“This project is highly desired and necessary, not only in Fonte Arcada, but also in the municipality of Sernancelhe and even in the district of Viseu, because there are increasingly more elderly people seeking institutional care,” said the president of the Fonte Arcada Social and Parish Centre, in statements to the Lusa news agency.

Father Diamantino Duarte also highlighted that the new home “will be a valuable asset” for the municipality of Sernancelhe “also because of the jobs it will create,” which, when operational, should “represent around 40 to 50 workers.”

"In other words, in two years, I hope, when it's operational, we'll have a diverse workforce, including specialized staff. From assistants to nurses and other senior technicians, such as psychologists and sociologists."

The tender for the new home, which will have capacity for 40 residents, was launched with a budget of three million euros and is financed by the Program for the Expansion of the Social Equipment Network (PARES) with 1.2 million euros, said the priest, who also counts on other support.

Among them, he highlighted the support from the Sernancelhe Municipal Council, "with half a million euros," the Fonte Arcada Parish Council, and the church factory, and also "with our own funds, but it will always be necessary to resort to bank loans, even so."

"The land where it will be built was already acquired by us to build the home, for about €160,000, and it's subdivided, meaning we also have adjacent lots to sell that could help finance the construction," added Diamantino Duarte.

The mayor of Sernancelhe, Carlos Santos, told Lusa news agency that the new care home “is a very important project” for the municipality and, therefore, he could not fail to support it, not only financially, but also with technical support.

“We have been active partners from the very beginning, through the financing of the project's development and execution, as well as the monitoring of the tender by the City Council's technicians who will also oversee the entire construction. And we also have our financial contribution of around half a million euros,” he highlighted.

Carlos Santos stressed that “the project is essential for the elderly population, not only of Fonte Arcada, which is currently a village, but also for the region.”

“We are talking about people with some health and mobility difficulties who will have support, not only from nursing staff, but also from doctors, and also with comfort. We have to take care of those who have already taken care of us,” he argued.

The importance of this project also lies in “the creation of jobs and consequently a whole economic dynamic that will be created in the territory” of Sernancelhe, in the district of Viseu.