28 Feb Advocating for Progress: DDD Group at the Forefront of Puerto Rico’s Permitting Reform

DDD Group President Umberto Donato recently joined fellow representatives of the Associated General Contractors of America, Puerto Rico Chapter (AGC-PR) in a pivotal meeting with Norberto Almodóvar Vélez, Assistant Secretary of the Permits Management Office of Puerto Rico. The discussion centered on the urgent need for a more efficient and streamlined permitting system, a long-standing challenge for the construction industry that has often led to costly delays in infrastructure and development projects.

Among the AGC-PR representatives present were AGC-PR Executive Director Dra. Ali Soami Vargas, former AGC-PR President, Ing. José Ortiz, and current AGC-PR President, Ing. José Torrens. Torrens and Donato, also a former AGC-PR president, are members of the newly established Infrastructure and Construction Council, a select group of industry leaders dedicated to advancing Puerto Rico’s reconstruction and infrastructure development.

Puerto Rico’s permitting process has historically been plagued with inefficiencies, but recent government initiatives aim to change that. Governor Jenniffer González Colón has prioritized permitting reform, announcing a series of measures to improve the system. These include redistributing technological resources within the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC), reassigning key officials, extending the timeframe for certification updates, and amending existing laws to enhance efficiency.

“The reform has already begun,” Governor González Colón stated. “We should see all these types of things in the coming months. Some changes, particularly those requiring legislative amendments, will take longer, but we expect to see progress in the coming weeks.”

As a leader in Puerto Rico’s construction and design industry, DDD Group is committed to more than just its own success. The company actively drives initiatives that benefit the entire construction sector, advocating for reforms to accelerate progress for all industry colleagues. By participating in critical discussions like this, DDD Group continues to play a key role in shaping policies that foster long-term growth, ensuring that infrastructure projects move forward efficiently and effectively.

DDD Group stands out as a company dedicated to innovation, collaboration, and industry-wide advancement. With a firm belief that a thriving construction sector benefits Puerto Rico as a whole, DDD Group remains at the forefront of efforts to improve permitting processes, enhance infrastructure resilience, and create a more sustainable future for the island.