Voucher scheme for needy Punggol East residents takes off

SINGAPORE — More than 400 needy households in Punggol East could benefit from a community voucher programme that would help offset the cost of food and groceries from participating retailers at neighbourhood mall Rivervale Plaza.

Each family will receive S$40 worth of vouchers in denominations of S$10, S$2 and S$1, which are valid for six months. The vouchers can be used in outlets such as foodcourt Koufu, Sengkang New Market and Pan-Q Confectionery in Rivervale Plaza.

The voucher scheme started in June with only a coffeeshop and a minimart in Punggol East and has since expanded to 17 outlets.

The scheme is an initiative of the North East Community Development Council and is now a collaboration with the Punggol East Citizens’ Consultative Committee Development and Welfare Fund.

Dr Koh Poh Koon, adviser of the Punggol East CCC DWF, had pushed for the ongoing scheme to come to the ward. Dr Koh had contested for the single-seat ward in the by-elections in January but lost to the Workers' Party's Lee Li Lian.

The vouchers were distributed today (Dec 29) by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is also a Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC.