The Weekly Journal - Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Puerto Rico and the Caribbean

Wednesday, June 29-July 5, 2022 - // no. 166

Less people are able to afford a house P7

www.theweeklyjournal.com

Grocery stores

uncertain about the future

Social media remove abortion pills posts P9 Unconventional economic indicators P10

While juggling disruptions in supply chains, increasing energy costs and inflation

Tango in Puerto Rico P14-15

I

Madison Choudhry, Special to The Weekly Journal

n our society today we have grown accustomed to certain amenities. One of those being both local and large chain supermarkets. With current disruptions in food chain supplies, rising gas and energy prices and the recent record breaking inflation, people cannot help but look at the empty shelves and rising food cost and ask, “How much more can we take?”.

Ask a child what every human being needs to survive and most will answer, “food, water and air.” And yet,

in 2022 we are seeing that food is becoming an increasing difficult commodity to predict. “Anyone who has purchased food lately knows that food prices are rising and rising pretty sharply,” said Curtis Duday, senior economist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Food inflation rates have risen for the twelfth straight month reaching a staggering 10.1%, an increase which has not been seen since March 1981. However, when it comes to Puerto Rico it seems the situation becomes even more convulsive.

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The Weekly Journal > Wednesday, June 29, 2022 >

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SEGUIMOS EN MARCHA CONTRA EL COVID-19 PONERTE TU VACUNA DE REFUERZO HA PERMITIDO QUE PUERTO RICO SIGA AVANZANDO

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en el sorteo de un Mazda3 Hatchback

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Ponte el refuerzo, aún estás a tiempo

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SOBRAN LAS RAZONES Y HOY TE DAMOS OTRA. ¡PARTICIPA!

Tienes hasta el 19 de agosto del 2022

Busca un centro de vacunación cerca de ti en vocespr.org Reglas: vocespr.org, elvocero.com o solicítalas a razones@vocespr.org.

Sorteo termina el 19 de agosto de 2022. Mayores de 18 años, residentes en PR. Sujeto a validación de registro de inmunización. Otras reglas aplican.

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/ Wednesday, June 29, 2022

a week in review Oh, how sweet it is!

Vanderbilt and La Concha hotels are stepping-up their fine pastries offering with an all-star team of pastry chefs to please the most discerning palates. Chefs Nasha Fondeur, Paulette Vázquez and Johnnier D. Mora are putting their talents to the test to please hotel guests with their creations.

“We have a team that complements and harmonizes its work to present innovative and delicious creations to the public every day,” said Fondeur, Chief Executive Pastry Chef at The Condado Collection.

Each hotel has its own personality and that uniqueness will be evidenced in their pastries.

The Vanderbilt’s will include modern European pastries such as: petit gateaux, entremets, chocolate madeleines, French canelles and chocolate bonbons. On the other hand, La Concha will showcase a combination of French classics in a fusion with Puerto Rican sweets like guava and cheese macaroons, marshmallow filled cookies, stuffed croissants and hand pies, among other delicacies.

‘Ron del Barrilito’ Returns to its Roots Ron del Barrilito, the oldest rum brand in Puerto Rico, announced a return to its roots with the reinstatement of a cork closure. All Barrilito Tres Estrellas bottles will now include the traditional cork closure mimicking the style used by Don Pedro Fernández, the rum’s pioneer, back when the first bottles were produced in 1880. “The cork lid reflects the artisan and natural way of making Ron del Barrilito, aged in 100% white oak barrels, which had previously stored Oloroso Sherry in Spain,” said Maggie Matías, chief commercial executive of Ron del Barrilito. To this day Ron del Barrilito is manufactured in the same hacienda, and by the same family who started distilling it more than a century.

Powered BY El Vocero de Puerto Rico, 1064 Ave Ponce de León 2nd floor San Juan, PR Postal Address: PO Box 15074, San Juan, PR 00902

T-Mobile Expands Coverage T-Mobile’s latest expansion in its Un-carrier campaign has rolled out Coverage Beyond. The newest expansion will provide free high speed data in more than 210 countries and destinations around the world, and free in flight connectivity and streaming services for the duration of the flight. “We pioneered coverage in-flight and abroad, and today we’re going full throttle to change the game again. That is what Un-carrier does: hunts down pain points, smashes them, and changes the game for good,” said T-Mobile’s CEO Mike Sievert. Partnering airlines include Delta, and Alaska Airlines, with American Airlines launching at a later date. Customers with qualifying plans (Magenta Max and Business Unlimited) will now be able to stream for free Netflix, You Tube TV and more.

President Salvador Hasbún shasbun@elvocero.com

VP of Accounting Félix A. Rosa frosa@elvocero.com

Human Resources Director Arlene Rolón, PHR arolon@elvocero.com

Vp of Marketing and Business Operations Michelle Pérez Miperez@elvocero.com

VP of Production Eligio Dekony edekony@elvocero.com

VP of Editorial Content Juan Miguel Muñiz Guzmán jmuniz@elvocero.com

Multi-Platform Graphic and Technology Director Héctor L. Vázquez hvazquez@elvocero.com

Phone: 787-622-2300, 787-721-2300

Multi-Plataform Digital Director María Arce marce@elvocero.com

Customer Service: 787-622-7480

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> Juan A. Hernández, The Weekly Journal

/ Wednesday, June 29, 2022

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Reyes.

