The President of the Government stated that social measures such as the Regional Pension Supplement and the support for the purchase of medicines are also a way of building an increasingly solidarity-based Region, thus returning the contribution that older people have given to the Azores.
 
"Who does not recognise the past does not realise the present and is hardly able to define the future," said Vasco Cordeiro. The President of the Government spoke at a gathering with senior citizens from São Miguel, an initiative promoted by "Casa do Povo" of Maia, municipality of Ribeira Grande.
 
Bearing in mind this principle, the Government of the Azores has implemented several social support measures, promoting public investment in infrastructures, the President of the Government stressed, pointing out the examples of the Regional Pension Supplement and the support for the purchase of medicines (COMPAMID).
 
Last year, the Regional Pension Supplement covered more than 35,000 seniors, representing an overall investment of 25 million Euros.
 
This measure has registered an increase in each year of the current legislative period: three percent in 2013, two percent in 2014, two percent in 2015 and also two percent this year. Overall, this measure registered an increase of 10 percent during the current legislative period.
 
With regard to COMPAMID, which benefited about 4,000 seniors in 2015, it will be extended this year to the elderly who retired due to disability.
 
According to Vasco Cordeiro, these measures, among many others, are implemented by the Government of the Azores not just as an obligation, but rather with the "belief that this the way of becoming a better Region."
 
"That is what makes the difference in the Azores in regard to other realities. We are proud of leaving no one behind within the limits of our powers and resources," stressed Vasco Cordeiro.