*************************************
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, visited a neighbourhood elderly centre and an integrated children and youth services centre in Wong Tai Sin and exchanged views with local District Councillors this afternoon (December 13).
Accompanied by the District Officer (Wong Tai Sin), Mrs Angel Choi, Mr Cheung first visited the Ho Chui District Community Centre for Senior Citizens operated by Sik Sik Yuen. He was briefed by the Chairman of Sik Sik Yuen, Mr Wong Kam-choi; the Vice-Chairman, Mr Leung Yu-wah; and the Centre-in-charge, Ms Lee Chow-ling, on the centre's diversified services for senior citizens in Tsz Wan Shan and Diamond Hill.
Noting that the centre is operating under a comprehensive community care concept, Mr Cheung was pleased to learn that the centre not only provides community health-care services but also organises a range of community activities to help the elderly participants to lead an enriched life. Mr Cheung toured the centre to see the facilities and interest classes there, and enjoyed a drum performance by the elderly.
During a tea gathering with the elderly members, Mr Cheung revealed that the Government would propose to increase the standard payment rates of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme and various allowances under the Social Security Allowance Scheme (including the Old Age Living Allowance, the Old Age Allowance and the Disability Allowance) in accordance with the movement of the Social Security Assistance Index of Prices. Subject to approval by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council later this month, the new rates would take effect from February 1 next year.
Mr Cheung then visited the Choi Wan Rhenish Integrated Children and Youth Services Centre. Accompanied by the Chief Officer of the Chinese Rhenish Church Hong Kong Synod's Welfare Department, Ms Yu Shuk-fun, Mr Cheung was briefed by the Centre-in-charge, Ms Lam Kwok-lan, on the centre's wide-ranging facilities and services offered to children, teenagers and families in the district.
Mr Cheung watched a singing performance by children attending the centre's after-school care. He also observed a life-planning session for working youth, and the preparation of Christmas gifts by participants of the Choi Wan Good Neighbours Health Network, a project funded by the Labour and Welfare Bureau's Community Investment and Inclusion Fund.
During the visit, Mr Cheung chatted with youngsters in the centre to understand how the centre has equipped them for their studies and employment. He also met with some South Asian parents to hear them share their experience in integrating into the community and tasted their homemade ethnic delicacies.
For the last leg of his district visit, Mr Cheung met with the Chairman of the Wong Tai Sin District Council, Mr Li Tak-hong, and other District Council members for an exchange and heard their views on local needs and concerns.
Ends/Friday, December 13, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:02
NNNN
