Under the proposed law, a specialized division within the DDEC would take over the ICP’s essential cultural responsibilities.
Puerto Rico Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz has introduced a bill proposing the elimination of the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña (ICP) and the transfer of its functions to the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC).
The bill, Senate Project 273, argues that the ICP’s structure has become outdated, bureaucratic, and ineffective in addressing contemporary cultural and economic needs.
“The ICP was created to preserve and promote Puerto Rican culture, a fundamental part of our identity,” the bill states. “However, over time, its structure has failed to modernize, creating redundancies and obstacles that have limited its impact.”
Under the proposed law, a specialized division within the DDEC would take over the ICP’s essential cultural responsibilities.
The proposal has been met with strong opposition from cultural advocates and the ICP’s employees, represented by the ProSol-Utier union. They argue that dismantling the ICP will affect Puerto Rico’s cultural preservation.
Marisel Flores, president of ProSol-Utier’s ICP chapter, warned that this measure risks turning culture into a commodity.
“For nearly 70 years, career employees, the cultural community, and the people of Puerto Rico have fought to maintain this institution. We will not allow its dismantling,” she told El Nuevo Día.
The ICP’s responsibilities extend beyond event organization and public cultural programs. Established in 1955 under Law 89, the ICP plays a crucial role in identifying and protecting historic sites, managing archives, promoting traditional arts, and advising on construction regulations in historically significant areas. Critics argue that moving these responsibilities to the DDEC—a department primarily focused on economic growth—could weaken the cultural protections currently in place.
Union leader Ángel Figueroa Jaramillo emphasized that the proposed transition confirms long-standing fears about the erosion of the ICP’s role. “In recent years, the ICP has prioritized its institutional image over its core mission of cultural preservation. This transition would mark the loss of an entity dedicated to protecting our heritage,” he said.
To rally opposition, ProSol-Utier has called for a meeting on Feb. 3, 2025, in Santurce, to organize a multi-sector response. Advocates insist that rather than eliminating the ICP, efforts should focus on strengthening the institution while preserving Law 89 of 1955.
As the debate continues, the future of Puerto Rico’s cultural preservation hangs in the balance.
