The president of the Valencian Community, Carlos Mazondid yesterday Friday what no other official from the rest of the administrations and agencies involved in the disaster of October 29 did, including the Minister of Ecological Transition. Therese Ribera: give long and detailed public explanations in the Valencian Cortes on the management of a crisis which now counts 216 dead and 16 missing.
The chronology described by Mazón coincides with that prepared by EL ESPAÑOL after two weeks of investigation, and points to negligence on the part of the Júcar Hydrographic Confederation (CHJ), which on fifteen occasions omitted the written alert required by its protocol during the key hour and a half of the flooding of the Poyo ravine.
Added to the inexplicable and unexplained omission of the CHJ is the cessation of work planned for 2021. for the channeling and drainage of the ravine, which the CHJ itself considered “priority” to reduce the risk of flooding in the area.
As EL ESPAÑOL requested, Teresa Ribera will have to clarify these two points in particular detail next Wednesday at the Congress of Deputies. Both are, in this newspaper’s view, more serious than Mazón’s errors in judgment in not having requested the declaration of a national emergency or in having focused his attention on the possible failure of the Forata dam, induced by the “information vacuum” of the CHJ.
But it is the second axis of Mazón’s intervention, that of the reconstruction of the affected area, which today interests ordinary Valencians the most.
Mazón announced a restructuring of his government, which will include the creation of a vice-presidency for economic and social recovery, and that he will be responsible for coordinating “the reconstruction of Valencia and the Valencian Community”.
This vice-presidency will be in charge of both the management of European funds and the promotion of employment in the community. Also “support for small and medium-sized businesses”, as well as “the promotion of cooperatism and innovation”.
Mazón will also create a new portfolio for emergency management, the Department of Emergencies and Interior, which will be responsible for strengthening prevention against disasters like the one that occurred on October 29. With prevention, the second major task of this new Ministry will be the development of response and aid protocols in the face of crises like the current one.
Mazón also spoke of promoting a “culture of urgency”, in which all of Spain must progress to reach a level of consciousness similar to that which exists among citizens of the United States.
The president of the Valencian Generalitat finally mentioned eight specific financial measures.
The first, direct aid of up to 6,000 euros per accommodation, and up to 800 euros for renting accommodation during the rehabilitation of damaged buildings.
The second, the expansion of the Valencian inclusion income.
The third, emergency contracts so that damaged public centers can continue to operate normally.
The fourth, tax deductions for those affected, and ranging from the deduction of 100% of expenses linked to damage to the habitual residence up to a 45% deduction on investments intended for the creation or expansion of businesses, or a 50% bonus on inheritance and gift taxes.
The fifth, exemption from the health fee.
The sixth, twenty million euros for the repair of rural roads.
The seventh, one hundred million euros for the reconstruction of roads, bridges and the Metrovalencia network.
And the eighth, 431,970 euros for emergency contracts aimed at restoring electrical services damaged by Dana.
Mazón, in summary, gave explanations about what happened in the critical hours of the flood, assumed his share of responsibility for the crisis and announced the restructuring of his government for the reactivation of economic activity and social in the Valencian Community.
Mazón even undertakes not to run for office if he fails to “lead the reconstruction” of the Valencian Communitysomething that was welcomed with satisfaction in a PP that considers it a gesture of responsibility.
It is time for the government to do the same.