Evidence seems to back up Reyes’ claims. The month over month (MoM Inflation Rate) change “The food industry suffers from many of the in the price of goods and services for Puerto Rico same problems other industries, and the island’s between April and May went from 7.4% in 2021, to economy suffer. Inflation, the rising cost of 8.5% in 2022. fuels… imply increments in energy costs. And “There is a thing called the cost of replacing food, in particular, needs constant refrigeration. inventory. The business owner So that is a significant impact has to make sure that when to the industry… In terms of he sells an item, he will have transportation, Puerto Rico enough capital left over to imports a large amount of what reinvest in his inventory again it consumes from different while also making a profit. In a parts of the world –mostly from context like the one we are in, the United States– and all those It is not only the where inventory prices vary so costs keep adding up,” said large chain grocery quickly and so dramatically, it is Manuel Reyes, Vice President stores that are facing a guessing game determining of The Puerto Rico Chamber these challenges. A whether the profit margin of Marketing, Industry, and staple to Puerto Rico, assigned would be enough to Distribution of Food (MIDA, for local neighborhood have some revenue, and still be its Spanish acronym). stores also shoulder able to buy the next shipment,” It would seem the word to financial burdens.

Reyes argued. describe our current financial market is, “uncertainty.” And it’s this uncertainty that has been Everyone Is At Risk acknowledged as a partial factor It is not only the large chain to rising prices. grocery stores that are facing these challenges. A “The rate of variation in prices is so serious that staple to Puerto Rico, local neighborhood stores when an order is placed for a specific product, by also shoulder financial burdens. the time it is scheduled to be delivered, the price “We are all at risk,” Reyes said. “Everywhere had increased so much that a decision not to there is a feeling of uncertainty.” bring in the merchandise has to be taken because Nevertheless, the MIDA executive does not I couldn’t pass the cost on to the consumer,” said believe that small groceries and convenience

In fact,

stores run a greater risk of being pushed out of business than supermarkets.

“I don’t think they are at greater risk than supermarkets, even though uncertainty is a generalized thing. This businesses [small and medium] have banded together to form buying groups. We are beginning to see more groups of smaller businesses coming together so they can benefit from buying in volume,” Reyes said. “On the other hand, when operations and administrative costs rise –taxes, utilities labor– these businesses are definitely at a disadvantage.”

Different solutions have been proposed.

“Getting people back to work, easing that labor supply is No. 1. It’s not a silver bullet. It won’t solve all of the problems, but it is the necessary first step to do this,” said Andrew Hardig, Vice President of Tax, Trade and Sustainability at the Food Marketing Institute, in an article to the U.S. Chamber of

The business owner has to make sure that when he sells an item, he will have enough capital left over to reinvest in his inventory.

Manuel Reyes, Vice-president of MIDA

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/ Wednesday, June 29, 2022

It’s extraordinarily difficult to attract and retain new employees. You’re competing against not only the food supply chain, but also with other consumer goods supply chains.

Andrew Hardig, Vice-president of Tax, Trade and Sustainability at the Food Marketing Institute

Commerce.

As it seems there is not enough new entrances into the industry to mitigate the growing demand.

“It’s extraordinarily difficult to attract and retain new employees,” Hardig argued. “You’re competing against not only the food supply chain, but also with other consumer goods supply chains.”

However there are those that would argue that it is the budding energy crisis that needs immediate consideration. With oil prices sky rocketing to their highest since 2014, and natural gas nearly doubling in price, many have voiced concern.

Agriculture workers from all fields have expressed their growing concern over rising

energy sources. Dean Foreman, a chief economist at the American Petroleum Institute, estimated that energy could account for between 20% and 30% of absolute agriculture costs. Simply put, with rising oil prices, farmers do not have the funds to maintain their crops. Without the funds to maintain their crops the food never has a chance to land on our shelves.

warehouses would be able to store enough supplies to export merchandise to neighboring island nations, and help in case of emergency, without limiting inventory for local consumption.

Currently, Eastern Caribbean nations buy their supplies from Miami, which is farther than Puerto Rico.

Although a promising solution, there is still the Hurricanes And matter of the Inventory Tax to take into consideration. Once The Food Supply smeared as, “nefarious for Puerto Ricans are businesses,” by Cecilia C. Colón, historically known for their Groups of smaller former president of the Puerto resilience. From hurricanes to businesses are Rico Society of Certified Public power outages to earthquakes, coming together to Accountants, she explained the Puerto Ricans communities do benefit from buying tax as such. “Each of Puerto not stay down long. It is in this in volume.

