Puerto Rico News Digest For March 6, 2019

PUERTO RICO UNDER DROUGHT WATCH

Puerto Rico's water utility (AAA) has indicated that the municipalities of Adjuntas, Caguas, Coamo, Lares and Naranjito could be facing water rationing in the near future if the current dry pattern prevails over the area, according to AAA Vice-President of Operations Doriel Pagán. However, the agency has stated that this is not likely to happen in the immediate future, and that no date for water rationing has so far been set.

The US Drought monitor has placed 30% of Puerto Rico's territory in the moderate drought category, while 80% of the archipelago is said to face atypical drought conditions.

CULEBRA REELS FROM TRANSPORT INTERRUPTIONS

From The San Juan Daily Star:

"Fortunato Vizcarrondo, a resident of Culebra, denounced on Tuesday that in the island municipalities they are currently living “as if in the hurricanes”, due to the problems with the Maritime Transport Authority (ATM) ferries, which have caused a shortage of products and goods, including gasoline."

LESS MONEY FOR PAN PARTICIPANTS

From El Nuevo Dia:

"1.35 million Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) participants in Puerto Rico are getting smaller checks, and in some cases that represents a third of what they usually received..."

BOARD OKAYS CONVERSION TO NATURAL GAS

From Caribbean Business:

"The Financial Oversight and Management Board and the Puerto Rico Energy Bureau have given the  green light to a contract with New Fortress Energy LLC for the supply of liquefied natural gas 
(LNG) and conversion of units 5 and 6 of the San Juan Combined Cycle Power Plant..."

TOURISM CO. LAUNCHES PLAN TO BOOST TRAVEL

From  News Is My Business:

"Looking to strengthen the island’s tourism industry, the Puerto Rico Tourism Co. has launched a educational campaign to inform the public about the benefits provided by agency-certified travel agencies certified when planning trips or vacations..."

Puerto Rico News Digest For October 5, 2015

TRACES FOUND OF MISSING SHIP

From Fox News Latino:

Aircraft and ships searching off the Bahamas islands for a U.S. cargo ship
that lost contact during Hurricane Joaquin have found more debris and clues
but no definitive word yet on the fate of the vessel or the 33 people on board.
The owner of the 790-foot El Faro said a container that appears to have come
from the ship was found, while the Coast Guard said it had located a debris
field that included what appeared to be pieces of container. Searchers have
also spotted an oil sheen and found a life ring from the El Faro. Chief Petty
Officer Bobby Nash said it was too early to come to any conclusion. Two
Coast Guard cutters, the Northland and Resolute, were expected to continue
searching overnight Sunday as the aircraft returned to their bases.

POLICE SEIZE $5.4 MILLION DRUG SHIPMENT

From Caribbean Business:

"Authorities are searching for three suspects who allegedly attempted to
smuggle $5.4 million worth of drugs into Puerto Rico from the Dominican
Republic. Police said they arrested Teófilo Tineo González, a 36-year-old
Dominican man, after seizing about 518 pounds (235 kilograms) of cocai-
ne and heroin and a 22-foot (6.7-meter) boat on the coast west  of San Juan,
but three other suspects got away. Police Superintendent José Caldero said
authorities were hunting for three others they believe were aboard the boat
that left the Dominican Republic for Puerto Rico on Wednesday night..."

RESERVOIR LEVELS GO UP OVER THE WEEKEND

Rains over this past weekend have raised the water level at the Carraízo and
La Plata reservoirs, both of which serve the bulk of the San Juan metro area.
La Plata went up by 47 centimeters from Sunday morning to Monday morn-
ing, for a level of 40.50 meters. La Plata's users, however, are  still a ways
away from being taken off the current 24-hour water rationing plan they are
currently under. The reservoir would have to reach at least 43 meters for ra-
tioning to be discontinued. The Carraízo reservoir saw its water level rise over
the weekend to 38.47 meters, staving off for now a return to a rationing plan
for its 160,000 users. Its level rose by 26 centimeters from Sunday to Monday.

EPA FINALIZES PLAN FOR CONTAMINATED WELL

From The San Juan Daily Star:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a plan to use
natural processes along with the continued use of a system that the federal
agency had already installed to treat contaminated groundwater at the Coro-
zal Well Superfund Site in Corozal, officials announced Thursday. Previou-
sly, the EPA installed a system that uses carbon to address pollutants as an
initial step to address the risks posed by people drinking contaminated gro-
undwater. Data collected since EPA installed the system confirms that there
are no levels of concern at the well. The system will remain in place as a sa-
feguard.

Puerto Rico News Digest For September 28, 2015

NEVERMIND: CARRAIZO RATIONING COULD RETURN

Users served by the Carraízo water reservoir could see  a return to 24-
hour water rationing in about 20 days, if its water levels continue to
drop at the same pace that has been seen over the last week, about nine
centimeters a day. Carraízo's level stands at 38.32 meters, about a meter
and a half away from entering Phase I rationing. Recent rains have bene-
fited the La Plata reservoir, while largely bypassing Carraízo. Water ra-
tioning for the area was only lifted about a week ago. The Carraízo reser-
voir serves about 160,000 users in the towns of Trujillo Alto and Caroli-
na, as well as parts of San Juan, Canóvanas and Gurabo. The other reser-
voir that serves the bulk of the San Juan metro area, La Plata, saw its le-
vel decrease by three centimeters overnight. La Plata users are still under
a rationing plan.

