Article to All Singapore Stuff (ASS) : Safe and clean environment vital for a healthy living in HDB flats

Almost 90 percent of our people living in Singapore, and they include foreigners and permanent residents live in Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats. Living in high rise flats poses challenges as not everyone abide by the rules by the HDB and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA).

Unsafe environment

It has been a daunting task for me to get the HDB and the town council to resolve the endless water dripping from my upstairs neighbour. On so many occasions, I had to raise to the HDB office in my estate, the persistent water dripping coming from the upstairs neighbour which not only is so noisy that it disrupts my sleep the whole night, but will also cause the constant water dripping to put my windows and air condition at high risk of being eroded and will sooner or later collapse, endangering the lives of those below my block.

Each time I bring this to the attention of the HDB, the HDB officer will caution the owner, then it will stop, and then after a few months, later the same problem will start all over again.

The HDB will not hesitate to charge residents with killer litter, but when responsible citizens maintain their windows, grills and aircondition in good order, why are we not getting the assistance to resolve this issue – one and for all.

Since 10^th June 2016 from 11pm to 8am, the water dripping continued without a thought for the neighbours who need peace and quiet and a safe environment.  Now it is even worse, throughout the day, the endless water dripping continues to disrupt my sleep and there’s a risk that my windows and aircon may collapse due to erosion from the water dripping.

Matter raised to 3 MND ministers and the Prime Minister, but no concrete action taken

I have had interim replies from the town council and HDB officers and the QSM of MND, but the matter remains unsolved.

Deeply troubled that the matter cannot be solved at the MND level, I then had to write to 3MND ministers, 2 DPMs, the BCA and even the Prime Ministers, but my pleas for support and the urgent assistance fell on deaf ears.

Now a report has been sent to President Tony Tan

It has been 2 weeks now and as the matter is still unresolved, I wrote to our Head of State, President Tony Tan this morning.

Will the matter be finally resolved? I have my doubts.

 

Raymond Anthony Fernando

http://www.allsingaporestuff.com/article/prime-minister-cannot-solve-simple-problem-water-drippage-hdb-flat

Article to All Singapore Stuff (ASS) : Elderly widowed Singaporean unable to secure cleaning service from the Mayor of Central Singapore CDC ; MSF Minster, and MP for my zone ignores cry for help!

Following the untimely passing of my beloved wife who battled schizophrenia for 44 years, I have tried on countless occasions to secure support; but all my efforts failed. As a result of this l had to struggle for 40 years to care, love and support my wife – as a sole caregiver. It was such a daunting task, that I attempted suicide in 1995.

The pressure of work and family life took a heavy toll on my health and well-being.  It was only my faith in God ( I am a born Roman Catholic)  and the deep love for my wife that helped me to overcome huge adversities in my life.

Having witnessed first-hand the devastation schizophrenia brought to my wife, I vowed to turn my life around by becoming an author  and the very first novel I wrote “Loving a schizophrenic” turned out to become a BESTSELLER. That inspired me to churn out another 29 books, as well as motivated my wife to become an author of 8 successful books.

CDC has volunteers to clean up households, but ignores a cry for help from isolated widower

In the recent issue of the Central Singapore CDC newsletter, Mayor Denise Phua speaks openly of how her volunteers in her district help clean up the homes of the needy.  I then wrote to Mayor Phua pleading for this kind of structural  support as I live all alone, have cataract problems that will requires eye surgery and am vulnerable to falling down due to weaken knees now at the age of 66.

I had ccied my appeal to the MSF Minster Tan Chuan Jin as well as my MP, Dr Koh Poh Koon in the hope that the much-needed support will be given – if not for anything out of compassion and the welfare of a Singaporean who, even after 2 years, is still grieving over his death

My repeated pleas for support has fallen on deaf years, and I remain isolated, uncared for and I once again falling into depression – all over again.

What is the purpose of MPs, Mayors, Ministers and MPs going to the media and saying that they are supporting the needy when in reality, the support that is needed so badly by some citizens are so selfishly not given?

 

Raymond Anthony Fernando

 

Submitted to All Singapore Stuff:  http://www.allsingaporestuff.com/article/widowed-sporean-begs-mayor-denise-phua-help-cries-fall-deaf-ears

 

 

 

 

 

2nd Report: Safe and clean environment vital for a healthy living in HDB flats

 

Almost 90 percent of our people living in Singapore, and they include foreigners and permanent residents live in Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats. Living in high rise flats poses challenges as not everyone abide by the rules by the HDB and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA).

 

Unsafe environment

It has been a daunting task for me to get the HDB and the town council to resolve the endless water dripping from my upstairs neighbour. On so many occasions, I had to raise to the HDB office in my estate, the persistent water dripping coming from the upstairs neighbour which not only is so noisy that it disrupts my sleep the whole night, but will also cause the constant water dripping to put my windows and air condition at high risk of being eroded and will sooner or later collapse, endangering the lives of those below my block.

Each time I bring this to the attention of the HDB, the HDB officer will caution the owner, then it will stop, and then after a few months, later the same problem will start all over again.

The HDB will not hesitate to charge residents with killer litter, but when responsible citizens maintain their windows, grills and aircondition in good order, why are we not getting the assistance to resolve this issue – one and for all.

Since 10^th June 2016 from 11pm to 8am, the water dripping continued without a thought for the neighbours who need peace and quiet and a safe environment.  Now it is even worse, throughout the day, the endless water dripping continues to disrupt my sleep and there’s a risk that my windows and aircon may collapse due to erosion from the water dripping.

