The Weekly Journal - Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Wednesday, October 20-26, 2021 - // no. 130

Puerto Rico and the Caribbean

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Latest on the Plan of Adjustment P6 Tourism Keeps Rolling Along P8 Banning SingleUse Plastics Under Evaluation P10

Good Tidings for Retailers Mastercard and Deloitte: Holiday Retail Sales to Grow 7 Percent in 2021

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>Courtesy

Rosario Fajardo

Delight Your Palate at the Condado Vanderbilt P15

rfajardo@wjournalpr.com

@RosarioWJournal

he COVID Grinch made the 2020 holiday season difficult for many people around the world, as family gatherings and celebrations were severely dampened by the pandemic.

This year should see a bounce back to the familiar: in-person holiday parties with family and friends, especially in fun-loving Puerto Rico. Many consumers and brands alike are gearing up for what’s anticipated to be the most wonderful holiday

retail season on record.

According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, which measures overall retail sales across all payment types including cash and check, U.S. retail sales are anticipated to grow 7.4 percent excluding automotive and gas. Consumers are expected to spend online at even higher rates (+7.6 percent) than last year, while in-store sales are also expected to see a rebound—growing 6.6 percent compared to 2020.

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/ Wednesday, October 20, 2021

a week in review SCOTUS Leaves in Place Puerto Rico Cockfighting Ban

>Josian E. Bruno Gómez

>Brandon Cruz González

>Archive

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is leaving in place a federal law that bans cockfighting in Puerto Rico, as it turned away a challenge to the law. The high court did not explain why it declined to take the case. In 2018, Congress changed a federal law that had permitted cockfighting on the island. Individuals and organizations involved in cockfighting challenged the law, but two lower courts sided with the federal government and said Congress acted appropriately.

Puerto Rico Aims to Cut Bureaucracy With New Online System

Puerto Rico Lifts Pandemic Curfew and Ban on Alcohol Sales

Gov. Pedro Pierluisi promised less bureaucracy and fewer lines at government offices as he unveiled an online system to digitally connect various state agencies. The system means that government employees can virtually access a variety of documents, eliminating the need for citizens and business owners to visit different state agencies to obtain them in person as they seek permits, contracts, services and/or certificates. The announcement was welcomed by many business owners who have long complained about the convoluted process to obtain such documents.

The island’s governor announced that he would be lifting a curfew and a ban on alcohol sales as Puerto Rico reports a drop in the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths. The restrictions had prohibited certain businesses from operating between midnight and 5 a.m., and barred alcohol sales during that time, two measures that were lifted last week. Gov. Pedro Pierluisi said other restrictions, including wearing masks indoors and requiring proof of vaccinations at many establishments, stay in place.

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 With early holiday shopping slated to begin in October again this year, retail sales for the “75 Days of Christmas,” are anticipated to grow 6.8 percent excluding automotive and gas, and e-commerce sales to grow by 7.5 percent compared to the same time period last year.

According to Mastercard, apparel, electronics, jewelry and luxury items are expected to be among the most-sought items this holiday season.

While this holiday season will continue to look different –due to geographical, economic, and cheer like busy malls and Apparel, household differences – there are bustling Main Streets. While electronics, jewelry a number of overarching trends the return to in-store browsing and luxury items to watch, as per the Mastercard and shopping will continue, are expected to be report: e-commerce retail sales are among the most• Early season’s greetings: not going anywhere. For the sought items this With potential supply chain and extended holiday season, holiday season, labor supply issues impacting the e-commerce sales are expected according to season, retailers are expected to to grow 7.5 percent YOY and Mastercard. offer omnichannel promotions 59.3 percent YO2Y - a record early on – particularly in the high for the channel. heavily gifted Electronics, Apparel “This holiday season will and Department Store sectors. be defined by early shopping, Technologies like contactless and bigger price tags and digital experiences. Over the buy online, pick up in store will continue to be past two years, retailers have learned a lot about embraced by consumers and retailers who desire what shoppers want and need, bringing us into a quick and seamless experience. an exciting new age of retail resilience,” said Steve • ‘Tis the season for splurging: Fueled in part Sadove, senior advisor for Mastercard. “Retailers by pent-up savings and government stimulus, have been preparing for this moment and will find consumers have the desire and the means to innovative ways to deliver on what’s bound to be spend. Over the last six months, the Luxury retail the biggest holiday shopping season yet.” and Jewelry sectors have been experiencing some of the strongest year-over-year (YOY) and yearIncreased spending on restaurants, travel over-two years (YO2Y) growth; that is anticipated and goods to continue through the holidays.

Deloitte had a similar positive outlook. Holiday • Shoppers return to stores but shift to e-commerce is here to stay: Nothing says holiday retail sales are likely to increase between 7 percent

In fact,

It’s still important to wear your mask and practice social distancing this holiday season.

and 9 percent in 2021, according to the company’s annual holiday retail forecast. Deloitte also forecasts that e-commerce sales will grow by 11 percent to 15 percent YOY this holiday season.

