Jean Peña Payano, Puerto Rico's secretary of Public Affairs, pushed back on statements by Yolanda Varela Rosa, the Procuradora de las Personas de Edad Avanzada (Advocate for the Elderly), who said the Department of the Family (Departamento de la Familia) had limited her authority to oversee elder-care centers. "We do not agree with the Procuradora's premise, but we are always open to dialogue to look into any internal communication issues with La Fortaleza," Peña Payano said at a press conference, adding that the Department of the Family cannot amend laws, since Varela Rosa's organic law can only be amended by the Legislative Assembly. Varela Rosa had made several media appearances after a case in which a woman was physically assaulted by a caregiver at a center in Las Piedras, saying she had lost tools to investigate complaints.
Peña Payano confirmed the Department is investigating the case, calling elder care an important part of the government's program. Following the Las Piedras incident, the Department removed about 17 elderly residents sponsored by the agency from the center; two others remained even after the center's operating license was revoked.
Peña Payano was asked whether Family Secretary Suzzane Roig would respond to Varela Rosa's questions but did not clarify why the center kept operating despite the ongoing investigation.