Rico’s 78 municipalities has spirit that there are those who autonomy over their inventory are asking; “how do we prevent tax, which ranges between food shortages from happening 6.33 percent to 10.33 percent again?” island wide. The law states that According Reyes, before businesses must pay their respective municipal Hurricane Maria hit the island in 2017, Hurricane Irma had hit the Caribbean a week earlier. Because tax on merchandise that had not been sold within a calendar year after the date it was initially the effects of Irma over Puerto Rico were not as bought.” devastating as for most eastern Caribbean islands, “What this tax really does is discourage “we became a support center for the region, providing food and supplies for our neighbors, and merchants, because whatever possible benefit is gained from buying in volume is then killed by while there are no regrets for that, the fact is that the fact that you have to pay more taxes, so the when Maria came, warehouses here had limited possible benefit is canceled. And it is the consumer supplies.”

Reyes argues that if Puerto Rico were to become who ends up suffering the effects of it all,” Reyes said. a supplies hub for the Eastern Caribbean, island

In fact,

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/ Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Private sector

considers new Labor Reform adverse to SMEs Governor insists law makes entering the workforce more attractive and safer

D

Madison Choudhry, Special to The Weekly Journal

isregarding the looming threats from the Fiscal Oversight and Managing Board (FOMB) Governor Pedro Pierluisi signed House Bill 1224, which amended the 2017 Labor Reform Act to reinstate some rights to workers on the private sector. But Pierluisi’s action has sparked strong criticism from both the private sector and the labor movement.

Iván Báez, president of the Puerto Rico “I have decided to sign the labor reform bill, Retailers Association which increases the rest period, marginal benefits and employment protections for workers in the private sector in Puerto Rico,” Pierluisi said in a salary compensation. If the employee has been video message. with the company for more than 15 years, the “This new law makes it more attractive and safer compensation would be equivalent to six-month for people to enter the salary. workforce at a time when the 2. Workers who work 115 hours a vast majority of companies month may now accumulate up to 1.25 are looking for employees days of paid vacation and one paid sick and when we need more day per month. If they do not reach the Fiscal workers to advance the 115 work hours, they only accumulate Board assured it reconstruction of Puerto half a day of paid vacation leave, and will, “review the Rico,” he said, referring to half a day of paid sick leave per month. legislation to ensure the persisting labor shortage 3. In the case of businesses with less that it is consistent that has been affecting the than 12 employees, part-time workers with the certified island since last year. (less than 115 hours per month) only fiscal plan for Puerto Important takeaways accumulate 0.25 days of paid vacation Rico, as required by from the new law are as leave, and 0.5 days of paid sick leave.

Promesa.” follows: Employees working more than 115 1. On the subject of hours per month, accumulate 0.5 days unjustified dismissal, an and one day sick leave. employee is now entitled 4. As for the Christmas Bonus, the to two-month salary if he law reduces the minimum number of or she had been employed between one and hours of work from 1,350 per year, to 700 hours, five years prior to the laying-off. If the employee for large companies, and to 900 to small and has between 5 and 15 years of employment, medium size companies. Employees of companies the employer is responsible for a three-month with 16 employees or more will qualify for a bonus

They continue to sign laws that further weigh down employers at a time when the minimum wage, water, electricity and diesel are increasing.

In fact,

of 6% of their salary after working 700 hours. If the employee exceed that threshold of hours, but works for a company with 15 employees or less, the bonus would be 3%.

5. The Law provides for double pay to a student who works on a rest day. However, only if they work in a company that is not considered a microenterprise or a small and medium-sized merchant, as defined in Law 62-2014.

Iván Báez, president of the Puerto Rico Retailers Association (PRRA) criticized the governor’s decision arguing the reform does not take into consideration any future economic planning.

“They continue to sign laws that further weigh down employers at a time when the minimum wage, water, electricity and diesel are increasing. It puts additional pressure on many SMEs. The market should have been allowed to regulate itself.”

It is expected the FOMB will counter with a lawsuit against the government under Title III. In a written statement sent to The Weekly Journal, the Fiscal Board assured it will, “review the legislation to ensure that it is consistent with the certified fiscal plan for Puerto Rico, as required by Promesa.”

According to Pierluisi, “the board alleges that it [the Labor Reform] would negatively affect the economy, labor participation and the effectiveness of the credit to work program… I do not agree.”

The Governor considers the position of the board does not make sense “because what we are doing is improving the compensation and rights of the working class, especially when there is a shortage of employees in key sectors such as construction and tourism.”

Mateo Cidre, president of the Puerto Rico Restaurant Association (Asore, for its Spanish acronym) had a bleaker outlook on the matter. “I cannot rule out that tomorrow many businesses will be forced to let their employees go because there is no demand to maintain the operation, and others will have to close.”

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/ Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Housing Affordability Deteriorates Rapidly

Unemployment decreases as more join the labor force

W

Zoe Landi Fontana, The Weekly Journal

ith rising housing prices and lowered purchasing power due to inflation, fewer people can afford to buy houses now. This relationship is represented by the Housing Affordability Index, whose rate Estudios Técnicos, Inc. (ETI) determined as 69%, as of June 2022.

