The PSD Algarve considers that the non-inclusion of the construction of the Hospital Central do Algarve (HCA) in the State Budget for 2017 is the biggest flaw in this document.
In a statement, the PSD also gives as an example the lack of rail connection to the airport of Faro as “proof of the abandonment to which the Algarve and the Algarve has voted by the Government”.
This link is seen as “fundamental for the Region's tourism and mobility, in general terms, and for its development model”. The Government dropped the proposal “by not including it in the FERROVIA 2020 Plan, dated February of the current year, and by not registering any funds for this purpose in the OE for 2017”, explains the PSD.
However, the most serious flaw that the PSD points to the State Budget for 2017 is the non-inclusion of the Hospital Central do Algarve.
The construction of the new Central Hospital of the Algarve is «a consensual work in all sectors of social, economic and political life in the Algarve and there is a technical study, from 2006, prepared by a PS Government, which would serve as a basis for evaluating and deciding on the priorities of new hospitals, which had considered the Algarve as the second priority at national level», refers the PSD.
This decision not to include the construction of the HCA in the State Budget did not have, for the PSD, «technical basis for this decision, at the time when the PS Government announces the construction of three new hospitals in the country – Lisbon, Seixal and Évora ».
As for the EN125, the Social Democratic Party says that the works, which have not yet been resumed, "will force the closure of some sections, which will entail great difficulties in circulation and serious problems from the point of view of road safety."
As for the sea, the PSD considers that the State Budget «does not present any budgetary framework for the interventions to be carried out in the Commercial Port of Faro, nor does it foresee any investment in improving the accessibility and operational conditions of the Port of Cruzeiros de Portimão».
With regard to agriculture, it is said that the «National Irrigation Program» will not move into next year, which will imply that the Várzea de Odeleite Irrigation Network will not be implemented.
“It is absolutely unknown when the approval of the Intervention and Requalification Project of the Culatra Nucleus (referred to in article 84 of POOC Vilamoura – Vila Real de Santo António), including the requalification actions of public space and the completion of the process of regularizing the ownership of housing», says the PSD regarding the environment.
This party also refers to the lack of indication given the management of the Center for Medicine and Rehabilitation of the South (CMRSul) as a problem. Even so, as reported by the Sul Informação, the mayor of São Brás Vítor Guerreiro said that this decision is close.
As for the economy, the PSD considers that the «increase in the tax burden on tourist establishments included in the Local Accommodation typology is serious and penalizing for the Algarve». The State Budget "also does not provide for the creation of programs for the opening of new air routes and for the timely transfer of funds to the Regional Tourism Entities", he adds.
Culture is also, for the PSD, a point of disagreement, saying that the «insignificance of the funds provided for the region is such that the Algarve will receive, if these assumptions are fully met, only 0,7% of the total regionalized funds from the Culture Program».
Even so, the «365 Algarve» program will have an investment greater than the entire budget of the Ministry of Culture for the region, they stress.
Finally, with regard to finances, the PSD considers that the “application of the IMI surcharge to the local accommodation sector and catering companies” is negative, as it will harm residential tourism and the purchase of second homes.
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