Pro-family

What we tuned into last nite for PM Lee national day rally speech really lighten up our moods and opened up our ears to what the govt envisages for probably the next decade, from more pro-active family measures, reduce road tax and increasing ERP??, making our lives better... providing more health care needs and facilities. Below is a very ' exciting abstract from PM speech last ' for all couples, thinking nxt yr... pray pple. hahaha..

SINGAPORE: The Singapore government plans to spend an additional S$700 million a year on measures to boost its flagging birth rate. Currently, it spends about S$900 million a year. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in his National Day Rally speech on Sunday night that a baby brings much joy, but can also be a logistic and financial challenge, so a slew of measures will be implemented by the government to create more time and more funds to help parents cope with their children. Paid maternity leave will be extended from 12 weeks to 16 weeks, and the extra four weeks can be taken anytime during the baby's first year. It was previously extended from eight to 12 weeks in 2004. There will also be a larger baby bonus for first-time parents, more tax incentives to encourage mothers to work, more incentives for the fifth and subsequent children, and more financial support for couples who go for In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment.

Well.. how does it sounds?? not too bad.. I think they have definitely made a genuine and conscious effort to improve and value our pple lives especially in the area of family. What we learnt from Church, the order which priority should be given to after God is FAMILY. So thank God for good pro-active changes.

BTW, congratulations to TEAM SINGAPORE women table tennis team who won the silver. You guys gave it all and deserve this result.