From March 2020 to June 2022, the Housing Affordability Index fell by 31 percentage points.

Now, on average, families have only 69% of the income needed to qualify for a mortgage loan.

The index measures whether a typical family with a median income qualifies for a mortgage loan, considering a down payment of 20%.

A value of 100% means that the average family has the necessary income to qualify for a mortgage loan based on the prevailing average market price.

A value higher than this threshold represents enough income to qualify for a mortgage loan, while values below that threshold reflect the housing market,” explained Adames. opposite.

He also noted that the index reflects the most “Undoubtedly, the increase in the average price recent figures released by OCIF, as of March. The of homes and the deterioration average sales price of a home in purchasing power due to is estimated at $193,813, with inflation already affect the a 30-year fixed interest rate of people’s ability to buy homes.

4.17%.

Figures released by the Office “The outlook may become of the Commissioner of more complicated in the Financial Institutions (OCIF, coming year if the upward trend Now, on average, for its Spanish acronym) in interest rates on mortgage families have only show that total housing sales loans at 30-year fixed rates 69% of the income contracted from 3,286 in the continues. This rate has already needed to qualify for first quarter of 2021 to 2,776 exceeded 6% and will be an a mortgage loan. in the first quarter of 2022. additional factor that will add This is primarily attributable to pressure on the affordability of an 18% contraction in sales of housing in the local market and, used housing units,” said Leslie consequently, on mortgage Adames, Director of Analysis and Economic Policy originations and home sales,” Adames forewarned. at ETI. This index stood at 61% in January 2011 and Unemployment Rate Decreases gradually improved, reaching a maximum value Meanwhile, the unemployment rate in Puerto of 100% in March 2020. “This improvement was Rico continues to fall. According to statistics attributed to the historically low interest rate levels released by the Department of Labor and Human that prevailed in the market during this period, as Resources (DTRH), local unemployment was at well as to the price correction experienced by the 6.2%, as of May 2022. Labor Secretary Gabriel

In fact,

Undoubtedly, the increase in the average price of homes and the deterioration in purchasing power due to inflation already affect the people’s ability to buy homes.

Leslie Adames, Estudios Técnicos

Maldonado-González explained how numbers like these haven’t been seen since the processing of this data began about 75 years ago.

Last May, the labor participation rate stood at 43.6%, an increase of 0.9 percentage points, yearover-year, and 63,000 people. In total, there are an estimated 1,215,000 recorded people participating in the workforce. On unemployment, the seasonally adjusted amount stood at 75,000 people in May 2022, which represented a decrease of 3,000 people compared to the previous month.

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/ Wednesday, June 29, 2022

DDEC reports manufacturing activity still on the rise

Activity increased 0.8% from March to April 2022

A

Enrique Muchacho, Special to The Weekly Journal

to the ‘new normal’ and began to take the necessary precautions, the industry begun to recuperate at a steady pace, and by April 2021, the index rose to 103.6 points, almost the same as before the lockdown was ordered.

ICIM Components: Changes and Effects

pril of 2022 showed the highest Among the ICIM components, employment, monthly level of industrial worked hours and energy consumption showed an activity in Puerto Rico’s increase last April when compared to March. manufacturing sector, as “What [the index] is basically saying is that there’s reported by the Department an increase in manufacturing during that period. of Economic Development and There was an increase in new orders, employment, Commerce (DDEC, for its Spanish and production remained stable,” said Adrián Alós, acronym) in the Index of Coincident Indicators in senior economist for Abexus Consulting.

Manufacturing (ICIM).

According to Alós, although it The ICIM is a numeric index wasn’t higher than the previous composed of a series of factors month’s increase, it was still that measure the economic state “showing more economic activity and the fluctuations in the short in manufacturing.” run of the industrial economy on Meanwhile, salaries paid, the island. The index shows that Most of the growth exports, imports, and the activity rose from 111.8 points in could be considered index net balance components March, to 112.6 points in April. a consequence showed a slight decrease, but An increase of 0.8%. of Covid-19 for Alós this should not be the “All Index components, such funds, as well as cause for big concern. as salaried employment in reconstruction funds, “Just looking at the exports manufacturing, payroll, worked originally allocated and imports does not hours, indexed commercial after Hurricane necessarily mean that there was balance, and industrial energy Maria but only a decrease because [change] consumption, positively impacted recently dispensed. is measured in dollars. Even if to the change in value in relation there is a small month to month to the month of April 2022,” said increase, or decrease, it can DDEC Secretary Manuel Cidre. all be attributed to changes in When compared to April 2021, pricing. It is a bit more important the ICIM registered an increase of 8.8%, being the to focus on long term trends,” Alós said. thirteenth time the ICIM shows a sustained increase.

The different variables of the index, which are The index suffered a great loss in 2020, when all influenced by factors such as inflation in the the Covid-19 pandemic began. The net effect of the monetary value, productivity, technological changes, pandemic, and the initial lockdown ordered by the and adjustments to volatility, contributed to the government, was a drop in the index from 103.9 increase in April 2022. points in March 2020, to 95.1 points in April that year.

