3-1.           I am pleased to inform that we reduced dengue incidence by 36% last year compared to 2008.This is an encouraging achievement since many countries continued to see increases in dengue last year.

 

3-2.           Our results in the last two years show that our integrated approach to dengue control has been successful. The key thrust of this approach is pre-emptive source reduction, which denies mosquitoes the place to breed. To this end, NEA enlists the participation of the community to ensure that everyone plays their part to prevent mosquito breeding.

 

 

3-3.           Through its Environmental Health Institute or EHI, NEA also leverages research to guide its dengue control strategies. EHI has a dengue virus surveillance programme that gives us early warning of possible outbreaks and allows us to respond to these threats rapidly. The circulating dengue serotypes are also tracked closely, and this enabled us to avert several potentially serious outbreaks that are typically associated with serotype switches.

 

 

3-5.           Although we had a good year in 2009, our fight against vector-borne diseases is a continuing one and the public has a key role to play. We must continue to take ownership and ensure that our living environment is free of mosquito breeding. We cannot afford to be complacent because any lapse will give dengue the chance to harm us and our loved ones.

 

 

3-6.           NEA adopts an integrated approach, comprising an effective cleaning regime, outreach programmes for the community, and strict enforcement and penalties to deter litterbugs. Notwithstanding this, littering remains a concern.

 

 

 

3-7.           NEA increased enforcement from 54 man-hours per day in 2006 to 442 man-hours per day last year. This resulted in an increase in the number of littering offenders caught from about 7,000 in 2006 to close to 41,400 last year. We also increased the penalty for first-time littering offenders from $200 to $300 last year.

 

3-8.           NEA has stepped up enforcement and education efforts targeted at foreign workers. Since the presence of enforcement officers also deters potential litter-bugs, the effectiveness of these efforts should not just be measured based on the number of tickets issued. I also wish to take this opportunity to point out that the majority of litter-bugs caught - over 70% last year - are locals. Littering is not a problem caused primarily by foreign workers.  We will continue to focus our enforcement efforts on littering hotspots for maximum effectiveness. However, relying on enforcement alone is not sustainable, because it is highly resource intensive. There is also a limit to increasing the frequency of cleaning, which NEA is doing in areas with high human traffic and litter, such as Orchard Road.

 

3-9.           NEA therefore commissioned a sociological study to deepen our understanding of why people litter. Preliminary findings suggest that people litter because they perceive it as “harmless”, or are too lazy to walk to the nearest bin. When the study is completed, NEA will use the findings to fine-tune its programmes against littering. For a start, we will review the number and placement of litter bins in public areas, and the effectiveness of our anti-littering messages.

 

 

3-10.      NEA is also proceeding with other measures to improve public cleanliness. As I mentioned, an effective cleaning regime is part of our strategy. NEA will introduce a voluntary accreditation scheme for the cleaning industry. This is aimed at both raising cleaning standards and helping to upgrade the professionalism and productivity of the industry, in line with national efforts to boost productivity. NEA is consulting the cleaning industry on the proposed scheme and expects to complete consultations by the end of the year. We will encourage government agencies to engage accredited cleaning companies when the scheme is rolled out. NEA will also study whether to introduce compulsory licensing for the cleaning industry in the longer-term.

 

 

3-11.      Maintaining a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene requires the efforts of all stakeholders. NEA is therefore studying the feasibility of establishing aPublic Hygiene Council, with representatives from the People, Private and Public sectors. The aim is for the Council to support the government’s efforts to improve the consistency of standards in the cleaning industry, promote the improvement of hygiene standards in the community, and recognise and share best practices.

 

3-12.      Our long-term goal is to build greater community ownership of the environment so that people will not litter, even in the absence of enforcement. This is the only sustainable way for us to keep Singapore a clean city.

 

 

3-14.      NEA prescribes noise limits for construction sites, which vary according to the time of the day and by the types of premises nearby. Under the current limits, only quiet activities like painting and plastering are allowed at construction sites near residential areas after 10pm.

