The President of the Government rejected today the views of those who believe that public entities only play a role of "mere spectators" in society, ensuring that the Regional Government has always assumed its "committed responsibility" to support those who are in more vulnerable situations.
 
"In our Region, we should have the ability to demonstrate that it is possible to reach a consensus on the establishment of this partnership between public and private entities, which will support nearly 45 thousand Azoreans" in several areas, said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
The President of the Government spoke in Angra do Heroísmo at the opening of the Temporary Shelter of the social institution "Confederação Operária Terceirense," an investment of nearly one million Euros with capacity for 30 people in situation of housing shortage.
 
In his speech, Vasco Cordeiro stressed that the Region should, therefore, be proud of the network of solidarity the Azorean Government intends to strengthen in the partnership with the institutions working the social areas on all islands of the archipelago.
 
This work is being developed "among the elderly, children and youth, families and even among companies. As for the latter, we clearly assume this responsibility to help them in a period of great difficulties," stressed Vasco Cordeiro.
 
On the occasion, the President of the Government stressed that the Temporary Shelter opened today includes a network of 15 temporary accommodation centres. It consists of four shelters with capacity for 200 people and two teams providing support to homeless people.
 
"Basically, it is the result of a public investment that exceeded 20 million Euros in 2015. It is mainly addressed to those who are in a vulnerable situation," Vasco Cordeiro said, emphasising that the work in this area has yet to be concluded.
 
In this context, the President of the Government pointed out, as examples, the Family Therapy Centre on São Miguel, which will enter into force next year, and the Temporary Shelter and Support Centre for the Homeless of Cáritas, a work with a four-million Euro budget to enter into operation also in 2017.
 
"I can announce today that we will also move forward with the rehabilitation works of a property owned by "Santa Casa da Misericórdia" of Horta in order to create a Temporary Shelter" in that city, added the President of the Government.
 
Vasco Cordeiro also stressed that the work opened today result from the convergence of wills, namely the will of a private institution, whose "mission is to help those in more vulnerable situations," and the will of the Government, which "takes up the committed responsibility to help and support those in a more fragile situation."