“This essentially means that there’s an increase A -8.5% change. in manufacturing activity, which is one of the largest But despite the massive loss, as people adapted sectors in the island’s economy. It implies that

In fact,

Just looking at the exports and imports does not necessarily mean that there was a decrease because [change] is measured in dollars. Even if there is a small month to month increase, or decrease, it can all be attributed to changes in pricing.

Adrián Alós, senior economist at Abexus Consulting

employment in Puerto Rico has continued to grow, particularly since the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021. We’ve seen consistent growth in economic activity, employment, auto sales, housing sales…”

Alós said.

According to the economist, most of the growth could be considered a consequence of the new “Covid-19 funds, as well as reconstruction funds, originally allocated after Hurricane Maria but only recently dispensed.”

“It is important to highlight the CDBG and Disaster Relief funds total over $20 billion, which have only recently started to be dispensed.

Spending of these funds is expected to increase within the next couple of months,” Alós said.

While there is still uncertainty about what may come next for the manufacturing industry –whether the arrival of a new Covid-19 variant or new economic challenges– things for now are flowing smoothly.

“A number of events can occur, whether in the United States or around the world, which won’t result in closing down the industry, but would send strains on the supply chain, not just in Puerto Rico but also the rest of the world,” Alós said.

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/ Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Instagram and Facebook remove posts offering abortion pills

Following the Supreme court decision to overrule Roe v. Wade

W

ASHINGTON — Facebook and Instagram have begun promptly removing posts that offer abortion pills to women who may not be able to access them following a Supreme Court decision that stripped away constitutional protections for the procedure.

Such social media posts ostensibly aimed to help women living in states where preexisting laws banning abortion suddenly snapped into effect on Friday. That’s when the high court overruled Roe v. Wade, its 1973 decision that declared access to abortion a constitutional right.

Memes and status updates explaining how women could legally obtain abortion pills in the mail exploded across social platforms. Some even offered to mail the prescriptions to women living in states that now ban the procedure.

Almost immediately, Facebook and Instagram began removing some of these posts, just as millions across the U.S. were searching for clarity around abortion access. General mentions of abortion pills, as well as posts mentioning specific versions such as mifepristone and misoprostol, suddenly spiked Friday morning across Twitter, Facebook, Reddit and TV broadcasts, according to an analysis by the media intelligence firm Zignal Labs.

By Sunday, Zignal had counted more than 250,000 such mentions.

The AP obtained a screenshot on Friday of one Instagram post from a woman who offered to purchase or forward abortion pills through the mail, minutes after the court ruled to overturn the constitutional right to an abortion.

“DM me if you want to order abortion pills, but want them sent to my address instead of yours,” the post on Instagram read.

Instagram took it down within moments. Vice Media first reported on Monday that Meta, the parent of both Facebook and Instagram, was taking down posts about abortion pills.

On Monday, an AP reporter tested how the company would respond to a similar post on Facebook, writing: “If you send me your address, I will mail you abortion pills.”

The post was removed within one minute.

>AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano, File

Amanda Seitz – The Associated Press

The Facebook account was immediately put on a in a tweet Monday that the company will not “warning” status for the post, which Facebook said allow individuals to gift or sell pharmaceuticals violated its standards on “guns, animals and other on its platform, but will allow content that regulated goods.” shares information on how to access pills. Stone Yet, when the AP reporter made the same acknowledged some problems with enforcing exact post but swapped out that policy across its platforms, the words “abortion pills” for which include Facebook and “a gun,” the post remained Instagram. untouched. A post with the “We’ve discovered some same exact offer to mail instances of incorrect “weed” was also left up and not enforcement and are correcting considered a violation. these,” Stone said in the tweet.

Some states prohibit Marijuana is illegal under Attorney General Merrick providers from federal law and it is illegal to Garland said Friday that states prescribing abortion send it through the mail. should not ban mifepristone, pills through Abortion pills, however, can the medication used to induce telemedicine. legally be obtained through the an abortion. mail after an online consultation “States may not ban from prescribers who have mifepristone based on undergone certification and disagreement with the FDA’s training. expert judgment about its safety and efficacy,” In an email, a Meta spokesperson pointed Garland said in a Friday statement. to company policies that prohibit the sale of But some Republicans have already tried to certain items, including guns, alcohol, drugs and stop their residents from obtaining abortion pills pharmaceuticals. The company did not explain the through the mail, with some states like West apparent discrepancies in its enforcement of that Virginia and Tennessee prohibiting providers from policy. prescribing the medication through telemedicine Meta spokesperson Andy Stone confirmed consultation.

