operation and others do not have the necessary capacity in cases of major flooding. If they cancel the contract, without an alternative plan, the communities will be vulnerable.”


O’Neill Rosa said meanwhile that “some streets and residences in Amelia were flooded again today due to the rains. The cancellation of the maintenance contract for the pumps by Natural Resources compromises the drainage system.”


“The cancellation was done without having an alternative plan to ensure that residents would not be affected and without prior notification to the municipality,” the Guaynabo mayor said. “We demand that Natural Resources maintain and operate the two pumping stations now. It is unacceptable; we need a solution now.”


Alicea Vasallo pointed out that “it is unusual that we learned of the cancellation from third parties and not from an official communication from the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.”


“Today, after the decision was made public, the interim secretary contacted this public servant,” he said. “Our people cannot tolerate this negligence or lack of communication from the DNER with the municipality for a vital service.”

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