 

3-15.      The current construction noise limits already protect residents from any adverse health impacts. However, we note that construction noise, especially on Sundays and Public Holidays, remains a concern to many residents. In 2008 and 2009, NEA received about 14,000 and 12,000 complaints on construction noise respectively, up from about 9,000 in 2007 and 6,000 in 2006.

 

3-16.      NEA consulted the industry and other stakeholders on measures to minimise construction noise nuisance, while allowing construction to keep pace with development. Following from these discussions, our long-term goal is to prohibit construction work at sites within 150m of residential areas and noise sensitive developments on Sundays and Public Holidays. We will implement the changes progressively to give the construction industry sufficient time to adjust.

 

3-17.      Sites starting work from 1 September 2010 will not be allowed to carry out construction activities from 10pm on the night before a Sunday or Public Holiday to 10am on the day itself.  NEA will extend this prohibition to the rest of the day on Sundays and Public Holidays for sites starting work from 1 September 2011.

 

 

3-18.      NEA is also tightening the noise standards for new and in-use vehicles. The revised standards for new vehicles, which are based on those currently implemented in Japan and the EU, will take effect from 1 October 2010. NEA’s consultation with motor traders indicates that there will be no significant impact on the availability of vehicle models as new vehicles currently in the market already comply with these standards. The revised standards for in-use vehicles will ensure that the exhaust systems on these vehicles continue to be well-maintained throughout their lifespan and will be effective from 1 April 2011.

 

 

3-20.      Singapore is a highly urbanized city with vibrant economic activities, so noise nuisances cannot be avoided completely. My Ministry will continue to work with key stakeholders to regularly review the management of noise, taking into account public feedback and international best practices.

 

 

3-21.      NEA has a comprehensive regime to regulate food hygiene standards in Singapore. As a result, the annual incidence of food poisoning outbreaks is low, with an average of 4 incidents per 1,000 food retail outlets between 2006 and 2009.

 

3-22.      Notwithstanding this, we must continue to strengthen the regime.

 

 

3-23.      Last year, the number of tickets issued for food hygiene-related offences was 2,650. This was about 14% lower than the 3,080 issued in 2008, but higher than the 2,212 tickets issued in 2007. Since January, NEA has been beefing up the number of food hygiene inspectors. We aim to improve the ratio of inspectors to food establishments from 1 per 800 to 1 per 400 outlets. The additional manpower will enable us to carry out more frequent inspections, which together with efforts by licensees and food handlers will help ensure good hygiene standards are observed at foodstalls and foodshops.

 

3-24.      We have also taken a serious view of the administrative lapses involving the delays in the grading of foodstalls, which surfaced following the Geylang Serai food poisoning incident. NEA has since tightened its internal system to ensure that gradings are done in a timely manner and there are no delays in the issuing of grading decals. NEA’s management has also reprimanded officers responsible for not carrying out the gradings on time.

 

 

3-25.      We are tightening the penalty regime. From April this year, NEA will raise the minimum composition sum for food hygiene offences from $100 to between $200 and $400, depending on the severity of the offence.

 

3-26.      Licensees of food establishments are currently issued demerit points for public health lapses, and will have their licences suspended or revoked if they accumulate 12 or more demerit points within 12 months. As an additional measure, NEA will require food handlers working for licensees suspended from 1^st April 2010 to re-take and pass the Basic Food Hygiene Course before they can resume practice.

 

3-27.      We would also like operators of food establishments to place greater emphasis on the overall hygiene standards of their premises. NEA is introducing a Points Demerit System (PDS) for the main licensees of canteens, coffeeshops and food courts. Licensees who chalk up 24 demerit points for cleanliness-related offences within 12 months will be required to suspend their operation for up to 3 days to carry out thorough cleaning of their premises. The PDS will be implemented by the end of this year.

