Public‑sector association urges Fortaleza to seek major disaster declaration

By THE STAR STAFF

As drought conditions continue to intensify across Puerto Rico, the Association of Public Servants of the Popular Democratic Party (PPD) renewed calls on Sunday for Gov. Jenniffer González to urgently request a major disaster declaration from the federal government. The appeal comes as the administration maintains that it must first complete ongoing damage assessments before petitioning Washington.

Maritza Santaliz, president of the association, said the group is backing 25 Democratic lawmakers who joined Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández last week in urging González to formally request federal intervention from President Donald Trump. The request follows mounting operational challenges at the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (AAA) and rapidly declining reservoir levels.

Santaliz warned that the water crisis is already affecting “schools, hospitals and public offices that provide essential services,” arguing that temporary measures are no longer sufficient. Mayors from the nine municipalities dependent on the La Plata reservoir have endorsed preventive rationing to preserve the lake’s remaining supply, but González has rejected scheduled interruptions, even as experts predict further declines in water levels.

Local leaders from both the New Progressive Party (PNP) and the PPD in Bayamón, Cataño, Corozal, Dorado, Guaynabo, Naranjito, Toa Alta, Toa Baja and Vega Alta reported that La Plata currently serves more than 130,000 customers, underscoring the scale of the potential impact. A federal disaster declaration would open access to FEMA assistance for government agencies and residents, while the Small Business Administration (SBA) could provide emergency loans to affected businesses and households.

Last week, Public Affairs Secretary Jean Peña Payano defended the administration’s decision not to request a federal emergency declaration, saying the government must first complete the damage assessments being conducted by the Planning Board and the Department of Agriculture.

According to Peña Payano, agricultural losses vary significantly by crop, making uniform estimates impossible. “It’s not the same to evaluate damages in coffee as it is in plantains or other crops,” he said, noting that federal programs require precise documentation of losses.

He added that federal agencies — including NOAA — must confirm the severity of drought conditions and classify affected areas under D3 (extreme drought) before certain aid mechanisms can be activated. “The government, through PRFAA and the state government, is conducting that evaluation to continue communication with the federal government,” Peña Payano said. He emphasized that Puerto Rico already has a state‑level emergency declaration, and that additional federal steps “will be addressed in due course.”

In Washington, Hernández’s letter has drawn support from a broad coalition of Democratic lawmakers, including Puerto Rican‑born members of Congress Darren Soto, Ritchie Torres and Nellie Pou; committee leaders Jared Huffman and Bennie Thompson; and Sen. Rubén Gallego. Additional signatories include California representatives Sam Liccardo, Jim Costa, Luz Rivas, Jimmy Gómez, Norma Torres and Ted Lieu, as well as Texas members Sylvia García, Julie Johnson and Vincente González. Others joining the appeal are Seth Moulton, Rob Menendez, Gabe Vasquez, Teresa Leger Fernández, Daniel Goldman, Val Hoyle, Andrea Salinas, Seth Magaziner, Emily Randall, and Congressional Hispanic Caucus chair Adriano Espaillat.

Santaliz said the broad congressional support underscores the urgency of the situation. “Public servants urge González Colón to request a disaster declaration without delay. Puerto Rico cannot afford more hesitation,” she said, adding that Hernández has already outlined five measures to address the emergency. “The question is what Fortaleza is waiting for.”