P.R. Laws tit. 25, § 172g
(a) Situations governed by a presidential emergency or disaster declaration.— To the extent practicable, the emergency and disaster management plans and programs of the Government of Puerto Rico shall be coordinated with those of the Government of the United States.
The Director, under the supervision of the Commissioner, shall be responsible for the coordination and implementation of said plans and programs, and shall act as liaison between the Government of Puerto Rico and the Government of the United States to such ends.
(b) Situations governed by a declaration of a state of emergency or disaster issued by the Governor of Puerto Rico.— In situations where the intervention of the agency is pertinent, the Governor of Puerto Rico shall decree a state of emergency or disaster through an executive order, and the Director, under the supervision of the Commissioner, shall be responsible for the coordination, implementation and administration of the disaster management plans and programs.
The Governor of Puerto Rico shall appoint the person responsible for disaster administration who shall act as the Governor’s Authorized Representative (GAR) during all disasters, whether declared by the President or by the Governor, and be responsible for the proper management of any appropriated Commonwealth and federal funds. The Governor shall likewise appoint the person who shall act as State Coordinating Officer (SCO) in every emergency or disaster where federal assistance is requested for response, recovery or mitigation functions.
History —Aug. 2, 1999, No. 211, § 9; Dec. 28, 2000, No. 447, § 4.