Working Reports

1. Government announced 10 new initiatives to improve people’s livelihood

On 14 Jan, the Government announced 10 new initiatives to improve people’s livelihood in the face of an economic downturn and rising unemployment rate. The measures will incur $10 billion representing about 2% of the total operating expenditure of the Government. The measures include the initiative to lower the eligible age for the $2 transport fare concession scheme from the current 65 to 60, reform the Old Age Living Allowance Scheme, cash allowances for the unemployed and underemployed,  pay the Mandatory Provident Fund contributions of those on low incomes, etc. 

 

2. Urged the Government to set up a special fund for environmental health and public hygiene in Hong Kong

Recently, a number of suspected cases of pneumonia in Hong Kong have aroused concern over community environmental health and public hygiene. On 9 Jan, together with some other LegCo members, I proposed the Government to set up a special fund to improve the environmental health and public hygiene in Hong Kong, to launch a territory-wide environmental health campaign, and to set up a high-level committee to review relevant policies of the Government.  I urged the Government to adopt our suggestions to improve public hygiene and to prevent spread of vector-borne diseases in Hong Kong. 

 

3. Raised an oral question on conversion of industrial buildings to transitional housing

I raised an oral question at the LegCo meeting on 4 Dec and asked the Government whether it will review the policies on and support measures for conversion of industrial buildings to transitional housing. The Government replied that it will consider reserve suitable sites for constructing domestic blocks. The Housing Authority is also exploring redevelopment of the existing industrial buildings to public housing, especially for rental blocks. Please visit the link below for my question and the Government’s reply:

https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201912/04/P2019120400468.htm?fontSize=3

 

4. Funding projects approved in the PWSC and the FC

On 4 Dec, the funding project of HK$72.4 million was approved to reconstruct of Pak Kok Pier on Lamma Island for improving the berthing condition. On the same day, the project of HK$673.6 million was approved to develop the district library and residential care home for the elderly in the Joint User Complex at Lei King Road; the project of HK$142.6 million for the development of Community Hall-cum Home Affairs Enquiry Centre in Cheung Chau was also approved; another allocation of HK$293.2 million for the development of Hoi Sham Park Extension in Kowloon City District was approved as well. On 15 Jan, the PWSC approved the West Kowloon Reclamation – main works (remainder) – footbridge at the junction of Sham Mong Road and Hing Wah Street West in Sham Shui Po, at an estimated cost of HK$331.9 million.  The above funding proposals approved by the PWSC will be reviewed by the FC for final funding approval as soon as possible.

 

On 6 Dec, the FC approved HK$20 billion to implement a package of measures announced by the Financial Secretary in August and September 2019 to relieve people’s financial burden and support enterprises, especially SMEs in Hong Kong.

 

5. Joined the E&M Safety Walk and Carnival Fair

I was invited to join the E&M Safety Walk and Carnival Fair held on 1 December 2019 at the Tai Tong Organic Ecopark in Yuen Long.  This event is organized by the electrical & mechanical sector for the 16th consecutive years. It aims to imbue the positive culture of construction site safety in the industry.

 

6. Construction Innovation Expo 2019

I was invited to join the opening ceremony of the Construction Innovation Expo 2019 on 18 Dec.  Jointly organised by the Development Bureau and the Construction Industry Council (CIC), and supported by the Centre of Science and Technology Industrial Development of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, this year's CIExpo features four key themes, namely, Offsite Construction, Robotics and Automation, Digital Solutions, as well as Advanced Technologies and Materials, attracting over 10,000 visitors from more than 220 local and overseas organisations from 15 countries and regions.