“We anticipate strong consumer spending for the upcoming holiday season. As vaccination rates rise and consumers are more comfortable being outside of the home, we are likely to see increased spending on services, including restaurants and travel, while spending on goods will continue to hold steady. A steady decline in the savings rate to pre-pandemic levels will support consumer spending and keep retail sales elevated this season,” said Daniel Bachman, Deloitte’s U.S. economic forecaster. “Further, e-commerce sales will continue to grow as consumers demonstrate an ongoing and steady movement toward buying online across all categories.”

Bachman noted that the 2021 holiday season increase reflects continued growth. Last year’s holiday sales came in higher than expected, growing by 5.8 percent. The 2021 forecast projects a strong growth rate amid already elevated retail sales and growth in disposable personal income that is likely to remain flat heading into the season. However, the Delta variant and ongoing uncertainty spurred by the pandemic may drive more spending on goods.

“Across channels, retailers should expect a strong holiday season as consumer spending levels are projected to remain high,” said Rod Sides, vice chairman, Deloitte LLP and U.S. retail and distribution sector leader. “While consumer concerns about health and safety have eased since the last holiday season, pandemic-influenced shopping behaviors continue to gain traction.

Retailers who remain resilient to shifting consumer behaviors and offer convenient options for online and in-store shopping, as well as order fulfillment, will be poised for growth this holiday season, and into the new year.”

Several residents already told THE WEEKLY JOURNAL that they are planning major celebrations this year. “Last year was really sad because of the pandemic. We couldn’t do anything with family and friends. This year we are going all out. We are going to have parties starting on Thanksgiving,” said a local Condado resident.

Another person chimed in to the conversation, saying that he was already purchasing plenty of beer and wine, as well as planning to order food from a local restaurant. He added that this year, family members were once again traveling from New York City to celebrate Christmas in Puerto Rico.

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Experts: Do your Christmas shopping now

Despite the overall optimistic outlook, there could be some bumps along the road for Puerto Rico. Given the transportation, labor and storage problems that have disrupted the supply chain in the U.S, and Puerto Rico, analysts from the commercial sector of the island are advising consumers to make their Christmas now, as inventory could be limited by December and at higher prices.

According to experts, the problem in the supply chain does not seem to be improving anytime soon. They understand that in the face of strong demand and lower inventory, prices will continue to rise, availability will continue to decline, and special offers will be limited or non-existent.

Jesús E. Vázquez Rivera, president of the United Retailers Association (CUD by its Spanish acronym), understands that much of the merchandise purchased by businesses on the island between June and July of this year may not arrive in time for the Christmas season.

“In traditional years, the Christmas merchandise would have already started to arrive now, which has not happened. This worries us because it could arrive very late,” he said. The businessman understands that the uncertainty could lead to an increase in online purchases, which would hurt small, local businesses that only have a brick-andmortar presence.

According to the Vázquez, consumers will likely see higher prices during the season, such as increases of between 15 percent and 25 percent; less variety of available products; and reduced inventory of existing ones. He exhorted residents to do their Christmas shopping early this year.

“We hope that this increase in prices will be a temporary situation, that it will last for about eight to 10 months and then we will return to normality,” he said.

Luis Gierbolini, president of the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce, understands that the problem is more difficult than he thought, and urged consumers to plan ahead, make Christmas purchases on time, but without panicking.

“The merchandise will continue to flow, but a little slower. I do not think there is a shortage of food, maybe some products are missing. My recommendation is that they make purchases earlier, but that they do not start to stockpile food or products because, at the end of the day, they contribute to the increase in prices and end up losing money,” he said.

For consumers who are considering purchasing gifts online, the advice is the same. According to the most recent deadlines reported by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), for gifts and other items to arrive on time, the deadline for domestic deliveries is Dec. 17 for “first class” service, Dec. 18 for “priority” and Dec. 23 for “priority mail express.”

For ground delivery service, the deadline is Dec.

We anticipate strong consumer spending for the upcoming holiday season. As vaccination rates rise and consumers are more comfortable being outside of the home, we are likely to see increased spending on services, including restaurants and travel, while spending on goods will continue to hold steady.

- Daniel Bachman, Deloitte’s U.S. economic forecaster

15. However, Martín Caballero, district manager for USPS Puerto Rico, is urging customers to send their packages between Dec. 1 and 4 to ensure they will arrive at their destinations on time.

- Journalist Ileanexis Vera Rosado contributed to this story.

Marta E. Rodríguez appointed Advisory Partner Effective November 1, 2021, Marta E. Rodríguez is appointed as Partner, Head of the Firm’s Advisory Department.

She is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Valuation Analyst and Certified Global Management Accountant with more than nineteen years of experience. As Head of the Department, she will oversee the operational, transactional, and forensic advisory practice in Puerto Rico and will continue providing advisory services in the areas of internal audit, risk advisory, valuations, mergers and acquisitions, due diligence, forensic examinations, and litigation support, among others.

