The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for Parliamentary Affairs stressed the "importance of conducting the debate on poverty and all public debates with rigour as well as with political and intellectual honesty." As he stressed, one cannot "present the Azores as poor region, when there are some pockets of poverty that demand a strong and intense action," regretting the attempts to "take political advantage of this situation."
 
Berto Messias presented in Angra do Heroísmo the deliberations of the Council of the Government, noting that the Government has approved the creation of a coordination team for the Network of Local Development and Social Cohesion Centres.
 
"This coordination team will be entrusted with mission of setting up local multi-sectoral teams responsible for the operation of Local Development and Social Cohesion Centres within 30 days, “added the government official.
 
The Regional Secretary also emphasised the identification of the territories to receive priority status: the villages of Água de Pau in the municipality of Lagoa, Arrifes in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, Fenais da Ajuda and Rabo de Peixe in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, and Terra-Chã in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo.
 
Berto Messias highlighted that this is "another measure, among others, that embodies a truly clear political option as provided for in the Regional Strategy to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion of the Azores.
 
"Despite the economic indicators we have today, proven by independent and independent entities, which show that we have more jobs today, more economic activity, that we have a significant growth in the improvement of equipment and human resources in education and health, in the reinforcement of public investment, there are areas that cannot be forgotten and left behind and which should be monitored more closely and more consistently, "said Berto Messias.
 
The government official stated that this effort "falls under the responsibility of the Government," but it is also a responsibility of all public and private entities and all social agents, namely those with political and social responsibilities.
 
Also, in the social area, Berto Messias revealed that new regulations have also been approved for the "Employment Cradle," which will "extend the scope of eligible beneficiaries of this employment and family programme."
 
"These benefits will be extended in order to cover all female and male workers on initial parental or adoption leave, regardless of gender, who will be replaced in their job by recipients of unemployment benefits," said the government official.
 
The "Employment Cradle" programme was created and implemented by the Regional Government, being regarded by the European Union as "an example of good practices in family support."
 
The Government of the Azores has also decided to launch of the public tender for the rehabilitation and recovery works of the Nossa Senhora da Conceição Convent and Church, also known as Carmo Church, with a base price of one million Euros.
 
Berto Messias pointed out that this investment is "a follows the recent discovery of archaeological findings in the classified building and contiguous areas, which strongly influence the architectural and spatial structure of the entire convent and church area. Therefore, it is fundamental to carry out an intervention for the rehabilitation and recovery of these buildings as well as to ensure its compatibility with Conceição Palace."
 
Also, in the area of historical and religious heritage, the Regional Government has decided to classify the painting panel entitled "Lamentation over Dead Christ," owned by the São Miguel Arcanjo Church in Vila Franca do Campo, São Miguel Island, as Movable Property of Public Interest.
 
The approval of the Regional Implementing Decree on the implementation of the 2019 Budget and the teaching career progressions were other decisions taken by the Council of the Government.