February 26, 2026 – La Fortaleza, San Juan, Puerto Rico – Following last week’s meeting between Governor Jenniffer González-Colón and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorized the allocation of $1,183,611,623.16 for the execution of 176 reconstruction projects across Puerto Rico.

“I want to thank President Donald J. Trump and Secretary Noem for authorizing and expediting more than $1.1 billion in FEMA funding to modernize Puerto Rico’s critical infrastructure and advance our reconstruction efforts. These investments will support projects throughout the Island to rebuild and strengthen our power grid, water and wastewater systems, school facilities, and public housing.

As Governor of Puerto Rico, I have focused on accelerating the Island’s recovery to ensure that the disaster relief funds made available during President Trump’s first term reach our communities. I look forward to continuing to work with President Trump, Secretary Noem, and other members of the Administration to cut red tape and deliver meaningful results for the 3.2 million American citizens of Puerto Rico,” stated Governor González-Colón.

These allocations directly benefit the municipalities of Orocovis, Lares, San Juan, Rincón, Arecibo, Ciales, Aguada, Utuado, Santa Isabel, Barranquitas, Moca, San Sebastián, San Lorenzo, Coamo, Mayagüez, San Germán, Ponce, Peñuelas, Caguas, Jayuya, Isabela, Añasco, Guayanilla, Carolina, Yabucoa, Las Piedras, Juncos, Naranjito, Aguas Buenas, Corozal, and Villalba. Funding also supports the Puerto Rico Police Bureau, the Department of Health, the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (PRIDCO), the Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration (ASSMCA), the University of Puerto Rico, as well as churches, private organizations, healthcare centers, and other entities.

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In total, the 176 projects represent $1,183,611,623.16 in federal funding, broken down as follows:

·      DR-4339 (Hurricane Maria) – 119 projects totaling $877,828,497.05.

·      DR-4473 (Earthquakes) – 6 projects totaling $78,036,151.96.

·      DR-4671 (Hurricane Fiona) – 38 projects totaling $195,867,964.86.

·      DR-4805 (2024 Severe Storms, Landslides, and Flooding) – 3 projects totaling $11,016,502.99.

·      DR-4850 (Tropical Storm Ernesto) – 10 projects totaling $20,862,506.30.

The $1.1 billion total includes $316,598,965.69 in hazard mitigation funding for 23 FAASt projects (included within the Hurricane Maria total), allocated as follows:

·      Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority – 9 projects totaling $66,922,935.10 in hazard mitigation funds.

·      Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority – 12 projects totaling $246,199,868.61 in hazard mitigation funds.

·      Puerto Rico Department of Education – 2 projects totaling $3,476,161.98 in hazard mitigation funds.

This federal funding approval is another direct result of the Governor’s meetings last week in Washington, D.C., coordinated by Gabriella Boffelli, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA). During those meetings, the Governor also secured more than $25 million for improvements to the Port of San Juan following her meeting with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

PRFAA Executive Director underscored that this billion-dollar federal funding approval was executed by DHS amid a partial government shutdown affecting only that agency. “This action demonstrates that President Trump’s Administration prioritizes cutting through bureaucracy to ensure funds reach projects that directly benefit the people. These are federal funds secured by the Governor during her tenure as Resident Commissioner, the majority of which were approved by President Trump during his first term.”

This effort is part of the collaborative work between the Executive Director of the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience (COR3), Eduardo Soria, and FEMA.

Among the issues addressed by the Governor in her meeting with the Secretary of Homeland Security was FEMA’s authorization of these funds to advance pending reconstruction projects, a request to which the Secretary agreed, and which was formally announced today.

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