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Passage of the Plan of Adjustment in Legislature Up in the Air

Amendments to guarantee pensions and the UPR do not convince all legislators

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THE WEEKLY JOURNAL Staff

espite the agreement reached over the weekend among the Financial Oversight and Management Board (FOMB), the two main parties in the Legislature and Gov. Pedro Pierluisi, the approval of the measure that creates the enabling law for the Plan of Adjustment (POA) remained uncertain as of press time Tuesday.

As reported, there was no assurance that House Bill 1003, known as the Law to End the Bankruptcy of Puerto Rico, would have the necessary votes for approval in both legislative bodies, since both majority and minority lawmakers publicly stated that they had objections with the new provisions included in the bill.

While both chambers were in session, another day of demonstrations had been called in front of the Capitol in repudiation of the POA and the measure that authorizes a new bond issue of $7.4 billion.

Recognizing the situation in the Legislature, Pierluisi said that he would ensure that the bill is approved. “I have been in communication with the legislative leadership to ensure that the legislation that makes the restructuring of the public debt feasible is approved, without affecting pensioners and protecting the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) and municipalities,” the governor said.

Pierluisi added that “it is crucial that this be achieved, since there is no doubt that the people would be seriously affected if the Plan of Adjustment submitted by the Board before the Federal Court falls and puts in danger for us (Puerto Rico) to get out of the bankruptcy.”

For his part, House Speaker Rafael “Tatito” Hernández presented the “substantive” changes that were made to the measure. Regarding pensions, he mentioned that a “super important” amendment was made, which “literally allows us to guarantee that the agreements are honored” and public pensions will not be cut.

Similarly, the measure includes language on UPR which states that the university’s budgets, which are submitted to the FOMB, include an allocation

Gov. Pedro Pierluisi talks to the press after the much-awaited meeting at La Fortaleza on the Plan of Adjustment. >Josian E. Bruno Gómez

of $500 million for each of the five fiscal years from 2023 to 2027, providing that “additional allocations above the amounts allocated in the certified Fiscal Plan in April 2021 will be used to improve student experiences and the environment.”

Likewise, $1 million would be assigned to the Department of Health for “a study on the feasibility of providing or facilitating access to health insurance coverage to approximately 225,000 citizens who today lack coverage” and an extraordinary fund would be created based on a formula that, according to Hernández, would collect over $60 million annually to help municipalities with garbage collection and disposal, as well as recycling programs.

Red Flag Warnings

Regardless of the outcome of the voting on Tuesday, “red flag” warnings have been issued on the long-term success of Puerto Rico’s economic recovery and the island’s ability to pay its debt in the long run. “The Fiscal Plan certified by the FOMB for the central government sets in motion policies that have inconsistent effects on the real economy. First, the FOMB continues with the implementation of fiscal austerity measures, which it estimates will reduce GNP by 0.9 percent, 1.2 percent, and 0.7 percent during fiscal years 2022 (ongoing), 2023, and 2024, respectively. In their view, this fiscal consolidation is necessary to balance the budget in the short term.

Note that the fiscal consolidation scheduled for FY2023 is particularly deep,” wrote Sergio Marxuach of the Center for a New Economy (CNE).

“On the other side of the equation, the FOMB is promoting the implementation of “structural reforms” in the areas of social welfare, energy, and ease of doing business, which it estimates will have a cumulative positive impact equal to 0.75 percent of GNP by fiscal year 2026. It is unclear, though, whether the government of Puerto Rico has the capability to implement these policies and, if implemented, whether they will have the economic impact forecasted by the FOMB,” he added.

As reported by THE WEEKLY JOURNAL, the FOMB has been touting the positive benefits of the POA. “The proposed Plan of Adjustment is a milestone on this path towards reducing Puerto Rico’s debt to sustainable levels and enabling economic growth,” said FOMB Executive Director Natalie Jaresko, adding that the plan comprises a series of agreements with a very diverse group of stakeholders, such as bondholders, unsecured creditors, retirees and unions.

Puerto Rico’s bankruptcy is not only the largest public debt restructuring in the history of the United States, but also extraordinarily complex, Jaresko noted. Puerto Rico’s $72 billion in debt was spread over more than a dozen public entities. The average debt service the government alone had to pay each year was $2.7 billion, and without PROMESA would have reached as much as $4.2 billion.

The Plan of Adjustment for the central government is the largest part of Puerto Rico’s debt restructuring, with about $35 billion in claims by bondholders and creditors, and more than $55 billion in pension liabilities.

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>Archive

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Foundation for Puerto Rico Announces New Program to Support Local Businesses Focused on the visitor economy and supported by Wells Fargo

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Zoe Landi Fontana, Collaborator

oundation for Puerto Rico (FPR) announced the launch of their new program, [re]ACTIVA. This free technical training program was created to support small businesses within the visitor/tourism economy that have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Supported by a $254,487 grant from the Wells Fargo Open for Business Fund, a small business recovery effort that gives grants to nonprofits and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), [re]ACTIVA will provide technical assistance and entrepreneurial education through coaching and workshops on high-demand business skills such as digital presence and e-commerce, both necessary for small businesses to succeed in the global market. FPR is the only local organization in Puerto Rico to receive such a grant from the Wells Fargo Open for Business Fund. [re]ACTIVA’s support will be presented using three methods: individualized coaching, group training sessions, and on-demand workshops, of which the latter two will be available in a

