“The measures announced by the government are insufficient to address the scale and consequences of the forest fires. Therefore, the PCP is introducing a bill to strengthen urgent support measures for fire victims, broadening aid and filling gaps the PSD and CDS government did not address,” stated PCP parliamentary leader Paula Santos at a press conference in the Assembly of the Republic.
Among the communist party’s proposals is increasing the maximum cap of exceptional support for farmers to compensate for losses to 15,000 euros, instead of the 10,000 proposed by the executive.
Additionally, the PCP seeks support for those who have lost their sources of income, including “farmers, workers, or pensioners,” as well as the provision of exceptional support for those in proven economic hardship, allowing it to be cumulative with other supports, with a minimum duration of one year and possible extension.
Paula Santos also criticized the PSD/CDS-PP government for not directing “a single measure” towards firefighters in the package announced at last month’s extraordinary Council of Ministers.
Highlighting that the firefighters “were tireless,” the communist leader recalled that in July, the PCP already presented a bill aimed at recognizing the firefighting profession as one of rapid wear, allowing these professionals the right to early retirement, more vacation days, and a hardship allowance.
In a new initiative, the communist deputies aim to expand the rights of these professionals, including financial support for students, waiver of court expenses, or contribution to access nursing homes for personnel with at least 15 years of service, as well as for their spouses and first-degree ascendants.
The communist deputies want the creation of the missing forest sapper teams, highlighting that around 20 years ago, a goal of 500 was established and currently, there are only 415, alongside the urgent intervention mandate in identifying post-fire procedures, “ensuring urgent soil stabilization, timber removal, care for affected wildlife, invasive species control, waterline protection, and reforestation of affected areas.”
The PCP also presents two resolution projects (non-binding) proposing extraordinary support of 50 million euros for the humanitarian associations of firefighters included in the DECIR (Special Device for Combating Rural Fires) and the acquisition by the State of the necessary aerial means to combat fires.
When questioned about the government’s announcement to review the organic law of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), Paula Santos pointed to cases of lack of coordination and articulation between entities and noted that “indeed there are aspects that are not well in the organization and the Civil Protection system.”
“Now, it requires a review that actually solves the problems,” she highlighted, providing an example of creating a national firefighting command.
Paula Santos also announced that the PCP will submit two requests for parliamentary hearings to listen to AGIF – Agency for the Integrated Management of Rural Fires, and the ICNF – Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests, in the parliamentary Committee on Agriculture.
