Media and news Regional Government of the Azores - Communication

Nota de Imprensa
May 10, 2024
Requalificação de entreposto frigorífico da Madalena representa dia feliz para setor das pescas, frisa Mário Rui Pinho
O Secretário Regional do Mar e Pescas, Mário Rui Pinho, declarou hoje que, com a requalificação do entreposto frigorífico da Madalena, no Pico, “todo o setor das pescas está de parabéns”, com uma infraestrutura “ao serviço de todas as pessoas ligadas à pesca na ilha” “A história da Ilha do Pico está intimamente relacionada com a pesca do atum, a sua transformação e comercialização. Todo o sector das pescas está hoje de parabéns. Esta infraestrutura está ao serviço de todas as pessoas ligadas à pesca na ilha do Pico: pescadores, armadores e indústria”, frisou o governante. Referindo-se à abundante safra de atum que acontece na Região, Mário Rui Pinho afirmou que tal é “consequência de uma estratégia de médio prazo, que apostou no desenvolvimento da frota, com o intuito de aumentar a quantidade de atum pescado”. “Agora temos todos que planear e organizar melhor, mês a mês, a safra de atum tendo em conta que a quota atribuída aos Açores é conjunta com a Região Autónoma da Madeira”, defendeu o Secretário Regional O Entreposto Frigorífico da Madalena, inaugurado no ano de 1988, sofreu, ao longo dos anos, algumas obras de manutenção tanto nos equipamentos como no edifício. Todavia, a estrutura do edifício apresentava sinais evidentes de degradação e os equipamentos sinais de desgaste devido à utilização intensiva a que estão sujeitos, tendo acarretado encargos elevados com manutenções e reparações. A não realização de uma intervenção de maior escala no entreposto poderia, a breve prazo, originar problemas graves em termos operacionais e de segurança que levariam, em última análise, à paragem completa da instalação, com consequências graves para a fileira do pescado da Região. A Requalificação do Entreposto Frigorífico da Madalena foi adjudicada pelo valor de €7.398.999,84, acrescido de IVA à taxa legal em vigor. A empreitada foi financiada pelo programa operacional MAR2020, através do FEAMP – Fundo Europeu dos Assuntos Marítimos e das Pescas. Com a entrada em funcionamento do Entreposto da Madalena, 2024 será o primeiro ano em que a Região terá em funcionamento simultâneo quatro grandes entrepostos frigoríficos. Com a conclusão da obra de Requalificação do Entreposto Frigorífico da Madalena fecha-se o ciclo de recuperação e requalificação dos grandes entrepostos da Região. Terminando o ciclo de intervenções com perspetivas de longo prazo na rede de frio, o Governo dos Açores irá agora dedicar-se à preparação das obras na rede de lotas e postos de recolha de pescado da Região, entre outras infraestruturas de apoio à primeira venda de pescado.

