The Regional Government began today the visit to the island of Faial with the opening of Flamengos Day Centre, where Vasco Cordeiro announced the creation of the new programme designated as "Solidarity in Motion" to support the renewal of the fleet of institutions working in the social area.
 
"This is an investment of about one million Euros over the next three years. It is intended to renew the vehicle fleet of these institutions as this is necessary so that their actions, through the provision of home care, can reach more people," said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
According to the President of the Government, the implementation of this new support programme will also pay "special attention to the new requirements," namely those concerning the use of electric vehicles and lower consumption of polluting fuel.
 
At the opening of Flamengos Day Centre, an investment of around 1.1 million Euros, Vasco Cordeiro assured that this new infrastructure "is not an isolated action" in the regional strategy to support Azorean elderly.
 
"Next year, we will conclude this investment that has been ongoing since 2013. It represents the creation of about half a thousand more elderly care vacancies" on all islands of the archipelago, stressed the President of the Government.
 
More important than the nearly 31 million Euros invested in this area since 2013 "are the approximately half a thousand elderly people throughout Region and their families, who will benefit from the tranquillity and quality of care" with these new responses, emphasised Vasco Cordeiro. In this regard, he pointed out the "partnership and virtuous alliance of goodwill" established with the institutions working in this area that "produces results on a daily basis."
 
According to him, this investment in Flamengos, like others carried out throughout the Region, plays a significant role in strengthening social cohesion as it ensures proper comfort and sheltering conditions and dignity to users.
 
But it also has a meaning in terms of territorial cohesion, Vasco Cordeiro said, noting that the Regional Government has taken a "clear" position towards the implementation of this type of social response, not only in urban centres but also in the communities where the elderly reside.
 
In fact, "this idea of territorial cohesion underpins a concept humanisation as far as these proximity investments allow people to continue residing in their community and maintain their environment," stressed Vasco Cordeiro.