COUPLE CHARGED WITH PROSTITUTION, INCEST

From Yahoo! News:

A Puerto Rico couple has been charged with prostitution, incest and human
trafficking in a case authorities say involved their four young children. Police
said Friday that the 30-year-old suspects are accused of prostituting their 11-
year-old daughter in front of the other children who range in age from 6 to 9
years old. The couple was identified as Kenneth Martinez and Tanya Figueroa...

BAR ASSOCIATION SUES TREASURY OVER TAX

From The San Juan Daily Star:

The Puerto Rico Bar Association announced earlier this week that it has
sued the commonwealth Treasury Department to stop the imposition of a
4 percent tax on legal services tax that goes into force on Oct 1. The asso-
ciation says the new tax goes against current laws that protect the access
to Justice. La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Víctor Suárez said there is a bill
pending approval at the Legislature that would amend Law 72 (Tax Re-
form) pending approval but such changes were technical ones to avoid
double taxation...

NASAA HOLDS CONFERENCE IN SAN JUAN

From Caribbean Business:

Experts in finance and investment, securities regulation and public policy
came together for the North American Securities Administrators Associa-
tion’s (NASAA) 98th Annual Conference, themed “Regulation for the A-
ges,” Sept. 27-29 in San Juan’s Caribe Hilton Hotel. The three-day confe-
rence is co-chaired by Damaris Mendoza, director of the Securities Regu-
lation and Registration Division within the Puerto Rico Financial Instituti-
ons Commissioner’s Office (OCIF by its Spanish acronym), and Joseph
Borg, director of the Alabama Securities Commission. Featured speakers
include Arthur Levitt, the longest-serving chair of the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC), and Chris Farrell, financial commentator
and author...

La Plata Water Rationing Cut To 24 Hours

Starting tomorrow, the 180,000  water users served by the La Plata reservoir
will see their water rationing plan cut from 48 hours without running water at
a time down to 24 hour cut-offs. This is due to La Plata's water level having
risen by 1.11 meters due to heavy rains yesterday. Between one and four in-
ches of rain fell across the island on Wednesday. With the reservoir's level
sitting as of today at 39.94 meters, it is about 11 meters away from its opti-
mal level. La Plata serves the towns of Bayamón, Guaynabo, Cataño, Toa
Baja and  Toa Alta as well as parts of San Juan, Corozal, Naranjito and Do-
rado.

Meanwhile, the Carraízo reservoir has seen significant drops in its water lev-
els since rationing was lifted for customers served by that body of water. It is
currently at 38.65 meters. Some scattered showers are expected over Puerto
Rico over the next couple of days.

Puerto Rico News Digest For September 16, 2015

GDB, TREASURY OUT OF MONEY BY YEAR END

From The San Juan Daily Star:

The Puerto Rico Treasury Department’s single cash account and the Go-
vernment Development Bank (GDB) are each expected to exhaust their
liquidity before the end of calendar year 2015. The information was con-
tained in a liquidity update report by Conway-MacKenzie (CM) and in
the island government’s fiscal adjustment plan. Both documents were
made public last week. The Treasury has a treasury single account (TSA)
in which it deposits and disburses amounts related to the General Fund,
certain federal funds, government agencies, general obligation debt issu-
ances (GOs) and payments, net pension benefits, and other items.

PRASA REACHES DEAL WITH US GOVERNMENT

From Caribbean Business:

Under a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Environ-
mental Protection Agency (EPA), the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer
Authority (Prasa) has agreed to make major upgrades, improve inspecti-
ons and cleaning of existing facilities within the Puerto Nuevo system and
continue improvements to its systems island-wide, according to the Justice
Department. The Puerto Nuevo sewer system serves the municipalities of
San Juan, Trujillo Alto, and portions of Bayamón, Guaynabo and Carolina.
The settlement updates and expands upon legal settlement agreements rea-
ched with Prasa in 2004, 2006 and 2010.

COCAINE FOUND ON EAST PR COAST

From Caribbean News Now:

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Air and Marine Agents
on Friday night recovered 114 pounds (51.7 kilos) of cocaine inside four back-
packs that were ditched by smugglers on the east coast of the island. The esti-
mated value of the seized contraband is $1.4 million.  CBP units near Ceiba,
Puerto Rico found 30 individually wrapped bricks of cocaine inside two pie-
ces of luggage. “Our marine units patrol work with law enforcement partners
to detect and intercept criminal organizations that seek to introduce illegal nar-
cotics,” stated Johnny Morales, director of air operations for CBP’s Caribbean
Air and Marine Branch (CAMB). “This seizure is evidence that our persistence
 is fruitful.”

