[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6622732,"mediaKeyId","2778554-a9200b9689108928dc64ee418d40ff2d","parentId",2778554,"title","Labor department outlines Delta and Perfil platforms, seeks closer coordination with central IT office","audioSeconds",4541,"startMs",2655000,"endMs",7196000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2778554-a9200b9689108928dc64ee418d40ff2d&start=2655&end=7196","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2778554-a9200b9689108928dc64ee418d40ff2d/thumbnail_2655000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6622732/Labor-department-outlines-Delta-and-Perfil-platforms-seeks-closer-coordination-with-central-IT-office","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622732-1e3719499eda50de0433646dc7e1fa09/orig.mp4?Expires=1770976047&Signature=TTSy5XTfMwv3jpMWw-NZ1TqLS1rGaoUYqS4BXsz52yGjywm0zOUhs54Lzw0R98jP8PNJ5~X5AkSS0vRSV-Qv9gDhiWAl6~ElPmTjRNB3i4gXPDPvgUGGAXkkgMdb8WabO5ASJyXH85xB989MSmmVdU9Gb7xwPo0--vr-Bkv2ytH29fn1i5FjdrlhAi3BrTNACdZvW3yZk5n5lKOfg2S26IUnvrReYkJoxLJ5iaEIUgypP-W6ztEmWkgvz0LTrljM07dDtFGHGTPwlt4kpm4iPSTXRo0la2zxU9ysLpOUOzYlk0HxRRnjGzxTVXaQ8d5rqIuFg10jLL7zOiNprIgiew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Camara de Representantes PR","date","2025-03-26T17:56:40.267Z","article","Department and OTRH officials told the House Finance Committee they are implementing several technology initiatives intended to speed call response, integrate employer and claimant data and support training and recruitment.

Department staff described three named platforms discussed in their memorial and testimony: Delta, which will include a module to automate recoupment notices in unemployment overpayment cases; a call‑center solution contracted from a local vendor to improve telephone responses; and Perfil (also referenced as a pilot under names such as AFOREFOL or Perfil), a matching platform meant to pair jobseekers with openings and to support public‑employee career development.

Why it matters: Committee members said an integrated, end‑to‑end platform that connects claimants, employers and caseworkers could reduce improper payments, speed adjudications and improve reemployment outcomes. Lawmakers repeatedly asked for implementation timelines, integration plans and security approvals from the central technology authority (Prix).

Details and coordination
- Delta: Department said Delta will add a recoupment module to the unemployment claims system to generate automatic recovery notices and reminders. Officials said Delta is being implemented to reduce manual follow‑up and improve recovery of overpayments.
- Call center and vendor services: The department said it contracted with a Puerto Rico‑based vendor to improve telephone response capacity and that the system should reduce backlog and help citizens reach staff more quickly.
- Perfil / AFOREFOL: OTRH said the profile/matching platform ran as a pilot with several agencies and training providers and will be reactivated once the pilot evaluation is complete; the platform is intended to match candidates to suitable public‑sector positions and to suggest training paths for career progression.
- Coordination with Prix: Officials said they have met with Prix leadership to streamline approvals and integrate agency needs into the governmentwide technology plan; Prix authorizes major IT projects and agencies must follow its guidance.

Requests and follow‑up: Committee members asked the agencies to submit a schedule for Delta rollout, a list of systems that must be integrated or replaced, and the security‑approval status with Prix. Department and OTRH staff agreed to provide that documentation and to coordinate with the commission on tech milestones.

