FEMA AND COR3 OBLIGATE OVER $123 MILLION FOR 346 PROJECTS DURING MARCH [https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20250121/fema-and-cor3-obligate-over-123-million-346-projects-during-march] Release Date: March 31, 2020 The historic figure includes 279 projects for municipalities   GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico – As FEMA and the Central Office of Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience, or COR3, continue recovery efforts within the safety guidelines implemented on the island, an unprecedented 346 projects were approved during March. These projects represent $123.9 million in funds for recovery work related to Hurricane María.     Between March 20 and March 26, the agency obligated an additional $62.8 million in funds for 67 projects.   The latest grants obligated are as follows:   * Over $52.6 million for repairs to parks and recreational facilities. * Over $3.7 million for repairs to public buildings and equipment. * Nearly $4 million for repairs to roads and bridges. * Over $2.5 million for emergency protective measures. * Over $71,500 for debris removal.   “Our staff on the island are your neighbors, your brothers and sisters and your friends. Puerto Rico’s recovery is their top priority. This historic number of project obligations is proof of our ongoing commitment, in spite of the many challenges along the way. Each of us is doing our part to make sure the jewel of the Caribbean shines once again,” said Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Alex Amparo.   On his behalf, the Executive Director for COR3, Ottmar Chávez Piñero recognized that communication with the federal agency as well as the strategies that their teams have implemented have made this increase in project obligations possible.     “Right now, as we are in the middle of recovering from an unprecedented disaster and those recovery efforts are ongoing, facing new situations has led to more effective communication and coordination between COR3 and FEMA. By the same token, both teams have put alternatives in place to increase and accelerate the approval of funds for these projects. We remain committed to the subrecipients, even in these challenging times. Puerto Rico’s recovery is the responsibility of everyone,” said Chávez Piñero.   Part of the funds approved for parks and recreational facilities include over $51 million for the Puerto Rico Department of Sports and Recreation. About $48 million will go to 191 different parks and recreational facilities across 45 municipalities.   “This $48 million obligation is the result of two years of joint efforts between the municipalities, COR3 and FEMA to develop a way to group multiple facilities that require less complex construction in order to accelerate the claims and disbursement of funds process. With this, by way of a unique process, we were able to include 191 facilities in the claims process and, with this, we will be able to initiate the procurement process and subsequent construction of all the structures simultaneously,” said the Secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Sports and Recreation, Adriana Sánchez Parés.   “Without a doubt, this funding obligation has a great impact on our department, the municipalities and their communities. Our hope is that with this obligation and the repairs to these facilities we will be able to strengthen communities and encourage them to lead more active lives,” Parés added.     In addition, another $3.4 million was approved to restore the Fuentes Pinete Park in Loíza. This facility includes a baseball field, a basketball court and other areas that sustained damage. Repairs include work on the light poles, interior lighting and other electric components.     Other obligations include about $1.7 million to restore Barceloneta’s municipal building, over $88,000 to repair a bridge in the Pelegrín Santos sector in Cidra and roughly $62,000 for repairs to the Department of Agriculture building in Maricao.   FEMA and COR3 continue to work together to develop strategies that advance recovery projects. To date, over $6.5 billion has been approved for Puerto Rico under FEMA's Public Assistance program.   Both agencies remain focused on prioritizing obligations of funds to municipalities for eligible expenses related to hurricanes Irma and Maria to help communities recover. FEMA works with COR3 through the agency’s Public Assistance program to obligate recovery funds to private nonprofit organizations, municipalities and agencies of the Government of Puerto Rico for expenses related to hurricanes Irma and María.   For more information on Puerto Rico’s recovery after Hurricane María, visit fema.gov/disaster/4339 [http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4339] and recovery.pr [http://www.recovery.pr/]. You can also follow FEMA’s and COR3’s social networks on Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico [http://www.facebook.com/femapuertorico], Facebook.com/COR3pr [http://www.facebook.com/cor3pr] and Twitter @COR3pr [https://twitter.com/cor3pr].     