The DRNA has not convened the Scientific Committee of the 2018 drought protocol

On August 9, 2026, El Nuevo Día reports that the Scientific Committee of the Drought Management Protocol has not been called. The guidelines formalized in 2018 list four working groups that are to support the Executive Committee of agency heads. Even though Puerto Rico began in May to experience the drought conditions that extend to that date, the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources never activated the committee that, under the protocol in force, is to provide specialized knowledge.

The body of the page was truncated when opened. The public excerpt of the same text, and the synthesis the outlet left in headline and dek, suffice for the fact: the DRNA did not convene the Scientific Committee. The 2018 protocol, according to later coverage by El Nuevo Día itself, provides for activating it when the Drought Monitor identifies atypically dry conditions. That activation, the note of the 9th says, did not occur.

DRNA secretary Waldemar Quiles said in later excerpts that Governor Jenniffer González Colón designated Josué Colón Ortiz to review the protocol. That review is another thread, dated August 18 at another El Nuevo Día URL. This piece does not preview it. August 9 covers the non-convening.

On August 4, NotiCel announced rationing. On the 10th, NotiCel covered the Drought Committee - the one of agency heads - anticipating D3 in the east and the metro area. Drought Committee and Scientific Committee are not the same body. El Nuevo Día distinguishes them: one meets; the other, the 2018 one, has not been called.

There is no list here of the four groups and no names of the scientists not convened. The newspaper did not put them in the open paragraphs. What remains is the fact of non-activation and the protocol date: 2018. A reader who wants the full guidelines has the URL at the foot. This is not original reporting.

Source: El Nuevo Día. https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/gobierno/notas/no-ha-sido-llamado-sin-activarse-el-comite-cientifico-que-dispone-el-protocolo-de-manejo-de-sequia/