PDP senators: ‘Leadership crisis’ in NPP is crippling island gov’t

By THE STAR STAFF

The Popular Democratic Party (PDP) delegation in the Senate recently held a press conference to address what it regards as several pressing issues as the second ordinary session came to a close.

“Once again, the country has been left waiting for unfulfilled promises from Governor Jenniffer González Colón,” Luis Javier Hernández Ortiz, the PDP minority leader in the upper chamber, said at the start of the conference. “We are witnessing how the leadership crisis within the New Progressive Party (NPP) is causing a decline in public administration and bringing the government to a standstill.”

The PDP delegation took stock of the island 11 months into González Colón’s tenure. Rising costs of living, the minority party said, have sparked widespread alarm among the population, driven by steep increases in the prices of basic goods, water and electricity.

“Our streets are plagued by insecurity and rampant crime, while the absence of effective administrative leadership has hindered government agencies, with three still lacking appointed heads,” Hernández Ortiz said. “The tax reform that the governor promised to tackle within her first 100 days remains unaddressed. Although the creation of working committees has been prioritized, there are still no tangible results, reports, or strategic plans to speak of.”

Sen. José A. Santiago Rivera, who chairs the Committee on Municipal Affairs in the upper chamber, noted that in contrast, the PDP delegation has maintained direct communication with 39 mayors and municipal officials to better understand the socioeconomic challenges local governments face and to craft suitable public policy. He noted that he has conducted 17 public hearings and 41 executive meetings, presenting concrete proposals to address the economic crisis municipalities are facing following the elimination of the Equalization Fund.

The PDP delegation said it has thoroughly examined the governmental crisis under González Colón’s administration and has taken the initiative by introducing legislative measures on specific issues, successfully getting bills approved that positively affect the lives of citizens.

“I have introduced several measures addressing critical issues, including a legislative package that was approved by the Senate to tackle the health crisis,” Sen. Ada Álvarez Conde said. “These initiatives aim to provide relief for doctors and hospitals, as well as salary increases for both private and public nursing professionals.”

The PDP senators highlighted what they regard as the governor’s lack of commitment, noting that she has opted to travel by plane at every opportunity. In just 11 months, she has taken 13 trips, totaling some 56 days away from the island, they said.

Sen. Marially González Huertas, who represents the Ponce district, emphasized her efforts in passing legislation that benefits residents of south-central Puerto Rico. For instance, she successfully secured the approval of five measures, including the amendment known as the “Puerto Rico Insurance Code,” which clarifies that a mere difference between the amount offered by the insurer and the amount claimed, whether extrajudicially or judicially, should not be interpreted as a dispute that prevents the issuance of partial or advance payments.

Sen. José Luis Dalmau Santiago highlighted health legislation introduced by the PDP delegation that acknowledges the right of young adults over 18 to access medical services without requiring parental accompaniment.