Cash handouts to remain next year

The head of the Social Welfare Bureau, Iong Kong Io, said yesterday that the government does not intend to bring an end to its cash handout program next year, Radio Macau reported.
“I don’t think the cash handout program will be canceled. The government is assessing this matter according to its budget; so the cash handout value will either decrease or be maintained,” he stated.
The Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lionel Leong, had already revealed that the government might review the value of the cash handouts currently granted to permanent residents (MOP9,000) and temporary residents (MOP5,400).
While discussing his cabinet’s action plan for this year, Mr Leong told lawmakers that the cash handouts’ value “might be adjusted” next year, depending on Macau’s economic outlook and the government’s budget. “We are still estimating the amount that will be given in 2016, taking into consideration our budget.”
The government has had to amend its budget for this year as gaming revenue has dropped over the past 11 months, falling in April for the eleventh consecutive month. CP