The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico, created under the federal PROMESA law, authorized the disbursement of $20 million to fund the Ama de Llaves (Housekeeper) program in 65 Puerto Rico towns. According to a letter from the Oversight Board’s executive director, posted on the board’s website, the initiative helps eligible people with topics including hygiene, nutrition, health and home management.
The towns receiving the most money, close to half a million dollars each, were San Sebastián with $550,000, Juana Díaz with $550,000, Río Grande with $499,800, Cabo Rojo with $494,000 and Isabela with $492,100. Among those receiving the least were Maricao with $100,000, and Arroyo, Florida, Las Marías and Ceiba with $150,000 each. No town receives less than in the previous fiscal year, the document states.
The letter reads: "The Oversight Board understands the challenges that municipalities face in providing social services to the eligible population." The approval came in a five-page letter addressed to Orlando Rivera Berríos, director of the Office of Management and Budget, who requested the distribution of funds in a letter dated September 18.