SALES TAX REVENUE OVER ESTIMATES

From News Is My Business:

Puerto Rico sales and use tax (SUT) revenues collections totaled $190.7 mi-
llion in August, the first month the new 10.5 percent rate was in effect, ex-
ceeding projections by $22.2 million, or 13.2 percent, Treasury Secretary
Juan Zaragoza said Monday. August 2015 estimates took into account the
possible effect of purchases made in advance of the rate increase. Neverthe-
less, the monetary values of the tax base subject to the SUT were very simi-
lar for August 2015 and August 2014, Zaragoza said.

Puerto Rico News Digest For September 4, 2015

GANGS TURN AVENUE INTO WARZONE

65th Infantry Avenue Closed For Three Hours

As reported by El Nuevo Dia, Police had to close off a stretch of 65th

Infantry Avenue in Rio Piedras as gang members from  Monte Hatillo

public housing project and the Berwind apartment buildings across the

road traded gunfire on Wednesday night. No deaths or injuries have
been reported as a result of the gunfire. A local school had to be eva-

cuated yesterday due to threats of further violence in the area. Police

believe that the latest outburst of violence came about due to the recent

murder of Héctor Nussa Román, who was the stepbrother of the alleged

head of drug sales in Monte Hatillo. Shootings in the area are sporadic,

but have been happening for years.

CARRAIZO GOES TO TWO-DAY RATIONING

Puerto Rico's water utility, AAA, has announced that water levels at the
Carraízo reservoir -- which serves Trujillo Alto, Carolina and parts of San
Juan -- is now high enough that water rationing for areas served by Carraí-
zo is being cut back to two days without water and one day with water. The
change begins today, after several weeks of water users being restricted to
two days of running water a week. About 160,000 AAA customers would
be affected by the change. Recent rains have swollen Carraízo's level to 37.
14 meters. Users of the La Plata reservoir are still also under "phase two"
water restrictions, with water off for two days at a time.

PREPA DEAL CAPS RATE HIKE AT 8¢

From The San Juan Daily Star:

The hike that Puerto Rico consumers will see in their electricity bill, which
must be approved by the Energy Commission, is not going to be higher than
the eight cents estimated in a five-year business plan prepared by the Puerto
Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) following an agreement reached with
the Ad Hoc Group of bondholders. PREPA Chief Restructuring Officer Lisa
Donahue said the final rate structure will be determined by the outcome of
talks with the other PREPA creditors -- banks and the utility’s insurance com-
panies. Those talks are expected to be completed by Sept. 18, which is when
the forbearance agreement between PREPA and its creditors is expected to
expire. TheAd Hoc Group represents 35 percent of the debt.

ARECIBO INCINERATORS GETS FINAL PERMIT

From News Is My Business:

Energy Answers confirmed Wednesday that the Puerto Rico Environmental
Quality Board has granted the final permit to build a facility for the processing
of non-hazardous solid waste at the Cambalache Sector in Arecibo. The review
process of this permit began in 2012 under the administration of Gov. Luis For-
tuño and included two separate public hearings and extended periods of time for
comment in writing, ensuring broad public participation in the permitting pro-
cess. “The periods for written comments exceeded by far the established regu-
latory requirements and what is usual and customary for a facility handling so-
lid waste as proposed,” the company said.

USDA DESIGNATES 17 TOWNS DISATER AREAS

From Caribbean Business:

Although Puerto Rico has received much-needed rain in the past week, primari-
ly due to Tropical Storm Erika and a tropical wave, the U.S. Department of Agri-
culture has declared an additional 17 municipalities in Puerto Rico as natural di-
saster areas due to the ongoing drought conditions. These additional municipali-
ties are: Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Bayamón, Cataño, Ceiba, Coamo, Comerío,
Dorado, Guaynabo, Loíza, Naguabo, Naranjito, San Juan, Santa Isabel, Toa Al-
ta, Toa Baja  and Vega Alta.

Puerto Rico News Digest For September 2, 2015

CARRAIZO RATIONING COULD END SOON

After several days of moderate to heavy rain, first from Tropical Storm
Erika, and then from a tropical wave which affected the island yesterday,
water levels at Carraízo and La Plata reservoirs have seen significant gains.
Carraízo has gone up by 20 centimeters overnight, with today's level stand-
ing at 37.17 meters. AAA/PRASA, Puerto Rico's water utility, has indicated
that if Carraízo's  level reaches 41 meters, water rationing for its area would
likely end. La Plata, however, would need to reach 51 meters to get to its op-
timal level; it currently sits at  36.65 meters. Yesterday's tropical wave left
up to 4 inches of rain on parts of Puerto Rico.

