PSOE's Pilar Bernabé Calls for Accountability and Focus on Recovery After Valencia Storm
The recent devastating storms that hit the Valencian Community sparked significant discussion about the response from local authorities. Pilar Bernabé, the new Secretary of Equality for the PSOE and the Government delegate in the region, has raised questions regarding the actions—and inactions—of Carlos Mazón, the president of the Generalitat. Bernabé's comments were particularly pointed as she challenged Mazón to clarify his various accounts of events following the storm on October 29.
In her statements, Bernabé emphasized the importance of the Generalitat's responsiveness during emergencies, questioning why crucial decisions were delayed when they were most needed. "There is one issue that has still not been explained: why he was not where he was supposed to be, why he did not respond when he needed to respond, and why decisions were not made when they needed to be made," she stated. The call for accountability is echoed by many citizens eager to understand the government's crisis management strategies.
During the storm's aftermath, Bernabé recounted her own experience, revealing that she was on her way to Utiel when summoned to a Cecopi meeting, which she attended diligently without disconnecting until the situation stabilized. She reaffirmed her commitment to addressing the needs arising from the disaster, mentioning that the government has allocated a significant amount of direct aid—10 billion euros—that does not require repayment and has no interest associated with it.
Bernabé criticized the spread of misinformation surrounding these aids, labelling it as "indecent" and detrimental to those in need who may hesitate to apply for assistance due to confusion. She urged the Consell to focus on providing clear and constructive solutions,
Speaking about the urgent need for ecological recovery, she highlighted the government's allocation of 40 million euros in aid from the Ministry for Ecological Transition aimed at supporting urban renaturalization efforts in areas affected by the storm. Furthermore, Bernabé mentioned the total mobilization of 165 billion euros across various royal decrees aimed at revitalizing the region following the storm's devastation.
Bernabé's remarks resonate with ongoing efforts within the European Union to address environmental restoration, stating that the renaturalization initiatives align with broader projects at the EU level. She also referenced collaboration with the Júcar Hydrographic Confederation, which has already allocated 250 million euros for the restoration of riverbeds and the planning of future recovery tasks.
The plea for focused action on recovery and rectification from both Bernabé and the citizens highlights the urgency in addressing the severe consequences of the storm and ensuring a transparent, accountable process moving forward. As the Valencian community copes with the aftermath of the storm, the quest for clarity and decisive action remains at the forefront of public discourse.
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