For more details on the latest 67 obligations, see table below:   Applicant Name  Federal Share Obligated Damage Category Code Description Department of Sports and Recreation $48,028,536.00 G - Recreational or Other Repairs to multiple parks and recreational facilities owned and maintained by the department island wide. Department of Sports and Recreation $3,371,193.69 G - Recreational or Other Repairs to baseball field in Miguel Fuentes Pinet park, located in the municipality of Loiza. Barceloneta (Municipio) $1,702,539.90 E - Public Buildings Repairs to the City Hall and the City Hall Annex - Edificio Multiusos. Office of the Governor $1,138,557.74 E - Public Buildings Repairs to the following components of the Office of the Secretary building: courtyard, lobby, Public Affairs room, roof, Salón Pierluisi, Secretary of Interior, stairs, storage and conference annex.  Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority $1,100,979.00 B - Protective Measures   Christian Military Academy Inc. $1,005,117.12 B - Protective Measures   Utuado (Municipio) $763,506.41 C - Roads and Bridges Road repairs in Camino Isolina, Barrio Mameyes. Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources $711,179.44 E - Public Buildings Repairs to multiple classrooms, multiple administrative offices, director’s office, faculty room, recruiter’s office, registrar’s office, hallway, mess hall and exteriors located in two (2) buildings of the Vocational Institute of the Department of Labor and Human Resources in Las Piedras. Jayuya (Municipio) $653,428.04 C - Roads and Bridges Road repairs in Sector La Cuesta Los Pérez, Barrio Rio Grande. Jayuya (Municipio) $434,726.31 C - Roads and Bridges Road repairs to PR-530, km 4.1, Sector Club de Tiro, Barrio Mameyes. Villalba (Municipio) $416,450.20 C - Roads and Bridges Road repairs to PR-5520, km 1.9, Sector Cerro Gordo, Barrio Caonillas Abajo. Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority $357,804.35 B - Protective Measures   Villalba (Municipio) $344,792.37 C - Roads and Bridges Road repairs in PR-151, km 0.2, Urbanización La Vega, Barrio Hato Puerco Arriba. Ponce (Municipio) $234,984.04 G - Recreational or Other Repairs to basketball court in Sector Bélgica, Paseo Bélgica. Ponce (Municipio) $233,409.60 G - Recreational or Other Repairs to tennis courts, basketball court, gazebo and playground area in Hacienda del Monte. Ponce (Municipio) $231,624.90 G - Recreational or Other Repairs to soccer field in Urbanización Fagot. Utuado (Municipio) $102,131.19 C - Roads and Bridges Road repairs in PR- 605, Sector Los Llanes, Barrio Viví Arriba. Canóvanas (Municipio) $98,156.29 C - Roads and Bridges Repairs to PR-186. Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority $95,925.00 B - Protective Measures   Utuado (Municipio) $92,193.74 C - Roads and Bridges Road repairs to PR-605, Camino Tommy Rullán and to Sector Los Llanes, Barrio Viví Arriba. Cidra (Municipio) $88,891.52 C - Roads and Bridges Repairs to low water crossing in PR-782, km 7.5, Sector Pelegrín Santos. Aguas Buenas (Municipio) $81,703.12 C - Roads and Bridges Road repairs to Camino Luis Perez, Barrio Sonadora. Comerío (Municipio) $78,954.62 C - Roads and Bridges Repairs to Parsarell bridge in PR-778 and to lighting in access road to Miguelo Ruiz track and Comunidad Sabana del Palmar. Bayamón (Municipio) $78,031.02 G - Recreational or Other Repairs to the following recreational facilities: basketball court in Urbanización Campo Alegre; José “Pepito” Rivera baseball park in Urbanización Magnolia Gardens; basketball court and baseball park in Urbanización Bayamon Gardens; and basketball court in Royal Gardens housing complex. Rincón (Municipio) $71,527.86 A - Debris Removal   Caguas (Municipio) $70,602.85 C - Roads and Bridges Repairs to 14 sidewalks in different localities of the municipality. Guayama (Municipio) $65,989.76 G - Recreational or Other Repairs to community center and basketball court in Barrio Carite and to community center in Barrio Guamani. Las Marías (Municipio) $64,415.24 C - Roads and Bridges Architectural and engineering design costs for repairs to five roads in Sector Planell, Barrio Espino. Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture $61,768.41 E - Public Buildings Repairs to the department’s office building in Maricao. Canóvanas (Municipio) $61,058.42 C - Roads and Bridges Repairs to two roads in La Vega road. Adjuntas (Municipio) $58,019.35 G - Recreational or Other Repairs to building in Guarionex recreational complex and to Head Start classrooms in Sector El Desvío, Barrio Juan González. Jayuya (Municipio) $51,793.65 C - Roads and Bridges Architectural and engineering design costs for road repairs in PR-528, Sector Strubbe, Barrio Zamas and culvert replacement in PR-528, km.1.0, Sector Los Gotay, Barrio Zamas. Río Grande (Municipio) $49,294.52 C - Roads and Bridges Repairs to bridge in Los González Road, Sector Las 3 T. Río Grande (Municipio) $44,362.13 C - Roads and Bridges Culverts replacement in Camino Piza bridge located in PR-956, km 9.9, Piza