Some $3.4 million transferred to Vieques, Canóvanas & Juncos for projects

Office of Management and Budget Executive Director Orlando Rivera Berríos

By THE STAR STAFF

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Executive Director Orlando Rivera Berríos announced Monday the transfer of $3.4 million to the municipalities of Vieques, Canóvanas and Juncos for the execution of permanent improvement projects aimed at strengthening road infrastructure, community development and public safety.

Rivera Berríos reiterated in a written statement that the OMB, “specifically the Municipal Management Directorate and the Budget Directorate, works diligently and responsibly to identify funds that address the challenges faced by mayors and their communities.”

He said the funds, which come from allocations under the OMB’s custody and correspond to fiscal year 2025, will allow municipalities to carry out priority projects they identified and submitted for evaluation. The projects include road rehabilitation and repaving, improvements to community facilities, and the acquisition of specialized equipment.

Of the total amount allocated, the Municipality of Vieques will receive $2.5 million for road infrastructure projects and the purchase of a machine to collect sargassum. The Municipality of Canóvanas will receive $800,000 for repaving work and improvements to road infrastructure, while the Municipality of Juncos will have $100,000 for expanding the residential area of the Estancia Serena Rehabilitation Center.

As part of the process, municipalities must comply with certification requirements, administrative controls, and accountability measures established by OMB, as well as applicable engineering standards and the submission of documented evidence of progress and completion of the projects.