Forging a culture that cares key to meeting societal needs: Heng

SINGAPORE — Having built up a strong social security system that serves Singaporeans well, the focus in the year ahead will be to empower the community and forge stronger partnerships, said Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat yesterday.

Speaking in Parliament to wrap up three days of the Budget debate, he also provided an update on the Community Network for Seniors pilot that was announced in the previous year’s Budget.

The programme, which aims to better coordinate support services for the elderly in the community, has been piloted in three precincts so far, reaching out to more than 15,000 people, or 40 per cent of the seniors in these areas.

Of these, the programme has assisted some 380 seniors and engaged more than 5,000 others on issues such as active ageing and preventive health, Mr Heng said.

Going forward, he said the authorities want to move towards a future where Singapore nurtures a culture of caring for one another and of many helping hands to meet a significant increase in societal needs.

Singapore’s social compact must also be one of partnership, he noted, adding that the Government, community and individuals all have a unique role to play.

While there are functions that the Government is best placed to perform — such as introducing legislation and providing public goods and services — there are other areas where much more can be achieved by people working together.

“When it comes to customising assistance to the specific needs of certain communities, or providing last mile social service delivery, community action is critical.

“Even the strongest social safety nets are no substitute for the caring hearts and helpful hands of neighbours,” he added.

The Government will also do more to create the right supportive environment to encourage community efforts, “where everyone plays the part that we are best placed to perform”, said Mr Heng.

Noting that each Budget builds on past ones, he added that the country has built up a strong social security system that serves Singaporeans well.

Over the last decade, the Republic has also steadily increased its social investments. Social expenditure — including in housing, healthcare, education and community development — have almost tripled from the S$12.7 billion in the 2006 financial year to S$34 billion in the last financial year.

These include improving the quality, affordability and accessibility of education across all levels, as well as increasing the supply of housing and its relevant subsidies. For healthcare, subsidies were enhanced across all care settings, such as the Community Health Assist Scheme, while MediShield Life was introduced.

For the lower-income, the authorities enhanced Workfare, introduced the Silver Support scheme and made GST vouchers permanent, said Mr Heng.

Under Workfare, the Government tops up wages of lower-income Singaporeans.

The Silver Support scheme supplements the incomes of low-income elderly, while GST vouchers are meant to help lower- and middle-income Singaporean households with their living expenses.

The authorities will continue to refine social policies, and study new ideas and suggestions, he added.