PRASA DEBT PAYMENT EXTENDED

From The San Juan Daily Star:

La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Víctor Suárez said Banco Popular agreed to ex-
tend to Sept. 15 a $90 million payment owed by the Puerto Rico Aqueduct
and Sewer Authority (PRASA) that was due Monday. However, he could
not say when PRASA will go to the market with a $750 million bond issue
it will use in part to pay the line of credit with Banco Popular. “When con-
ditions are ripe, we will go,” he said. STAR sources, however, say that Bank
of America Merrill Lynch will probably cancel the bond issue altogether.
Meanwhile, Suárez refused to reveal whether multinational companies will
assume a greater burden as part of the five-year fiscal adjustment plan, whose
presentation was pushed back to Sept. 8.

FL SENATOR MARCO RUBIO TO VISIT PR

From Caribbean Business:

Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Puerto Rico
this week, his staff said Tuesday. Spokeswoman Olivia Perez-Cubas told The
Associated Press that the Florida senator will meet with supporters on Friday
in San Juan. Rubio's one-day visit will coincide with that of Democrat Hillary
Clinton.  He is scheduled to attend a fundraiser before the rally.

TRUMP GOLF COURSE TO BE AUCTIONED

From News Is My Business:

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Enrique S. Lamoutte-Inclan signed off Monday an 

order approving the auction of the Trump International Golf Course in Río 

Grande. Bidding will start at $2 million in November, with a final sale hear-

ing slated for December, court documents showed. The property, also known 

as Coco Beach Golf & Country Club, filed for Chapter bankruptcy protection 

in July, citing $78 million in liabilities and $9.2 million in assets.

COP ARRESTED FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING

From Fox News Latino:

An officer of the San Juan Municipal Police was arrested by U.S. federal
authorities on charges of human trafficking for her attempt to bring a Do-
minican citizen from the island of Antigua into Puerto Rican territory ille-
gally. The U.S. attorney in San Juan, Rosa Emilia Rodriguez, said Tues-
day in a statement that police officer Luz Zoraida Rojas was arrested on
Aug. 28 after paying $1,000 to an undercover cop - who pretended to be
an immigration official - for trying to introduce a Dominican male from
Antigua into Puerto Rico.

List of Water Oases For The Carraízo Rationing Zones

Oases are locations where the island's water provider, AAA, will distribute
potable water from tanker trucks from 9:00 AM  to 8:00 PM daily. Bring con-
tainers for water. The listing can be found in Spanish here. Water rationing 
for areas served by the Carraízo reservoir is currently on a 24-hours-with-
water-on / 72-hours-water-off cycle. The Carraízo rationing area is divided
into two zones, A and B. A map of the zones can be found below. Zone A 
is shaded green, while Zone B is in blue.




Zone A

San Juan

Ave. San Claudio in front of Chalets de Cupey
Barrio Buen Consejo/Venezuela
PR 176 Int 199, in front of Academia Barbara Ann Roessler

Trujillo Alto

PR 181, in front of Urb. Lomas
PR 843, KM 4.1, in front of Urb. Villas de Carraízo
PR 846, in front of Urb. Interamericana

Carolina

Ave. Campo Rico in front of José M. Lázaro School
Ave. Fragoso service road east of Plaza Carolina mall
Ave. Monserrate, corner of Roberto Clemente
Ave. Pontezuela, corner of Calle 1, Jardines de Country Club, in front 
of Mormon church.
Calle 516, Villa Carolina, in front of Municipal HQ.
Laguna Gardens Shopping Center

Urb. Villa Carolina, calle 23in front of Lulo González Voleyball Court


Zone B

San Juan

Ave. Eduardo Conde, corner of Ave. San Jorge
Ave. Gándara, corner of Ponce De León
Ave. Monte Carlo, in front of Portal de la Reina Condominium
Calle Julio Andino, corner of Ana Otero, Villa Prades
65th Infantry Shopping Center, in front of Mickey Mouse court
Residencial Kennedy, Las Casas and Eduardo Conde Final

Carolina

PR 3, in front of Los Colobos Shopping Center
PR 853, Int 852, Barrio Barrazas in front of Emergency Management
PR 860, in front of Metrópolis Shoping Center

Canóvanas

Urb. River Gardens/River Plantation

Three Day Rationing For Carraízo Starts Next Week

Reservoir levels for today. Carraízo is on the left.

SAN JUAN (PRM) -- Amid Puerto Rico's worst drought in decades, the
water levels at the Carraízo  reservoir -- which serves a large part  of the
San Juan metro area -- continue to fall to dangerously low levels. This has
prompted the island's water utility, Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantari-
llados, to extend the water rationing plan that Carraízo users have been
under for several weeks. According to AAA management, the Carraízo
reservoir level is now so low, that it may soon be rendered inoperative.

Starting next Wednesday, August 13th, running water will be shut off
for three days rather than the current two days, and will then be on for
one day. Of the two rationing zones the Carraízo service area is divi-
ded into, Zone B will be the first to be subjected to the three-day ratio-
ning, with Zone A following suit two days later. A map of the Carraí-
zo zones can be found below. No significant rainfall over the area is
expected for the time being, although the government announced yes-
terday that they will soon begin a program of cloud seeding, in hopes
of generating rain over the dwindling reservoirs of Carraízo, La Plata
and Cidra.

