Madeira News Blog

(23rd September). Today’s main news headline and front page photo today shows an apartment block with road works underway out front : ‘Rushed Works Cause Damage – The inaugurations require the exceptional works to continue ‘out of hours’, and that causes noise, damage, and complaints’. The rush to finish the works causes bother, and in the end they work out more expensive. The overtime and extra money is nice for those who benefit, but working at ‘full gas’ has it’s risks. In Amparo (Funchal), the rush to complete work on the new link road between the Estrada Monumental and Nazaré, means men and machines working around the clock in the hope that the road can be inaugurated in time for the elections. The people of Piornais are losing sleep because of the situation, but there is no record of any authorisation of the extended working hours through the proper government channels. There is not even a special ‘noise permit’ granted, as is necessary when working during unsociable hours, nor even any sign of an application for one. Last night the works caused a electricity ‘blackout’ in the area between 8 pm and 9.30 pm. The electricity company said it was nothing to do with them, and the suspects are the contractors working in Piornais. As well as problems for the local population, hotels and businesses have also been affected. The works at Ribeiro Seco (port access) are also cited as causing local problems. The Diário also points out that in similar circumstances, just before the regional elections of 2007, two construction workers were killed at work. For the construction industry, according to a trade union spokesman, Madeira is the most profitable place to be in Portugal at the moment, but warns of the dangers of using workers who are tired and have little time for rest. "When working within very tight deadlines it increases the risk of accidents", he adds.

‘Police officer Assaulted By The People In Caniçal – The violence coincides with the criticism made by Jardim towards the police. The ASPP trade union protests "indignation" for the lack of respect’. The officer, who was on traffic duty, went to hospital with a fractured toe and / or a serious foot injury, after the assault on Sunday night, which occurred during the gathering for Nossa Senhora da Piedade when he intervened in a quarrel. The incident happened just hours after president Jardim had criticised police for not intervening during a political event which disturbed his inauguration of the new cycle path in Funchal. Jardim’s words have infuriated the trade union representing the police, with a spokesman saying that it is not acceptable for a political leader to ‘tarnish’ the institution of his own police force. "When a politician does not respect the PSP, people are also legitimised to disrespect the police," said the TU bloke. "These people are the first to throw the stones, and the last to give us a hand" he said, adding that he was "very angry" with the statement of the President. Jardim accused the PSP of not upholding the law and limiting itself to issuing parking tickets. What Jardim said deserves to get him in trouble, as I for one know that the PSP generally do a good job, but to link what he said with the trouble in Caniçal is just plain stupid and asking for more trouble. I often say that Jardim does little of use and says stupid things, but that doesn’t incite blog readers into nipping out and giving Uncle Bertie a bit of a kicking (you don’t do you?).

‘Câmara Finished With Containers In São Martinho’. The council ‘dumps’ the two companies that had set up on dubious sites. In a situation that has dragged on for some months, Funchal Council has guaranteed that the matter is on the brink of being resolved. The issue involved a piece of land on the west side and adjoining the cemetery in São Martinho, brought by Funchal Council many years ago to enable the means of expanding the cemetery itself. Two (GRP) shipping container companies located there have been bothering local residents by parking trucks on the nearby road. The two companies were ordered some time ago to leave the site, which they had no right to occupy, but nothing happened. The council has now passed a new resolution to deal with the matter, and this time if the warning does not work the police will be called in to enforce the situation. Once the site it cleared, it will be sealed off to prevent future problems.

‘Stop … Gripe A’ – The secretary of Education launches on video and audio a prevention campaign’. Not translated, that is the actual name of the new initiative started yesterday. The material gives in plain and simple terms an awareness of how to prevent the spread of swine flu. It even has it’s own song, which will be included in school music lessons. I see posters are now appearing in bar and cafe loo’s round my way. I would rather they put them at the entrances, as once the virus carriers are inside the risk starts. Surely the main aim is to keep the risk away altogether, whilst hand washing after a pee is just good hygiene? Whilst on the subject, Madeira was Gripe A free for the last week, with 14 suspected cases all proving negative.

