SINGAPORE - The Government wants to do everything it can to ensure that Singapore is a society “made for families” says Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
“For all the young parents out there, please have the assurance that we are here with you to support you,” he said during a visit to Sengkang - his first since taking over the country’s top job.
After being sworn-in in May 2024, the Prime Minister has embarked on a series of visits to different constituencies across the island, to meet as many Singaporeans as he can.
He was joined by advisers to the Sengkang GRC grassroots organisations - Dr Lam Pin Min, Associate Professor Elmie Nekmat and Ms Theodora Lai, at a community event in Anchorvale on March 16 targeted at young families.
PM Wong pointed to the support measures for parents with young children that were announced as part of Budget 2025.
“We know that cost pressures are a concern, that’s why we have given out more CDC vouchers. And even for the SG60 package, we have provided some vouchers for every adult Singaporean to help,” he said in a short speech at the community plaza in Anchorvale Village shopping centre.
Families with young children will get greater support, via a one-off disbursement of $500 in LifeSG credits for Singaporean children aged 12 and below.
Larger families with three or more children will get even more aid, added PM Wong, who is also Finance Minister.
Measures introduced under a new Large Family Scheme include a higher $10,000 grant to cover pre-school and healthcare expenses for baby number three, four or more, as well as $1,000 in LifeSG Credits each year for the third and subsequent child during the years that the child turns one to six.
“I know it’s not easy to be young parents. I know it’s not easy to have kids in Singapore. You have so many things to worry about. But we want to make this journey as convenient, seamless (and) fuss-free as possible,” PM Wong said.
“So whether it’s pre-school, whether it’s cost pressures, whether it’s education, whether it’s housing, we will do everything we can to help you along the way.”
The Prime Minister’s visit to Sengkang began at about 10am at Anchorvale Community Club, where Sengkang West residents participated in a variety of sporting activities and games. PM Wong tried his hand at pickleball and a brief game of futsal, before interacting with event attendees there.
At Anchorvale Village, PM Wong visited various booths with activities aimed at bringing families closer together. He also spent an hour greeting and taking photos with diners and stallholders at Anchorvale Village Hawker Centre.
PM Lawrence Wong joining residents for a game of pickleball at the Sengkang West Sports and Family Fiesta at Anchorvale Community Club.ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
In his remarks on March 16, PM Wong said 2025 is a special year as it is the 60th anniversary of Singapore’s independence, and it marks a new phase of nation-building.
But he warned of the profound changes that are happening around the globe.
While the world has always been a dangerous place, PM Wong noted, it is only going to get more troubled and turbulent.
“Every day, we see something more and more worrying.”
“All the things we see around us simply remind us of one simple fact, no one is going to come to our rescue,” he stressed.
“If something goes wrong, we can only count on ourselves, Singaporeans, to defend Singapore, to advance our interests and make sure this little red dot continues to survive and thrive.
“So I hope we can all proceed forward in our next phase in the same spirit of solidarity and unity, come together as team Singapore to chart our new way forward in a very uncertain environment, and make sure we continue to have a better future for ourselves and for the next generation of Singaporeans.”
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