In 2017, in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, distance-learning format. Topics included are FPR established the Small Business Support digital presence and e-commerce, marketing and Program to provide aid to existing local small promotion, brand image, forming a business businesses, which employ over 80 percent of all plan, accounting and finance, Human Resources private sector employees in Puerto Rico. According and operations, creation and retention of to the Federal Emergency employees, and planning for the Management Agency (FEMA), continuation of operations during after a disaster, 40 percent to 60 emergencies. Investment in these percent of small businesses do areas are necessary for small not reopen, and an additional 25 businesses to adapt and grow percent will close one year later. while recognizing present and According The COVID-19 pandemic further future challenges to FEMA, after a impeded the recovery of small Participants of [re]ACTIVA will disaster, 40 percent businesses on the island, the work alongside expert mentors to 60 percent of FPR noted, while simultaneously from prominent groups such as small businesses do calling for diversification and the Center for Entrepreneurs, JMC not reopen, and an innovation to remain competitive Ventures International, Awaken additional 25 percent in the post-pandemic world.

PR, Brands of Puerto Rico, and will close one year Anneliz Oliver, Economic Gio Camacho Inc., whose areas later.

Development Programs manager of expertise range from business at FPR expressed the new and real-estate investment to program’s mission as seeking media and marketing strategy, “[to] promote the economic recovery of small among many others. businesses affected by COVID-19, providing small In order to be eligible, the business must be business owners with technical assistance on located in Puerto Rico and targeted on the visitor topics such as access to capital, finance, marketing, economy, have three to 10 employees, annual business planning and electronic commerce, sales of less than $1 million, and documented among others. With expert-led technical training proof of sales or clients lost as a result of the and additional recovery resources, FPR aims to COVID-19 pandemic. The program is projected to help these businesses stay open, retain employees, reach 200 small and medium-sized enterprises islandwide, providing 400 hours of workshops, 400 and optimize their operations and offerings” Applications should be submitted on FPR’s [re] hours of 1-on-1 coaching, with a goal to preserve ACTIVA webpage by Friday, Nov. 26, 2021.

120 businesses and create 500 employees.

In fact,

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The pool deck onboard the Explorer of the Seas >Courtesy

Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas to Call Isla Grande Home

Tourism’s rebound continues with increased cruise line and airline operations

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Zoe Landi Fontana, Collaborator

eginning on Nov. 7, 2021, the cruise ship Explorer of the Seas will call the Pan-American Pier II West in Isla Grande its new homeport, following the signing of an agreement made between the Ports Authority of Puerto Rico, the Department of Health and Royal Caribbean Cruises.

With a capacity of 3,282 passengers and 1,180 crew members, the ship will set sail from Puerto Rico with a seven-night itinerary, stopping in San Juan; St Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI); St Croix, USVI; Phillipsburg, St. Maarten; Castries, St Lucia; Bridgetown, Barbados; Basseterre, St. Kitts; and returning to disembark back in San Juan.

Commencing these operations is cause for celebration, as Carlos Mercado, the executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), expressed: “We feel very enthusiastic about the initiation of the homeport operations of Explorer of the Seas at Pan-American Pier II West, starting in the month of November, and we are grateful to Royal Caribbean for continuing to opt into our market as a key point of connection in the

Caribbean… We remain focused on broadening and strengthening business relations with cruise lines that operate on the island. Agreements like this give a significant boost to tourist activity and the local economy.”

According to Mercado, the agreement to establish Explorer of the Seas’ home port in Isla Grande area of San Juan underlines the government’s commitment to reinforce Puerto Rico as a top tourist destination and foster job creation. The homeport operations will increase economic activity within the transportation sector, hotel occupancy, local businesses, and provide other benefits to the island, direct and indirect.

The PRTC’s goals will be supported further by the addition of Spirit Airlines’ new daily nonstop service between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Mercedita International Airport (PSE) in the southern city of Ponce, which will be officially

In February 2022, Spirit Airlines will offer new daily nonstop service between Orlando International Airport and Mercedita International Airport in Ponce. >Courtesy

launched Feb. 16, 2022. This route will provide eight nonstop flights between Florida and Puerto Rico for Spirit Airlines’ customers and is projected to add approximately 52,925 additional seats with a local economic impact of over $6.6 million.

The announcement was made by the PRTC, together with Gov. Pedro Pierluisi, during the World Routes 2021 convention held in Milan, Italy. Mercado highlighted that increasing the availability of seats and flight options to the island is an integral part of the overall plan to maximize the development and decentralization of Puerto Rico’s tourism industry, and its contribution to the economy of every region on the island, as well as push forward the goal to make Puerto Rico a major air access hub in the Caribbean.

Announcing Spirit Airlines’ new route at the World Routes convention further positioned Puerto Rico as a world-class destination and is evidence that airlines are still committed to Puerto Rico as an attractive destination for their clients, he said.

