Provide more affordable niches at Catholic churches: Raymond Anthony Fernando’s letter to The Straits Times

My letter on the above matter to the press is published today, Tuesday 6^th December 2016. Do read my footnote as well for it related to the columbarium.

Ashes interred in a columbarium are an excellent way to cherish memories of loved ones, Catholic priest Father Ignatius Yeo said recently ("From ashes to diamonds: Different faiths' stand": Nov 05).

And he has my fullest support.

Having the ashes in the church's columbarium gives spouses, parents or siblings and the community the golden opportunity to pray over the departed loved ones and build a continuous bond.

Another reassuring fact is that the columbarium in all churches is well-maintained throughout the year by the caretakers.

There are reasons why some people scatter the ashes in the air, at sea, in the forest or parks, and one concern is the cost of buying a niche in the columbarium, the price of which can range from between $2,500 and $10,000 for a couple.

This does not include the cost of making the marble plaque and the purchase of the ash holder.

There are many who are out of work with little or no savings. To this end, I urge the church to provide a more affordable price for niches so that more families can have the memory of their departed loved ones kept in a safe and clean environment.

Raymond Anthony Fernando

http://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-on-the-web/provide-more-affordable-niches-at-catholic-churches

 

Footnote: Catholics are asked to pray a lot and to be loyal and committed to our parents and our spouses, which is constantly being reinforced by the church. I go every morning to the Church of Holy Spirit (CHS) to pray to my wife whose ashes lie in the columbarium at the basement. I have done that for the last 2.5 years and I want to continue to do so. I used to go at 6am in the morning when the doors are open.  Now a new directive has been given by the Assistant Parish Priest Father Paul Goh that the security guard must only open the doors to the  columbarium at 6.45am – meaning myself and others have to wait 45 minutes before we can pray to our departed ones. Another lady who prays every day to her late husband was also upset that she has to wait till 6.45am to enter the columbarium. Some of us have to rush off to work and do household so chores. To this end, I urge the church to show more understanding and not make things difficult for us when we want to have some quiet moments with our departed ones? Don’t forget there are already physical barriers which the LTA has put up which causes lots of obstruction to get to this church.

 

Jobs Aplenty; Seize the Opportunity: Article on Happy TV

Do check out my article on the above matter, folks.

Cheers,

Raymond Anthony Fernando

There has been some unhappiness among Singaporeans that jobs are being given to foreigners. So, it is welcoming news for Singaporeans as the government is indeed listening to feedback and is creating jobs for our own citizens, as I read the report in The Straits Times today, Friday 21st October 2016 “Many jobs on offer despite slow down.”

 

Acting Minister for Education (Higher education and skills), Ong Ye Kung gave this welcoming assurance at a Straits Times future economy forum on Thursday 20th October 2016.  The minister encouraged Singaporeans to upgrade themselves with new skills, a call that has been repeated by several other cabinet ministers.

 

With global competition and rapid advancement in technology, it is wise to heed the call of the government by upgrading our skills.  In particular, Minister Ong said that retrenched workers find it hard to find jobs as they lack the required skills.  I agree with him.

 

The Minister then cited several jobs that are coming on-stream and they include

 

• 30,000 IT professionals needed by 2017;

• 3,000 more jobs for professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) in precision engineering by 2020;

• Demand for 1,000 rail engineers;

At least 1,200 professionals needed in finance, mostly in IT and compliance; and

• 4,000 more early childhood educators needed in the coming years.

 

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong in another event gave more encouraging news: Mr. Gan mentioned that the government, in planning for an aging population, his ministry will require 30,000 more healthcare workers in five years, to add to the current pool of 70,000.  Among the job vacancies that are being opened to our citizens will be in nursing homes, community hospitals and polyclinics.

 

To encourage our elderly Singaporeans to obtain key social support, I urge the Government to hire those who are 55 and above as many of those in this group are facing social isolation. It is always so meaningful to work in the healthcare industry because the job gives us the golden opportunity to help the sick in their recovery – directly or indirectly.  And when we meet someone who is well again, we have done some form of community service and we will be blessed –in more ways than one.

