The Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA) acknowledges the audit finding regarding the unused capital advances as of June 30, 2024. It is important to clarify that these funds were received under the Working Capital Advance (WCA) Program, an initiative led by COR3 to expedite the implementation of FEMA...
The Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA) acknowledges the audit finding regarding the unused capital advances as of June 30, 2024. It is important to clarify that these funds were received under the Working Capital Advance (WCA) Program, an initiative led by COR3 to expedite the implementation of FEMA‐funded recovery projects. The WCA Program provides subrecipients, such as PRPA, with a 25% upfront advance of the total project cost to address initial project expenses and mitigate delays due to cash flow constraints. The WCA advance is disbursed by PRPA upon completion of contracted deliverables by vendors or suppliers, particularly during the design and early implementation phases of projects. As of the audit date, most of PRPA’s FEMA projects under the WCA were still in the design phase, and the disbursements made thus far correspond to completed design services. The remaining balance of WCA funds will be disbursed as vendors fulfill the contractual milestones tied to architectural and engineering (A&E) and construction services. The apparent delay between fund receipt and disbursement reflects the timing of deliverable completion rather than a lack of project activity. PRPA continues to monitor the progress of A&E and construction services to ensure timely disbursement aligned with actual project progress. To strengthen the oversight of WCA funds and ensure timely utilization, PRPA management is implementing enhanced administrative controls. These include the development and formal adoption of internal procedures aimed at improving the handling, identification, and classification of FEMArelated funds. These measures will support better alignment between fund disbursement and project execution timelines and demonstrate PRPA’s commitment to the prudent and compliant management of federal funds.