The news came as Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (ASUR), the company operating the Luis Muñoz Marín (LMM) International Airport that serves the San Juan metro area, reported that air passenger traffic continues to post positive numbers. In September, there was a 19.9 percent increase in air passenger arrivals at LMM, compared with the pre-pandemic level of Sept.

2019.

In terms of year-to-date numbers, there has been a 1.5 percent increase in air arrivals at LMM, when comparing September 2021 versus September 2019.

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Despite COVID, Invest Puerto Rico Gets Positive Results FY 2021: Commitments of over 550-plus new businesses

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THE WEEKLY JOURNAL Staff

ince last year, COVID-19 pandemic has dampened the business environment in Puerto Rico and around the world. Despite the economic and health crisis caused by the coronavirus, Invest Puerto Rico (Invest PR), the island’s economic development organization, has reported its “achievements” for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

As submitted to its board of directors and the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC by its Spanish acronym), the results show that the organization continues to elevate Puerto Rico as a competitive business and investment destination.

According to its report, InvestPR collaborated with key partners to generate over 4,700 leads and 2,000 prospect opportunities, resulting in commitments of 555 new businesses, 4,998 jobs, and $270 million in capital investment for the DDEC and collaborations with entities such as the island. The next steps would include ensuring Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company, that these “commitments” follow through in the Discover Puerto Rico, as well as nonprofits such coming year with the actual opening of 555 new as ConPRmetidos, and professional organizations businesses, creation of 5,000 jobs and tangible including the Mechanical Contractors Association investment of $270 million. and the Pharmaceutical Industry “Last fiscal year was all about Association, have helped quickly pivoting in light of the InvestPR move its goals forward. pandemic, which led InvestPR to support ongoing efforts and prioritize Puerto Rico’s Report highlights bioscience sector as a value-rich As per InvestPR’s report, The next steps ally to support the U.S. critical a main goal continues to be would include ensupply chain. We built upon further increasing awareness of suring that these our strategy, yielding promising Puerto Rico’s value proposition “commitments” results, while also enabling a for investors. With this in follow through in multipronged approach focused mind, InvestPR reported these the coming year on increasing awareness about Key Performance Indicators: with the actual the island’s value proposition “impressions” (+334.12 percent), opening of 555 new that boosted lead generation website visits (+110.84 percent) businesses, creation activities, and improved our and “earned media” (+984.60 of 5,000 jobs and ‘product,’ that being Puerto Rico’s percent). In marketing terms, tangible investment competitiveness,” said Rodrick impressions are defined of $270 million.

Miller, CEO of Invest Puerto Rico. as the number of times an Miller also noted that advertisement or company multisectoral collaboration image is shown to a viewer. continues to be a driving force in Earned media is defined as InvestPR’s results. An important partnership with publicity or media mentions that is not generated

In fact,

by the specific organization, in this case InvestPR. InvestPR also noted that its effort was supported by the launch of a four-week advertising campaign, titled “Accelerate Success,” which focused on the island’s bioscience legacy. The campaign launched on digital channels and generated over 9 million impressions and accounted for 44 percent of all InvestPR pageviews since 2019.

Meanwhile, InvestPR’s website, an important tool in investment attraction efforts, was updated to include new content that aims to resonate with potential investors. For example, the site includes information and data points about the island’s high-level competencies in bioscience, technology, logistics, professional services, and finance and insurance sectors.

As part of its messaging, the organization hosted eight virtual webinars, each of which underscored Puerto Rico’s value proposition in the bioscience industry, technology and innovation, entrepreneurship space, creative industries, and others.

Miller expressed confidence that “the wheels of economic development are in motion. Our team, partners, and collaborators are aligned to elevating Puerto Rico’s viability as an investment destination… There is still much work to do.”

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Lawmakers Evaluate Prohibiting the Sale and Use of Plastic Products in Establishments Multiple countries worldwide have already taken similar measures

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THE WEEKLY JOURNAL Staff

ypical plastics that are used in restaurants, fast foods and other establishments are straws, forks, knives, spoons and plates, as well as takeaway containers.

Unfortunately, these items often end up in Puerto Rico’s bodies of water and already overfilled garbage sites.

Now, the Puerto Rico House Natural Resources Commission, chaired by Rep. Edgardo Feliciano Sánchez, is holding public hearings to evaluate House Bill 688, which has the main purpose of prohibiting the use of plastics in all types of businesses on the island.

“It is important to do everything in our power to avoid environmental contamination. I have not seen any aggressive media campaign in years to conserve our bodies of water. Our people need information so that they can see the damage

caused by leaving this material in bodies of water,” said Feliciano. He also recommended the island’s Department of Natural Resources (DNER by its Spanish acronym), to carry out an educational campaign so that people are aware that they have to prevent environmental pollution as much as possible.

According to the measure, so called single-use plastic products include plates, straws, utensils, cups and food containers made up of polystyrene re made for immediate consumption or for takeout. As a result of the proliferation of these products, the bill states that the major problem with is that all this plastic contributes significantly to the contamination of the environment, as the products are not compostable and negatively affected the recycling of conventional plastic.

Worldwide, the rate of recycling is only 14 percent, which means that the other 86 percent that remains is going to landfills and bodies of water.

