Day: October 15, 2021

Dr Tony Tan, patron of Dover Park Hospice, and Mrs Mary Tan

Associate Professor Jeremy Lim, Chairman of Dover Park Hospice

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

1.      Good evening everyone. I am honoured to join you this evening for Dover Park Hospice’s second Virtual Sunflower Dinner.

2.      I like to especially acknowledge the presence of Dr Tony Tan and Mrs Mary Tan this evening. As patron of the hospice, cherished benefactor, Dr Tony Tan has given DPH his unwavering support throughout the years. Thank you very much. MOH is especially grateful for that, as we regard DPH as a critically important institution in our healthcare landscape.

3.      DPH has grown significantly since it was first established as Singapore’s first purpose-built inpatient hospice and that was in 1992. It started with just 40 inpatient beds, and today, it provides a full suite of palliative care services – from home-based, centre-based to inpatient palliative care.

4.      Over the last 29 years, DPH has provided care to more than 12,000 patients and their families. In 2020 alone, DPH admitted close to 1,000 palliative care patients across their services and more patients will benefit when DPH expands its inpatient service to 100 beds at its next Integrated Care Hub next year.

5.      It is not easy to talk about palliative care in Singapore and in fact in many places. As an Asian society, it is a sensitive topic to broach with families, and have a delicate conversation about death. But it is important to do so, because it is better for the dying if we understand their wishes, their hopes, and to prepare them, and to prepare ourselves.

6.      I have seen both my parents passing away, towards the end, the palliative nurse was the most important pillar of support for my family. And she could explain what we are to expect. She could explain how my mother or my father is feeling, and generally put us in a much better place. My regret was that I could not bring my parents home on both occasions, and they died in hospitals.  I am quite sure that that would have been their wish, and it will certainly be mine when I am older and time to go. But I never had those conversations with my parents, and have not had one with my family either.

7.      I was therefore moved when I read the story of the late Mr Lim Ah Tee, whose request for a terminal discharge home from TTSH was made possible because of the efforts undertaken by the DPH team, even amidst the pandemic. Mr Lim fulfilled his wish to spend his final days at home, with his family members beside him.

8.      And I thank DPH’s efforts to raise awareness on such difficult to discuss end-of-life issues, and it includes using social media to encourage the start of such conversations early and correcting misperceptions that accompanies it.

9.      Palliative care is becoming more important in Singapore. As Singapore ages, the number of patients in Singapore requiring holistic palliative care will also increase. Having high quality palliative care is therefore not just a public health priority, but also a key pillar of a compassionate healthcare system, the path to a dignified peaceful death.

10.      That is why we are developing palliative care in Singapore.  Conventionally focussed on cancer patients, it is increasingly being extended to non-cancer patients as we experience a shift in disease burden. DPH has been swift to identify and act on these trends by offering home care services targeting key chronic diseases, such as dementia and end-stage organ failure. One example is Programme Dignity, which started in 2014 and has benefitted 700 dementia patients.

11.      We must ensure that palliative services remain affordable as well. The government has provided funding to support the development and delivery of quality and affordable palliative care services across the care settings. However, there are times and circumstances when this may not be enough, due to individual situations where a patient would require more financial assistance beyond government subsidies.

12.      Donations are therefore needed, so that when the situation requires it, DPH can provide heavily subsidised palliative care services, or free services, for needy patients. To do so, DPH holds its flagship fundraising event annually, without fail, COVID or not. The rules do not allow us to have a physical dinner this evening, so DPH swiftly adapted to a virtual format this year. DPH is committed to provide heavily subsidised, affordable palliative care.

13.      I thank everyone present this evening, for your support and help to DPH all these years. I am honoured to be part of the effort to raise funds for a noble cause, and will continue to count on your support. Finally, I thank the organising committee, donors, and sponsors for your efforts in making this event happen. Have a great evening.

 

 

Source: Ministry of Health, Singapore

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) flooded the areas of western Pangasinan with aid to help workers affected by the lingering pandemic.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the activity is part of the DOLE’s intensified campaign to make government presence felt by needy workers in the provinces.

“This is to reassure our workers in the provinces that our assistance is not only for workers in Metro Manila but to all Filipino workers,” Bello said.

Joined by top DOLE officials, Bello went to Dagupan City and Lingayen to distribute key assistance programs, including its flagship Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

“This part of the province may have been spared by the heavy effect of the recent typhoon that passed northern Luzon, but it was never missed by DOLE’s support,” Bello said.

Among the highlights of the activities is the continued rollout of the vaccination program for construction and manufacturing workers led by DOLE.