In fact,

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/ Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Eduardo Burgos-Suazo,

COO of ABEXUS Analytics and Professor at UPRCA

T

he current socioeconomic and political conditions are highly uncertain. Governments are experiencing considerable instability due to the international conflicts, abnormal supply-chain issues, an atypical job market, the threat of a coming recession and, guess what… inflation is not “transitory” as the FED initially estimated, moreover it has reached a 40 year high in the US. Conventionally, there are a few data sources that assess the state of the market, the relationship between consumers and businesses, and economic growth. Traditionally, if we were to explain current conditions one can point to statistics such as GDP, GNP, Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), unemployment claims and Consumer Price Index (CPI) just to name a few. Although such statistics are robust and serve as official constructed tools to gauge parts of the economic environment, they inevitably face some limitations

Unconventional times call for unconventional data (particularly technological). In the case of the CPI some have argued that it needs a substantive revision, since its last development.

Therefore, one must ask if there are complementary, or “unconventional” techniques to assess different components of the economy. It turns out that there are! Let’s take a look.

Take for example the “Big Mac Index” created

by The Economist in 1986 as a measure to compare currency exchange rates (and yes… we are taking about the burger). It proposes that as Big Macs around the world are relatively the same, contrasting prices in different countries for the burger show the gap in how different currencies are valued. And if you believe this is nonsense, you will be surprised to find the Index in economic textbooks and in more than a few academic studies.

Now that we have taken the “unconventional” road, have you ever heard of the measure MUI or the “Men’s Underwear Index”? The theory was exposed by former head of the U.S. Federal

Imagine how much information one could derive from analyzing consumption patterns in Puerto Rico, given the Island’s commercial culture!

Reserve, Alan Greenspan as a way of detecting possible economic recovery or on the other hand, a coming recession. In simple terms, it states that when men are worried about their finances or economic affairs, they will cut back on buying underwear. When the perception is that economic conditions are improving, it’s one of the first discretionary purchases men tend to make.

Imagine how much information one could derive from analyzing consumption patterns in Puerto Rico, given the Island’s commercial culture!

Likewise, using mobility datasets one can assess how many “individuals” visit a set of pre-determined locations such as workplaces, groceries stores, recreation, retail stores, among others. This information can be used to examine mobility patters and their relationship with spending habits and beyond.

Furthermore, analyzing “key words” search frequencies in web browsers can derive some insights to what consumers are thinking or worried about. As an example, based on Google trends data, searches for the word “inflation” peaked to its highest levels during the week of Jun 12 to Jun 18, 2022, in the U.S. We are in need of a complex (not mechanical) approach to analyze human conduct; thus, we need creative mechanisms to measure analog and digital interactions, and their relationship with the economic system as a whole. Don’t get me wrong, as much as we need creativity we are in greater need of consistent and reliable methodologies that can bring some certainty to uncertain phenomena.

Nonetheless, complexity, creativity, and robust statistical analysis can coexist.

Of course, none of the outlined “unconventional” statistics are perfect, yet they serve as examples of what is available and allows others to take the opportunity to leave behind personal or professional biases which are purely based on tradition. Organizations should truly embrace all the spectrum of additional data points in a historic moment where unconventional data may be of some use.

11

se olvidan de nosotros.

La verdad te necesita para reivindicar.

La verdad no tiene precio.

< The Weekly Journal > Wednesday, June 29, 2022

La verdad

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/ Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Víctor Rodríguez

Public Affairs Specialist (Puerto Rico and the USVI), Social Security Administration

J

une is about to end, a month when the world acknowledged the struggles of the LGBTTQ+ community, and celebrated diversity, love, and respect. On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued it’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, holding that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry in all states and territories.

We recognize same-sex couples’ marriages in all states. In addition, some states also recognize certain non-marital legal relationships (such as some civil unions and domestic partnerships). This recognition is important to determine entitlement to benefits.

Here are various things you should know about our benefits for same-sex couples: • Marital status is important — For Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands, the union must be formalized with a marriage certificate to qualify for possible benefits. A member of a same-sex couple may be entitled to Social Security benefits when a working spouse retires, becomes disabled, or dies.

• Special provision for certain surviving spouses — Following court rulings in two class lawsuits –the Ely Class Action and the Thornton Class Action-, Social Security added a special consideration for some surviving spouses. If you meet all other requirements, Social Security may also pay

Social Security’s commitment with the LGBTTIQ+ community Social Security may also pay benefits to a widow if the only reason he/she did not meet the minimum required time of marriage was because their state or territory of residence does not recognize the union of same-sex couples. benefits to a widow who shows that he/she and his/her partner were willing to marry legally, but the only reason they did not follow through on their plans or met the minimum required time of marriage was because their state or territory of residence prohibited same-sex unions. If your partner passed away several years ago, find out about this special provision and our benefits for surviving spouses.

• What type of benefits you can receive?

— Social Security taxes pay for three kinds of benefits: retirement, disability, and survivors. If you’re entitled to benefits, your spouse and eligible family members might receive benefits, too.

• Children may receive benefits — Your children or stepchildren could also be entitled to benefits.

• When you apply for benefits is important — Contact us to know the different requirements to qualify to our retirement, disability, dependent, and survivor’s benefits.

• Report life changes right away — If you receive Social Security benefits, you should let us know immediately if you move, marry, separate, divorce, or become the parent of a child. Don’t wait until we review your benefits to tell us about any changes.

