Briefs | Residents can provide proof of life at Praia do Manduco Centre

Beneficiaries currently receiving old-age or disability pension from the Social Security Fund (FSS) are required to provide proof of life in January each year. The FSS yesterday set up a service counter for handling proof of life at the Praia do Manduco Centre for the Elderly. Its service hours are Monday through to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Beneficiaries of the old-age pension and disability pension need to bring their valid MSAR Resident ID Cards with them to provide proof of life at a service location.  Apart from the newly added “centre, residents of various districts can also go to Macau Holy House of Mercy Albergue, Areia Preta Service Centre of the Macau SAR, Central and Southern District (Patane) Social Service Centre, Northwest District (Ilha Verde) Social Service Centre, Northern District (Tamagnini Barbosa) Social Service Centre, Outlying Office or Seac Pai Van Office of the Housing Bureau for providing proof of life.

DSI expands options for online appointment

Starting from yesterday, the Identification Services Bureau (DSI) is expanding its options for online appointment and online ticketing through the “Acesso Comum aos serviços públicos da RAEM” mobile application and website (https://booking.gov.mo) provided by the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau. In addition to DSI’s website, self-service kiosk, hotline and service counter, citizens can now obtain numbered tags in advance through the mobile application and website for going through various formalities related to identification at DSI counters located at China Plaza in Avenida de Praia Grande and at the Government Services Centre in Areia Preta.

138 consumer cases recorded before New Year holiday

The Macao Consumer Council registered a total of 138 cases (83 complaints) between December 20 and January 1, according to a statement released by the council. Approximately 60 percent of the cases are complaints. According to the statement, the council has already provided relevant assistance in response to the situations complained about and the demands of the consumers.  Among the 83 complaints, 44 were made by local residents and 39 were made by tourists. Five out of the 83 were about taxi services, while six regarded restaurant prices and food quality.

Man sets five trash bins and three bathrooms on fire

A 33-year-old Hong Kong resident has been arrested for a series of arsons at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge’s Macau port, the Judiciary Police reported yesterday. The suspect is responsible for arson on three bathrooms and five trash cans at the venue. He is suspected of setting these eight locations on fire within one hour around noon, on Tuesday. The suspect claimed he had depression and had been feeling physically unwell, and has been undergoing medical treatment. Moreover, he said he took medication before he entered Macau.

Driver accuses passenger of assault after overcharge failure

A taxi driver aged around 30 and a 48-year-old passenger have been transferred to the prosecution authority because of an overcharging case. The case took place on the night of December 31. The taxi driver is suspected of overcharging an extra MOP20 for three mainland passengers, citing public holiday rate increase. The three passengers refused. The  passenger sitting in the front seat is accused of prodding the driver during an argument. The driver admitted to the overcharging, but the passenger denied the prodding.

Young Researcher Award ceremony on January 31

Organizers of the 2018 Young Researcher Award will hold the award ceremony on January 31, after gathering a total of 27 papers that were analyzed by two university professors. The annual award aims to incentivize young students, teachers, graduates and creatives to research and further study on the city’s strategic sectors of economy and diversification, heritage and identity, applied sciences and the history of Macau. Supported by the Macau Foundation, this award consists of a diploma and a monetary prize of MOP25,000. According to a statement issued by the International Institute of Macau, the contest also aims to stimulate the participation of youth in a bid to diversify social intervention.

IC adds fourth busking point

The Cultural Affairs Bureau has added a new busking point at Calçada da Igreja de São Lázaro starting January 1, in addition to the existing three busking points. This additional point will be available for buskers to perform in the afternoon on weekends and mandatory holidays, the bureau announced in a statement. The Busking Programme previously had three busking points, namely at Anim’Arte Nam Van, the Taipa Houses and Mount Fortress Garden. Buskers are advised to register at the registration counter near the entrance of the School of Music of the Macao Conservatory before they are assigned the busking place by staff on-site. The IC is also currently accepting applications and renewal for the Busker Cards.