For Governor Pedro Pierluisi’s administration, reconstruction using Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds has been a high priority. In December 2020, there were about 500 permanent works in progress and $159 million disbursed. Today, there are over 9,000 ongoing projects and more than $1.8 billion disbursed. Despite this progress, some people still question where the work is because “they don’t see it,” and claim that the funds “are not moving.” In this context, it is important to take a closer look at the reconstruction's progress.

Seventy-four percent of permanent work funds (FEMA-María) are concentrated in five entities: the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA), Department of Education, Public Housing Administration (PHA), and the University of Puerto Rico (UPR). These entities have long-term reconstruction plans, and their funds were obligated by FEMA between 2020 and 2023. Regarding the electrical system, five power plants are under repair, with completed work in Mayagüez. In addition, thousands of utility poles and streetlights are being replaced across the island. Work continues on substations such as those in Manatí, Trujillo Alto, and Aguirre. At PRASA, numerous projects are underway, including a new water tank in Guánica, dredging of the Carraízo reservoir, a new wastewater treatment plant in Guayama, and completed work in Salinas, Caguas, and Humacao. Public housing reconstruction is also underway, with over 20 construction bids already published. FEMA has approved repairs for 124 public schools, and UPR campuses in Mayagüez, Humacao, Ponce, and Bayamón have active projects, including Torre Norte and Resi-Campus in Río Piedras.

Seventy-four percent of permanent work funds (FEMA-María) are concentrated in five entities: PREPA, PRASA, the Department of Education, the Public Housing Administration, and the University of Puerto Rico, noted Manuel Laboy. (Jorge A. Ramirez Portela).

Fourteen percent of the funds are allocated to municipalities, even though municipal works represent 75% of all reconstruction projects—mainly roads, bridges, and recreational and sports facilities. Traveling around the island, you can see hundreds of roads and bridges under construction (paving, culverts, drainage boxes, and gabions); also, hundreds of coliseums and basketball and handball courts, baseball and soccer fields, boardwalks, linear parks, and athletic tracks. Essentially, there is reconstruction work in all 78 municipalities. The municipal projects with the most funding include the new hospital in Vieques and the new baseball stadium in Yabucoa, both moving full speed ahead.

The remaining 12% of funds are distributed among approximately 60 government agencies and nearly 400 nonprofit organizations. Ongoing government agency projects include the PRIDCO pier in Mayagüez, the new CDT in Maunabo, the Cardiovascular Center in San Juan, the electrical grid at the former Roosevelt Roads base, the Institute of Forensic Sciences, the government center in Guánica, the Fuentes Pinet Stadium in Loíza, the new bridge on PR-770 in Barranquitas, the vacation center in Añasco, the agricultural market in San Sebastián, and Pan-American Docks #1 and #2 in San Juan.

Despite the known challenges, what should we expect from reconstruction in 2023 and beyond? First, more large-scale projects (energy, water, education, and health) will enter the construction phase, along with priority projects from municipalities, state agencies, and nonprofit organizations, including churches. Second, more risk mitigation projects will move forward, including flood control, renewable energy, and coastal erosion efforts. Lastly, COR3 projects over $2 billion in disbursements this year, led by the Working Capital Advance program. In 2024, disbursements are expected to increase even further, driven by the execution of large-scale projects throughout the island.