José Manuel Bolieiro highlights “strategic investments” in São Roque do Pico - Communication

Presidência do Governo Regional

The President of the Azorean Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, continued the second day of his statutory visit to Pico Island with a meeting with the São Roque municipal council, led by Luís Filipe Silva. The session emphasised consultation, institutional coordination, and oversight of key investments in the municipality.

The head of the Azorean Government stressed that this visit has been marked by close "dialogue" with the three municipalities on the island. In this regard, he considered that the outcome is "extremely positive," highlighting that many of the measures being developed in Pico are structural, multi-annual projects, with some currently under preparation and others already underway.

The President of the Government also emphasised the importance of the proper implementation of EU funds for these investments, expressing his "positive expectations regarding the development momentum that Pico Island is experiencing."

Among the strategic topics discussed was the protection of the São Roque do Pico coastline, an investment considered a priority for the safety of people and property. The work contract was awarded last August and is now entering the development phase.

The health sector also received renewed attention, with the head of the Azorean Government acknowledging that, over the years, there has been some deterioration in equipment and infrastructure. The Government is addressing this situation with a plan to improve and refurbish health centres. Infrastructure upgrades are also underway in the education sector. The refurbishment and expansion of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de São Roque do Pico building was also highlighted, corresponding to an investment of about €4.8 million. This project has already been approved and is underway. It will strengthen social responses, particularly in terms of nursing homes, whose relevance has already been acknowledged by the entities involved.

The Regional Government has also promoted investments in forest roads, agricultural roads and water supply systems, measures that contribute to better working conditions in the agricultural sector and greater resilience of the territory. Regarding civil protection, a new ambulance and a fire truck tanker were recently delivered to the São Roque do Pico Humanitarian Association of Volunteer Firefighters, boosting the department's response capacity.

Regarding the concern expressed by the municipality about the condition of the head of the breakwater at the São Roque do Pico commercial port, José Manuel Bolieiro assured that the Regional Government is attentive to the resilience of the archipelago's port, airport and road infrastructures.

The President of the Government also mentioned the importance of monitoring the RTRP programme – Portugal Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, created to respond to the climate disaster affecting several regions of the country, and assessing the possibility of accessing funding for interventions to strengthen the protection and adaptation of Azorean infrastructures. 

"We want to understand the scope of the measures and to what extent we can submit applications, through the Regional Port Authorities, to improve the resilience of our infrastructures," he said, defending that the Azores should be recognised for their geographical location as an archipelago and their increased exposure to adverse weather conditions.

José Manuel Bolieiro also stated that he intends to hear political parties' views on this matter, stressing that "it would be important for the National Government to fully extend these measures to the entire affected territory, considering the specific characteristics and vulnerabilities of the regions."

According to the President of the Government, the meeting in São Roque do Pico confirmed the importance of ongoing dialogue between the Regional Government and the municipalities as the basis for responsible and coordinated government action geared towards the sustainable development of Pico Island and the entire archipelago.