The Governing Council of the Cabildo approved the new comprehensive elderly care plan named Islénior yesterday, which fills the void left by the Ansina programme while also broadening its scope of action. This decision follows the prior termination of Ansina “for no apparent reason,” as stated by island vice-president, Lope Afonso, alongside president, Rosa Dávila.
“Today marks the conclusion of the administrative process, and moving forward, all the initiatives it encompasses will be progressively implemented,” stated Lope Afonso. He emphasised that this document is “the culmination of collaborative efforts from numerous organisations” and that the new programme signifies a “paradigm shift” in the approach towards elderly relations, introducing the “senior concept.”
He elaborated that “this plan proposes six essential pillars for developing various actions”, including the fostering of autonomy (enhancing independence for the elderly, improving tailored transport services, accessibility, etc.), promoting well-being (both physical and emotional), and nurturing the social environment (encouraging social participation through gatherings, activities, and the social tourism programme). The geographical aspect is also considered (ensuring residents in rural regions receive the same services as those in urban areas), along with management (enhancing coordination and assessment of the Cabildo’s actions to maximise resources) and promoting awareness and information.
“Today we celebrate the launch of the Islénior programme, which we have dedicated a year to developing through extensive participatory processes, embodying the spirit of Ansina,” remarked Dávila. She further announced that the Governing Council sanctioned the procurement of “a forest fire simulation and analysis platform at a cost of just over half a million euros.” “This technological tool will be pivotal in predicting fire behaviour based on various factors, thereby optimising the coordination and allocation of resources during fires, offering real-time data on their progression, and aiding decision-making,” she clarified.
The Council also ratified the foundations for a new call for applications for nursery vouchers, allocating 1.2 million euros to assist 1,500 families with the schooling of their children under three years old, offering a maximum of 800 euros per family. The tender for the Cabildo Educa project was approved for 64,000 euros, alongside the planning, development, and assessment of the Tenerife Joven School, costing 134,000 euros, and the awarding of the latest edition of Merkarte to the company Explorelandia for over 124,000 euros.
In the realm of Social Action, a multi-year adjustment of IASS expenditure was ratified for the construction of the Abades social health centre in Arico, with a budget set at 5 million euros.
Additionally, the applications to designate footballers Ayoze Pérez and Pedri as Illustrious Sons of the island of Tenerife were approved following their title triumph with the Spanish national team in the European Championship this summer.
Engine Circuit
On a different note, when questioned about the proposed Granadilla motor circuit, Lope Afonso clarified that the preliminary phase of the works is currently underway, including the perimeter, and that the environmental authority will evaluate its environmental impact report to determine if any modifications are necessary, as the technical management of the works itself has identified potential new species in the area that may require protection, as well as traces of possible archaeological sites that might warrant further examination.
In another matter, Rosa Dávila expressed her approval of the ruling announced last Tuesday, which imposed a five-year prison sentence and a fine exceeding 44,000 euros on a man who ignited a fire in the Los Realejos mountains last year, reiterating that in Tenerife “there is no tolerance for impunity”. “The message is unequivocal: arsonists will face prison sentences,” she affirmed.
