Gobernadora Announces Significant Reduction in Construction Permit Processing Time

The San Juan Daily Star reports that Governor Jenniffer Aydin González Colón has announced a 42.1% reduction in the average time required to process Construction Permits. This reduction from 107 days in 2024 to 62 days in 2026 signifies a substantial improvement in the efficiency of the construction process in Puerto Rico.

During the annual convention of the Association of Construction Companies in Puerto Rico, the Governor highlighted the importance of streamlining the process, emphasizing that each day reduced from the workflow means more certainty for investors and greater capacity for projects to progress from the planning stage to actual construction. She also emphasized the need for a clearer jurisdictional framework and uniform application criteria to ensure accountability and balance economic development with environmental protection.

Colón's announcement comes amidst a broader push for regulatory changes, including the proposed new Planning and Permitting Code under consideration by the Legislative Assembly. The Governor stressed the importance of addressing jurisdictional ambiguities, standardizing criteria, establishing accountability mechanisms, and balancing economic progress with environmental conservation.

However, several local organizations and experts are calling for greater transparency in the legislative process, requesting the public disclosure of the draft reform bill. They argue that the bill, despite being shared with certain private sectors, has not been made available to community groups, environmentalists, urban planners, and other stakeholders. Furthermore, they demand that the official version of the reform bill be made subject to public comment periods.

Legal expert Pedro Saadé, of Sierra Club Puerto Rico, expresses concern over the lack of public disclosure and participation in the bill's development. He calls for the bill to be made public at the earliest opportunity and for appropriate public comment sessions to be held once the official version is finalized.

Environmental ecologist Ariel Lugo also emphasizes the need for public involvement in the decision-making process, suggesting that all affected sectors should be given the opportunity to provide input before finalizing the reform.