By The Star Staff
Puerto Rico Mayors Association President Luis Javier Hernández Ortiz said Thursday he is compiling information received from member municipalities to verify how the emergency related to Tropical Storm Ernesto’s impact on the island was handled.
“Once again, the resilience of our country is demonstrated by the unwavering dedication of our municipal staff, who work tirelessly to serve our communities 24/7,” Hernández Ortiz said. “However, the recurring nature of these atmospheric events necessitates a reevaluation of our emergency response systems, particularly those of the central government and LUMA Energy. The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated.
Hernández Ortiz said the electrical system in Villalba, the municipality that he serves as mayor, went completely down when the storm had not yet arrived.
“At 5 o’clock in the morning [Tuesday], we were left without service,” he said. “It wasn’t a tree falling on the lines.”
Hernández Ortiz added that fellow mayors, such as in Isabela, Cayey, Aguada and other towns, reported that the power lines were not damaged significantly enough to have half a million customers in the dark throughout Puerto Rico.
He further pointed out that the term “customer” or “subscriber” refers to a house in which up to three people can ordinarily live.
“We are talking about practically the entire country,” the Villalba mayor said. “As has happened on previous occasions, we are concerned about the sick and bedridden, those who require respirators for life. Likewise, without electrical service in many places there is no drinking water due to lack of displacement pumps. This morning, after communicating with the mayors, the Mayors Association will officially request an investigation into LUMA Energy, with a copy [of the request sent] to Governor Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia and the director of the Emergency Management Bureau, Nino Correa.”
Hernández Ortiz added that there were Education Department (DE) shelters where the power plants did not work or were not connected.
“That happened in Trujillo Alto, Luquillo, Villalba and other towns,” said the leader of the body that groups Popular Democratic Party mayors, and at-large Senate candidate. “Having funds for these purposes, the DE has not fully complied. And we are in peak season; they have time to get the job done. It is a shame that more than $10 billion allocated by the federal government for the electrical system has not been applied effectively. It has been more than seven years since Hurricane Maria and we do not have even a glimmer of a solution to the energy crisis.”
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