Ending note: Officials said pilot programs and vendor contracts will be reactivated in the coming months and that they will supply detailed timelines and integration maps to the commission.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Audiencia 1","oneSentenceSummary","Officials described projects to modernize claims handling and employment matching, including Delta for recoupments and Perfil for job‑matching, and said they are coordinating with central government technology office (Prix) to align investments.","taxTitle","House of Representatives, House, Committees, Legislative, Puerto Rico","taxId",77854,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6622737,"Labor officials describe task force on unemployment fraud, say PUA overpayments and recoveries need follow‑up",1619,6847000,8466000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2778554-a9200b9689108928dc64ee418d40ff2d&start=6847&end=8466","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2778554-a9200b9689108928dc64ee418d40ff2d/thumbnail_6847000.jpg","/articles/6622737/Labor-officials-describe-task-force-on-unemployment-fraud-say-PUA-overpayments-and-recoveries-need-followup","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622737-33c68523cfad135b6f00b1245a43808e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770976047&Signature=TjmFaoTqB2xterTCWSYF164wywHwENtZmUEEnhubs1ZlHHMbJkCIzlA8vPsha-koYYqO8iqu3AjfHxw3FGK6~JqcnnkmVifc6HpX3Dmy-Y4O5CQwWYC3m4x6Jy9n4qF3O-LwrpXBfF1UGJv9UFYodM2UfV5-hhM4lzu0S6a0WsiSjUdyw5zuu2k3sgVnyXIBT9sZu1GyYb1KJm7w9~wx~NPL0LncbQHg3ex2JLmIE04ojd9VoAw3nsYKagRJZkF0ggCdxSWZAUB7lSiBXFo8S-MIoWlHgtLW2uqR7LVTjAOQSEH6tjSMJr~EQmhu2DRq0ggSjWcXJ8capoocl-UOCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Department of Labor officials told the House Finance Committee on March 26 that they have an internal integrity unit and a task force that includes Commonwealth and federal investigators to pursue fraud in unemployment benefits, including claims tied to pandemic programs such as PUA.

The secretary and staff said multiple criminal cases have been filed recently and that the agency is working with Puerto Rico public‑safety investigators and federal partners to refer and prosecute matters that arise from internal investigations. The department also reported it has requested additional staff for fraud control and is evaluating technology and contractor options to improve detection and recovery.

Key points
- Integrity efforts: The department said it maintains an internal administrative integrity unit and a task force with agents from the Department of Public Safety and federal authorities to investigate suspected fraud and overpayments.
- PUA and pandemic funds: Lawmakers pressed for the total amount the department received for pandemic‑era PUA programs and for a breakdown of cases already prosecuted for fraud; the committee asked the department to provide those numbers in writing within five days.
- Recovery and prevention measures: Officials described work to add staff in fraud‑control units, to pursue administrative and criminal remedies and to evaluate the use of outside contractors on a contingency basis for debt recovery. A legislator suggested contingency fees of around 10 percent as a market reference; department staff said they will consider the approach.

Why it matters: Pandemic‑era benefits generated a wave of improper payments nationwide; local legislators said showing that Puerto Rico has controls and recovery plans is critical to preserving future federal funding and public trust.

Requests and follow‑up: The committee asked the department to supply the total PUA disbursement amount, the known total of identified fraud cases and recovery totals for cases closed to date. Members also asked for a description of steps the department is taking to prevent future improper payments.

Ending: Department officials said they would provide the requested statistics and a description of integrity‑unit capacity within the deadline set by the commission.","The labor department described internal integrity units and a task force working with law‑enforcement partners on pandemic‑era fraud and overpayments; lawmakers pressed for statistics on total PUA receipts, confirmed fraud prosecutions and recovery amounts.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6622742,"Representatives press Labor Department on $25 million in overdue arbitration/conciliation receivables and collection strategy",123,5197000,5320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2778554-a9200b9689108928dc64ee418d40ff2d&start=5197&end=5320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2778554-a9200b9689108928dc64ee418d40ff2d/thumbnail_5197000.jpg","/articles/6622742/Representatives-press-Labor-Department-on-25-million-in-overdue-arbitrationconciliation-receivables-and-collection-strategy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622742-ba7caaf77d7b68602f9b4771b2bda619/orig.mp4?Expires=1770976047&Signature=LeBdLjXEJaQ4mvrXzOeBytNZ02CldGMnEKbQquIWtnMMjHmjW9PdixuMtdKNHLRqffhptjbVEmOV8CVN3~geEdX7i2ovvek6ldAAkVEz-epx~l-9jzVYDfs4ItY047a8I2o-LWE5F6AxCwmvscz7pBwnmDkNPKsp1prR4EUMHitxI14456-gA9j3peLbxx5qs5dg63qwc~vn0aoPPLV2VK184ZB8-8NlQg6eHDOK54jLBTNm5ZIq5Gj3Bk-ttH5unfwRaI4fMG7NGASVgriAZjbR3XfPjzMUDhYEYu~a0eqICSfB9IFBkRx5DrhuscmknXY1m-ozh1OJydMhnGZNIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives pressed Department of Labor officials on March 26 about long‑standing accounts receivable, including a table in the agency memorial showing roughly $25 million owed to the department under the conciliation and arbitration program.

