Puerto Rico’s Oversight Board says it will evaluate Governor Jenniffer González Colón’s proposal to temporarily eliminate the sales and use tax (IVU) on prepared foods in restaurants and food establishments during November and December, if the board authorizes the measure, as part of several initiatives to ease the impact of rising electricity costs. Robert Mujica, the board’s executive director, said in written statements that high electricity costs, caused by circumstances that could have been avoided plus other factors affecting fuel prices, directly affect Puerto Rico’s families and businesses, and that the proposed measures were received after the governor’s announcement and will be evaluated, adding that all measures must be fiscally responsible to keep Puerto Rico on the path to fiscal stability.
Sonia Navarro, president of the Restaurants Association (ASORE), welcomed the proposal, noting the group has sought the IVU exemption since February, when difficulties with water and electricity services began to worsen, and urging the board to act quickly because food is an essential element of life. The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce also backs the initiative; its president, José "Che" Aparicio, said any measure that eases energy-cost pressure on businesses and consumers deserves serious evaluation.