The Government will evaluate the creation of a Disaster and Earthquake Fund, and also plans to draw up a Severe Seismic Event Reaction Plan, within the scope of Portugal, Transformation, Resilience and Recovery (PTRR), the Prime Minister announced today.
Luís Montenegro listed, in a statement after the Council of Ministers, the measures planned for the three pillars of the PTRR, particularly with a view to seismic risk.
Measures include the review and update of national legislation relating to resilience and seismic strengthening, as well as the development of solutions for monitoring, transparency and inspection of the seismic resistance of buildings.
The Government also intends to deepen the seismic coverage of properties and develop a Severe Seismic Event Reaction Plan.
According to the package presented today, the review of the Disaster Insurance Regime and Incentives and the adoption of financial management solutions for the risk of catastrophes and earthquakes will advance, “evaluating the creation of a Catastrophe and Earthquake Fund, and a positive differentiation of more vulnerable populations, small businesses and small farmers”.
The insurance sector has been demanding the creation of this fund, and the president of the Insurance and Pension Funds Supervisory Authority (ASF) defended this week that it is “fundamental” to have an integrated national system for protection against natural catastrophes, which is not just focused on earthquakes.
Gabriel Bernardino pointed out, while being heard at the Budget, Finance and Public Administration Committee, that when talking to the Minister of Finance, when invited to the position in charge of the supervisor, he said: “We have to have a disaster fund and not a seismic fund”.
For the person responsible, what is needed is an “integrated national system for protection against natural disasters”, pointing out that he hopes to “present it to the Government in due course”.
Government wants PTRR approved in April and only defines value after national consultation
The Prime Minister also announced that the Government wants to approve the final version of the PTRR at the beginning of April and the financial envelope will only be defined after the national consultation period.
The prime minister announced that he had already requested meetings with the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and with the elected head of state, António José Seguro, in addition to the meetings already scheduled with parties with parliamentary seats, next Wednesday.
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