P.R. Laws tit. 29, § 823d
In order to comply with the purposes of this chapter, the Advocate shall have the following powers and duties, among others:
(a) To determine the internal organization of the Office and establish any systems that are needed for its proper functioning and operation, as well as to perform the administrative and managerial activities needed to implement this chapter and any other local or federal acts and the regulations adopted by virtue thereof which are delegated to him.
(b) In accordance with what is established in § 13 of this act, subject to the Governor’s approval, to appoint the personnel needed to execute the purposes of this chapter, pursuant to Act No. 5 of October 14, 1975, as amended, known as the “Public Service Personnel Act”, deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, subject to the standards and regulations of the Department of the Treasury.
(c) To enter into agreements or contracts with the agencies of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and of the Government of the United States of America to render services to veterans and their families that will ensure the protection of their rights, and for the administration of any program or funds appropriated for those purposes.
To such effects, the Office of the Veterans Advocate is designated as the agency of the government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico which shall be charged with the administration of any Commonwealth or federal program which, because of its nature, purpose and scope, is related to the functions entrusted to it by this chapter. The Advocate, after consultation with the Governor, shall have the responsibility of entering into and executing all the necessary contracts and agreements so that the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico can receive all federal funds and benefits in order to carry out said programs.
(d) To render an annual report of all its activities to the Legislature of Puerto Rico.
(e) Prepare and administer the budget of the Office as well as the funds which, by virtue of any local or federal laws, are appropriated or assigned to the Office for their administration, and also establish an accounting system pursuant to the legal provisions in effect with regard to the accounting, administration and disbursement of public funds.
(f) In the exercise of his/her discretion and in compliance with the ministerial duty to watch over the best interests of veterans and their families, the Advocate, upon prior consultation with the Governor, may negotiate and grant to private interests all types of contracts or use other contracting models, including the delegating of the operation and total or partial administration of installations, facilities or programs that have been delegated to him/her or that the Veterans Advocate’s Office is in charge of.
History —June 27, 1987, No. 57, p. 188, § 5; Dec. 13, 1990, No. 38, p. 1554, § 4; Aug. 27, 1994, No. 105, § 3; Jan. 10, 1998, No. 20, § 2.