An article covering dentistry and dentists on Madeira is published on this blog, but makes difficult reading, indicating to me an automatic software translation with a minimal effort to correct. TWELVE COMPLAINTS AGAINST DENTISTS

‘Albuquerque Promises A New Public Garden’. In an article about the inauguration of a new apartment block called ‘Madalenas Residence II’ in Funchal, the president of Funchal Council said it is the next objective to create a large public garden in the area of Madalenas. The new building contains 80 apartments, of which nearly half are already sold, and cost €11 million of private investment.

‘Madeira Has A Public-Private Social Partnership’. It is a discrete project, apparently modest, but for the three thousand families involved it is of exceptional importance. Because with the support of EU funds, the involvement of the councils, and the Development Agency of Madeira, the restoration and improvement of run-down houses has become possible. Yesterday in Santa Cruz, contracts were signed with 38 families in the parish of Caniçal, that benefit from the supply of tiles, paints and other materials for the restoration of their homes. A helping hand that could amount to €3,500 per family. The scheme was revealed by the president of Santa Cruz council, José Alberto Gonçalves, who says that the restoration project in Santa Cruz will involve "320 families and more than 1,300 people, and a gross financial outlay of €1.2 million, with the council itself investing €250 thousand". The families involved will receive the materials by the end of this year, and then they have 90 days to complete the work. The scheme is being rolled out in 8 of Madeira’s 11 regions.

(15th September). Today’s main news headline : ‘Câmara Loses Revenue – Funchal council charged tax to the Pestana Hotel Group at the start of an unconstitutional regulation. As a result, 15 years after, it is forced to return 255 thousand Euros’. It’s an old case, dating back to December 1994, when the boss of the Pestana Group was told that the câmara had determined the payment for council tax had been established at over €255,000 for the division of lots at the site of Quinta Leacock. The local authority considered that such a fee was payable under the Regulations of Fees and Licenses, passed by the council on 9th May 1994. The Pestana Group argued that the site, intended for the construction of the ‘Pestana Village’, was exempt from the regulations, and first appealed to the courts in 1996. From there it gets complicated and detailed, but in a nutshell, 13 years after the initial court case, the Pestana Group has now won its battle, and is now free to recover the payment which should never have been made.

Today’s main front page photo shows a concerned lady pointing up at the scenic rock face in front of her : ‘Houses And Road At Risk In Madalena – The report of LREC confirmed the evident signs of ‘instability’ in the rock face’. A cliff face with obvious signs of instability is causing concern in Madalena do Mar. It’s the part between sítios da Palmeira (above) and Banda d`Além (below) in the general area of the bathing complex to the west. It is causing particular concern, as in the event of a collapse, the buildings above could also be sent plummeting. The findings are revealed in a report by the Regional Laboratory of Civil Engineering (LREC), who were on site to assess the conditions of the problem area located slightly ahead of the mouth of the tunnel that leads to Calheta, almost opposite the access ramp to the local beach. A spokesman from Ponta do Sol council tries to reduce the fears saying that "the opinion is just a warning. There is nothing [danger] imminent". However, the council is working with a housing organisation "trying to find alternative space" for residents in the danger zone, because says the council president, "perhaps not to do ‘the devil contrives’ and we have there another problem in our hands" (as a rule, I try and avoid translating such sayings or expressions). The assessment by LREC was triggered by an application for a building permit for a block of 12 apartments, an application that was understandably refused in the circumstances. Amongst the recommendations of the LREC to stabilise the rock face are dynamic barriers, high strength mesh, and where possible steel and concrete reinforcement, as well as the building of a wall lower down to retain falling rocks. The report also warns of the danger of carrying out the costly work, which in itself might trigger some problems, and the dangers of continuing erosion through atmospheric conditions. Rui Marques, council president, who is a qualified engineer, believes that the LREC report is "just a warning of the possibility and not an imminent situation. The opinion is more about prevention, with care needed not to scare people", he said.

