José Francisco Tavares Rolo, 56 years old, from Lagares da Beira, is the face of commitment and dedication to the public cause in Oliveira do Hospital, where he presides over the City Council and emerges as a leader committed to the progress of the city and the municipality, promising to continue to tirelessly dedicate himself to the well-being and development of his community.
Provincial Champion [CP]: Are you in your first term?
Francisco Rolo [FR]: As president of the Chamber. During the period from 2009 to 2021, I served as vice-president, serving three terms as councilor, under the leadership of professor José Carlos Alexandrino, who is still an excellent mayor, very interested not only in the life of the municipality of Oliveira do Hospital , but also in the defense of the interior of Portugal, especially the Central region. When there is so much talk about cohesion and mobilization, he knows how this applies to the different facets of the Coimbra region, especially the innermost ones.
[CP]: Speaking of cohesion, has the Intermunicipal Community done its role?
[FR]: If the region is a family, then the municipalities are like a kind of brothers, and it is imperative to treat them equally. This fundamental principle is evidenced in the collective effort of mayors to create a cohesive and united community. This Intermunicipal Community, which covers several municipalities in the Coimbra region, exemplifies the union and convergence of efforts in favor of regional development. It is significant that even Eurostat, the European Statistical Office, recognizes Coimbra and its indicators as a potential metropolitan region. It’s not that Coimbra is assuming itself as a metropolitan area at the moment, but it has all the conditions for it.
[CP]: In terms of accessibility, is Oliveira do Hospital poorly served?
[FR]: The region between Tábua, Oliveira do Hospital, Seia and Gouveia up to the connection to the A25 has, in fact, been a gray area for 30 years. Complementary routes have already been built, main highways have been duplicated, but this region continues with the old National Road 17, which was once the royal road. But this is work in progress, from a perspective of dialogue and cooperation with the central administration, in this case, the Ministry of Infrastructure. The IC 6 execution project, between the Tábua junction, Oliveira do Hospital and Folhadosa, in the municipality of Seia, has already been awarded to a company, which has 300 days to execute it.
We want this project to be completed quickly and for the international public tender to move forward, especially because the funds for its execution, coming from the 5 G auction, are already allocated to the completion of IC 6, a fundamental work for the development of our region.
[CP]: Oliveira do Hospital has invested heavily in the Serra da Estrela Cheese Festival.
[FR]: The Serra da Estrela Cheese Festival, in March, is the largest in Portugal, with certified producers and growing prestige in sheep farming. Just like winemaking, our objective is to raise the distinction of cheese producers, generating market value and attractiveness for young people to appear in the sector. This event is recognized for its size and the number of certified producers, which generates a very significant impact, in economic and media terms. At the Fair, some producers completely sell out their production, highlighting the importance of the event. As for the future of the Fair, the aim is to continue promoting economic dynamism, whether through musical events, exhibitions or gastronomic initiatives.
In addition to the Cheese Festival, we have, in the last week of July, ExpOH. We are talking about attracting people and creating dynamism in the economy. On the one hand, we invest in dynamism through music and exhibitions, bringing people together and generating savings, whether through a weekend dedicated to lamb tasting, or during gastronomy week.
[CP]: How is the industrial sector?
[FR]: It is important to recognize the industrial heritage of Oliveira do Hospital, which faces challenges due to globalization. Despite the difficulties, the Municipality is committed to finding solutions to the insolvency of the company Irsil, protecting workers and looking for potential investors. To stimulate economic development, 27 new lots were recently completed in the industrial zone, offering investment opportunities and demonstrating confidence in demand from entrepreneurs. On the other hand, we will start a renewable energy community, a photovoltaic park, more hydrogen production and distribution. We have a renewable energy community approved under the PRR to execute, with an international public tender prepared to launch and allow companies in the industrial zone to have energy at lower costs. With a 10-minute proximity to the Beira Alta line, we will also invest in a new business area – the Cordinha industrial hub – to provide accommodation for more companies and take advantage of a distinctive feature of Oliveira do Hospital, the entrepreneurial capacity of its citizens.
[CP]: Has the Chamber also made a large investment in housing?
[FR]: Housing is another strong investment, based on three essential pillars. Accommodation within the scope of the National Urgent and Temporary Accommodation Grant is essentially intended for families with low resources and in situations of housing pressure, with an investment of one million euros. The investments will be completed by September. In addition, we have 25 properties that we will apply for under the PRR. The third pillar is the rehabilitation of six primary schools and other municipal buildings for housing, maintaining their design and enhancing heritage. Finally, we have 8.3 million euros to invest in affordable housing in the public housing stock, with the expectation of increasing the number of dwellings available at affordable costs in the municipality of Oliveira do Hospital.
[CP]: In education, Oliveira do Hospital is also making moves.
[FR]: As part of a cooperation protocol with the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, the Municipality carried out the architectural project for the new Higher School of Technology and Management. The application for the first phase of construction, designed for a thousand students, has already been formalized. The creation of a new School and a student residence represent significant advances and these initiatives aim to strengthen higher education in the area, providing better training and increasing the employability of local students.
In addition to advances in education, the Municipality is investing in other infrastructures. A new and modern School Center, which will open this academic year, and a modern Health Center, already in the public tender phase, represent a very significant investment in promoting the population’s quality of life.
[CP]: In addition to these investments, is the Chamber also investing in supporting citizens?
[FR]: We already have a citizen space operating on the ground floor of the City Hall, which has been a success. This is part of the digital transition strategy that the country is experiencing. Citizens, through a computer, have access to a wide range of services, from renewing their Driving License to liaising with Social Security, IEFP and the services of the Ministry of Justice, among others. Success is measured by numbers. In the space of approximately one year, more than 2,000 users have already used Espaço Cidadão, created in partnership between the municipality and the Administrative Modernization Agency. But we have 15 more citizen spaces to take to the parishes. Each one will have a space, with the exception of the União de Freguesias de Oliveira do Hospital and São Paio de Gramaços, which already has one. In each citizen space there will be a mediator/coordinator, someone who has received training and who manages digital services, being the human face who supports the user and interprets their needs.
[CP]: Can Oliveira do Hospital continue to count on you and your enthusiasm?
[FR]: Oliveira do Hospital has 20,000 citizens living there. The group of schools has 25 different nationalities. It is certainly a challenge for that educational community, but it also demonstrates Oliveira do Hospital’s ability to welcome new residents. Therefore, when you talk about enthusiasm, it is the enthusiasm of what we do to create well-being, quality of life and development.
Allow me, too, to tell you that life has also smiled sportingly in Oliveira do Hospital. Football Club is in League 3, which is positive and requires us to also make investments in this area, particularly in sports infrastructures. In basketball, we remained in the Proliga. I think roller hockey will be national champion and we will move up to the second division. These are signs that, in fact, there is something strong and dynamic happening in Oliveira do Hospital, and this is not due to me, as mayor, but to a community, to a lively citizenry, which likes to do and who loves his land.
Interview: Lino Vinhal/ Joana Alvim
Published in the edition of “Campeão” on paper dated Thursday, May 9, 2024
Tags: Francisco Rolo Development Oliveira Hospital strength Coimbra region
--
