The President of the Government announced today the revision of the cooperation agreement between the Regional Administration and Local Authorities with the aim of improving collaboration in disaster situations, such as those that occurred in the municipalities of Nordeste and Angra do Heroísmo last week.

"During the meeting of the Council of the Government to be held on Graciosa, we will carry out a more comprehensive analysis of these situations. The improvement of cooperation mechanisms with Local Authorities to enable the reinforcement of cooperation in disaster situations is one of the matters that deserve our attention. Hence, the Government will present a legislative proposal, if necessary," added Vasco Cordeiro.

The President of the Government stressed that the situations that occurred in the municipalities of Nordeste and Angra do Heroísmo, as a result of heavy and sudden rain fall, raised our awareness for the need to improve the cooperation scheme between the Regional Administration and Local Authorities, which the Government "will do immediately."

Vasco Cordeiro spoke after the meeting with the Mayor of Angra do Heroísmo, Álamo Meneses, in order to assess the damages caused by Friday's rain in housing, business, trade, agriculture as well as in municipal and regional roads.

"From a perspective of quantification, this is work that is being carried out in conjunction with Local Authorities," said the President of the Government. Vasco Cordeiro was accompanied by the Vice-President of the Government, Sérgio Ávila, the Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity, Andreia Cardoso, and the Regional Secretaries for Tourism and Transport, Vítor Fraga, and Agriculture and the Environment, Luís Neto Viveiros.

One should recall that the President of the Government, Vasco Cordeiro, was in permanent contact with the Mayor of Angra do Heroísmo, Álamo Meneses last Friday. On the day before, Vasco Cordeiro visited the municipality Nordeste, which was also hit by heavy rains.