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July 15, 2009
Press on with help schemes
Figures reassuring but we should still be ready for difficult times: DPM Teo
By Sue-Ann Chia , SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT
<a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20090715/b2-1.jpg"><img src="http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20090715/b2-1.jpg"></a>
The new district councillors of North East CDC: (clockwise from left) Mr Ryan Chioh, Ms Nanz Chong, Mr Lawrence Kim and Ms Annabelle Teo. -- ST PHOTO: BRYAN VAN DER BEEK
THE economy has improved, but it does not mean Singapore is out of the woods, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean on Tuesday. Tough times are still ahead, he cautioned, urging community development councils (CDCs) to press on with programmes to help needy residents get financial aid and jobs.
While the second quarter growth figures are 'reassuringly good results', he said: 'We cannot assume that with one quarter of growth, the recession is over.
'We should still be ready for difficult times...The CDC still needs to remain ready for residents who will still be in need.'
The economy surged 20.4 per cent in the second quarter, prompting the Government to revise its 2009 growth forecast upwards. The economy is expected to shrink by 4 to 6per cent instead of the 6 to 9per cent decline predicted in April. Mr Teo's word of caution was made at the appointment ceremony of the North East CDC's district councillors. He also set the CDC two challenges:
# One, to extend its work in reaching out to the needy, as some may still be unaware of the help schemes available to them. 'These residents are usually the ones who resign themselves to fate behind their own closed doors, only to be discovered during a block visit or when a grassroots volunteer manages to draw them out of their shell,' he noted.
# Two, draw on the experience and expertise of its network of councillors and volunteers to benefit the community.
Among the 70 district councillors who received their certificate of appointment on Tuesday, 31 are new faces such as entrepreneur-cum-motivational speaker Nanz Chong, 40, and undergraduate Annabelle Teo, 23, the youngest in the group. They also include businessmen Lawrence Kim and Ryan Chioh, who have come up with new programmes to help jobless residents from this month.
Mr Kim, 27, managing director of Ebenezer NDT Services, is starting an apprenticeship programme in his company, which provides inspection services for the marine and construction industries. Called the Fishing Rod Programme, it will cost him around $330,000 to train about 50 people.
Mr Chioh, 39, managing director of Far East Flora.com, is offering a scholarship for residents to attend training and get jobs in the green industry, such as horticulture and landscaping. 'We'll sponsor whoever has a genuine interest and the right attitude to learn,' said Mr Chioh, who has set aside $10,000 this year for the 'Bloom Scholarship'.
Such measures, said Mayor of North East District Teo Ser Luck on Tuesday, will help fill the gaps in the current line-up of programmes to help jobless residents.
Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times
[email protected]
July 15, 2009
Press on with help schemes
Figures reassuring but we should still be ready for difficult times: DPM Teo
By Sue-Ann Chia , SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT
<a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20090715/b2-1.jpg"><img src="http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20090715/b2-1.jpg"></a>
The new district councillors of North East CDC: (clockwise from left) Mr Ryan Chioh, Ms Nanz Chong, Mr Lawrence Kim and Ms Annabelle Teo. -- ST PHOTO: BRYAN VAN DER BEEK
THE economy has improved, but it does not mean Singapore is out of the woods, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean on Tuesday. Tough times are still ahead, he cautioned, urging community development councils (CDCs) to press on with programmes to help needy residents get financial aid and jobs.
While the second quarter growth figures are 'reassuringly good results', he said: 'We cannot assume that with one quarter of growth, the recession is over.
'We should still be ready for difficult times...The CDC still needs to remain ready for residents who will still be in need.'
The economy surged 20.4 per cent in the second quarter, prompting the Government to revise its 2009 growth forecast upwards. The economy is expected to shrink by 4 to 6per cent instead of the 6 to 9per cent decline predicted in April. Mr Teo's word of caution was made at the appointment ceremony of the North East CDC's district councillors. He also set the CDC two challenges:
# One, to extend its work in reaching out to the needy, as some may still be unaware of the help schemes available to them. 'These residents are usually the ones who resign themselves to fate behind their own closed doors, only to be discovered during a block visit or when a grassroots volunteer manages to draw them out of their shell,' he noted.
# Two, draw on the experience and expertise of its network of councillors and volunteers to benefit the community.
Among the 70 district councillors who received their certificate of appointment on Tuesday, 31 are new faces such as entrepreneur-cum-motivational speaker Nanz Chong, 40, and undergraduate Annabelle Teo, 23, the youngest in the group. They also include businessmen Lawrence Kim and Ryan Chioh, who have come up with new programmes to help jobless residents from this month.
Mr Kim, 27, managing director of Ebenezer NDT Services, is starting an apprenticeship programme in his company, which provides inspection services for the marine and construction industries. Called the Fishing Rod Programme, it will cost him around $330,000 to train about 50 people.
Mr Chioh, 39, managing director of Far East Flora.com, is offering a scholarship for residents to attend training and get jobs in the green industry, such as horticulture and landscaping. 'We'll sponsor whoever has a genuine interest and the right attitude to learn,' said Mr Chioh, who has set aside $10,000 this year for the 'Bloom Scholarship'.
Such measures, said Mayor of North East District Teo Ser Luck on Tuesday, will help fill the gaps in the current line-up of programmes to help jobless residents.
Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times
[email protected]