Committee members asked why the receivables have not been collected and whether amounts tied to public corporations — which in some cases are in bankruptcy or subject to a fiscal‑adjustment plan — are included in those totals. John Rivas García and other budget staff explained that page five of the memorial lists accounts receivable while page six lists accounts payable, and confirmed the $25 million figure refers to receivables tied to conciliation and arbitration.

Discussion and follow‑ups
- Collectability concerns: Members noted some debtors are corporations in financial distress or involved in restructuring plans under court supervision; agency staff said collecting from insolvent entities is difficult and that some debt is likely not recoverable without legal remedies.
- Need for a collection unit: The department said it lacks a sustained collections team and that organizational discontinuities and staff shortages have hampered long‑term recovery efforts. Agency witnesses said reorganizing and creating specialist teams is part of their plan.
- Contingency contracting suggested: Representative Héctor Ferrer asked whether the department had considered retaining private collection firms on a contingency (percentage‑of‑recovery) basis; department staff said they had not formally vetted such contracts but were open to the idea and would consider market rates (one legislator suggested ~10%).

Why it matters: The receivable balances affect the department’s net resources and the arbitrations fund that supports collective bargaining processes. Lawmakers said the figures are material to budgeting and that the legislature should not treat large receivable sums as reliable revenue without verification.

Requests: The committee asked the department to provide a written analysis identifying which receivables are likely recoverable and, if possible, to list those that are effectively uncollectible or included in bankruptcy proceedings. The department asked for up to ten days to return that analysis to the commission.

Ending note: The committee recorded the need to coordinate with other committees that oversee entities such as the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, since corporation debts may intersect with separate restructuring plans.","Lawmakers asked the Department of Labor why arrears tied to conciliation and arbitration total about $25 million and whether debts tied to bankrupt public corporations are collectible; agency staff said collecting requires dedicated teams and the department will explore contingency recovery contracts.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6622746,"Office of Administration and Transformation of Human Resources outlines FY25–26 request and progress on civil‑service reform",354,3366000,3720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2778554-a9200b9689108928dc64ee418d40ff2d&start=3366&end=3720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2778554-a9200b9689108928dc64ee418d40ff2d/thumbnail_3366000.jpg","/articles/6622746/Office-of-Administration-and-Transformation-of-Human-Resources-outlines-FY2526-request-and-progress-on-civilservice-reform","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622746-2679572b6c743e5628f4cd8fd96796d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770976047&Signature=cUeEaRMi7R0BFFe08cP6KGrf1UENw3THKm6Nq3QpwPAd8hdQFW6G7X~kGkGWWVXZv98hlpAE8qGs5Lj80B0Itktcqf25YT3jMINjEWh8VdkU-U3FVjzEJ2HdnlkY3ogZCod-u7pf8GtAmKHBSkJxfFGN0pQeoa8qQAzsK4HZ8W9oY~1giXnJzXSPB6-mFiocWnK1-gBO0TLxXPB6X7mPg6XHouDhn4ZrB3ZOzGeVG~v4M9OPTOgeoPNUj-atvAVZKFVjqjFctK6vYQM74uSWQkc1Fr5dj9zHPOj1t27SblP4C12v8h7-PrdWKnZQ6CSf8PM4U0rHpPJlInZtoV-XyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Facundo M. Dimauro Vázquez, director executive of the Office of Administration and Transformation of Human Resources (OTRH), presented the OTRH budget proposal and described organizational changes and the agency’s role implementing the civil‑service reform created by Law No. 8 of 2017.

