XN000022-1993-06-05 — Page 4

SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1993

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MORE ELDERLY SERVICES IN COMING YEARS

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TODAY

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, (SATURDAY) SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS GEARED TO MEET MOST OF THE DEMANDS FOR ELDERLY SERVICES OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS,

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF CARITAS FU HENG HOME, MR STRACHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD PLEDGED TO ACCORD PRIORITY TO PROVIDE MORE SERVICES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS IN THE COMING YEARS.

THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THAT THERE WAS A GROWING DEMAND FOR ELDERLY SERVICES IN VIEW OF THE INCREASING NUMBER OF SENIOR CITIZENS AND THE CONTINUAL GROWTH OF NUCLEAR FAMILIES, HE SAID.

ON COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES, MR STRACHAN POINTED OUT THAT SERVICES WOULD BE PROVIDED TO ENABLE SENIOR CITIZENS TO REMAIN ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.

THESE INCLUDED THE SOCIAL SECURITY ALLOWANCE SCHEME, HOME HELP, MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES, DAY CARE CENTRES AND SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY.

"THERE IS ALSO A NECESSITY TO TAKE CARE OF OLD PEOPLE WHO, FOR PERSONAL, SOCIAL OR HEALTH REASONS, ARE IN NEED OF RESIDENTIAL CARE SUITED TO THEIR VARYING NEEDS.

THE DIRECTOR SAID THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD PLANS TO PROVIDE, AMONG OTHER FACILITIES, AN ADDITIONAL 5,000 PLACES IN CARE- AND-ATTENTION HOMES AND HOMES FOR THE AGED IN THESE FOUR YEARS.

MR STRACHAN ALSO COMMENDED THE CARITAS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS IN SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, EDUCATION AND MEDICAL SERVICES.

AWARD-WINNING HK FILM DRAWS ATTENTION TO ENVIRONMENT

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WORLDWIDE,

AT A TIME WHEN THE ENVIRONMENT IS OF MAJOR CONCERN AN AWARD-WINNING HONG KONG FILM HAS DRAWN ATTENTION TO THE PLIGHT OF A SMALL BAY TO THE NORTHEAST OF THE TERRITORY.

PRODUCER AND CAMERAMAN MICHAEL PITTS VENTURED TO THE UNDERWATER WORLD OF MARINE AND CORAL LIFE IN TOLO HARBOUR FOR HIS 30-MINUTE FILM

HOI HA WAN: BAY BENEATH THE SEA.

THE FILM WAS AWARDED FIRST PRIZE IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL CATEGORY THE PRESTIGIOUS 26TH ANNUAL U.S. INTERNATIONAL FILM AND VIDEO FESTIVAL AWARDS PRESENTATION IN CHICAGO ON JUNE 3.

AT

ALREADY THE RECIPIENT OF TWO AWARDS FOR HIS FILM, HONG KONG- BASED MR PITTS SAID HE HOPED THE FILM WOULD HELP PEOPLE BEGIN TO RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING HONG KONG'S MARINE HERITAGE.

THE FILM WAS THE WINNER OF THE 1992 HONG KONG SHORT FILM FESTIVAL (NON FICTION) AND A SPECIAL JURY PRIZE AT A MAJOR FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL.

HONG KONG