PDP seeks answers as PAN funding well runs dry

Senate Popular Democratic Party Minority Leader Luis Javier Hernández Ortiz said the current federal government shutdown could surpass the 35-day closure that occurred during Donald Trump’s first presidency.

By THE STAR STAFF

Amid the ongoing federal government shutdown, which entered its 27th day on Monday, members of the Popular Democratic Party (PDP) minority delegation in the Puerto Rico Senate held a press conference Monday morning to address growing concerns over the suspension of payments for the Nutrition Assistance Program (PAN by its acronym in Spanish) and other federal aid programs.

Senate PDP minority leader Luis Javier Hernández Ortiz emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that the current shutdown could surpass the 35-day closure that occurred during Donald Trump’s first presidency.

“Although there’s hope that the federal government will reopen soon, the speaker of the U.S. House has warned that this shutdown could last even longer due to unresolved negotiations,” Hernández Ortiz said.

Last week, the PDP delegation submitted formal requests for information to the central government regarding contingency plans for federal funding shortfalls. The deadline for the government to respond is today.

Alternate minority leader Sen. Marially González Huertas highlighted one of the key initiatives: Request for Information 2025-0131, directed to Ramón Burgos Bermúdez, who heads the Administration for Family Socioeconomic Development.

“Yesterday, the USDA [federal Agriculture Department] announced there are no funds available to cover PAN benefits for November,” González Huertas said. “Puerto Rico faces significant uncertainty not only with PAN but also with the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.”

Conflicting statements from government officials have added to the confusion, the PDP delegation said. La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Francisco Domenech Fernández said Sunday that the administration had only set aside funds for the first week of November. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA) Executive Director Gabriella Boffelli mentioned “twenty-something million” dollars had been reserved, without specifying the exact amount or the number of beneficiaries.

“We’re hearing mixed messages,” González Huertas added. “Some officials say there’s enough funding, while others admit it only covers one week. That’s why we’ve asked for clear data: the number of PAN and TANF beneficiaries, the amount of state funds allocated to support these programs, and a contingency plan should the shutdown continue.”

Sen. Josian Santiago Rivera filed Request for Information 2025-0132, aimed at island Health Secretary Víctor Ramos Otero. The request seeks details on the local administration of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which serves more than six million low-income mothers and children across the U.S., including Puerto Rico.

Although WIC has a $150 million emergency fund, Santiago Rivera warned that it could be depleted if the shutdown persists. Puerto Rico’s share of that fund is just $3.9 million.

“We’ve asked the Department of Health to disclose the number of WIC beneficiaries and explain how the government plans to finance the program if federal reimbursements are delayed,” Santiago Rivera said.

PDP Sen. Ada Álvarez Conde stressed the urgency of the issue, noting that the government was given five days to respond to both information requests.

“This is a critical matter,” she said. “I’ve worked on legislation related to food banks, and I know firsthand that hunger is a real issue in Puerto Rico. With rising unemployment, the need for food assistance is only growing.”

Former Senate President José Luis Dalmau Santiago urged the government to go beyond simply providing data.

“We hope they not only respond to our requests but also take meaningful action to support affected families,” he said. “While emergency funds are currently sustaining these programs, they won’t last forever.”

Hernández Ortiz called on Gov. Jenniffer González Colón’s administration to be transparent about its preparedness.

“In the past, administrative actions were taken to mitigate these situations,” he said. “This time, we haven’t seen that. The need is real, and the urgency is undeniable.”

Late on Sunday, Domenech, the La Fortaleza chief of staff, emphasized the proactive measures the island government has taken to mitigate the impact of the federal shutdown.

“The Government of Puerto Rico has prepared for this impact as part of the work plans requested by the governor from all agencies,” he stated. “The family secretary, Suzanne Roig Fuertes, alongside PRFAA Director Gabriela Boffelli, continues to engage in discussions with officials from the federal Department of Agriculture. Their aim is to finalize strategic planning options that may include the use of state funds to ensure continuity of assistance.”

Domenech highlighted the efficiency and effective management of resources by the Family Department.

“We now have the financial resources to meet the needs of PAN during the first week of November,” he said.