Dimauro said the OTRH’s approved FY24–25 budget was approximately $12.83 million and that the proposal for FY25–26 is roughly $12.035 million, with most funding requested for payroll and program operations. He told the committee the proposed FY25–26 request includes new career service positions for budget and IT, additional technical staff in evaluation and compliance, and staff for the Institute for Employee Training and Professionalization (IDEA).

Why it matters: OTRH administers the law that centralizes human‑resources management across roughly 64 agencies, and its classification and retribution work affects pay scales and hiring across the public sector. The agency’s implementation status will affect payroll costs for agencies and the rollout of professionalization and training programs for public employees.

Key details
- Organizational changes: Dimauro said an amendment approved Nov. 14, 2023, added an Office of Special Projects and created 37 new positions plus reclassification of 23 filled positions. He listed new career posts in budget, IT and compliance and said two IT positions (assistant systems manager and application developer) were added under the career service.
- Budget numbers: OTRH staff said the agency’s FY24–25 approved budget was $12.83 million, with $5.935 million for payroll. The proposed FY25–26 budget is $12.035 million, with $6.159 million requested for payroll costs. The proposed funding sources cited were the general fund, special state funds and a $35,000 special allocation mandated by Law 66 (Manuel A. Pérez awards).
- Civil‑service reform: OTRH officials told the committee they are at roughly the fourth of six implementation stages for service reform, with the current work focused on classification and retribution plans, recruitment process redesign and talent management policies. Dimauro and OTRH staff said many corporation plans are moving through review but that implementation timelines and funding must be coordinated with the Financial Oversight Board and each corporation’s board.
- Training and partnerships: OTRH said it runs a pilot “Perfil” (Profile) platform for matching candidates to positions and collaborates with the University of Puerto Rico and municipalities on training; the office reported 10,815 employees took training during FY24 across 232 sessions (department provided that figure for the record after the hearing).

Requests and next steps: OTRH asked the commission to consider the agency’s projected income from funds that pay for services to municipalities and corporations and to support phased rollout of classification plans and training platforms. The office said some corporations may opt for private consultants and that the OTRH remains available to provide the service at lower cost.

Ending note: OTRH officials agreed to provide requested detailed income projections and a list of corporations with classification plans in process within five business days.","OTRH director Facundo Dimauro presented the agency's FY25–26 budget proposal, the creation of new offices and progress on the governmentwide classification and retribution plan tied to the civil‑service reform law.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6622752,"Puerto Rico Department of Labor presents FY25–26 budget request, cites staffing, facilities and legal changes needed",1019,2271000,3290000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2778554-a9200b9689108928dc64ee418d40ff2d&start=2271&end=3290","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2778554-a9200b9689108928dc64ee418d40ff2d/thumbnail_2271000.jpg","/articles/6622752/Puerto-Rico-Department-of-Labor-presents-FY2526-budget-request-cites-staffing-facilities-and-legal-changes-needed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622752-e9966b3cd3001fa23c52e6616e7bdf6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770976047&Signature=EoGwAGYQ2ih7oAsFbj5gk6y4Gdjf6Leg1enOyU-jl8iTjyWSlrQ6YY01F8tcTp~jfK3OL218e3AumN6V4R8dx4yfgb4-mAWgf~9gvPj3lhKVDr3K9kUbtAdoim2jacXDfzvajjOXkstgdvB8ZmYRxVrs1kA6-J0XGHYr0IDXrZhQst-PGfdqQhZtMyvD-N-hx2zBKE6-6gn3tb1tCRfblTaUIHHfvr4dzg4~r~FR-GBbB77nvYPjxyxmNV7rjh4r4b3YaG56-N4PeFXXq~c3iKP2dNpgQPfi7MljX08pkFWoBpqb1wRfSytkmSmfAZHUYJ9KyuJBfAao5rPt0Q4csA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The secretary of Puerto Rico’s Department of Labor and Human Resources, Nitche Irizarri Algarín, presented the agency’s budget request for fiscal year 2025–26 to the House of Representatives’ Commission of Finance on March 26, saying the department needs increased staffing, technology upgrades and changes to its organic law to carry out core functions.

