The President of the Government assured today the Government's profound commitment to develop an ambitious social policy that provides the necessary responses to the Azorean society, such as the Valados Residential Homes, whose construction will now start.

The construction of this new Home, under a partnership with Seara de Trigo Association, is "a further in the implementation of an ambitious social policy that aims to provide a response to the Azorean population," said Vasco Cordeiro. The government official spoke at the ceremony of laying the first stone of this new infrastructure, a work included in the Regional Public Works Charter.
 
Vasco Cordeiro stressed that in the case of social responses provided to Azoreans with disabilities, the Government of the Azores aims to double the number of vacancies available in Residential Homes to nearly one hundred.

Besides the construction of Valados Residential Home, this investment of nearly six million Euros, which comprises the different stages of implementation, comprises the Residential Home of the "Santa da Misericórdia" of Velas on São Jorge, the Residential Home of the Association of Parents and Friends of People with Disabilities of Praia da Vitória, and the Residential Home of ACM - Christian Youth Association.

In his speech, the President of the Government stressed that the investment of 20 million Euros in the endowment of several partners of the Regional Government so that they can provide these social responses, especially in the promotion of social cohesion and equality of opportunities. Currently, they support about 1,100 people with disabilities.

"This type of support falls within the strategy of reinforcing social cohesion and leaving no one behind, especially those who are in a vulnerable situation," assured Vasco Cordeiro. The President of the Government emphasised that the "great movement of goodwill and spirit of partnership that involved nearly 250 institutions from all islands allowed the provision of social responses in numerous areas, an effort that involved the collaboration of over four thousand Azoreans.

"We believe that public investment is directed to these responses - about 53.6 million Euros - is fully justified," stressed the President of the Government. Vasco Cordeiro emphasised that the Government is "work hard to develop, within its powers, a policy that honours the responsibility of public bodies as active agents in the promotion of social cohesion and equality of opportunities."

On the occasion, Vasco Cordeiro expressed his willingness to enhance the partnership with Seara de Trigo by moving forward with the renewal of the Occupational Activity Centre, which operates in the premises of the former Special Education School. The intervention is intended to adapt to it to new technical demands and improve the conditions for the 70 people who attend the centre.