’87% Of Candidates Get Placements In The First Phase Of Higher Education – Just 187 Madeiran students didn’t get through’. It is the lowest number in recent years, with only 187 students not placed in the first stage of the competition for access to Higher Education. 87% of the candidates who competed on Madeira for a place in the Portuguese universities were selected. Until this Friday, the 187 students who were not placed in the first round of applications, can still compete for vacancies that remained unfilled.

Today’s sport headline : ‘Award For Dinis – The awards ‘Diário / Powerade’ will be delivered today, distinguishing also the dedication of Dinis Aveiro to regional sport’. A posthumous ‘career award’ is to be made to Dinis, for his contribution to sport on Madeira, and in particular his club ‘CF Andorinha’. Always the last to leave after training, putting away the equipment, always with a smile, and an urge to monkey around, he was a true example of dedication and love for his football club. Then at the weekend, he was always off to watch his football team Marítimo. Not a name many readers will recognise for sure, but you might of heard of his son, Cristiano Ronaldo.

A group of mothers from Câmara de Lobos are threatening to stop their kids going to school, because despite living some way away from the school their children attend, they are not able to receive subsidised but passes. Yesterday morning, the group tried to get a reaction from the school and the Department for Education and Culture, but without success, and now they threaten that their children, aged between 10 and 15, will not go to school unless there is a solution to the problem. The golden rule seems to be ‘one kilometre’ away to qualify for a subsidised bus pass (normally costing €43 a month in this case), but it seems that schools have some say in the matter, taking into account distance, roads [existence?], and even steep slopes. With ‘back to school’ next week, and elections that following Sunday, probably something will be done very quickly to pacify matters and keep the voters happy.

‘Serra d’ Água Will Be A Mini European City’. President Jardim highlighted the "notable unban regeneration" in Serra d’ Água in recent years, during the inauguration of the new plaza (pictured) and public park of the parish. Alberto João Jardim went as far as to compare the location within the region of Ribeira Brava to "any well developed small town in Europe". The parish is now equipped with a multifunctional space especially designed for leisure and entertainment, with an amphitheatre, a playground, a bar with a terrace, and an underground car park of two floors with the capacity for 59 cars. €1.7 million has been spent, and further investment is promised.

‘The number of cancer patients has increased’. Following yesterday’s headline in the Diário about the lack of resources and conditions for cancer patients attending hospital in Funchal, with some having to go private for scans, the Regional Secretary for Social Affairs assures that the prevention of cancer, early diagnosis, and treatment of cancer patients, are priorities of the Madeira Government. However, it is also true that "the number of patients with cancer has been increasing alarmingly". He assures that works are planned to expand, and points out the recently opened Radiation Therapy Centre, and also the new centre for the Volunteers of the Portuguese League Against Cancer. The Secretary states that the situation will change substantially after the expansion work in the Department of Hemato-Oncology. At that time, there will be a ‘Unit for Pain’, as well as better equipment to make diagnostic tests.

(1st June). A picture paints a thousand words, so this nice photo in the Diário probably says it all about what many people had in mind at the weekend. In fact it looks so nice and all in place, that I think it looks almost staged.

The main news headline today : ‘Tourist Utility Leads To A Power Struggle – The government of Madeira is not going to stop the financial benefits. Funchal Câmara asks for changes’. The hotel ‘Four Views Baía’ is the most recent hotel to receive the status of ‘tourism approved’, and win the entitlement to tax benefits for the developers, including exemption of tax payable to Funchal council (CMF). The president of CMF is concerned about the loss of revenue, and says that the terms of the favourable tax situation for tourism approved developments need to be revised. Miguel Albuquerque of CMF "We must find another solution to give tax breaks to business without undermining the revenue of the council". However, on commenting on the actual hotel at the centre of the current debate, now newly refurbished and extended hotel, he admits "specifically in relation to this investment, I think it is justified because the hotel is wonderful and even exceeds my expectations".  The secretary for tourism on Madeira recognises a difference of opinion, but says the the regional government is legally obliged to comply with the rules in force, and there is no foreseen initiative to review the laws in question.

