FLOODS (Relief to victims)

Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Social Affairs what assistance has been given to help the people affected by the floods in order that they may rehabilitate themselves.

The Minister for Social Affairs (Inche Othman Bin Wok): Mr Speaker, Sir, during the floods, the Social Welfare Department opened five relief centres at:

(i) Serangoon Secondary School;

(ii) Geylang Serai Vocational School;

(iii) Bedok School;

(iv) Balestier Hill School; and

(v) St. Andrew's School.

It is estimated that 2,800 persons used these five centres. In addition, eight relief centres manned by voluntary workers were opened in various flood-stricken areas. These eight centres were used by an estimated 870 persons.

The Social Welfare Department gave immediate relief on the day of the flood itself by supplying the following foodstuffs to the above 13 centres:

(a) Rice;

(b) Sugar;

(c) Coffee powder;

(d) Sardines;

(e) Fresh vegetables;

(f) Biscuits;

(g) Ikan bilis; and

(h) Dried prawns.

The total quantity of foodstuffs supplied came to 3,250 lbs. In addition, 3,780 lbs, of clothings were issued to those in need.

After the floods, as an immediate measure, the Social Welfare Department paid cash grants at the rate of $10 per person to 12 families comprising 65 persons whose houses had been extensively damaged or rendered unsafe by the floods. Eight of these families have been allocated Housing and Development Board flats.

The following categories of persons were adversely affected as a result of the floods:

(i) Farmers;

(ii) Next-of-kin and dependants of those who died;

(iii) Persons who need alternative accommodation as a result of their houses being washed away, rendered unsafe or extensively damaged.

The Government has drawn up a relief scheme for farms damaged by the floods to help the farmers re-establish their farms and get back to full production as quickly as possible. The scheme provides for aid in cash as well as in kind to farms licensed by the Primary Production Department.

Small vegetable farmers have been given $100 in cash plus $50 worth of materials, i.e., vegetable seeds, fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides and lime. Farmers of medium-sized vegetable farms were given $100 in cash plus $100 worth of materials. Farmers of large-sized farms were given $100 in cash plus $150 worth of materials.

Pig farmers are eligible for a loan of up to $1,000 at 3 per cent interest repayable in one year. In addition to this loan, small pig farmers who lost pigs in the floods are given $160 worth of feeding stuff.

Poultry farmers are eligible for a loan of up to $500 at 3 per cent interest repayable in one year. In addition to this loan, small poultry farmers who lost poultry in the floods are given $150 worth of feeding stuff.

It is estimated that this relief scheme for farmers will cost the Government $137,400 to be given in the form of grants and $406,500 by way of loans.

The Government has also drawn up a scheme to assist the next-of-kin of those who died as a result of the floods. The scheme provides for the ex gratia payment of compensation from the General Relief Fund. Payment will be assessed on the lines of the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance which provides for maximum compensation of 36 months' wages or $7,200 whichever is the less. The estimated cost of ex gratia compensation is $20,360.

The floods also rendered a number of persons homeless. Such persons who need alternative accommodation as a result of the floods will be paid a rent subsidy on the same basis as that paid to persons made homeless by fire, i.e., at the rate of $7 per person per month subject to a limit of $35 per family per month for a maximum period of three months. The estimated cost for rent subsidies is $1,491.