Sixteen public entities are involved in the Single Inspection and Supervision Platform for Agriculture, the Sea and the Environment (iFAMA), for complaints and environmental reports, which came into operation on Monday, the Ministry of Environment and Energy reported on Tuesday.
Presented as “a single point of entry, management and centralization of complaints” of the General Inspection of Agriculture, Sea, Environment and Territorial Planning (IGAMAOT), iFAMA has with the association of the latter, the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), the regional coordination and development commissions of the North, Centre, Lisbon and Tagus Valley, Alentejo and Algarve and the general directorates of Agriculture and Rural Development, Food and Veterinary Medicine, Natural Resources, Security and Maritime and Territorial Services.
Also participating are Docapesca Portos e Lotas, the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF) and the Institutes of Vine and Wine (IVV), Douro Wine and Port (IVDP) and Financing of Agriculture and Fisheries (IFAP).
In operation since Monday, iFAMA is an online portal for complaints to the IGAMAOT that citizens can use “to report irregularities quickly and effectively”, being highlighted by the Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, as “an example of measures to promote transparency and the responsibility within public organizations and institutions.”
“This portal informs citizens about the issues on which they can file complaints regarding agriculture, the sea and the environment. After filing, the citizen will be informed by the public entity to which their complaints were sent about the follow-up and treatment given to them until their conclusion,” reads the statement released by the executive on Tuesday.
According to him, iFAMA represents “a new approach to complaint management”, since it allows, among other functionalities, “citizens’ access to information on managing your complaint and the possibility of presenting new facts regarding an ongoing complaint.”
“This is an essential measure to ensure integrity, transparency and trust in public institutions. The creation of specific portals, such as iFAMA, facilitates the efficient management of complaints, providing a secure and accessible channel for citizens to report irregularities,” says Maria da Graça Carvalho, quoted in the statement.
According to the Minister, “the existence of an efficient complaints management system contributes to increasing trust in public authorities, by allowing citizens to see that their complaints will be treated seriously and that measures will be taken to resolve the problems reported.”
“Therefore, a well-structured complaint management system, which promotes a safe environment “Where people can report irregularities without fear of retaliation, transparency and accountability can be promoted within public organizations and institutions,” he emphasizes.
In accordance with Decree-Law No. 32/2024 of 10 May, establishing the organisation and operating regime of the XXIV Government, IGAMAOT is jointly chaired by the Minister of Environment and Energy, the Vice-Minister of Territorial Cohesion, the Minister of Economy and the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Source: Observadora
