SUNDAY BLOCK PARTIES@BISHAN EAST RC ZONES 2, 4 AND 5, 21 NOVEMBER 2010

After three block parties on Saturday evening, DPM Wong attended another three block parties organised by Bishan East RC Zones 2, 4 and 5 on this Sunday morning. He brought the same good news to residents of Bishan East RC Zone 5 this morning that the last few blocks in Zone 5 would soon be enjoying the conveniences of lift at every floor through the HDB Upgrading Programme. DPM Wong encouraged residents to vote in favour of the programme during the upcoming poll as the programme is heavily subsidised by the government.

To end the Sunday morning, DPM Wong and senior grassroots leaders planted trees at the open field along Bishan Road to commemorate the annual Tree-Planting festival.

FINAL BATCH OF HDB LIFT UPGRADING IN BISHAN EAST

By 2013, all HDB flats in Bishan East estate would have undergone the HDB Lift Upgrading Programme. Announcing this to residents of Bishan East Zone 1 during a block party, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Mr Wong Kan Seng who is also the Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, urged residents to vote in favour for the Lift Upgrading Program for Blocks 501, 502, 503 and 506. DPM Wong noted that HDB flats in Bishan East estate are very attractive and fetch high resale value due to the centralised location and plentiful amenities. However, DPM Wong also reminded home owners to be mindful and careful when selling their flats as there are known cases where owners sold their flats hoping to apply for a HDB rental flat in the interim. DPM Wong said that such plans were unlikely to materialise as their is a very limited and short supply of HDB rental flats. Mr Wong also attended two other block parties in Bishan East RC Zones 3 and 6 on the same evening.

BEZ4 Block 172 House Visit, 18 November 2010

Mr Wong Kan Seng, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, visited Block 172 at Bishan East Zone 4 RC. DPM Wong was warmly hosted by the RC Chairman Mr Alfred Tan. Accompanying DPM Wong were officials from agencies such as the NEA, LTA, Town Council and HDB. During the block visit, residents gave feedback that Bishan East was the most ideal place to live in with many conveniences not found in most housing estates.

Mrs Lee Cheng Koon, a new resident, was pleasantly surprised to learn about the various new media platforms that residents could keep in touch with DPM Wong. Mr Wong invited residents to stay abreast of community events by accessing the community blogspot http://www.bishan-east.blogspot.com and http://www.wongkanseng.sg.

BISHAN EAST MARKET WALKABOUT

On Sunday, 14 November 2010, all the five Members of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, led by Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng, visited the market zones in Bishan East estate.  Joining DPM Wong were Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, Mayor Zainudin Nordin, Mrs Josephine Teo and Mr Hri Kumar Nair and grassroots leaders and representatives from the merchant association, HDB, Town Council and LTA.

During the market walkabout, residents and stall-holders warmly welcomed all the MPs.  Many took the opportunity to have their photos taken with the MPs and also to give their feedbacks on issues close to their hearts.

HAMPTON PRE-SCHOOL OPENING AND CONCERT 2010

Mr Wong Kan Seng, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, officially opened the Hampton Pre-School situated at Block 178 Bishan Street 13 on Saturday, 13 November 2010. Hampton Pre-School achieved full enrollment within the first year of operation with strong demand from the young parents who live in Bishan East.

Mr Wong was joined by his parliamentary colleagues, Minister for Education Dr Ng Eng Hen, Mr Zainudin Nordin, Mayor of Central Singapore District, Mrs Josephine Teo and Mr Hri Kumar, together with the management of EtonHouse and the proud parents of the children of Hampton. During the event, DPM Wong announced the creation of a new Bishan-Toa Payoh Community Scholarship which would benefit a total of 35 students from local Institutes of Education, polytechnics and universities. This was possible with the generous donation of Mr Peter Lim, Dr Albert Hong and grassroots organisations of Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC. A total of $3.1 million was raised to fund the scholarships.

BISHAN-TOA PAYOH GRC LAUNCHES $3.1 MILLION COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME

1 From next year, the Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC will launch a $3.1million community scholarship scheme to provide financial assistance to Singaporean children of Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC residents who are pursuing tertiary studies in local universities, polytechnics and the Institute of Education (ITE).

2 The scholarships are bond-free, but the scholars will be strongly encouraged to perform voluntary community service in grassroots organisations in the GRC during their school vacations and after they graduate.

3 The scholarships are valued at $5,000 per annum for bachelor degree programmes, $2,000 per annum for diploma programmes and $500 per annum for Nitec and Higher-Nitec programmes in Institute of Technical Education. The scholars will receive the awards annually for the full duration of studies.

5 The GRC is prepared to award up to 35 scholarships each year. It has the financial resources to run the scholarship programme for 15 years, making it the most extensive and comprehensive bond-free community scholarship programme ever launched by a GRC.

6 The scholarship programme was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng at a community event on this morning.

Generous donations to the scholarship fund

7 The GRC has raised $3.1 million for the scholarship programme. Among the donors are two generous donations by Mr Peter Lim ($2 million) and Dr Albert Hong ($750,000). The Citizen Consultative Committees (CCCs) raised another $350,000 to make up $3.1 million to the scholarship fund.

8 Speaking at the launch of the scholarships, DPM Wong said, “The scholarships will provide education support for many Singaporean students from low income families in our GRC. We are targeting those who have already secured places or are currently pursuing tertiary studies, but whose results may not get them other academic-based scholarships from other organisations. The scholarships are the most substantive and meaningful investment by the Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC in the education of our residents’ children. It will uplift the lives of many residents and it represents what our GRC stands for – that we care for everyone in our community, and we will work together to help those who need our support.”

Applications open in December

9 Applications for scholarships for ITE and polytechnics will begin in December 2010 and the scholarships will be awarded in April 2011.

10 Applications for scholarships for universities will begin in March 2011 after the A level results are announced. The scholarships will be awarded in July 2011.

11 More information will be available when applications for the scholarships open. The GRC will also post information and updates on the scholarships at the Bishan-Toa Payoh Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/BishanToaPayoh). Residents who wish to be kept informed when the applications open can also send an email to iam@wongkanseng.sg with their contact details.

BISHAN CC UPGRADING

Bishan Community Club will be undergoing a facelift with upgrading of facilities. Some of the proposed new features and facilities include an outdoor rock climbing wall, interactive water feature, additional youth activity space, games room and computer room and even a well-equipped gymnasium with a panoramic view. So drop us an email and give us your feedback to share your thoughts or any proposals for the plans.

Look out for the changes to the Bishan East skyline!

BEZ3 Block 192 House Visit, 4 November 2010

The new series of block visits for November 2010 started off at block 192 Bishan Street 13. Steaming ahead with the bi-monthly block visits, Mr Wong Kan Seng, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Member of Parliament for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, visited Block 192 at BEZ3 on 4 November 2010. Residents warmly welcomed DPM Wong into their homes and took the opportunity to express their views and bring up issues related to their living environment. In particular, a resident Mr Loo, expressed appreciation for the good work of the conservancy workers who helped to keep the estate clean.

The visit was hosted by Bishan East Zone 3 RC Chairman Mdm Frances Tang, fellow grassroots leaders, and accompanied by officers representing the HDB, Town Council, Police, NEA and LTA.