Puerto Rico News Digest For July 29, 2015

DOOR OPEN FOR EXTENDED WATER RATIONING 

From The San Juan Daily Star:

The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) has already outli-
ned long term plans based on a future scenario in which the island will remain
under drought conditions through the beginning of 2016, which could make
water rationing plans even stricter and extended to more towns. PRASA Sou-
thern Region Director Juan Rodríguez said Monday that the public corpora-
tion has not ruled out a wider water rationing plan than the one currently in
 place for consumers that receive their water supply from the Carraízo and
La Plata reservoirs, and the southern towns of Coamo, Santa Isabel and Sali-
nas. Guaynabo is also on water rationing, going one day with water and one
day without.

MAN MURDERED IN CANOVANAS

An unidentified male was murdered early this morning in the Parcelas Campo
Rico area of Canóvanas, according to Puerto Rico Police and El Nuevo Dia. At
around 6:36 AM, gunshots were  heard in the neighborhood. When police offi-
cers arrived, they found the bullet-riddled body on the grounds of a  residence.
This is the 313th murder to be reported in Puerto Rico so far this year.

SHERATON OLD SAN JUAN CASINO TO CLOSE

From Caribbean Business:

The casino at the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel & Casino, in the historic sector 

of Puerto Rico's capital, is slated to close its doors sometime in September, in-

dustry sources told Caribbean Business. An official announcement on  the matter  

is expected later today.

LATINO LEADERS URGE FEDS TO HELP PR

From News Is My Business:

The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, a coalition of 39 of the U.S. main-

land’s largest Latino advocacy organizations, held a press conference Tuesday 

with Congressional, Puerto Rican, and labor leaders today calling on President 

Obama and Congress to take action “to save Puerto Rico from economic disaster.”

As Puerto Rico continues to endure a growing economic crisis that includes a $72 

billion debt, major unemployment, and population drain, Puerto Ricans and Lati-

nos on the mainland are “growing impatient with Washington as leaders have fai-

led to step up to assist millions of American citizens living on the island,” group 

representatives said.

Maps For All Water Rationing Zones

Carraízo


These zones are under 48-hour rationing (running water is on for one day, off for
two days). Zone A is shaded in green. Zone  B is shaded in blue. PF Canóvanas
is in purple.



Rationing calendar



La Plata


These zones are under 24-hour rationing (water off every other day). North Zone is
in orange, South Zone is in yellow.



Rationing calendar



Guaynabo


These zones are under 24-hour rationing. North Zone is in purple, South Zone
is in pink.





Corozal / Naranjito


These zones are under 24-hour rationing. North Zone is in purple, South Zone is
in pink.





Eastern Puerto Rico

These zones are under 24-hour rationing. Caguas North Zone 1 is in blue, Zone
2 is green. Caguas South Zone 1 is yellow, Zone 2 is pink. Juncos Zone 1 is in
orange and Zone 2 in burgundy.




Río Grande, Loíza and Luquillo; high areas are in yellow.






Coamo, Salinas and Santa Isabel

These zones are under 12-hour rationing. Zone A is in green and Zone B is
in blue.




All information is from Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados.

Puerto Rico News Digest For July 15, 2015

WATER RATE HIKES BEING CONSIDERED

From Caribbean Business:

The executive president of the Puerto Rico Aqueduct & Sewer Authority (Prasa), 
Alberto Lázaro Castro, reinterpreted a statement made Monday by Jim Millstein, 
of Millstein & Co., during the Puerto Rico government’s meeting with its credi-
tors, where he alluded to a possible increase of the water bill. Although water ra-
tes are expected to rise beginning in 2018 as part of the utility’s long-term opera-
tional plan, a sooner-than-expected hike could be seen if Prasa fails to finalize a 
bond deal for much-needed liquidity to fund its capital improvement program, 
among other needs. According to Lázaro, what Millstein said at the Government 
Development Bank (GDB) meeting with investors had to do with Prasa's "finan-
cial model, which in agreement with its bondholders and its own organic law, in-
cludes possible rate adjustments." He added that "this is done in all offer docu-
ments to show what would happen if projections are not met."

PR WARNS CREDITORS AGAINST LITIGATION

From The San Juan Daily Star:

Puerto Rico government officials told creditors Monday that a lengthy litigation
process against the commonwealth will have a negative effect on the economy
that will hurt tax collections, which are the source of debt payments. “We are
trying to pre-empt that with an open transparent process with you all,” one of
the government advisers told creditors during a question-answer portion of Mon-
day’s meeting with creditors as part of the process to convince them to renego-
tiate new debt repayment terms for the $72 billion debt.The event was live-strea-
med from a Government Development Bank (GDB) link. GDB President Melba
Acosta, former World Bank chief economist and former International Monetary
Fund (IMF) deputy director Anne Krueger, as well as economist and American
University Prof. Andrew Wolfe briefed members of the investment community
on Krueger and Wolfe’s recently published report on Puerto Rico’s fiscal condi-
tion.