The program aims to vaccinate one million Filipino workers who belong to the economic sector of the country.

A total of 1,000 construction workers from Pangasinan were vaccinated in the Lingayen Training Facility through the partnership of DOLE and the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP).

Meanwhile, Bello led the distribution of more than P6.2 million in TUPAD payouts and checks to close to 2,000 beneficiaries from the province’s western towns.

TUPAD is the cash-for-work program of DOLE to help workers hard-hit by the pandemic.

On the other hand, 40 beneficiaries from Infanta were given livelihood assistance by DOLE worth more than P800,000 for the purchase of motorized fishing boats.

To recognize companies compliant with the safety and health standards of the government, Bello awarded the much coveted ‘Safety Seal’ to establishments including Coca-Cola Beverages Inc., First Ilocandia Cable, Tara Ice Manufacturing, Excellent Clear Ice Plant Inc., Pangasinan Electric Coop, Inc., and Josefa Slipways, Inc.

Further, 30 overseas Filipino workers received P400,000 in checks under the Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay and Project Ease of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

OWWA is the arm of the Labor Department that promotes the welfare of Filipino migrant workers.

Also released were salaries of hundreds of beneficiaries of the Government Internship Program in Dagupan.

 

 

 

Source: Department Of Labor and Employment Republic of Philippines

Malaysia has been given the honour to be a member to the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) for the term 2022-2024, following

elections held during the 76^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Thursday. Malaysia received an

overwhelming majority of 183 votes.

 

Malaysia’s election to the HRC is a testament of the international community’s recognition and confidence in the country’s endeavours as a

consensus builder and facilitator towards the advancement of human rights. During its membership, Malaysia plans to prioritise

constructive engagement, cooperation, inclusivity, transparency and mutual respect in the HRC.

 

As a Council member, Malaysia intends to prioritise the rights of vulnerable groups particularly children, women, the indigenous people, and

the elderly. Malaysia plans to push for the empowerment of youths to have a bigger role at all levels of decision-making. Malaysia will also

uphold access to safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment as a human right that needs to be protected and promoted. At the

international level, Malaysia will continue to advocate strongly against human rights violations, such as the systemic oppression of the

Palestinian people and the Rohingya in Myanmar, and work together with the international community to rebuild Afghanistan.

 

Malaysia has served in the HRC twice before, from 2006-2009 and 2010-2013 where it worked constructively with all stakeholders in the

pursuit of a balanced and non-politicised approach to human rights issues.

 

Malaysia believes that the role of the HRC is now more vital than ever, especially as the world rebuilds and recovers from the COVID-19

pandemic, to ensure that human rights is kept at the center. To this end, Malaysia will remain actively engaged with the Council as well as

its related processes to find common ground, build back stronger in peaceful coexistence and ensure that no one is left behind.

 

The HRC is a 47-member inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for the promotion and protection of all

human rights. It considers all thematic human rights issues, human rights violations and specific situations requiring attention.

 

 

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia

Mr Richard Magnus, Chairman, Human Capital Singapore

Ms Ho Geok Choo, CEO, Human Capital Singapore

Ms Ku Geok Boon, CEO, SG Enable

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning. I am happy to join everyone at this important Masterclass on Disability-Inclusive Hiring as a Strategic Competitive Advantage. I am glad that many employers, professionals, managers, and executives are joining us today to learn about the latest best practices in disability- inclusive hiring, and how it adds a strategic advantage to businesses. In particular, I extend a warm welcome to the representatives from organisations that have signed the President’s Challenge (PC) Enabling Employment Pledge.

As Singapore progresses and grows, it is important that we do not leave anyone behind. Employers play a pivotal role in our society’s ongoing efforts to empower persons with disabilities. At today’s Masterclass, you will learn from one another how other organisations have benefitted from inclusive hiring.

Over the years, we have made strides to improve employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. Inclusive hiring has slowly become a reality, due to the collective effort of many companies like all those present today.

In March 2020, I launched the PC Enabling Employment Pledge to call on organisations to adopt an inclusive mindset, create barrier-free workplace environments and implement supportive employment policies for employees with disabilities. To date, 148 organisations from the private, people and public sector have signed the pledge, affirming their commitment to inclusive hiring.

The Pledge is a first step for employers to affirm their commitment to disability-inclusive hiring. Employers who sign the Pledge can look forward to building up capabilities and receiving support like today’s Masterclass, in their efforts to hire, train and integrate persons with disabilities. Those who are ready can also take the next step of applying for the Enabling Mark – a national accreditation by SG Enable that benchmarks and recognises organisations for their best practices and outcomes in disability- inclusive employment.