Puerto Rico’s rate of recycling is reported to be even lower than the worldwide average.

Multiple countries worldwide have already taken similar measures. The European Union adopted a legislation to ban plastics starting on 2022.

Several Caribbean islands are also banning these materials.

DNER Special Assistant Samuel Acosta supported the measure as he said it would be

positive for the environment: “The DNER considers that the measure is good for the environment and it helps us to have a better Puerto Rico.

That’s why we endorse it,” he stated. Acosta also recommended that the idea should be referred to the Department of Justice for a constitutional analysis with regard to the Commerce Clause, which is included in the United States Constitution that “gives the power to Congress to regulate interstate commerce such as the sale, purchase or exchange of merchandise, or the transportation of people, money or goods between different states.”

Rep. María Nogales Molinelli, said: “We could move from plastic to cardboard. Single-use plastic, it is so clearly obvious, is one of the fist items we must eliminate. We should start eliminating it, but let’s go on with more. We are going to go for more because we are running out of time in the archipelago, landfill spaces and food resources in Puerto Rico,” said the representative. Nogales also stated that she is in favor of the bill, but thinks that for more input, another public hearing should be held with those who have knowledge in these topics, so that they can give their opinions, and so that the measure can have better possibilities of a positive implementation. When the hearing ended, Feliciano agreed and said another hearing would be held to continue evaluating the measure.

< THE WEEKLY JOURNAL > Wednesday, October 20, 2021

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Attorneys Patrick Parenteau and Rachel Stevens,

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Vermont Law School

Puerto Rico has a Once-in-a-Lifetime Chance to Build a Clean Energy Grid over $90 billion in damages.

In response, Congress authorized some $23 billion in disaster aid, including at least $10 billion to restore or replace Puerto Rico’s electricity grid. It also passed the Disaster Recovery Reform Act to promote a more flexible energy system that could withstand and recover quickly from climate disruptions.

FEMA, which administers the funds, has allocated $9.4 billion for rebuilding Puerto Rico’s electricity system and will start approving projects after it receives more details explaining how the work will be performed. So far, none of this money has been earmarked for renewable power, except for a small sum to repair a hydroelectric dam that provides less than 1% of the island’s power.

The organizations making decisions in Puerto Rico are the Commonwealth’s Electric Power Authority, known as PREPA, and Luma Energy, a private company that received a 15-year contract in 2021 to manage power transmission and distribution on the island. PREPA and Luma have proposed hundreds of projects for the coming decade, but none include federal funding for rooftop solar, community solar, battery storage or microgrids.

Advocates say that this kind of small-scale local generation would make the island’s electricity cheaper, cleaner and more reliable.

A 2015 study by the nonprofit Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis found that investing in solar and wind power and energy efficiency could transform Puerto Rico’s electrical system into a resilient grid. And in 2020, the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimated that rooftop solar power in Puerto Rico could generate roughly four times as much electricity as residents currently use.

Federal law requires weighing the options Spending almost $10 billion to rewire an island with 3 million residents is clearly a major federal

action with significant environmental impacts. Under the National Environmental Policy Act, agencies undertaking such actions must prepare an environmental impact statement that takes a hard look at alternatives and invites meaningful public input.

PREPA and Luma’s proposed plan includes reconstructing and hardening nearly all of Puerto Rico’s transmission lines and building at least two new natural gas-fired power plants. Burning more natural gas will affect air and water quality and contribute to climate change. Natural gas is shipped to Puerto Rico in liquid form, so using more of it also means expanding import facilities and pipelines.

Instead of producing a full-scale environmental impact statement, FEMA produced a superficial programmatic environmental assessment – a narrower study that did not weigh other options. It concluded that there would be “no significant impact” from rebuilding Puerto Rico’s fossil fuel-based energy system. The study did not mention climate change, which scientists widely agree is making hurricanes larger and more destructive.

Beyond a pro forma invitation for public comment, FEMA made no effort to engage with overburdened communities of color that have disproportionately suffered from pollution and climate change under

Puerto Rico’s energy system. This directly contradicts Biden’s order to place environmental justice at the center of federal energy and climate policy.

The National Environmental Policy Act also requires agencies to “study, develop and describe appropriate alternatives to recommended courses of action.” FEMA’s environmental assessment only considers rebuilding and hardening the existing grid, and does not mention renewable energy.

When some public commenters criticized this omission, FEMA responded that it was not responsible for considering alternative means of generating electricity.

Advancing the public interest

Both PREPA and Luma are proponents of an energy strategy that centers on importing natural gas.

Federal law requires FEMA to take a broader approach and ensure that it spends federal money in ways that support U.S. environmental goals.

Courts have held that environmental justice is not simply a box to be checked. In our view, the law clearly requires FEMA to give Puerto Ricans – who have lived with a creaky power system for four years – a seat at the table before it starts writing checks for projects that affect their lives.

-This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

>Josian E. Bruno Gómez

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he Biden Administration has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help Puerto Rico transition to a greener and more resilient energy future, but it’s on the verge of making a multi-billion-dollar mistake.