JOURNALISTS SUE OVER HEDGE FUNDS

From News Is My Business:

The Center for Investigative Journalism filed a civil suit Monday against the go-
vernment over its refusal to provide the names of the hedge funds that are getting
ready to renegotiate or demand complete payment of Puerto Rico’s public debt. The
lawsuit filed in San Juan Superior Court names Gov. Alejandro García-Padilla and
Government Development Bank President Melba Acosta as defendants and asks the
court to order them to turn over documents and information about the hedge funds,
the amount of bonds they hold, the names of the investors who make up the so-ca-
lled Ad Hoc group negotiating with the government, as well as certain other docu-
ments. In the nine-page document, the CPI, as the nonprofit is known by its initials
in Spanish, details how it has spent the last four months unsuccessfully requesting
information from the government, including lawmakers, about the identity of the
groups behind Puerto Rico’s $73 billion debt.

SCORES OF DEAD SARDINES AT LA PLATA

From Fox News Latino:

Almost 7,000 sardines have died over the last two days in a reservoir in northern
Puerto Rico due to the drought that has been shrinking the water supply for two
months, making this the third massive dying off of this fish species in less than
two weeks. The secretary of the Natural and Environmental Resources Department,
Carmen Guerrero Perez, reported the situation Tuesday in a statement that said the
fish perished in the Wildlife Refuge of La Plata Reservoir in Toa Alta. "We ask ci-
tizens not to consume or come in contact with these dead fish, since they decompose
rapidly and can put their health at risk," Guerrero said.

Puerto Rico News Digest For July 10, 2015

THREE GUILTY OF FIREARMS OFFENSES

From US Dept. of Justice:

After an eight-day jury trial, José Cepeda-Martínez, Peter Rosario-Serrano and
Juan Tanco-Baez were found guilty of firearm offenses, announced United States
Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. United States District Court Senior Judge
Daniel Domínguez presided over the trial. According to the evidence presented at
trial, on or about March 26, 2014, the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) arres-
ted Cepeda-Martínez, Rosario-Serrano and Tanco-Báez for weapons violations and
for the murder of an individual which occurred at the Román Baldorioty de Castro
Expressway in Carolina, PR  on the same day.

In the morning of March 26, 2014, a 911 call alerted the PRPD about a rapid gun-
fire reported at the Baldorioty Expressway. The call also alerted about a Jeep Che-
rokee fleeing the scene and going towards San Juan. Officers who were patrolling
the area noted and identified the license plate of the Jeep Cherokee, and immediate-
ly pursued the vehicle. The individuals ended up fleeing the scene and later were
arrested. A total of three Glock Pistols, two of them modified to fire as automatic
weapons, ammunition, marihuana and three cellular phones were seized upon arrest.

PRASA CANCELS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS

From Caribbean Business:

The Puerto Rico Aqueduct & Sewer Authority (Prasa) canceled contracts with compa-
nies in charge of the Capital Improvements Program, which could affect the construc-
tion industry and the agency's services, New Progressive Party Sen. Larry Seilhamer
said Thursday. The senator revealed the information in a statement in which he stre-
ssed that it is up to Prasa Executive President Alberto Lázaro to explain what will end
up happening with the program, as companies that manage it, such as CH Caribbean,
Black & Veatch, Malcolm Pirnie and CSA Group, have been left without contracts.
"These massive cancellations represent a mortal blow to the crumbling construction
industry because it affects almost all projects. Preconstruction, which includes plann-
ing, permits and design, has been left with almost zero projects," Seilhamer said.

KRUEGER: GROWTH ESSENTIAL TO RECOVERY

From News Is My Business:

he loss of Section 936 tax breaks, combined with overly indulgent local labor laws and
a federal policy that encourages people to stay on the dole rather than work, have all
contributed to Puerto Rico’s current fiscal nightmare. But only through drastic measu-
res that spur real, sustained growth can the island beat this crisis, said prominent econo-
mist Anne O. Krueger. In a speech at the Washington-based Heritage Foundation, Kre-
uger warned that time was running out for a solution. “Without restoring growth, there
is no possibility of turning around the fiscal crisis. These must be addressed simultane-
ously,” said the former International Monetary Fund executive. “As we speak, the go-
vernment’s cash balances are critically low, and further delays will reduce the room
for maneuvering and the chance they can get out of this without further damage.”

BUSINESSES MUST KEEP BATHROOMS OPEN

From San Juan Daily Star:

Even though most of the San Juan metropolitan area is under a water rationing plan
due to a severe drought, the Health Department has reiterated that businesses must
have their sanitary services open to customers. Visits to several businesses by a local
TV news crew showed that bathroom facilities were in fact closed, with signs posted
on the bathroom doors saying “Bathroom closed due to the water rationing plan.” The-
se establishments are breaking the Health Department’s Environmental Health Division
regulations. From fast-food outlets and shopping malls to restaurants and clothing stores,
all businesses must have at least one bathroom operating that is clean and with a water
supply to enable patrons to flush the toilet and wash their hands. “If a business doesn’t
have a reserve of potable water, then it can’t open, especially a food establishment,”
Health Department Environmental Health Division Director Carlos Carrazo said.

