The federal government announced that it should be released, still this Monday (30), the sending of funds from the Ministry of Regional Development to the municipalities of Pernambuco due to the heavy rains that hit the region. It was also announced the release of interest-free loans from the BPC (Benefício de Prestação Continuada) without interest.
In a press conference, the Minister of Regional Development, Daniel Ferreira, said that an ordinance will be published, in an extra edition of the Official Gazette (DOU) this Monday (30), that will give federal recognition to municipalities that have already declared an emergency because of the rains.
This Sunday (29), the minister had already explained that this is the first necessary step to unlock the sending of federal resources to help those affected by the rains.
The first resources that are transferred by the Ministry will be destined to what the minister called “relief and humanitarian assistance”, such as hygiene kits, cleaning, mattresses, basic food baskets, fuel and food for rescue teams.
Then, according to the Ministry, the municipalities must prepare work plans so that more resources are released for the “reestablishment of essential services” stage. This includes urban cleaning, clearing roads, restoring power and water supply.
The last stage of sending federal funds is the so-called “reconstruction” stage. For this, the municipalities and the state have up to 90 days to ask the Ministry of Regional Development for resources to rebuild infrastructure destroyed by the rains.
The Ministry of Regional Development has R$ 1 billion in extraordinary credit available for the management of crises caused by rain throughout Brazil. This money comes from two Provisional Measures (MPs) signed by President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) earlier this year.
Release of interest-free BPC loans
Also at the press conference this Monday (30), the Minister of Citizenship, Ronaldo Bento, announced that beneficiaries of the BPC (Benefit of Continued Payment) will be able to make interest-free loans.
“We will make it available to those who wish, the beneficiaries of the BPC, who are the elderly and people with disabilities, to make the advance, as well as take another portion of this benefit, which corresponds to a minimum wage”, said the minister.
“This will be spread over 36 months without any kind of charges, without any kind of interest for these people”, he added.
Source: CNN Brasil
