Lula government blocks funds to prevent floods in SC

Flood in Rio do Sul in 2023 (Photo: Adriano da Nahaia, NSC TV)

The federal government allocated 90% of the funds allocated by the Santa Catarina bench in Congress for studies, projects and works to contain floods in 2024. It was the only budget from the state bench, across the country, directed to this type of program. The blocked amount corresponds to R$85.8 million.

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The information was published this Wednesday (8) by the newspaper O Globo, and confirmed by the column. The resource, blocked by the Ministry of Integration and Regional Development, was destined for Alto Vale do Itajaí – one of the most sensitive areas to climate emergencies in Santa Catarina, which last year suffered from serious flooding. The Minister of Integration, Waldez Góes, was in the region twice to monitor the damage and talk to the mayors and the State Government.

The million-dollar amendment by SC deputies and senators to the Union budget was made at the request of Governor Jorginho Mello (PL), to reinforce the resources available in the State.

SC cuts half of the money for dams in 2024

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This week, when informed of the blockade, the coordinator of the Santa Catarina Parliamentary Forum, deputy Valdir Cobalchini (MDB), said he was surprised and contacted the Ministry. He heard that the department will try to release the resources to SC.

– If there is a need, I will deal with the bench to go to the Civil House or the Secretariat of Institutional Relations to guarantee the amendment – said the deputy.

The Ministry of Integration informed O Globo, in a note, that the execution of bench amendments is not mandatory, and that the funds are released according to the benches’ guidelines.

“When release is requested, the resources will be promptly released and the amendment will follow the normal flow of processing.”

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Still according to the newspaper’s findings, the contingency for SC is much higher than the average for the Ministry of Integration, which is 30%. In most states, more than 90% of the funds requested for the 2024 budget were met. In general, states that have opposition governors had fewer resources released, according to O Globo.

The Civil Defense budget was also a problem at the state level. The budget law sent by the Jorginho government to Alesc, for 2024, reduced the amounts of the State Civil Defense Fund for risk management by 28%, and the amount for dam maintenance by 48%. The values were increased with amendments by the deputies. Still, they fell short of expectations. The State reported, at the time, that it was counting on federal funds to increase available resources.

Images show the drama of animals rescued in the flood in RS:

Almost 10 thousand animals were rescued in RS (Photo: Reproduction, Social Networks)