Security plan in place for Holy Week in Cataño

By THE STAR STAFF

During the Christian commemoration of Holy Week, which culminates on Easter Sunday, the Municipality of Cataño has already activated a comprehensive security plan that covers all of the metro area town’s sectors.

“We are paying special attention to the urban area and the maritime front, where the famous local eating places and the fishing village are located, which attract so many tourists and visitors,” Cataño Mayor Julio Alicea Vasallo said, noting that the fishing village (Villa Pesquera) is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The efforts are being coordinated under the supervision of Cataño Municipal Police Commissioner Lt. Eliezer Vargas de Jesús and the commissioner of the Municipal Office of Emergency Management and Disaster Administration (OMMEAD by its Spanish initials) and

Medical Emergency Department, Lt. Omar Mercado Vázquez.

As detailed, the municipal police will have special shifts operating through Sunday to reinforce security both in the urban area of the municipality, on the bayfront, and in all communities. Also, preventive patrols will be increased in the areas most visited by tourists and residents. In addition, OMMEAD and Medical Emergencies will have a command center on the

Government, these non-recurring federal funds can be leveraged into sustainable longer-term growth and opportunity,” Mujica said.

The Fiscal Plan projects strong government revenue collections for the current fiscal year 2023 and the coming fiscal year 2024 driven by the aforementioned unprecedented stimulus funds. However, government revenue is projected to return closer to its historic trend from fiscal year 2025 onwards, in line with the projections of most U.S. mainland states, the official noted.

“The U.S. Government has allocated an unprecedented amount of recovery and stimulus funds that are estimated at over $120 billion for Puerto Rico,” Mujica said. “Puerto Rico needs and deserves this support as a matter of fairness and equity. However, this support comes with expectations – expectations of responsibility, progress, excellence, and performance. The Oversight Board will continue to work with the Government to meet those expectations. Continued improvement of the financial management institutions is of paramount importance.”

For Puerto Rico to succeed and the economy to improve long-term, every fiscal decision, every reform, and every initiative must be focused on creating jobs, opportunity, and on supporting economic development, the oversight board director said, emphasizing the need for “a singular focus on growth.”

“The current economic recovery may slow if underlying challenges of Puerto Rico’s economy take hold, which is why the steps taken now are critical to prevent Puerto Rico from falling back into crisis and instead create a real foundation for sustainable growth,” Mujica said. “We will work with the government to strengthen the overall economy, to improve the education system, tax reform, ease of doing business, the transformation of Puerto Rico’s infrastructure, and the continued effort to reform the way government operates, which are essential elements for the prosperity of the people of Puerto Rico.”

Edwin Rivera Sierra Maritime Front for a rapid response should an emergency arise.

“The peace and enjoyment of our people are a constant priority, so we will ensure that everyone has a positive and unforgettable experience when visiting our beautiful coastal town,” the mayor said. “Our city’s safety resources and personnel are fully activated, working closely with state police, highway patrols, the fire department, the Coast Guard, medical emergencies and federal agencies. The residential areas of the urban area and Barrio Palmas will also be protected.”