Nota de Imprensa
May 10, 2024
Alonso Miguel delivers fire truck tanker to Graciosa Humanitarian Associations of Volunteer Firefighters
The Regional Secretary for the Environment and Climate Action, Alonso Miguel, presided over the delivery ceremony of a fire truck tanker to the Graciosa Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters this Thursday. On the occasion, he noted that this is "a piece of equipment representing a long-awaited ambition and a pressing need for the proper operation of the island's only fire brigade. It is an indispensable tool for the protection of people and property on Graciosa Island." The head of Civil Protection stated that this ceremony was particularly symbolic. It marks the beginning of the plan to renovate the red fleet vehicles of Azorean fire brigades, within the remit of the Regional Secretariat for the Environment and Climate Action, through the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service (SRPCBA), with the delivery of the first red vehicle of a set of nine vehicles already awarded, including fire tankers, emergency vehicles, rescue vehicles and a multi-victim transport vehicle. According to him, this represents "an overall planned investment of 3.4 million Euros," adding that the fire truck tanker delivered during the ceremony corresponds to an investment of more than 310 thousand Euros. Alonso Miguel noted that "several regional governments have not purchased red vehicles to outfit and renovate the fleet of regional Humanitarian Associations of Volunteer Fire Brigade since 2010. For this reason, this is a strategic and fundamental investment for the civil protection system and the operation of regional fire brigades." In this regard, he added that "we will also deliver a multi-victim transport vehicle to the island of Flores in 2024, in addition to the estimated delivery of another three red vehicles to the Region in 2024, which will be delivered to Praia da Vitória, Ponta Delgada and Ribeira Grande." "We expect to receive the remaining five vehicles in 2025," he continued. He added: "In 2024, we have the firm intention of launching a new tender for the acquisition of another five vehicles, so that, in just three years, 14 red vehicles will be distributed to our fire brigades according to operational criteria, need and suitability." The government official also stated that "there are plans to invest about 370 thousand Euros in 2024 to purchase equipment for the SRPCBA and fire brigades, namely civil protection emergency kits, breathing apparatus and other equipment indispensable for good operational performance." The Regional Secretary stated that "all these investments represent a considerable financial effort which, combined with a strong commitment to the training and specialisation of firefighters and to raising awareness among the population, demonstrate the clear and unwavering commitment of the Regional Government to improving human and material resources. These are essential to the proper operation of fire services and the response capacity of the Azores Regional Civil Protection and Fire Service for the protection and safeguarding of the population." "As this is the first public opportunity I have with you, I have to offer a word of gratitude and praise to the firefighters who fought the HDES fire last Saturday," he added. According to Alonso Miguel, "the performance of those men and women is truly inspiring. It demonstrates the spirit of solidarity and courage and was a practical example of the skills and commitment of the Azorean firefighters to the noblest of missions: protecting human life." Alonso Miguel ended his speech by congratulating the Graciosa Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters on the integration of this important piece of equipment into their red vehicle fleet, noting that "it is another fundamental contribution to their capability building in terms of emergency response and action, in addition to improving the conditions for the rescue and well-being of the Graciosa population." "You can continue to count on the commitment of the Regional Government so that, side by side, we can guarantee all the necessary conditions to fulfil the missions entrusted to you and ensure an effective civil protection system in ou region," he said.

Nota de Imprensa
May 9, 2024
Azorean Government urges Ministry of Infrastructures to set up working group to study replacement of inter-island submarine cables
In a letter addressed to the Minister for Infrastructures and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz, the Vice-President of the Regional Government, Artur Lima, requested the urgent creation of a working group to analyse the most appropriate technical solution for the rapid replacement of inter-island submarine cables, similar to the one created for the CAM ring replacement process.  "This is a priority matter for the Azorean Government in terms of communications and very important for taking regional development to new heights," said Artur Lima. In his letter, Artur Lima highlights the "obsolescence of the inter-island fibre-optic submarine cable ring, the infrastructure responsible for connecting the islands of Santa Maria, Terceira, Faial, Pico, São Jorge and Graciosa to the islands of Corvo and Flores and the island of São Miguel and, as such, responsible for the digital connectivity of these eight islands to Mainland Portugal and the rest of the world." He also mentioned "some shortcomings that make us fear for the continuity and quality of the important digital connectivity service it supports" as reasons that justify the rapid progress of this process. The Vice-President of the Government stated that it is up to the National Government to comply with its "constitutionally established powers to promote the economic and social cohesion of the entire national territory as well as the mitigation of inequalities deriving from the remoteness of the autonomous regions." In the letter sent to the minister, it is suggested that ANACOM should chair the working group and include representatives from the Ministry for Infrastructures, the Regional Government and IP-Telecom for a period no longer than six months.  Artur Lima also defends that, in terms of targets, this working group should propose a solution that ensures state-of-the-art connectivity and defines a schedule for the renovation of the cable system with an estimate of costs. It should also consider the use of this system to support traffic associated with scientific projects.

Nota de Imprensa
May 9, 2024
Red Cross to install medical unit to mitigate effects of HDES fire, announces José Manuel Bolieiro
The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, announced on Wednesday that the Red Cross will set up a medical unit in São Miguel to mitigate the effects of last weekend's fire at the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital (HDES). José Manuel Bolieiro, accompanied by the Regional Secretary for Health, Mónica Seidi, made the announcement on the sidelines of a visit to the Lagoa Health Centre, which has opened an emergency unit to support patients with minor emergencies. The Red Cross unit to be installed at the Mãe de Deus School, in Ponta Delgada, will free up vacancies at the local Health Centre, which will be "fully available for the provision of regular care," he stressed. The President of the Government admitted the "intensity and pressure" of the moment, but praised the "expertise and dedication" of all those involved, adding that the reconstruction of HDES "will require a close collaboration between the Regional Government and the National Government."

