Residents of Nossa Senhora do Monte feel abandoned by local and national authorities
Nova Sintra, July 2, 2026 (Bravanews) — A sense of abandonment and deep frustration have come to define daily life for the residents of the parish of Nossa Senhora do Monte, who face the burden of being overlooked by local and central authorities on a daily basis. The lack of institutional attention and the systematic delays in resolving deep-seated structural problems mean that discouragement and resentment accompany the daily lives of a population that feels left behind on the country’s development map. Among the residents’ main complaints is the failure to fulfill long-standing promises that should have already been put into action, particularly regarding the opening of the Nossa Senhora do Monte Municipal Delegation. This facility, designed to decentralize public services and simplify bureaucratic procedures for citizens, remains closed, forcing residents to make long and costly trips to handle simple day-to-day matters.
Alongside the political and administrative impasse, the physical conditions of the parish are visibly deteriorating, with the poor road network being one of the most visible and dangerous problems. The main roads connecting the town to the rest of the municipality are riddled with potholes, lack signage, and show the accumulated wear and tear of years without maintenance. The situation is even more dire within the parish itself, where the complete lack of vehicle access to some localities—such as Clara Goncalves and Pedra Molar—leaves entire families isolated. This situation hinders the normal flow of private vehicles and creates a climate of constant insecurity, since emergency vehicles—such as ambulances or fire trucks—are unable to provide immediate assistance in cases of extreme need.
The loss of essential basic services has exacerbated this social and geographic isolation. Currently, the residents of Nossa Senhora do Monte do not have a local post office, forcing them—most of whom are elderly and have mobility issues—to rely on others or travel to the city of Nova Sintra just to receive mail, packages, or to collect their pensions. Compounding this isolation is the complete lack of community policing. Residents complain that patrols by law enforcement are virtually nonexistent, which increases their sense of vulnerability and perception of insecurity on the streets, which were once calm and peaceful.
To make this social situation even worse, unemployment has reached alarming levels in the parish. Without incentives to attract small businesses, local commerce, or investments that could boost the parish’s economy, young people are forced to leave their hometown in search of opportunities in large cities or abroad. This constant migratory flow contributes to the accelerated aging of the population and the depopulation of the area. Tired of empty promises and commitments made only during election seasons, the active members of the community and residents of Nossa Senhora do Monte are now demanding urgent and coordinated action by both the municipal government and the national government, warning that the community’s patience has reached its limit and that the dignity of its people can no longer be ignored.
MS
