Press Releases

San Juan, Puerto Rico – In order to maximize transparency, prevent risks in the management of public funds and raise the standards of compliance in government management, the Office of the Comptroller of Puerto Rico (OCPR) and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) signed today an unprecedented interagency agreement, which formalizes and strengthens their strategic collaboration for the benefit of the people of Puerto Rico. The agreement was signed by the new Comptroller of Puerto Rico, Attorney Carmen A. Vega Fournier, and the Inspector General, Ivelisse Torres Rivera, who highlighted the shared commitment of both entities to sound public administration, accountability and institutional integrity.

Vega Fournier stated that modern oversight requires government coordination, institutional maturity and agile systems that allow public controls to be optimized. She emphasized that the alliance reached “allows us to add capabilities, share knowledge and strengthen the ecosystem of government controls so that Puerto Rico has a more transparent, more ethical and responsible public administration,” and stressed that the oversight process requires strategic vision and constant collaboration.

For her part, Inspector General Torres Rivera noted that the agreement highlights that strategic collaboration is not only a complement to good government, but a fundamental pillar to ensure the proper use of public funds. “We join capabilities from our particular jurisdictions to strengthen internal controls, raise compliance standards and ensure that the State administers its resources efficiently. Through this alliance, the Government reinforces its oversight capacity, fostering the trust of the citizenry,” she said, highlighting the role of both offices in the supervision of government processes.

As part of the agreement, both agencies will establish mechanisms for the secure exchange of information through protected technological platforms, as well as strict confidentiality protocols to guarantee the protection of documents, reports and sensitive data. The agreement will also allow specialized technical assistance for investigations, audits and interventions related to risks or possible irregularities in public management. All interagency support will be accompanied by measures that ensure the protection of records, the proper handling of information and compliance with the legal duties of both entities.

The document also integrates joint initiatives in education and training aimed at officials, public employees and the general public. Among these, training sessions, guides, circular letters, educational materials and pedagogical tools will be developed focused on strengthening the culture of compliance, the proper use of government resources and best practices in public administration. It is also established that both entities may issue referrals and collaborate in the evaluation of corrective action plans related to noncompliance or findings that require interagency intervention.

Finally, the Comptroller emphasized “…the agreement not only formalizes an existing collaborative working relationship, but also raises it to a new level of integration, shared responsibility and oversight efficiency. We reaffirm our willingness to continue promoting initiatives that strengthen the people's trust in their institutions and consolidate a modern and collaborative approach to public supervision in Puerto Rico.”