Pozzuoli: Manzoni calls for urgent changes to the Phlegraean Fields decree to avoid delays and harm to citizens.

The mayor of Pozzuoli, Luigi Manzoni, has expressed strong reservations about the effectiveness of the decree currently in force to manage the Campi Flegrei emergency, emphasizing that the text contains regulatory gaps that risk compromising the protection and recovery of the area.

In an official statement, Manzoni explained that the decree requires corrective measures to ensure citizens receive more adequate support and streamlined procedures. Among the main requests put forward is the establishment of a single permanent fund, which would consolidate the resources currently distributed between the Aedes and Cartis funds and allow for the periodic reopening of grant windows, increasing financial coverage up to 100% for seismic retrofitting projects.

Furthermore, the mayor has requested an extension to October 31, 2026, of the deadline for adopting the eviction measures required to obtain the Independent Housing Grant (CAS). This will include beneficiaries who own partially closed-off properties or only appurtenances, as well as usufructuaries. A 30% advance payment of the grant has also been proposed to facilitate the rapid start of construction work.

Regarding building regulations, Manzoni emphasized the need to overcome the difficulties associated with non-compliance, allowing minor irregularities to be regularized and unremediable violations to be repaired simultaneously with the redevelopment work, thus avoiding a block on applications. To improve administrative management, the mayor called for the creation of dedicated special offices within local authorities and the establishment of a permanent technical committee between municipalities, the Campania Region, and the Italian Housing Department.

Finally, the importance of stabilizing the Civil Protection personnel hired for the emergency was highlighted, proposing to reduce the service requirement for stabilization from 36 to 24 months, with full state coverage. Manzoni concluded by stating that collaboration between institutions and citizens is essential to overcome the critical issues and look with confidence to the future of Pozzuoli and the Phlegraean Fields.