“A few difficulties have been reported regarding the payment of expenses for a property in Castanheira de Pera and two in Pedrógão Grande,” stated Margarida Bolseiro Lopes in Pedrógão Grande, following a meeting with local officials from the areas affected by the fires of June 17, 2017.
The official, referring to details shared by the executive secretary of the Comunidade Intermunicipal de Leiria, noted that expenses will be presented this week following the completion of a pending formality. Thereafter, the governance board of the Revita Fund will validate and execute payment.
“We regret the delay, but it will likely be resolved in the coming weeks,” the minister noted, highlighting that the Government fulfilled its promise earlier this year by removing the Revita Fund from the Treasury Unit of the Ministry of Finance through a provision in the State Budget.
The removal of the fund from the “perimeter” of the Ministry of Finance ensures “more agility to cover pending payments for the three properties and additional funds, which should be managed by the territory and its local officials.”
The three municipalities most affected by the June 2017 fires – Pedrógão Grande, Castanheira de Pera, and Figueiró dos Vinhos – will have approximately 1.3 million euros to apply in the region.
Besides covering the expenses for reconstructing the three properties, the funds will also be allocated to construct an intermunicipal daycare, with its location to be determined by local authorities.
“This area needs public investment but also people, and we recognize that one concern for young couples is securing daycare slots to balance having children with professional and personal lives,” the official emphasized.
Margarida Balseiro Lopes also mentioned ongoing efforts by the Government to improve the conditions of GNR posts in Pedrógão Grande and Castanheira de Pera, highlighted in a 2024 meeting due to their degradation.
In Pedrógão Grande, plans are set for constructing a new post, while in Castanheira de Pera, the existing building will be remodeled. Interadministrative contracts have been signed with the Government in both instances.
“In both cases, intervention was more than urgent, and both interadministrative contracts have been signed, enabling us to proceed with the rest of the process,” stated the official, directing inquiries regarding project tenders to the Ministry of Internal Administration.
The Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports also noted the Government honored its commitment to open a Citizen’s Space in Castanheira de Pera, as pointed out at the 2024 meeting between the Government and the local officials of areas impacted by the 2017 fires, which claimed 66 lives.