Irizarri told commissioners the department has “an urgent need to recruit essential personnel” and to modernize information systems after finding “an absence of a formal structure” to manage federal funds and weaknesses in the claims system. In her oral presentation she described the creation of a proposed office for external and federal affairs to improve federal grants management and compliance.

Why it matters: The department said current administrative limits have reduced its capacity to manage federal programs, collect receivables and supervise enforcement of labor laws. Committee members repeatedly pressed for data on recurring federal funding and for a plan to avoid sudden service cuts if non‑recurring federal money expires.

Most important details
- Staffing: Irizarri said the department had 996 employees as of Feb. 28, 2025, of whom 962 were active and 34 were on pre-retirement status under then‑existing law. She said the agency’s total was 143 fewer employees than on June 30, 2022, and outlined a hiring plan to fill vacancies in critical units such as contributions and claims administration.
- Operations and technology: The secretary said the department lacks a funded computing/systems office and described projects under way, including implementing a platform called Delta that will add a module to automate recovery notices for overpayments. Irizarri said the absence of automatic recoupment notifications reduces the government’s ability to recover overpaid unemployment benefits.
- Facilities: The presentation listed multiple infrastructure needs at the department’s central building — restroom remodels, conference room repairs, replacement of HVAC units, asbestos management and purchase/installation of an emergency generator — and said those repairs are necessary for safe operations.
- Legal and enforcement changes: Irizarri proposed amending the department’s organic law to permit administrative sanctions and penalties for labor‑law violations so the agency could better enforce compliance and generate fee income to fund enforcement personnel. She said drafting of a bill would begin to enable that authority.
- Budget totals and sources: In committee the secretary recited the consolidated request as stated in the agency memorial (verbatim excerpt provided to the commission). She described three funding components in the memorial: general‑fund allocations, special state funds and federal funds. The department’s written memorial lists line‑item breakdowns in the annex; committee staff asked for a separate schedule mapping those lines to federal versus local sources.

Committee questioning focused on whether the budget amounts shown in the governor’s joint resolution matched the department’s requested totals and on the large variance that appears between the agency’s requested payroll allocation and the baseline used by the Financial Oversight Board. Agency staff said the difference results from the board’s baseline methodology and that the department will use special state funds to cover shortfalls the board did not recommend.

What the department asked members to provide: Irizarri and budget staff asked the commission to (1) review the memorial annex for detailed line items, (2) permit time for the department to supply additional documentation on projected special‑fund revenue and (3) consider drafting or supporting an amendment to the department’s organic law to add administrative penalty authority.

Context and next steps: Committee members gave the department five business days to supply items requested during the hearing, including a breakdown of special‑fund revenue projections, a reconciliation of payroll baselines and documentation on federal funds that are expiring or at risk. The commission chairman said the committee will compare the departmental memorial with the governor’s joint resolution when the formal budget is submitted in May.

Ending note: The department closed its presentation and offered to answer follow‑up questions in writing and in subsequent hearings; committee members scheduled additional document deadlines in the record.","Secretary Nitche Irizarri told the House Finance Committee the Department of Labor and Human Resources presented a consolidated budget request for FY2025–26 and asked for legal changes, staff hires, technology upgrades and facility repairs to restore operations and recover revenues.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Labor department outlines Delta and Perfil platforms, seeks closer coordination with central IT office

Labor officials describe task force on unemployment fraud, say PUA overpayments and recoveries need follow‑up

Representatives press Labor Department on $25 million in overdue arbitration/conciliation receivables and collection strategy

Office of Administration and Transformation of Human Resources outlines FY25–26 request and progress on civil‑service reform

Puerto Rico Department of Labor presents FY25–26 budget request, cites staffing, facilities and legal changes needed