 

3-28.      As for hawker centres, stallholders are currently required to conduct quarterly spring-cleaning of their centres. This regime has worked well and NEA will continue to work with the hawkers associations and Town Councils to ensure that it is carried out effectively. NEA will order a temporary closure of any hawker centre with poor standards of cleanliness for thorough cleaning.

 

 

3-29.      To provide the public with an additional avenue to highlight any lapses in cleanliness or hygiene standards, NEA has launched a dedicated website for hawker centres.  We hope this will further encourage stallholders to maintain a high standard of hygiene and cleanliness at all times.

 

3-30.      We are also helping the industry to build up the capabilities to manage food hygiene and cleanliness. Since January this year, all school canteens are required to employ at least one trained Food Hygiene Officer to carry out checks on cleanliness and food hygiene practices. This requirement will be extended progressively to other canteens, food courts and coffeeshops. NEA will also require all food handlers to attend a food hygiene refresher course once every three years.

 

3-31.      Finally, NEA will progressively build up its capabilities to better assess and mitigate the risks presented at the different stages of food preparation and storage. This information will be used to educate food handlers and guide the inspection regime.

 

3-32.      More than 20 ABC Waters projects are in the pipeline. So far, projects at Kolam Ayer, Bedok Reservoir, and the first phase of MacRitchie Reservoir have been completed. For the second phase of MacRitchie Reservoir, visitors can expect a new food and beverage outlet and improvements to the bandstand and footpaths.

 

3-33.      Works have also begun to transform the concrete canal along Bishan Park into a natural, meandering river that is seamlessly integrated into the park. Other interesting features include a water playground and a river promenade.

 

3-34.      By the end of this year, we can look forward to the completion of another 7 projects at Lower Seletar, Sungei Punggol, Pandan Reservoir, Jurong Lake, Sungei Whampoa, Sungei Kallang and Pang Sua Diversion Canal.

 

 

 

 

3-36.      Looking beyond our reservoirs, PUB launched the ABC Waters Design Guidelines last year to encourage developers to integrate innovative waterscapes into their developments. These features such as rain gardens, bio-retention swales, and wetlands act as natural purification systems to remove pollutants and improve water quality, while enhancing the aesthetics and biodiversity of the landscape. So far, more than 10 projects have been initiated. PUB also intends to launch a certification programme later this year to recognise organisations that incorporate ABC Waters elements into their developments.

 

 

3-37.      It is heartening to see that the ABC Waters programme has been well-received so far, with many community events held at the completed sites. As PUB continues to implement more projects island-wide, we hope to encourage Singaporeans to get closer to and interact with water, and in the process, develop a sense of ownership towards our water resources and help to keep them clean.

 

 

3-38.      We have a shared responsibility to ensure sustainable development. The Sustainable Singapore Blueprint highlighted the need to build a culture of environmental responsibility in Singapore. I am encouraged to see that there are already efforts by some groups to encourage the community to take ownership and do their part for the environment.

 

3-39.      For instance, more than 6,000 residents in the South East District took part in quizzes on energy conservation in exchange for energy-saving light bulbs for needy households.  In the North West District, a programme to educate residents on energy-saving habits related to computer usage is being rolled out to some 196,000 households and 70 schools.

 

3-40.      Our youths are also playing an active role. The National Youth Achievement Award Council has built up a strong network of NYAA Gold Award Holders’ Alumni, many of whom are involved in efforts to encourage other youths to look after the environment. Many youth and visitors will be gathering in Singapore for the Youth Olympic Games in August. The organisers of the games have taken pains to green the game venues.  NTU’s green club, Earthlink, also plans to engage the athletes on issues such as climate change and biodiversity in collaboration with UNEP.

 

3-41.      Our attitudes and actions will determine a sustainable future for Singapore. Let us start doing our part now to grow our economy sustainably and keep Singapore clean and green. Together, we can ensure Singapore remains a lively and liveable city, for our children and generations to come.