School bus fare subsidies, jobs scheme among initiatives to help Central S’pore residents
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![Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong and Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng, Mayor of Central Singapore District posing for a photo during the 11th Council Appointment Ceremony.
CENTRAL CDC MARKS LKY100 WITH MENU OF 100 COMMUNITY OFFERINGS *
11th Council to address key gaps and emerging needs with enhanced offerings and partnerships
1. The ceremony will see the appointment of the 11th Council, comprising 64 District Councillors from the People, Public and Private sectors. They will bring their expertise, networks, and experiences to support the mission of the CDC.
1. Marking the 100th anniversary of Singapore founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew[EMOJI]s birth, the new Council will aspire to roll out 100 community offerings over the next three years to help build The Better Life for residents. More details will be announced at the Appointment Ceremony.
1. *Special Guest,* *Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong*, and *Event Host, Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng, Mayor of Central Singapore District*, as well as other invited guests will be gracing the event.
1. At the ceremony, Mayor Denise will share on the CDC[EMOJI]s directions and enhanced suite of offerings to meet key existing and emerging needs in the Central District community.
Prime Minister Lee will touch on the roles of CDCs and their achievements to date, with a focus on Central Singapore, the largest district.](https://cassette.sphdigital.com.sg/image/straitstimes/7f2d76ec426ca97f359212a38d7f885bc90377c5679a6b71aff20f4bd5791cdd?w=480)
PM Lee Hsien Loong (right) and Mayor of Central Singapore District Denise Phua during the 11th Council Appointment Ceremony on Sept 25.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO
SINGAPORE - School bus fare subsidies, a neighbourhood jobs scheme and a befriending network for families with special needs children are among a slew of initiatives that will be rolled out to help residents living in areas such as Ang Mo Kio, Jalan Besar and Tanjong Pagar.
A $10 million fund, with contributions from the Central Singapore Community Development Council (CDC) and other donors, will support these initiatives.
They will be rolled out over the next three years and cover the CDC’s five pillars – financial wellness, physical wellness and sustainability, socio-emotional wellness and inclusiveness, lifelong learning, and service to others.
Central Singapore District Mayor Denise Phua said on Monday that the council plans to roll out up to 100 community offerings to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of modern Singapore’s founding father Lee Kuan Yew.
The Central Singapore CDC supports residents living in Ang Mo Kio, Bishan-Toa Payoh, Jalan Besar and Tanjong Pagar, as well as Kebun Baru, Marymount, Potong Pasir, Radin Mas and Yio Chu Kang.
Speaking on Monday at the 11th Council Appointment Ceremony of Central Singapore CDC at Jalan Besar Community Centre, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said CDCs are like regional offices and play a vital role at the district level.
They work closely with grassroots divisions and social service agencies to aggregate residents’ needs, and build resources and capabilities to have strong volunteer and donor networks, he said.
PM Lee added: “You connect needs and resources together, and also serve as a bridge between residents and the Government.”
The mission to aggregate, build and connect may sound simple, but a lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes to bring the community together, he said.
This includes caring for the vulnerable and needy, helping residents upskill and stay relevant, and pushing various national priorities.
“These are the responsibility of the district councillors who will be appointed here today,” PM Lee added.
“I am glad to see how our councillors, volunteers and partners have come together and introduced many impactful programmes to help residents live ‘The Better Life’ – whether physically, financially, socio-emotionally or in lifelong learning, and in service to others.”
Many of these are initiatives to support the less privileged, such as improving the living conditions in senior citizens’ homes, contributing essential items and services to vulnerable families, and helping children from disadvantaged backgrounds gain access to learning opportunities, he said.
Among the initiatives that will be rolled out in the first phase is a local jobs scheme that will connect residents to jobs in the neighbourhood.
The scheme will identify and create micro-jobs, such as delivering meals or mail, to help seniors who want to remain active.
The council will also support a SkillsFuture for juniors and youth initiative to help young people develop digital and vocational skills.
Ms Phua, who is also an MP for Jalan Besar GRC, said there have been significant developments in society, such as an ageing population, rapid technological advancements, rising cost of living, and challenges faced by groups such as caregivers of the disabled.
“These developments underscore the need for continued adaptation, and timely and creative solutions to address the evolving needs of our community.”
The event on Monday saw a newly appointed council for the Central Singapore CDC with representatives from the people, public and private sectors who will serve a three-year term.
