In recent years, a lot has happened to us. Fires, pandemics, storms named after people, often women, that bring devastation and death. I put everything in the same bag to affirm a conviction that is also a commonplace: no matter how much we do, no matter how good we can be, no matter how comfortable we are, we depend on factors that we do not control and that transcend us.
In recent days, some areas of the country, with particular emphasis on the Center and the West, have been brutally destroyed “by the fury of nature”. It will go down in history as Kristin and had the power to divert attention from the electoral campaign – political, economic and social actors multiplied in appeals, solutions and displayed effectiveness, but also negligence.
In this space I have tried to be a spokesperson for the importance of cooperativism. Being close to the population, being empathetic and consistent in the way we defend and implement the idea of proximity. I have been giving examples, writing based on various themes, trying to decipher the words spoken by the people who enlighten us – like last week when I wrote about the Canadian Prime Minister and his ability to make us believe that there is a future if we know how to cooperate.
The storm hit Torres Vedras and neighboring municipalities. And I am proud that our Caixa Agrícola said present before almost all financial institutions had spoken out.
For me, for us, it was decisive to be a haven for the local economy, businesspeople and the social fabric. Ideas are one thing, actions are another. Ideas without actions are inconsequential.
Acts without ideas are shots in the dark.
At the end of last week, hours after the tragedy swept through the municipality, we announced the opening of a ten million credit line, with a telephone line dedicated to studying financing for the reconstruction, investment and treasury of affected companies.
We have extended support to companies outside the municipality, as long as they have strong relationships with Torres Vedras, as customers or business partners with local companies.
Many, such as the Minister of Agriculture – eng. José Manuel Fernandes – praised Caixa de Torres Vedras, which I thank. However, this is our obligation, the real reason there are agricultural boxes.
We don’t want to be limited companies, we want to be precisely what we were born to be. It would not make sense for our institution, which has some of the best financial ratios in Portugal, not to do its part.
We have been working daily to find solutions, collaborating with the Torres Vedras Chamber, led by Sérgio Galvão, who, without any doubt, will solve the problems, some dramatic, that were a direct consequence of one of the heaviest dawns of our time. We met in the chamber with people who wanted to be part of the solution, people capable of putting themselves at the service of the common good. I could mention many more, but let it be written, for future memory, the enormous collaboration of Dr. José Bernardo Nunes, vice-president of the CCDR of Lisbon and Vale do Tejo; engineer Firmino Cordeiro, general director of the Young Farmers Association; by engineer Miguel Guisado from CAP and engineer Sérgio Ferreira, from AIHO.
We have the advantage of experience on the ground. We know people and their pains – the community’s pains are ours.
In 2009, with the collaboration of Professor António Serrano, then Minister of Agriculture, we were at the forefront of supporting companies and people who, a few days before Christmas, had to deal with a storm rarely seen before.
In order to unlock community funds negotiated by the then minister, now an honorary citizen of Torre Vedras, we provided 22 million euros in bank guarantees that mobilized 50 million euros, all of which were invested in the reconstruction of the sector.
Capital supervision was the responsibility of Caixa Agrícola, modernizing the entire fruit and vegetable sector, today one of the most productive in the country.
So I go back to the beginning.
Sometimes we don’t control anything. But we can hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Knowing that what moves us, the essence of who we are, represents the best of our heritage. It’s worth empathy, closeness, being there for others, being in the same boat because we know that together we are stronger.
Here, in the various sectors, no one gives up on Torres Vedras and we will fight against the damage caused by Leonardo and whatever else comes.
President of the Torres Vedras Mutual Agricultural Credit Bank
manuel.guerreiro@ccamtv.pt
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