 

There should also be options for seniors to work shorter hours and this is where part-time work can prove useful.

 

Every worker will want to find his/her dream job, but in this day and age when there is so much competition for jobs, we have to be realistic and lower our expectations.

 

It is also prudent to have the foresight to expect the unexpected. So I always advise my audience when I give motivational talks at events to find pipelines when they still have a full-time job. For example, writing poems, stories, press letters, and articles have always been my passion.  I engaged in this activity while I was working in the media industry. If one has good writing and communication skills, job opportunities can come our way.

 

It was from here that I was able to produce my own books and in the process helped my wife as well to produce her works.  That said, I encourage workers to take up writing and communication courses, which could include Public Relations and event management courses.

 

Raymond Anthony Fernando

 

http://happy-tv.com/article/jobs-aplenty-seize-the-opportunity-why-like-dat/

PERSONAL MOBILITY DEVICES ON TRAINS ; Have PMD-free areas on trains, buses

My letter on the above matter gets published in The New Paper on Monday 28^th November 2016

 

I refer to reports that from next month, commuters will be able to take foldable bicycles and other personal mobility devices (PMDs) on buses and trains all day, provided their measurements are within specific limits, as part of a six-month trial.

 

This is part of the Government’s effort to promote a car-lite Singapore in which alternative transport options will become more attractive and convenient.

 

Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan was earlier quoted as saying that those who carry PMDs and other commuters will need to adopt a give-and-take attitude and to be considerate to one another. 

 

While all this is laudable, the reality is that there are bound to be issues between the two groups.

 

Buses and trains are often crowded, and during peak periods, passengers can hardly move about freely.

 

If we allow PMDs, even with the size limits, the safety of passengers will be a major concern. 

 

We are not a very gracious society and there will always be those who push and shove, making the situation worse, especially for seniors and other vulnerable passengers.

 

As the trial is about to start, I propose that one part of trains and buses be set apart for this purpose so that commuters outside of this area will not be affected.

 

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO

Specific Area on Public Transport for foldable bikes and PMDs : Article on HAPPY TV by Raymond Anthony Fernando:

During the Walk Cycle Ride SG Symposium on Wednesday 20th July this year, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan announced that foldable bikes and personal mobility devices (PMDs) will soon be allowed on public transport all day as part of a six-month pilot trial.

This is part of the government’s effort to promote a car-lite Singapore in which alternative transport options will become attractive and convenient. Well and good, but let’s analyze and examine what will come about with this implementation. In solving one issue, managing the car population, will there be multiple problems that will surface following the car-lite project?

Mr. Khaw hopes that public transport commuters and those who bring their bicycles and PMDs on the buses and trains will adopt a give-and-take attitude and to be considerate to one another. Though this is sound advice, the reality is that not all commuters are gracious and there are bound to be issues that will arise. To ensure the safety of all passengers, there must be a clear think through before its implementation.

Firstly, buses and especially trains are overcrowded for the most part of the day. During peak periods passengers on board trains are packed like sardines and can hardly move about freely. For the elderly and the sick, breathing becomes an issue. Then on top of that, the authorities want to allow foldable bikes and PMDs on board public transport without considering the safety of all its passengers. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) needs to understand that overcrowding of trains can prove disastrous. This was clearly the case in October this year when an overcrowded train in Cameroon derailed, killing more than 70 people and injuring 600 passengers.

Secondly, there are still frequent train breakdowns and buses get involved in accidents.  When this occurs, commuters get agitated as they scramble to contact their loved ones.  During such a scenario, tempers will flare and arguments with fellow passengers and MRT staff/bus captains are not uncommon.  MRT staff and bus captains who are the frontline staff will then be on the receiving end of commuters’ frustration and it has happened.

Thirdly, we are not a very gracious society as there will always be people who shove and push when they move up and down the escalator, disregarding the safety of our seniors.  Lifts that should be given priority to those with special needs are often used by able-bodied men and women. To this end, the authorities ought to consider building an additional lift strictly for use for those with special needs at new MRT stations.

However, if the LTA is still keen to allow such equipment to take off the ground, then I propose that one area in the trains or buses be reserved for this purpose so that there will not be a mad scramble to rush when an accident or a breakdown takes place.  There must also be no bottlenecks during the ride as arguments can so easily take place when there is limited space.