‘Motorcyclists In 30% Of Road Deaths – Caution is essential to reduce danger on the road’. The police commissioner of Madeira is appealing for drivers on two wheels to show great caution on our difficult island roads, a situation that is termed as an ‘explosive cocktail’ of dangerous and badly maintained roads and conditions with motorcyclists. There is also a call to put speed controls (bumps) in accident blackspots. It’s a very detailed article with all the accidents over the last 8 years located, with specific and general reasons for the accidents given that account for between 30 and 40% of all road deaths on Madeira. If you are a motorcyclist you would be well advised to take a look at this article. MOTORBIKE DEATHS

‘Trinidade Shines With The Money Of The Tables – The chief of tourism for Portugal probably stashed away €1.25 million of winnings made in Madeira Casino’. The Madeiran and Secretary of State for Tourism, Bernardo Trindade, is accused of taking money out of Madeira, in part €1.2 million in casino taxes in 2008. According to information collected, half of the money (or maybe up to 75%?) is transferred to Portugal Tourism, as a result of gambling tax receipts in Madeira Casino, whilst the regional government gets just 20%. This is a formula set out in law, and also provides that 25% of the the tax revenues is reinvested in improving Funchal city itself. Politicians believe it may be possible to get this situation changed, and that is being looked at. (A bit confusing this article!).

The big picture on the newspaper front page shows a JCB digger working on the beach : ‘Beach of Angels Fenced Off From The Public – The sea access is blocked by a sand storage facility. Quercus despairs of another case of a disorderly usage of the coastline’. The beach ‘Praia dos Anjos’ in Ponta do Sol has been blocked off by a government licensed facility, positioned and fenced to prevent public access. Quercus, the environmental agency, believes that it is just a case of sloppy planning, but the government department that licensed the facility sees no problem, saying there are better beach facilities nearby. The situation has in fact existed since 1997, with the company involved co-existing with beach users, and Ponta do Sol council even installed beach showers. The closing off of the beach to the public is related to safety concerns.

The other headline news today are sports stories, and as it’s not worth doing a separate page, I will just mention that Porto beat Paços de Ferreira 1 – 0 in the Portugal Cup Final yesterday.

(31st May). ‘Corporations Of Firefighters Hide Shortfalls – The regional coordinator of ANBP reveals cases of emergency calls, lacking adequate resources’. In particular, Porto Santo, Santana, and Calheta are seriously short staffed. The Regional Coordinator of the National Association of Professional Firefighters (ANBP) says that the problem is generally unknown to the public because "the situation is camouflaged". São Vicente and Porto Moniz are also named by Fernando Abel as not having sufficient firemen to effectively intervene in the case of fire or accidents. He added that "people’s lives must be safeguarded, and then comes the financial consideration".

Baby Rodrigo, who underwent a bone marrow transfer on Saturday afternoon, is doing well and his father said the procedure went well. He has "energy and smiles" said dad Pedro. Rodrigo will now spend six to eight weeks in isolation, until he recovers fully from the procedure.

‘PSP Alert To The Transport Of Children – In the last few days, the Public Security Police have been developing operations to monitor all vehicles, whether private or public entities, to ensure the correct use of the child safety and retention equipment’. Since the beginning of this month it is now compulsory to use the equipment, and the police will be keeping a look out for these vehicles that don’t comply. I thought it always was a legal requirement, but better late than never!

‘Complainers Will Progress Complaints On The Internet – Complaints books are becoming part of an online network’. A spokesperson for the Regional Inspectorate of Economic Activities (IRAE) supports a networked complaints process, because the IRAE is able to monitor easily the entire handling process with formal complaints (currently made inside numerous establishments that have the ‘Livro de Reclamações’ complaint books). However in practical terms it depends whether all the bodies that deal with complaints would be responsive to such a move, as currently many of them, unlike the IRAE itself, "have no oversight of services". He believes that the way around this is to "centralize complaints in a single body", giving responsibility to the national Directorate General for Consumer Protection, which would then forward the complaints to the regulators and supervisory bodies. A new policy covering the matter comes into force in August, and this will in theory provide a computing platform for a system that will allow citizens to make their complaints online, and thereafter monitor progress of their issues. "This means therefore, the abolition of sending paper complaints" says the Diário.