The Government will be preparing the closing of the Finance Departments of the Algarve's most peripheral municipalities, namely Alcoutim, Castro Marim, São Brás de Alportel, Monchique, Aljezur and Vila do Bispo, after the municipal elections.
This closure was reported by a senior responsible for the General Directorate of Contributions and Taxes, at a recent meeting of the Finance Services in the Algarve.
The Municipality of Aljezur, whose executive is led by the socialist mayor José Amarelinho, has already taken a position against this possibility of closure of services, stating that such “information makes us seriously concerned, as we may be facing another strong attack on local autonomy and to the quality of life of our populations, contributing once more to provoke the exodus from territories already of low density».
In the case of Aljezur, adds the mayor in a statement, the situation is "even more serious", since the municipality has "a very aging population, with a large percentage of elderly residents who find it difficult to travel, by their own means, to the large urban centers».
Asserting himself «aware of the need to modernize and reorganize the public administration», Amarelinho defends that «the process of reorganization of Finance services must be carried out in a transparent manner and participated by its professionals, negotiated, explained and never imposed, as well as by the local authorities and citizens who deserve the full respect of local authorities and should also enjoy the same respect from the State».
The mayor of Aljezur adds that, «if it is true» this closure, it will be «facing a “mercantilist” logic where people no longer count”, and announces that he has already requested, yesterday, «the due and complete clarifications about of this matter” to the General Directorate of Finance.
The social democrat Rui André, mayor of Monchique, claims that he is "completely unaware" of the possible intention to close down the Finance services and even attributes the fact that the issue is now being raised to "pre-electoral campaign actions".
However, he affirms that "if there is the slightest shred of truth in this intention to close the tax offices, namely Monchique, "I will be the first to oppose it head-on, because I am totally against such closures".
«I hope that there is common sense, because, if this intention is true, it will be the removal of another service that people really need, and a service with a high level of productivity, which works very well. Just see that there are users from other councils who come to Monchique's Finance to deal with their affairs», concluded the mayor.
O Sul Informação it has already asked the Ministry of Finance for clarification on this issue.
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