Public education through the public address systems on buses and trains has to be on-going – and more so if and when the car-lite project gets on the way.  A clearly marked area “CAR-LITE SECTION” with an advisory message in the 4 languages will guide commuters to place their foldable bikes and PMDs in the assigned place.  Needless to say, public transport staff must on hand to give guidance, and once all these proposed measures are put in place, I have every confidence that there will be minimum disruption; and this car-lite project might just be successful.

Let us build a social mission culture here in Singapore where everyone looks out for one another, ensuring that we all live, work, play and travel in a safe and pleasant environment. This social mission culture may be a tall order, but if we put our hearts and minds to it, I have every confidence that it can be done.  At the end of the day, helping our Government to come up with constructive, workable and practical suggestions on various matters can make this a great country!  

 

Raymond Anthony Fernando

http://happy-tv.com/article/specific-area-on-public-transport-for-foldable-bikes-and-pmds-why-like-dat/

 

 

 

Letter to The Sunday Times: Explore joint project with JB to meet eldercare needs

 

My letter on the above matter is published in The Sunday Times on Sunday 27^th November 2012.

Many elderly citizens here have valid concerns about their ageing issues (“Growing old: Should you be worried”; Nov 6).

During his tenure as health minister, Mr Khaw Boon Wan suggested that Singaporeans could have the option of placing their elderly sick parents in nursing homes in Johor Baru.

It may be necessary to revisit his idea as Singapore races against time to build more nursing homes in our land-scarce nation to meet the needs of the more than 900,000 people aged 65
and above expected by 2030.

There are Singaporeans who, to save on costs, have placed their parents in nursing homes in Johor Baru The services there are quite good, I am told. With an MRT extension to link Singapore and Johor Baru being planned, it would be a breeze to reach either side.

Thus, the use of nursing homes in Johor Baru is a contingency plan which the Ministry of Health may want to consider.

There are mutual benefits, including economic ones. Tourism will surely get a big boost.

 

It would be prudent to have an ageing-lifestyle joint project with our immediate neighbour.

With such a tie-up, elderly Singaporeans can also buy affordable retirement homes in Johor Baru.

Raymond Anthony Fernando

 

 http://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-in-print/explore-joint-project-with-jb-to-meet-eldercare-needs

 

Take tough stand on student bullying

 My letter on the above matter is published today, Wed 23 Nov 2016 in Mediacorp's TODAY newspaper


Bullies come in all shapes and sizes, and their tactics are acts of a real or perceived power imbalance, occurring in the workplace and in schools. They must be identified so that their victims need not suffer in silence.
...

So I am glad that netizens have condemned the students who had attacked another (“Police probe alleged student bullying after video of attack goes viral”; Nov 12).

St Andrew’s Secondary School principal Lucy Toh has confirmed that some of the students were from her school. It would hearten me if she takes a tough stand on this matter.
There is no place in society for bullies. After the students involved have been clearly identified, and admit to their rash act, they must be caned. They must feel pain when they inflict it on others.


Raymond Anthony Fernando


http://www.todayonline.com/…/take-tough-stand-student-bully…

Raymond 's letter to The Straits Times: Form focus groups with citizen input to combat terrorism

 

My letter on the above matter is published in The Straits Times today, Wednesday 23^rd November 2016

 

With terrorists causing havoc and killing innocent people in so many cities worldwide, there is an urgent need for everyone to heed the words of Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean and constantly stay vigilant (“People must know how to react to an attack: DPM Teo”; Oct 19)

Our grassroots leaders play an active role in supporting the Government’s efforts to build a united Singapore.

Active citizens who have useful suggestions and ideas can contribute to a safer environment and help our leaders to find workable solutions to issues that may crop up from time to time.

I propose that the Government, through the support of MPs, form focus groups within residents’ communities and invite active citizens to participate in making Singapore a resilient and harmonious city that will be able to tackle any threat that surfaces. 

Raymond Anthony Fernando

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-on-the-web/form-focus-groups-with-citizen-input-to-combat-terrorism