VOLUNTEERS have been visiting elderly residents in the Central district monthly, bringing electric fans, food, toiletries and other donations from companies.

Companies have also sent employees to tidy up rental and three-room flats in areas such as Toa Payoh.

Enlisting more helping hands - getting individuals and groups from the private, public and people sectors involved - is one of three areas that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong asked Community Development Councils (CDCs) to focus on in the coming years.

The other areas: strengthening social cohesion and finding more successful Singaporeans to volunteer their expertise, he said yesterday at a ceremony where Singapore's five mayors were sworn in for a new three-year term.

Mr Lee, who chairs the People's Association, which oversees CDCs, spoke of the councils' crucial role in helping the needy deal with the current recession.

While the Government has provided a slew of help measures at the national level, the CDCs which mayors head were close to residents and more attuned to their needs.

Thus they can deliver assistance where it is most needed and deserved. They can also help Singaporeans become self-reliant and get back on their feet.

Noting that 40 per cent more residents sought social assistance and twice as many sought help with jobs from last October to April this year, he praised the CDCs' innovative and effective solutions.

CDCs have, for instance, provided the retrenched with immediate support as they looked for new jobs and helped over 600 families with their budgeting.

But he urged CDCs not to rest on their laurels and to continue to build and exploit links with the community, to ensure that aid flows smoothly to the right areas.

He cited as an example, their local networks that pull together grassroots leaders, voluntary welfare organisations and family service centres to help low-income and dysfunctional families: 'By working together, we can render more coordinated assistance, encouragement, support and programmes which can make a difference.'

Agreeing, Central District Mayor Zainudin Nordin said he aims to get more private companies involved in programmes this year as he plans to reach out to twice the number of elderly residents.

Mr Lee also wants more successful Singaporeans to give back to the community as volunteers, such as by serving on the councils that oversee CDC activities.

South East District Mayor Matthias Yao said his CDC counts on council members to introduce friends to help in sub-committees. They may later become council members. At least six of its 47 council members were recruited this way.

On strengthening social cohesion, Mr Lee urged CDCs to work with grassroots and community groups to engage residents, young and old.

The Asian Youth Games that opened last night and next year's Youth Olympic Games are opportunities to 'get people to do something and feel that they are part of this active community in Singapore'.

Mr Lee also thanked Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed for his contributions as North East District Mayor for 10 years: 'He's left a deep impression on the residents and will be fondly remembered by all.'

Mr Teo Ser Luck, Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Transport, and Community Development, Youth and Sports) succeeds Mr Zainul, who remains Senior Minister of State (Foreign Affairs).

-end of ST article