Water Rationing Zone Maps For Guaynabo

24-hour  water rationing (1 day on, 1 day off) begins today for Guaynabo, parts of 

Bayamon and Caimito in Rio Piedras. The North Zone was the first one subject to

rationing, starting at 9:00 AM today. Tomorrow, July 7th, the South Zone will then

have water rationed starting at 9:00 AM, while water comes back on for the North 

Zone. The zones will then alternate.  Below is a map of the two Guaynabo rationing 

zones, courtesy of AAA. Check the map to see which zone you fall under if you live 

in this area.

Puerto Rico News Digest For June 29, 2015

GOVERNOR: PR DEBT 'NOT PAYABLE'

Extreme Measures Considered As PR Hurtles Towards Default

Puerto Rico Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla told The New York Times in an 
interview published over the weekend that Puerto Rico's $73 billion in public debt
is "not payable". The Governor's admission kicked the financial rumor mill into high
gear, at the same time as a grim report on the island's finances by former IMF econo-
mist Anne Krueger was released to the public. Padilla's administration has been in talks
with the US Treasury Department as well as with creditors and banks, in a desperate
attempt to find alternatives to stem the crisis. Padilla  called the island's mayors and
lawmakers to a meeting this afternoon, which the Governor himself will, curiously,
not attend. Several mayors and lawmakers have already warned the Governor not to
present unilateral solutions at the meeting.

The Krueger Report (available to read here) makes several recommendations for
addressing the fiscal emergency. Among them: calls for restructuring the debt, broad
structural reforms, restoring credibility and economic competitiveness, and a fiscal
oversight board. Krueger is also recommending tax increases, massive government
budget cuts and renegotiating the debt. The report also indicates that Puerto Rico's
budget deficit is very likely much larger than the previously reported $3.65 billion.
Prices for stocks of Puerto Rican banks, as well as those of Puerto Rico municipal
bonds, were down sharply this morning as the markets attempt to process this mor-
ning's news.

ESCAPED MONKEYS YET TO BE FOUND

From Caribbean Business:

Authorities say 21 monkeys were set free after someone broke a lock on their en-
closures at a primate research facility. Police say the rhesus macaques were  freed
early Sunday from Toa Baja's Caribbean Primate Research Center on PR-867. Ele-
ven of the freed monkeys were found in the premises and 10 have yet to be found,
although the center's director, Dr. Melween Martínez, believes they will return to
their coral by tomorrow. There have been no arrests.

PR TO HOST ICANN CONFERENCE IN 2016

From News Is My Business:

he Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, known as ICANN,
will host its third public meeting of 2016 in Puerto Rico, from Oct. 29 to Nov. 4,
the organization announced late last week. “Based on the proposals and analysis,
ICANN has identified San Juan, Puerto Rico as the location for ICANN 57,” the
nonprofit organization confirmed. ICANN was formed in 1998 to oversee the
Internet’s naming system. The nonprofit has participants from all over the world
dedicated to keeping the Internet secure, stable and interoperable. It promotes
competition and develops policy on the Internet’s unique identifiers.

RATIONING ZONE MAPS FOR CAGUAS, LUQUILLO

Below is an interactive mapS indicating areas around Caguas that are subject
to water rationing, as well as another map showing areas affected areas in Río
Grande, Loíza and Luquillo. Below the maps you can see the water reservoir le-
vels for today.

Water Rationing Update (With Zone Maps)

48-hour water rationing continues for areas served by the Carraízo reservoir,
while 24-hour rationing is still in effect for water customers served by the La
Plata reservoir. Yesterday's rains did not raise the levels of either reservoir.


Rationing calendar for Carraízo 

Rationing zone map for Carraízo:




Rationing calendar for La Plata


Rationing map for La Plata:




Today's reservoir levels (click to enlarge):

Despite the rationing blues, we hope you all have a great Noche de San Juan. And
take advantage of whatever pool or beach you're going to...it'll be a free bath!

List of Water Oases In La Plata Rationing Zones

Oases are locations where the island's water provider, AAA, will distribute
potable water from tanker trucks from 9:00AM  to 8:00PM daily. Bring
containers for water. The listing can be found in Spanish here. Listings
for both zones served by the La Plata reservoir are below:

La Plata South

Bayamón

1. Ave. Hostos, int. Ave. Santa Juanita, in front of Funeraria Asencio
2. Ave. Irlanda final
3. Ave. Las Cumbres, Centro Comercial Ciudad Jardin
4. PR-167, in front of Rexville Plaza
5. PR-167, int. PR-812, near the municipal well
6. PR-167, Bellavista service road
7. PR-829, in front of Parcelas Nuevas de Sabanas
8. PR-830, int. of Ave. Principal Caná, in front of Universidad Interamericana
9. PR-831, in front of Sierra Taína
10. PR-840, int. calle 3, in front of old Cortijo shopping center