I am glad that despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still many companies who put their commitment to inclusive hiring into action. At the inaugural Enabling Mark Awards in August this year, I was delighted to present 88 organisations with the Enabling Mark. The Enabling Mark takes into account how organisations can provide persons with disabilities with opportunities and support through their recruitment processes, workplace environments and company culture.

Today’s Masterclass is a continuation of the inclusive hiring journey, as we will get to hear from organisations that demonstrate innovation in their inclusive hiring practices.

One of these organisations is UOB Group, who will be sharing about The Unlimited. Through this social capital initiative, UOB reaches out to SMEs in the consumer banking arena to generate interest in tapping persons with disabilities to meet their workforce needs. One of the SMEs under UOB’s The Unlimited is Seoul Garden – a long-established chain of restaurants in Singapore and Malaysia. Seoul Garden stepped forward and hired persons with disabilities through the initiative. With 10 percent of its employees being persons with disabilities, it has found that inclusive hiring contributed to a more engaged workforce and inclusive organisational culture.

We also hear from Deutsche Bank and how they launched dbEnable Singapore in 2014 as part of Deutsche Bank’s global initiative to foster an inclusive working environment. Through this programme, Deutsche Bank aims to create an environment that increases the presence, participation, and contribution of people with disabilities in the workplace.

I am happy to hear about the HR Shared Services initiative mentioned by Mr Richard Magnus just now. I am glad that SG Enable will support up to 30 training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities to take on roles in this HR Shared Services. I would like to thank the partners of HCS involved in this initiative – such as Microsoft Singapore, Alibaba Cloud, e2i and SG Enable – and look forward to the commissioning of the project in the first quarter of 2022.

I trust that organisations who are new to disability-inclusive hiring will also see the strategic advantage of having a diverse and inclusive workforce. By employing persons with disabilities, it will help in their overall well-being and organisational culture. With the right support, persons with disabilities can contribute to businesses, just like any of us.

In closing, I would like to thank SG Enable and Human Capital Singapore for organising today’s Masterclass, and the panelists for contributing to this sharing. Inclusive hiring is an ongoing journey. I hope that we can continue to empower persons with disabilities to achieve their fullest potential at the workplaces. Let us continue to work together and build a more inclusive Singapore.

Thank you.

 

 

Source: President’s Office of Singapore

The Regional Trial Court of Bayawan City (RTC-Bayawan) and the Municipal Trial Court in Cities of Bayawan City (MTCC-Bayawan) convicted a former bookkeeper of the now closed Rural Bank of Bayawan (Negros Oriental), Inc. (RB Bayawan) for violation of The General Banking Law of 2000 and the Revised Penal Code.

The court convicted the bank’s former bookkeeper, Mary Grace M. Tito, based on a criminal complaint filed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

In an order dated 09 August 2021, RTC-Bayawan sentenced Tito to imprisonment of six months for each of the ten counts of Engaging or Participating in Prohibited or Fraudulent Transactions, which Tito pleaded guilty to.

In its decision dated 09 August 2021, MTCC-Bayawan also sentenced Tito to imprisonment of a minimum of four months to a maximum two years, and to pay a fine of Php 2,000.00 for each count, after she pleaded guilty to all ten counts of Falsification of Commercial/Public Documents.

The criminal cases arose from the participation of accused Tito in the processing, approval, and grant by RB Bayawan of ten fictitious loans totaling Php 1,705,000.00.

The BSP discovered the fraudulent loans during an investigation of the bank’s loan transactions after its closure.

The BSP is committed to maintaining the soundness of the financial system and protecting public interest through the implementation of good governance practices among its supervised financial institutions.

 

 

Source: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had a phone call with President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping on 15 October 2021.

 

Prime Minister Lee and President Xi reaffirmed the strong ties between Singapore and China as well as the mutual benefits arising from continued bilateral exchanges and cooperation despite the challenging circumstances posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Both leaders also noted the continued good progress in our three Government-to-Government projects and close cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative.

 

Prime Minister Lee and President Xi discussed ways to strengthen economic recovery through enhancing collaboration on cross-border and supply chain connectivity, as well as in trade, investment, smart cities and climate change. They also welcomed greater cooperation on emerging areas such as the green economy and the digital economy. They looked forward to the convening of the 17^th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation later this year.

 

Prime Minister Lee and President Xi exchanged views on regional and international developments. Both leaders reaffirmed the strong ties between ASEAN and China on the 30^thanniversary of Dialogue Relations.

 

 

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Singapore