Pioneer Generation Package a long-term commitment: Chan Chun Sing

SINGAPORE — A package by the Government to help the pioneer generation age in place will be a long-term commitment.

Social and Family Development Minister Chan Chun Sing said the Pioneer Generation Package will take care of the seniors for the rest of their time as Singaporeans.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will announce the details of the package on Sunday (Feb 9).

Mr Chan said: “It is not about giving them something for one year and that’s it. It is more than that. It is a package… to take care of them for the rest of their time as Singaporeans, and the rest of the time they are with us.

“We want to make this commitment because it is a testimony to what we believe as a nation, that as the Chinese say, ‘yin shui si yuan’, (meaning) when we drink from the well, we will remember the source.”

Mr Chan was speaking at a Chinese New Year dinner for residents from Tanjong Pagar GRC.

He added that a key focus of the package will be on healthcare costs, noting that this will help those who are taking care of the pioneer generation.

Mr Chan said: “And we also understand that for many younger parents, the younger generation people who are supporting the pioneer generation, that healthcare has been a main focus for them.

“And because of this, we will focus the first step of the Pioneer Generation Package on giving the pioneer generation and their families a sense of assurance that their healthcare (needs) will be taken care of by the society as a whole.”

Some 600 Tanjong Pagar residents attended the Chinese New Year dinner at the Buona Vista Community Centre. Also present was Senior Minister of State for Law and Education Indranee Rajah.

It is the constituency’s first Chinese New Year dinner at the community centre. CHANNEL NEWSASIA