Toa Alta

1. PR-828,  Toa Alta Heights Shopping Center
2. PR-861, int. Ave. Providencia

La Plata North

Bayamón

1. Ave. Magnolia, int. calle Lancaster
2. Ave. West Main, in front of Plaza del Sol
3.  Pepín Cestero Court 
4. Rio Hondo Shopping Center
5. In front of Bayamón Regional Hospital
6. PR-167, Bo. Braulio Dueño
7. PR-2,  Santa Rosa Mall service road
8. PR-872, in front of Hogar Crea

Cataño

1. Ave. Boulevard Las Palmas, in front of post office
2. Ave. Flor del Valle
3. PR-5, near Perucho Cepeda Ballpark
4. PR-869, Parcelas William Fuentes

Toa Alta

1. PR-863, int. Ave. San Pedro

Toa Baja

1. Ave. Boulevard Monroig, near Punta Salinas public beach 
2. La Rosaleda Shopping Center
3. Antonio R. Barceló Coliseum
4. PR-863, int. Ave. San Pedro
5. PR-867, int. Ave. Campanilla, Bo. Ingenio

WATER RATIONING CONFIRMED FOR LA PLATA

AAA, the island's water utility, has announced this morning that 24-hour water
rationing for the 100,000 water customers served by  the La Plata reservoir will
begin this coming Wednesday. La Plata's water levels have been steadily dropp-
ing for weeks, and no significant rainfall is expected for the time being. The a-
ffected areas will be divided into La Plata South and La Plata North. La Plata
South will be the first to see its water service cut off for 24  hours starting on
Wednesday, June 17, and comprises most of the customers in Bayamón and
Toa Alta. La Plata North will then have its water cut off for 24 hours on Thursday;
the North zone includes areas of Bayamón, Toa Baja and Cataño. Water will be
cut off from 9:00 AM to 9:00 AM the next day in affected areas. More informa-
tion (in Spanish) can be found on AAA's rationing page.

An interactive zone map from AAA can be found below:

List of Water Oases In Carraizo Rationing Zones

Water Reservoir Levels for 6/11/15 (AAA)

Oases are locations where the island's water provider, AAA, will distribute
potable water from tanker trucks from 9:00AM  to 8:00PM daily. Bring
containers for water. The listing can be found in Spanish here. Water ra-
tioning for areas served by the Carraizo reservoir is currently on a 24-hours
-with-water-on / 48-hours-water-off cycle. Yesterday and today, Zone A has
no running water. A map of the zones can be found here.


Zone A

Ave. Campo Rico in front of José M. Lázaro School, 246th Street
Ave. Fragoso in front of Plaza Carolina
Ave. Monserrate corner of Roberto Clemente in front of Monserrate Shopping Center
Ave. Park Gardens in front of Res. Jardines del Paraíso
Ave. Pontezuela corner of Calle 1 Jardines de Country Club
Ave. Sagrado Corazón int. Eduardo Conde Zona
Ave. San Claudio in front of Chalets de Cupey
Barriada Venezuela in front of Empresas Díaz
Buen Consejo Río Piedras
516th Street in front of Municipal Police HQ, Villa Carolina
Cambridge Park Río Piedras
Laguna Gardens Shopping Center
Venus Gardens Shopping Center
Parcelas 400 1st Street in front of ballpark
Piñones Pascuala
PR #176 int #199 in front of Col. Barbara Ann Rossler
PR #185 corner of 953 Gomera Joe
PR #843 K. 3.5 in front of Urb. Villas de Carraízo
PR #846 in front of Urb. Interamericana
PR #846 in front of Urb. Lomas de Trujillo Alto
PR #858 Cacao Ballpark
Urb. Villa Carolina in front of Lulo Mendoza Court


Zone B 

Ave Gándara, corner of Ponce de León
Ave. Eduardo Conde, corner of Ave San Jorge Santurce
Ave. Monte Carlo in front of Cond. Portal de La Reina
Ave. Sagrado Corazón Int. Eduardo Conde
Calle Barbé Urb. Monte Flores (rolling)
Calle Castelar Comunidad El Chícharo (rolling)
Calle Eduardo Conde final (fixed)
Calle Julio Andino Esq. Ana Otero Urb. Villa Prades Río Piedras
Centro Comercial 65th Infantería in front Cancha Mickey Mouse
Centro Comercial Los Colobos PR #3
Centro Comercial Metropolis PR #860
Centro de Manejo de Emergencia PR #853 int #852, Bo. Barrazas
Loíza Valley in front of Shell Gas Station
Parcelas Ramón T. Colón PR #852 Km 4.0
Piñones Pascuala
Plaza del Bicentenario
PR #185 Int #957 Campo Rico in front of ballpark
PR #874 in front Parque Pelota La Central
PR #962 in front River Valley
Residencial Bartolomé de Las Casas
Residencial Villa Kennedy

Water Rationing Zone Map

From Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AAA):

Zone A is in green - Zone B is in blue. Zone B starts with 48-hour-at-
a-time rationing this coming Thursday, June 11th. The zones then 
alternate.