SPEECH BY MR GAN THIAM POH, MP FOR PASIR RIS – PUNGGOL GRC, NATIONAL DAY OBSERVANCE CEREMONY ON 3 AUGUST 2013, SATURDAY, 8.00AM AT NORTH VISTA PRIMARY SCHOOL Dear Principal of North Vista Primary, School Teachers and staff Special guests Grassroots Volunteers, Residents Parents Boys and Girls, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Morning! I am very pleased and honoured to be here this morning to join all of you celebrating our Nation’s 48th birthday. We are a young nation and it is really the hard work of our forefathers; parents and the unity of everyone of us Singaporeans that made Singapore a safe and prosperous place to live, play, work and to nature the next generation. As we develop and progress, we face many challenges and it is very crucial for us to stay united as one. Regional issues such as the clearing of forests in neighbouring Indonesia also saw the haze which affected many of us. I am heartened to note that many Singaporeans braved the high PSI levels and distributed face masks to fellow needy residents as well as providing assistance to anyone in need. I thank all Singaporeans for the tremendous efforts made and also thank all Singaoreans for going through this episode together as one people, one nation. As a growing nation, we are faced with many real challenges from our region and elsewhere. Education is very important as our only resource is us, Singaporeans! We must keep our skills relevant in today’s fast and ever-changing society. We will lose to our competitors and jobs if we do not Stay ahead of competition against other fast developing countries that are not that far behind us. We need to really work together to ensure ample opportunities created for all Singaporeans to succeed in life. I will also like to take this opportunity to share with and update all of you the progress of projects undertaken for the benefit of all residents in Punggol South so far. As shared last year, we will be having a new childcare facility at the futsal court next to Blk 269 Compassvale Link. My First skool who is going to operate the childcare centre informed that the new centre is going offer additional places making it a total of 200 childcare places. Construction is scheduled to commence from Mid August till end December. It expects the centre to serve the residents in early 2014. I would also like to take this opportunity to share with you some happenings in our neighbourhood. Firstly we have updates on the Home Improvement Programme (HIP). If you are a resident staying at Punggol Maple precinct Blocks 681 to 692 Hougang St 61, HDB is planning to hold an exhibition and conducting polls end of the year. I have earlier also shared that approval has been obtained to launch HIP for residents from Punggol Acacia precinct Blocks 693 to 698 Hougang St 61. Next, we will also be doing extensive Repairs and Re-decoration (R&R) projects such as painting and touching up facilities in the estate. Meanwhile, the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) works have commenced at Punggol Angsana and Palmview precincts Blocks 534 to 566. And for the residents from Punggol Hibiscus precinct Blocks 435 – 458, a big thank you for your overwhelming support in the recent poll for the NRP! The consultant will finalise the drawings and seek approval before tender is called. On this ending note, I wish everyone here a wonderful weekend ahead! Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Happy National Day! Thank you!
Posted on: Thu, 08 Aug 2013 15:59:01 +0000