Since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017, many residents and environmental advocates have called for new clean energy sources for the island. Currently, Puerto Rico gets more than 97% of its electricity from imported fossil fuel. Power is expensive and unreliable.

Puerto Rico adopted laws that called for generating 15% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020, 40% by 2025, 60% by 2040 and 100% by 2050. But the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) , which controls relief funding for the island, appears ready to underwrite a rebuild of the old fossil fuel system.

As environmental lawyers and professors of law, we are surprised to see FEMA move forward on a path that runs directly counter to the White House’s energy and climate policy. President Joe Biden has called for a governmentwide approach that promotes clean energy, protects public health and the environment, and advances environmental justice.

In our view, FEMA’s actions don’t support those goals. They also ignore legal requirements for federal agencies to carefully weigh the environmental impacts of major actions.

Rebuild or replace with a more resilient green system?

In September 2017, Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico with sustained winds of 155 mph. It tore a diagonal 100-mile swath across the island, demolishing tens of thousands of homes and washing away roads and bridges. The storm toppled transmission and cell towers, snapped concrete power poles, battered power plants and plunged the island into darkness. It killed an estimated 3,000 people and caused

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How Gratitude Can Help Your Financial Life

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NerdWallet via AP

ratitude makes us more aware of the sources of joy, wonder and hope in our lives. Being grateful also can improve health, strengthen relationships and help us manage our money.

Developing gratitude requires us to focus on what we have rather than on what we lack, says Meghaan Lurtz, a senior research associate with financial planning site Kitces.com and past president of the Financial Therapy Association.

Such thankfulness has been shown to reduce feelings of impatience, perhaps making it easier to save and delay gratification as well as decreasing the temptation to spend. “(Gratitude) can help to quell that ‘I need more, I need different, I need this, I need that’ feeling,” Lurtz says.

Gratitude makes us happier

Gratitude is a social, relationship-strengthening emotion with two parts, according to Robert Emmons, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, and author of “Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier.”

The first part is acknowledgment of the gifts and benefits we’ve received. The second is recognition that we have been blessed by help from others, good luck or perhaps the intervention of a higher power. Gratitude “requires us to see how we’ve been supported and affirmed by other people,” Emmons writes.

“There is a really important social quality to gratitude,” Lurtz says. “It can bring us together, it can connect us, it can help us to feel safe.”

It also short-circuits many negative emotions, such as resentment, envy or regret, Emmons found — it’s tough to feel envy and gratitude at the same time, for example. Lurtz believes that gratitude can increase contentment and reduces the desire to “keep up with the Joneses” by overspending or working excessively.

“We’re always trying to get to that next level,” Lurtz says. “We should be asking, ‘When is enough, enough?’ “ The positive effects of gratitude, such as improvements in mental health, can strengthen over time. In a 2017 study, college students who wrote weekly letters of gratitude to another person for three weeks reported better mental health than other participants four weeks later, and

the difference in mental health increased after 12 weeks, according to researchers at Indiana University.

“When you bring to mind that these things are going well, eventually, you’ll get to the point where you see more of those good things,” Lurtz says.

the present and the future. Expressing gratitude for each other can help couples strengthen their bonds and cultivate feelings of well-being so they can find that balance, Lurtz says.

Gratitude can help couples navigate money conflicts

Research shows that writing down a few things you’re grateful for, keeping a gratitude journal or composing letters thanking others for something they’ve done can all contribute to more positive emotions, better relationships and greater happiness.

Positive emotions and strong relationships are in turn associated with greater “financial self efficacy, “ or people’s belief in their ability to accomplish their financial goals, Lurtz says.

And while sadness can increase feelings of “economic impatience” — the desire for a smaller cash award now over a larger one in the future — gratitude has the opposite effect, helping people to delay gratification, according to a 2014 study by researchers from Northeastern University; University of California, Riverside; and Harvard.

What doesn’t work is demanding that someone else feel grateful. Admonitions to “count your blessings” can actually intensify feelings of shame, anger or resentment, Coambs says.

“It may be well intended, but it can land very inconveniently,” he says.

-This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet.

Gratitude can help couples weather financial conflicts, a 2015 study by researchers at the University of Georgia found.

Feeling appreciated and expressing appreciation are hallmarks of strong partnerships, says Ed Coambs, a certified financial planner and couples therapist in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“In a flourishing, healthy relationship, gratitude flows naturally and pretty easily,” Coambs says. “In a functioning relationship, it’s more intermittent, a little less consistent. In a dysfunctional relationship, it’s absent.”

Lurtz believes many couples’ disputes over money stem from partners not feeling appreciated.

For example, one partner may reward themselves with purchases because they don’t feel adequately rewarded elsewhere in their lives. Meanwhile, the other partner may feel underappreciated for their efforts to save money and look after the couples’ future.

The future-focused spouse isn’t “right” and the present-focused one isn’t “wrong.” Financial planning is all about finding a balance between

Gratitude can be cultivated, but not demanded

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Five Minute Intervals or 30 Minutes at Once

Which exercise routine is better for you?

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Active Aging

queezing in time to exercise can be challenging, especially if you juggle a hectic schedule. But staying physically active is one of the most important things you can do for your health as you age.

Given the increasing popularity of 5-minute interval workouts (or High-Intensity Interval Training – HIIT), swapping short bursts of moderately intense and vigorous aerobic exercise followed by short periods of rest might provide an easy solution.

That said, 30-minute workout sessions have been the rule for a long time. So, which is better?

Here’s a look at some pros and cons of each.

Remember: Moving at all is better than sitting still.

Before drawing workout comparisons, remember that doing any kind of movement is better than sitting still. According to the Mayo Clinic, sedentary lifestyles can lead to many health problems, including elevated blood pressure and blood sugar levels, excess body fat, and an increased “risk of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer.”

Conversely, moving more combats these chronic conditions, helps maintain muscle tone, mobility, and mental well-being as you age. A big thing to remember: only move as much as your body can, and then slowly increase duration and repetition as you gain strength and stamina.

Where Do I Start?

CDC guidelines suggest that older adults do

150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week – which you can break up into five 30-minute sessions, five days a week, along with two or more days a week for muscle-strengthening activities.

Some moderate-intensity aerobic activities include: • Brisk walking • Cycling (outdoors or indoors on a stationary bike) • Climbing stairs • Dancing • Hiking • Water aerobics For some muscle-strengthening activities, you can try: • Lifting weights • Using resistance bands • Doing push-ups/squats/sit-ups

Multiple 5-Minute Workouts – Pros and Cons

For the most health benefits, you want to do exercises that get your heart pumping faster and increase your breathing rate. (You might be able to talk, for instance, but not sing while you’re active).

Pros: • Gets you moving • Better than not exercising at all • Requires less time per session, which can encourage more exercise • Allows you to start small and increase duration over time • Improves stamina • Helps improve heart health • Promotes calorie afterburn • Boosts energy Cons: • HIIT workouts aren’t easy for beginners • Physical limitations may complicate the types of exercise you do

• If you’re new to exercising, you’ll need to work your intensity level up • Higher injury risk as your body is moving faster and is under more physical stress

30-Minute Workouts – Pros and Cons

Working out for 30 minutes in one stretch might seem like forever to some. In the traditional plan, you’ll want to do five half-hour sessions each week.

Pros: • Gets you moving • Helps improve cardiovascular health • Improves physical endurance • Helps promote weight loss • Promotes better sleep • More enjoyable than high-intensity effort in a short time (for some) • Getting in the 30-minute exercise “zone” can help relieve stress • Carries less risk of injury • Boosts energy Cons: • Longer workouts require more time out of your schedule • The thought of longer durations might discourage you from exercising • You might battle burn-out or get bored • Exercising continuously for 30 minutes several times a week may require equipment • At the start, you might not have enough stamina to exercise for 30 minutes straight Overall, these lists are not all-inclusive. The best fitness plan might be doing a mix of short workouts and longer workouts during any given week. Ultimately, exercising regularly, moving more than sitting, and working to the best of your physical ability are what matter most. If you have any questions about what type of workout is best for you, consult your doctor or a certified professional trainer.

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>All photos are courtesy of the Condado Vanderbilt

A Five-Star Dining Experience Contemporary cuisine at its best Rosario Fajardo

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rfajardo@wjournalpr.com

@RosarioWJournal

here’s a reason why the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel is always highly rated among guests and diners.

The luxury hotel experience is at its best at this iconic hotel, located in the heart of the chic Condado area of San Juan.

During a recent tasting experience, Michelin Star-rated Executive Chef Juan José Cuevas and his culinary team lived up to their reputation by providing a five-star culinary treat for a select group of diners.

Cuevas, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America who has received many awards in Puerto Rico and elsewhere, surprised and delighted with top-notch dishes and desserts, from tuna tartare canapes to grilled octopus served on coconut polenta, spinach, pine nuts and raisins; and my personal favorite: porterhouse steak , Tatemada Verde sauce, refried, potatoes with cream, and tortillas. He highlighted that many of the ingredients are raised and grown locally, to ensure freshness and top quality.

Based on the “oohs and ahhs” from other diners around me, “arroz de la montaña” seems to be a local favorite: a paella criolla with longaniza Spanish sausage, blood sausage, sofrito and garbanzos.

Other noteworthy dishes included confit Ora

King salmon with organic farro, pumpkin, Hana Donko Shiitake mushrooms and red curry juice; scallops in aguachile with avocado, serrano pepper and red onions; and rib eye with house sauces, refrito beans, onions, coriander, lime and tortillas.

And, of course, for the finishing touch, the desserts! Be sure to save room for dessert, known as “Vanderbilt’s Finest,” because they are to die for.

The Condado Vanderbilt’s culinary team includes

Carol Reyes, sous chef since 2012 and in charge of the meat and fish stations at 1919 restaurant; Alejandro Alicea Rodríguez, from Ola Ocean Front Bistro; José Álvarez Collazo, from Tacos & Tequila; Emmanuel Oliveras, the Banquet chef, and pastry chef Héctor Llompart.

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