PR: Who's sorry now?

SAN JUAN (AP) – The Department of Labor, through the Human Resources and Occupational Development Council (CDORH by its acronym in Spanish), assigned $9 million in relief for workers displaced as a result of the closing of the Roosevelt Roads Naval Base in Ceiba.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by Secretary of Labor Frank Zorrilla and CDORH executive director Brenda Sepulveda, citing that the funds were made available by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).

"This federal allocation, for immediate use, will allow workers displaced by the closing of Roosevelt Roads to find new jobs as soon as possible,” said Zorrilla in a prepared statement.

He also added that the funds will also aid employees of private businesses affected by the base’s closing.

"The base did not only employ Ceiba residents, it also employed resident of neighboring communities, that is why we have decided to expand the areas eligible for the economic aid,” said Zorrilla.

The northeast region is includes the municipalities of de Canovanas, Ceiba, Culebra, Fajardo, Loiza, Luquillo, Naguabo, Rio Grande and Vieques, while south east region in comprised of Humacao, Juncos, Las Piedras, Maunabo, Patillas, Yabucoa y San Lorenzo.