Matter raised to 3 MND ministers and the Prime Minister, but no concrete action taken

I have had interim replies from the town council and HDB officers and the QSM of MND, but the matter remains unsolved.

Deeply troubled that the matter cannot be solved at the MND level, I then had to write to 3MND ministers, 2 DPMs, the BCA and even the Prime Ministers, but my pleas for support and the urgent assistance fell on deaf ears.

Now a report has been sent to President Tony Tan

It has been 2 weeks now and as the matter is still unresolved, I wrote to our Head of State, President Tony Tan this morning.

Will the matter be finally resolved? I have my doubts.

Raymond Anthony Fernando

 

Raymond's Letter to The Straits Times: Don't allow roaches to escape into homes during fogging

My letter to The Straits Times on the above subject was published in print on Tuesday 21^st June 2016.

Cockroaches have the habit of searching for food in dirty places such as rubbish bins, chutes, drains and sewers at night ("Roach problem: Prata Wala licence suspended"; last Wednesday).

As they frequent latrines, they can easily spread germs that cause conditions such as diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid fever and cholera.

Everyone has a responsibility to ensure that we live in a clean environment so that diseases do not spread easily and that our health is not compromised.

Besides carrying out inspections at food stalls and eateries, the National Environment Agency should also see to it that the Housing Board and town councils ensure roaches do not invade homes.

Whenever fogging of the rubbish bins is undertaken in my estate, there is very poor coordination between the workers carrying out the fogging and the cleaners.

Once the fogging is under way, cockroaches crawl out from the chutes, and onto the floors and walls of void decks.

Because the cleaners do not get rid of them immediately, these insects make their way back into homes and even childcare centres. Sometimes, the roaches crawl all over for days.

Cleaners should immediately remove the roaches before they escape into homes. If not, it would defeat the purpose of fogging.

Raymond Anthony Fernando

http://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-in-print/dont-allow-roaches-to-escape-into-homes-during-fogging

 

Safe and clean environment vital for a healthy living in HDB flats : An open letter to the Singapore Government

Introduction

 

Almost 90 percent of our people living in Singapore and they include foreigners and permanent residents live in Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats. Living in high rise flats poses challenges as not everyone abide by the rules by the HDB and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA).

Unsafe environment

It has been a daunting task for me to get the HDB and the town council to resolve the endless water dripping from my upstairs neighbour. On so many occasions, I had to raise to the HDB office in my estate, the persistent water dripping coming from the upstairs neighbour which not only is so noisy that it disrupts my sleep the whole night, but will also cause the constant water dripping to put my windows and air condition at high risk of being eroded and will sooner or later collapse, endangering the lives of those below my block.

Each time I bring this to the attention of the HDB, the HDB officer will caution the owner, then it will stop, and then after a few months, later the same problem will start all over again.

 

The HDB will not hesitate to charge residents with killer litter, but when responsible citizens maintain their windows, grills and aircondition in good order, why are we not getting the assistance to resolve this issue – once and for all.

Last Friday night, 10^th June 2016 from 11pm to 8am, the water dripping continued without a thought for the neighbours who need peace and quiet and a safe environment.  

Dirty environment

Besides having a safe environment, residents must also be able to live in a clean environment. Whenever fogging of the rubbish chutes in HDB blocks are carried out, the cockroaches will crawl out from the chutes and the insects which will spread germs are allowed to remain on the floors and walls of void decks, some big ones and they make their way back into the homes of residents and even child care centres. Then what is the purpose of fogging? Shouldn’t the cleaners be on hand to immediately remove the cockroaches before they escape into homes?

I have taken pains to raise this perennial problem to both the Ministry of National Development and the Environment Ministry recently, but no action has been taken.

Noisy environment

Every week, grass cutting is carried out in front and behind my block. While this is a good measure to keep the estate clean and free from mosquito and rodent breeding, the unbearable noise from the leaf blowers that are put to full blast can cause ear and heart problems. I have raised this matter to the Environment Ministry and even in the mainstream newspapers, but this perennial problem is allowed to take place every week.

 What is the point of the Government asking for feedback when genuine issues raised get ignored?  What is the point of the Ministry of Health repeatedly advising our citizens that they must be responsible for their own health , when the environment does not support healthy living? 

Raymond Anthony Fernando

Raymond 's letter to The New Paper: PHONE SCAMS –Telcos, police can work closer

My letter to The New Paper on the above matter is published in this newspaper on Monday 6^th June 2016.

I refer to the reports of a “parcel scam” and how a remittance company employee spotted it.

Mrs Richelle Ang (above), a senior customer officer at Western Union, received a commendation letter from the police for helping to save a 62-year-old lady from falling victim to the scam.

It helped that Mrs Ang has been trained to spot such scams.  

Typically, they involve a caller telling the victims that a parcel for them has been detained by foreign authorities and can be delivered only on payment of an “administration fee”.

It was also reported that the police had received 400 reports about a “DHL” scam in which culprits impersonate staff from courier companies like DHL and either get victims to pass their personal details or transfer money.

MESSAGES

I, too, received a recorded message in Mandarin on my mobile phone recently and it seemed to be from a woman in China. 

Earlier, I had received another recorded message from a Mandarin speaking woman, but from  a local listed phone number.

I do not know how these scammers get our phone numbers.

I raised the matter up with Singtel, but they informed me that their policy is that they can  act on the complaint only if the same phone number appears three times on my phone. 

I am sure they scammers are aware of this and they keep using different phone numbers to avoid detection.

Perhaps, the police can collaborate with the telcos, like they have done with the remittance company staff to stop these scammers before more innocent people lose their  money..

 

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO