Firefighter Rui Rocinha, who was seriously injured in a fire in Pedrogão Grande in June 2017, this Monday asked the government and the opposition for a “serious commitment” to cohesion and criticized measures that do not produce results.
“On this Portugal Day, we will use the attention of this celebration to call, in the presence of the government and opposition representatives, for serious commitments towards these areas of low population density,” said Rui Rozinha in Pedrogão Grande, at a military ceremony marking Portugal Day. Camões and Portuguese communities.
Before the President of the Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the President of the Assembly of the Republic José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, the Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, members of his government and representatives of the opposition parties, Ruy Rocinha asked for “serious and real territorial, social and structural cohesion, and not just paper measures without effective implementation.”
The head of state invited the firefighter to speak at this year’s Portugal Day celebrations, which will take place in Pedrogão Grande, Figueiro dos Vinhos and Castanheira de Pera, municipalities hardest hit by fires in June 2017, which left 66 people dead and 253 were injured. ., in addition to the destruction of homes, businesses and forests.
Ruy Rocinha, 46, was the commander of the Castanheira de Pera volunteer fire truck mobilized to fight the fires, followed by four other firefighters. One of them, Gonçalo Conceição, died.
Following his injuries, he was hospitalized for six months (including two and a half months in a coma) and returned home in mid-December of that year. He underwent more than 30 operations and retired.
In his speech, the firefighter, who is on the corporation’s honor roll, recalled the fires, remembering those killed – especially his colleague Gonçalo Conceição – and the wounded, stressing that the scars are “deep and irreparable.”
“The tragedy exposed many of our vulnerabilities, but it also highlighted our unity and resilience as a nation,” he noted, noting that “the affected region showed the world the power of Portuguese solidarity,” while not forgetting the help from foreign communities.
However, Rui Rocinha, who carried out the intervention in a wheelchair, considered that “very little reached the territory” and “the bureaucracy is heavy and time-consuming.”
“The path to recovery has been quite difficult,” he admitted, arguing that we must “fight to ensure that the affected region not only recovers, but emerges stronger, with safer infrastructure, stronger emergency services and environmental and forestry policies.” , which prevents future tragedy as climate change is a daily reality.”
According to the firefighter, “it is necessary to invest in sustainable economic activity that guarantees a prosperous and, above all, decent future for the inhabitants of the region.”
Rui Rocinha then pointed out the “structuring problems” faced by those who live, want to settle, invest or engage in tourism in these municipalities in the north of the Leiria region.
A shortage of doctors, little public transportation, the “extremely dangerous route” that is the region’s additional Route 8, telecommunications failures, limited educational opportunities or a lack of jobs were examples he pointed to.
“Despite all these problems and difficulties that could easily make us give up and leave this region, we continue here, stoically and with great determination, resisting the transformation of this territory, making it more attractive, fair, secure and, above all, united. “, continued Rui Rocinha.
The firefighter, who described himself as an optimist, also said he strives “for a Portugal where all citizens, regardless of where they live, can live with dignity, safety, hope and without negative discrimination.”
“May all Portuguese, both those living in Portugal and those in the diaspora, learn from the past, unite in the present and work together for a future in which security, prosperity and well-being are a reality for all,” – he stated.
For Rui Rocinha, paying tribute to the deadly victims of the Pedrogão Grande tragedy means “continuing the fight for a stronger and more resilient country.”
“May the spirit of solidarity, unity and justice lead us to a better future for all,” the firefighter added, ending with “Viva Portugal.”
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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