ISLAND-WIDE CLEANEST ESTATE COMPETITION

ISLAND-WIDE CLEANEST ESTATE COMPETITION

**

(Update on reinstatement): **

29.

Mdm Ho Geok Choo asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources if he is able to provide an update on the recent reinstatement of the Island-wide Cleanest Estate Competition and how will the Government ensure that there is a fine balance between the competition among cleaning companies and engaging residents to be more responsible for their own neighbourhood.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: The Government adopts a three-pronged approach to keeping Singapore clean - public education, enforcement and public cleansing. We place strong emphasis on public education so that each individual takes responsibility for keeping Singapore and their living environment clean. At the same time, we conduct regular enforcement against litterbugs to deter irresponsible behaviour. NEA together with land agencies such as Town Councils, SLA and NParks also ensure that adequate cleansing services are provided in areas under their charge.

We want Singapore to be clean because each one of us takes responsibility to keep our surroundings clean, and not because we have an efficient team of cleaners. The recent reinstatement of the Islandwide Cleanest Estate Competition (ICEC) by the 14 PAP Town Councils has the following objectives:

(1) Raise community awareness and promote social responsibility in keeping our living environment clean;

(2) Promote residents' sense of ownership of the common areas; and

(3) Reduce obstruction and eliminate killer litter in our estates.

In line with these objectives, I understand that the judging criteria of ICEC gives greater weightage to community efforts in promoting social responsibility amongst residents, than to efforts by the cleaners.

Column: 155