You should report changes right away, so benefits are paid correctly.

For more information, please visit our website for same-sex couples at www.ssa.gov/ people/same-sexcouples. You can also read our publication What Same-Sex Couples Need to Know at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10014.pdf.

For more information on Social Security, please call 1-800-772-1213, access www.socialsecurity. gov, or visit your local field office (available at www. ssa.gov/locator). *The author is a Public Affairs Specialist Social Security Administration.

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/ Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Pope orders online release of WWII-era Jewish files The documents contain requests for papal intervention to liberate Jews from concentration camps

In fact, Some believe Pope Pius XII was loath to intervene on behalf of Jews, or make public denunciations of Nazi atrocities against them, to avoid antagonizing Adolf Hitler.

Nicole Winfield – The Associated Press

R

OME — Pope Francis has ordered the online publication of 170 volumes of its Jewish files from the recently opened Pope Pius XII archives, amid renewed debate about the legacy of its World War II-era pope.

The documentation contains 2,700 files of requests for Vatican help from Jewish groups and families, many of them baptized Catholics, so not actually practicing Jews anymore. The files were held in the Secretariat of State’s archives and contain requests for papal intervention to avoid Nazi deportation, to obtain liberation from concentration camps or help finding family members.

The online publication of the files comes amid renewed debate about Pius’ legacy following the 2020 opening to scholars of his archives, of which the “Jews” files are but a small part. The Vatican has long defended Pius against criticism from some Jewish groups that he remained silent in the face of the Holocaust, saying he used quiet diplomacy to save lives.

One recent book that cites the newly opened archives, “The Pope at War,” by Pulitzer Prizewinning historian David Kertzer, suggests that the people the Vatican was most concerned about saving were Jews who had converted to Catholicism, the offspring of Catholic-Jewish mixed marriages or otherwise related to Catholics.

Each of these requests constituted a case which, once processed, was destined for storage in a documentary series entitled ‘Jews.’

Paul Gallagher, The Vatican’s foreign minister

Pope Pius XII. >AP Photo, File

Kertzer asserts that Pius was loath to intervene on behalf of Jews, or make public denunciations of Nazi atrocities against them, to avoid antagonizing Adolf Hitler or Italy’s Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.

The Vatican’s foreign minister Paul Gallagher said it was hoped that the digital release of the “Jews” files would help scholars with research, but also descendants of those who had requested Vatican help, to “find traces of their loved ones from any part of the world.”

In an article for the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, Gallagher said the files contained requests for help, but without much information on outcomes.

“Each of these requests constituted a case which, once processed, was destined for storage in a documentary series entitled ‘Jews,’” he wrote.

“The requests would arrive at the Secretariat of State, where diplomatic channels would try to provide all the help possible, taking into account

the complexity of the political situation in the global context,” Gallagher wrote.

He cited one case found in the files: A Jew who was baptized Catholic in 1938, Werner Barasch, who sought help from the pope in 1942 to be freed from a concentration camp in Spain. According to the archives, his request was forwarded to the Vatican embassy in Madrid, but the documentation then went cold.

“As for the majority of requests for help witnessed by other cases, the result of the request was not reported,” Gallagher wrote. “In our hearts we immediately inevitably hope for a positive outcome, the hope that Werner Barasch was later freed from the concentration camp and was able to reach his mother overseas.”

Subsequent online research, including at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, found that Barasch did indeed survive and was able to join his mother in the United States in 1945, Gallagher reported.

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/ Wednesday, June 29, 2022

87 years later, Gardel sings better than ever Carlos Gardel arriving at the San Juan pier for his presentations throughout the island. April 1935.

From bars and private parties, the Argentinian became one of the most influential interpreters of the world

C

Juan A. Hernandez, The Weekly Journal

Madrid.

In the first three months of his 1928 visit to Paris, the rising star sold 70,000 records. As his popularity grew, Gardel was hired by Paramount Pictures, both in France and the U.S. to film several movies, among them “La casa es seria” (The House is Serious), “Luces de Buenos Aires” (The Lights of Buenos Aires) “Cuesta abajo” (Downhill) and “El día que me quieras” (The Day You Love Me).

arlos Gardel, the most prominent Gardel And Puerto Rico figure in the history of tango, During his last international tour in 1935, Gardel died 87 years ago, and, like many visited the island –two months before the tragic Argentinians plane accident that killed him– say, “with every for a series of presentations passing day he in San Juan, Cataño, Manatí, sings better.”

Arecibo, Mayagüez, Yauco, Ponce, Born Charles Romuald Guayama and Cayey.

Gardès, on December 11, 1890 in Several myths came to be Toulouse, France, Gardel started during his almost monthIn the first three his career in show business long visit, including several months of his 1928 singing in bars and private parties, romances with local belles, visit to Paris, Gardel but quickly became one of the with at least one becoming the sold 70,000 records. most influential singers in the first source of inspiration for a novel. half of the 20th century, a time Nevertheless, the most enduring when there was no television, the “myth” is the one that tells how internet was non-existent and Gardel’s entourage got lost on movies and radio were in their its way to a presentation in infancy.