Nota de Imprensa
May 9, 2024
Paulo Estêvão begins meetings today with private media outlets on support scheme
The Regional Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and Communities, Paulo Estêvão, begins today individual meetings on the island of Terceira with the heads of each private media outlet in the Azores to discuss different approaches with a view to reformulating the support system for the sector. The revision of the current PROMEDIA programme aims to agree on a proposal that will significantly increase support for private media outlets, ensuring greater access to them, regardless of the media they operate in. Paulo Estêvão will visit the private media outlets on each island and meet with their leaders, seeking common ground for an agreement that will always acknowledge the autonomy of media outlets and journalists. In the context of island territories and geographical dispersion, the private media carries out its mission of unquestionable public interest focused on consolidating a critical and qualified public opinion. The Regional Government reiterates that the future support programme, regardless of its format, which will be defined after extensive consultations, will ensure that any interference in the editorial freedom of the media is kept at bay.

Nota de Imprensa
May 8, 2024
Consignment agreements signed for construction of houses in Ginetes and Vila Franca do Campo
The Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, signed today the consignment agreements for the construction of houses in Ginetes, in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, and the "Foros do Sol Mar" housing development, in Vila Franca do Campo, to the company Caetano e Medeiros, Lda. The signing of the consignment agreements fulfils the conditions for each project to be launched, with an overall investment of about three million Euros, plus VAT, under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) for the Region. The works contracts now awarded include the construction of five houses in Ginetes and 23 houses in Vila Franca do Campo, thus "reinforcing the public housing supply for young people and middle-class families with children or single-parent families on São Miguel Island, stated the Regional Secretary after the signing of the consignment agreements in Ponta Delgada. Maria João Carreiro also emphasised that the ‘Foros do Solmar’ project is moving forward ‘because the PSD/CDS/PPM government stepped up and took the decision on a project that was abandoned by the socialist government and whose construction promises deceived the Vila Franca do Campo families for far too long, with obvious losses for young people and families in that municipality." The houses to be built will give families access to their permanent home under conditions suited to their income, who otherwise would be excluded by the current market conditions. "These investments are in stark contrast to the apathy that prevailed until the end of 2020," stated the Regional Secretary.

Nota de Imprensa
May 8, 2024
Applications for ESTAGIAR U until May 31
Applications are now open for ESTAGIAR U, a professional traineeship programme in a real work context for young students living in the Azores and enrolled in higher education, including graduate, master and postgraduate programmes. The Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment, through the Regional Directorate for Vocational Training and Employment, informs that the application period runs simultaneously for young people and promoters until May 31on the empregojovem.azores.gov.pt portal. The traineeships are one month long and can be carried out in July, August or September, starting and ending in the same month, with a maximum 25-hour working week. The working hours are identical to those of promoters (private companies, cooperatives, public companies, non-profit organisations). Young people are entitled to an allowance corresponding to the Minimum Monthly Wage in the Region. This amount is reduced by 50% when trainees opt not to attend a certified training workshop with a minimum duration of 20 hours in e-learning format after-work hours covering areas such as entrepreneurship, personal development or digital marketing. As an alternative to training in these areas, young people can choose any other training programme certified by the entities responsible for training certification in Portugal. 

Nota de Imprensa
May 7, 2024
SOLENERGE distinguished in national public policy award
SOLENERGE, a financial incentive for the purchase of solar photovoltaic systems to be installed in the Autonomous Region of the Azores, was distinguished at the 2023 edition of the ISCTE Award, which annually distinguishes the most relevant public policies implemented in Portugal. As such, the Regional Directorate for Energy was invited to present SOLENERGE to public policy students at ISCTE - University Institute of Lisbon at a session that also addressed the regional energy policy and the various measures underway resulting from the Regional Government's commitment to promoting energy transition in the archipelago. During the session, SOLENERGE, which provides full support for the purchase and installation of solar photovoltaic systems in the Azores, was recognised as a model policy with the potential to be replicated at a national and international level. This measure has been in force since September 2022, under Investment C14-i03-RAA- Energy Transition in the Azores as part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, with an overall allocation of €19,000,000. As of April 30, 2024, 4,956 investment applications have been submitted, with an approved incentive of €13,357,080.88, corresponding to an approved capacity of 9,815.74 kW. A total of 790 applications have already received funding, representing an incentive amount of €6,970,621.73 and an installed capacity of 5033.68 kW. As regards the achievement of the milestones to meet the proposed target of 11.2 MW installed in solar photovoltaic systems by the end of 2025, the first milestone has been reached, with an installed capacity of about 3.7 MW by November 30, 2023. The target for December 31, 2024, is the installation of a further 6.7 MW.