In Puerto Rico, Héctor Ferrer Santiago, spokesperson for the Popular Democratic Party (PPD) in the House of Representatives, criticized comments made by Comptroller Carmen Vega Fournier, stating that the administrative and fiscal reality of the Government shows problems that cannot be ignored, including delays in payments to suppliers and deficiencies in financial information systems. Ferrer Santiago said that Vega Fournier’s comments reflect a disconnection from the reality faced by those who do business with the Government and are waiting to be paid for their services.
He noted that the Government’s own findings related to the reimplemention of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system show the magnitude of the challenges still faced, including the incomplete implementation of the system nine years after its inception and a significant investment. Ferrer Santiago also called for attention to the administrative and operational difficulties affecting suppliers waiting for payment and the need for effective supervision and accountability mechanisms.
He emphasized that the Government needs to take concrete actions and ensure rigorous follow-up to complete the implementation of the ERP system, train users, and guarantee that agencies comply with established procedures and schedules.