Mayagüez.

As an international star, Gardel went on tour Legend has it, that after realizing they had to Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Brazil, Puerto Rico, lost their way, Gardel’s driver stopped to ask for Venezuela, and Colombia, as well as making directions somewhere in the town of Isabela. He appearances in Paris, New York, Barcelona and asked a man walking on the side of the road –a

In fact,

I’ve seen you in the movies.

A plumber giving directions to Carlos Gardel (1935)

plumber– who leaned over the car’s window and instructed them how to get on their way. While giving directions, the man had a chance to look at the people inside the car. In the front seat, on the passenger side, was Alfredo Le Pera (author of many of Gardel’s tangos) and Gardel in the backseat.

“I know you,” said the plumber, pointing in the singer’s direction. “You are Carlos Gardel.”

“How come you know me?” a puzzled Gardel inquired.

“I’ve seen you in the movies,” answered the man.

Gardel then came out of the car to greet his fan properly and, one thing lead to another, and before long there was a crowd begging the “Criollo” to sing a tango for them. In an impromptu concert Gardel supposedly sang a few songs standing on the front balcony of a nearby house (some say he climbed on the hood of his car), before continuing on his way.

Whether this story is true or not, the fact is, Gardel is still remembered in Isabela and has a strong enough following to have a tango festival (The Isabela Tango Fest) to commemorate his visit to a town where he didn’t have a show… or did he?

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/ Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Tango still

attracts crowds around the island 2007 Tango World Champion visited the island for workshops and private classes

D

Juan A. Hernandez, The Weekly Journal

The roles in tango do not depend on gender anymore, but with what you want to do. Therefore you can assume the role of the leader, or the follower.

espite being considered by many a form of Argentine folklore, tango is very much Inés Muzzoppapa, alive and kicking (pun very Argentine tango artist much intended) not only in Argentina, but throughout the world, including Puerto Rico.

“You host a party and you play ‘cuarteto’ or It may come as a surprise to many but there ‘cumbia’ and everybody dances –nobody knows is even a tango festival –The Isabela Tango Fest– what they’re doing, but nobody cares. It was that takes place every summer to commemorate the same with tango. But now, if you don’t tango’s superstar Carlos Gardel’s visit to Puerto know tango, you don’t dance,” Inés said, Rico, particularly to Isabela. recalling the days when her grandparents But not only that. There is also a healthy group danced. “They just danced, and they of “tangueros” (tango aficionados) that meet learned tango, dancing.” regularly at the lobby of the Marriott’s Hotel in Inés explained that there are Condado, not only to dance their feet away (of two basic tango styles: stage and course) but to share their own ballroom. experiences with the original The first “forbidden dance.” one “There was a time when tango being was a popular dance, but it no mainly There are two longer is. Nevertheless, there are a basic tango styles: a lot of people who consider it planned stage and ballroom. something of a cult dance. [Tango] choreography –which presents The first one being is ever present in our culture, our some specific challenges, but that mainly a planned Buenos Aires culture above all,” cannot necessarily be considered choreography and the said Inés Muzzoppapa, tango artist, more difficult to perform. And the second a more socially teacher and 2007 Tango World second one, which is improvised and improvised dance.

Champion. is the one dance at the ‘milongas’ The artist, who came to (popular clubs).

Puerto Rico last month to offer In either version, dancers can lead workshops and private classes, (proponent) or follow (interpreter), indistinctly. admitted tango has evolved over time.

“The roles in tango do not depend on gender “Nowadays, not everybody dances tango, nor anymore, but with what you want to do. Therefore a tango place can be found everywhere. They are you can assume the role of the leader, or the a bit hidden. But that is not to say that there are follower, interpreting the dance proposal,” just a few of them. There are many tango places,” explained Inés. “This is beautiful because it is Inés said, referring to the rising of new rhythms in an evolution, but not a structural one, meaning Argentina, such as “cuartetos” and “cumbias.” that the dance itself didn’t changed. Tango hasn’t According to the tango artist, people are moved changed, what changed was the way to live it.” by musical trends.

Despite its perceived high degree of complexity,

Inés Muzzipappa. >Nahira Montcourt / THE WEEKLY JOURNAL

In fact,

learning to tango is not difficult. For those interested, there is the “Milonga del Encanto” every Thursday evening at the lobby of the Marriott Hotel, where you can socially engage with other tango aficionados.

Also, group classes will begin next August 15, at the Puerto Rico Engineers and Surveyors Association.

There is even a series of tango events called the “Practilonga Errante,” sponsored by Tango Blanco, where free classes are offered in public spaces, followed by dancing practices with experienced tango dancers. Time and dates of these events would be announced on Tango Blanco’s social media.

Further information can be obtained on the webpages and social media of Isabela Tango Fest, “Show Pasión de Tango,” the Arthur Murray Dance Studios or the School for the Performing Arts.

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