The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government will pay special attention to the poor and disadvantaged people in the coming year, Fernando Chui Sai On, secretary for social affairs and culture, said in Macao Friday.
In his policy address for 2003, Chui said at the Legislative Assembly, "It will make more people to share the benefits from social progress and development to maintain even distribution of social resources."
A total of 20 million patacas (US$2.5 million) will be set aside next year as subsidies for single-parent families, disabled people and those who are ill for a long period of time.
"While we encourage those able to work to try to be employed, the government will also offer financial assistance to the people who unexpectedly lose their fortunes or jobs," said Chui.
The official vowed to create a better environment for the healthy growth of the younger generation and further improve medical services.
On the education side, Chui said the SAR government will go all out to seek better teachers for local schools and support the upgrading and expansion of school buildings. A total of 10 million patacas (US$1.25 million) will be offered as subsidies for students from poverty-stricken families.
A number of institutions of higher learning, including the University of Macao and the Macao Institute for Tourism Studies, have posted training courses for the jobless, attracting more than3,800 registrants, he said.
(Xinhua News Agency December 7, 2002)