Street, Barrio Ciénega Alta. Vega Baja (Municipio) $41,314.50 C - Roads and Bridges Road repairs to Collazo Street, Sector Los Turpiales and roads in Urbanización Quitas de Tortuguero Urbanización Ciudad Real. Santa Isabel (Municipio) $40,202.98 G - Recreational or Other Repairs to Julio Cordero Viejo baseball park in Barrio Paso Seco. Bayamón (Municipio) $38,504.36 E - Public Buildings Repairs to Agricultural Distribution buildings and to the Ecological Preservation Center of Bula Farm. Canóvanas (Municipio) $37,408.73 C - Roads and Bridges Repairs to La Vega main road, Barrio Campo Rico. Ponce (Municipio) $37,198.49 G - Recreational or Other Repairs to community center and basketball court in Urbanización Jaime L. Drew and basketball court in Barrio Tibes. Aibonito (Municipio) $36,874.10 G - Recreational or Other Repairs to basketball court and community center in Barrio Caonillas. Loíza (Municipio) $35,346.86 G - Recreational or Other Repairs to recreational park in Urbanización Santillana del Mar. Puerto Rico Ports Authority $34,937.84 G - Recreational or Other Architectural and engineering design costs for repairs to Guayanilla pier in PR-127, Barrio Playa, Guayanilla. Puerto Rico Ports Authority $34,574.20 G - Recreational or Other Architectural and engineering design costs for repairs to Arecibo pier in PR-655, Arecibo. San Lorenzo (Municipio) $34,381.70 C - Roads and Bridges Architectural and engineering design costs for road repairs in Sector Juan Flores and Sector La Loma del Viento. Carolina (Municipio) $32,400.54 G - Recreational or Other Repairs to cemetery, cemetery office and bathroom in Barrio Carruzos. Río Grande (Municipio) $31,126.92 C - Roads and Bridges Repairs to bridges in PR-959, km 1.9, Comunidad Casiano Cepeda and in Sol y Mar Street, Estancias del Sol, Barrio Ciénaga Baja. Ponce (Municipio) $29,864.93 G - Recreational or Other Repairs to baseball park and basketball court located in Sergio Collazo Street and Erasmo Cabrera Street in Barrio San Antón. Toa Alta (Municipio) $25,809.96 C - Roads and Bridges Road repairs in Sector Maravilla, Barrio Quebrada Arena. Sabana Grande (Municipio) $25,531.86 E - Public Buildings Repairs to community center in Urbanización Villa Alba. Utuado (Municipio) $24,542.47 C - Roads and Bridges Architectural and engineering design costs for repairs to roads in Sector Cuchilla Brava, Barrio Caguanas. Maricao (Municipio) $24,365.10 C - Roads and Bridges Architectural and engineering design costs for road repairs in PR-426, km. 2.6, Camino Los Sapos, Sections 1 to 4, Barrio Indiera Baja. Utuado (Municipio) $22,894.65 C - Roads and Bridges Architectural and engineering design costs for road repairs in PR-111, Barrio Viví Abajo. Ponce (Municipio) $22,234.81 E - Public Buildings Repairs to community center in Urbanización Villa Flores Guánica (Municipio) $21,539.72 G - Recreational or Other Repairs to community center, basketball court and baseball park in Sector La Joya de Santa Rita, Barrio Susúa Baja. Carolina (Municipio) $19,002.52 G - Recreational or Other Repairs to basketball court and volleyball court of Villa San Antón sport complex in Barrio San Antón. Yauco (Municipio) $19,000.56 C - Roads and Bridges Culverts replacement in Sector Las Cruzadas, Barrio Duey. Río Grande (Municipio) $17,058.42 C - Roads and Bridges Road repairs in low water crossing in 14 Street and Margarita Street, Urbanización Alturas de Río Grande. Aibonito (Municipio) $14,737.29 G - Recreational or Other Repairs to community center and Head Start in Urbanización Bella Vista. Maricao (Municipio) $13,078.01 C - Roads and Bridges Repairs to road in Camino Felipe Ocasio, Barrio Indiera Baja. Utuado (Municipio) $12,857.75 C - Roads and Bridges Road repairs to PR-606, Camino Valentín Cuello, Barrio Jauca. Comerio (Municipio) $12,581.10 C - Roads and Bridges Road repairs to Camino Toño Cosme. Santa Isabel (Municipio) $12,523.94 G - Recreational or Other Repairs to basketball court in Villa Hacienda. Guayama $11,178.68 C - Roads and Bridges Architectural and engineering design costs for bridge repairs in PR-179, Sector Palma Sola, Barrio Guamaní. Aibonito (Municipio) $11,122.56 G - Recreational or Other Repairs to basketball court in Urbanización Brisas de Aibonito. Ponce (Municipio) $8,422.03 G - Recreational or Other Repairs to recreational area and to basketball court in Urbanización Jardines del Caribe III. Carolina (Municipio) $6,821.51 G - Recreational or Other Repairs to handball court in Villa San Antón. Utuado (Municipio) $6,083.38 C - Roads and Bridges Architectural and engineering design costs for road repairs in Sector Las Cuevas, Barrio Viví Abajo. Total $62,839,170.27         ###   Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362) 711/VRS - Video Relay Service). Multilingual operators are available. (Press 2 for Spanish). TTY call 800-462-7585.   Follow us at: www.fema.gov/hurricane-maria [http://www.fema.gov/hurricane-maria] www.facebook.com/femapuertorico [http://www.facebook.com/femapuertorico] www.twitter.com/femaregion2 [http://www.twitter.com/femaregion2]