The President of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, presented this Friday before the Valencian Courts his plan for the reconstruction of Valencia, after the DANA of 29-O, with aid to recover the homes of affected families, incentives for businesses and investments to repair damaged infrastructure.
This is a titanic task which, Mazón warned, cannot be undertaken alone by the Generalitat Valenciana, but also requires the collaboration of the central government, from which it has requested contributions amounting to 31 billion euros.
“The reconstruction of our cities, the recovery of our industries and the return to normal for thousands of families cannot depend solely on the resources of a regional administration,” he declared in this regard, “collaboration Right now This shouldn’t be something we have to ask for or negotiate; “should flow naturally, as the response of a sensitive government, conscious of its role in the well-being of its citizens.”
Because, he recalled, “when a disaster affects the citizens of a Community, This also affects the entire nation.. Every citizen who sees their home destroyed, every business struggling to survive, every family waiting for immediate help should be able to count on the assurance that you will not be abandoned to your fate“.
The structure of the Generalitat is also adapting to face the new challenge, with the creation of a Vice Presidency for Economic and Social Recovery, and a Department of Emergencies and the Interior, whose owners will probably be known this Saturday. These are some of the steps of the plan presented by Carlos Mazón.
1. Houses
Mazón announced direct aid of 6,000 euros which those affected will be able to spend on essential expenses, such as the purchase of furniture, household appliances and clothing.
2. Vehicles
More than 100,000 vehicles were damaged or destroyed by DANA. As already proposed by the PP, the President of the Generalitat asks the central government to launch a Renewal Plan, with 864 million for the replacement of passenger cars, vans and other light vehicles, and an additional 400 million for utility vehicles.
It also requires from the Central Executive a specific fund intended for dealerships and vehicle fleets.
3. Businesses
Carlos Mazón deemed the help line “insufficient” 838 million eurosthat the central government announced for companies that were forced to suspend their activity and suffered damage in their activities.
For the industrial sector, Mazón requests a specific fund that includes an item of 25 million to repair the energy supply of companies and an additional 132 million to reduce the electricity bill.
4. Employment
The Generalitat has already received 1,191 employment records by DANAwhich affect 16,007 workers. Among them, 1,178 are temporary files (ERTE) and 13 are labor regulation files (ERE).
Carlos Mazón recalled that the activation of ERTE due to force majeure in areas declared catastrophic will allow the workers concerned to access benefits quickly and without obstacles.
The Generality will offer 40,000 workers a training program to improve their skills and adapt them to new needs that may arise. It will also promote a plan to promote local employment to carry out the cleaning, recovery of public spaces and rehabilitation tasks necessary in this new stage.
The Regional Executive asks the government of Pedro Sánchez to establish an extraordinary cessation of activity benefit for the self-employed workers and farmers concerned, with direct aid of up to 6,000 euros and the temporary suspension of their tax obligations.
5. Municipalities and public spaces
Mazón asks for help from the central government one million euros for each municipality affected (in total there are 75 million), which will be used for cleaning expenses, debris removal, rehabilitation of public spaces and restoration of basic services.
6. Infrastructure
The Generalitat Valenciana also demands that the government of Pedro Sánchez activates the European Solidarity Fund to finance the restoration of infrastructure, public services and urgent aid to those affected. These investments, Mazón stressed, must also include the adaptation of sewer networks and the cleaning of natural spaces.
These resources, he warned, must also be used to undertake infrastructure needed to prevent further flooding, such as improved drainage systems and construction works. canalization of rivers and areas at risk of flooding.
7. Sports facilities
The Generalitat will award 100 million to a recovery plan for damaged sports facilities. In addition, he asks the government for 15 million euros in direct aid to professional athletes in these cities.
