Briefs | Tam expects budget increase

The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam, said yesterday that there will be an increase in the budget allocated for the areas he supervises in 2018. Questioned by reporters, Tam said that the budget this year was not increased because of the economic downturn faced by the MSAR economy in 2016. However, he said that the economic situation has improved sufficiently and that there is now room to invest in the construction of medical facilities and the expansion of services for the elderly and children. Tam also said that the budget for initiatives to benefit students with special needs will be improved. The proposals are now under study and will be announced next month during the Policy Address presentation.

Building not contaminated by legionella

The Health Bureau (SSM) revealed that the building where a resident diagnosed with legionella lives is currently not contaminated. On September 8, SSM said that a case of legionella had been detected in Macau. After an epidemiological investigation, it was found that the source of contamination was in the pipe system of the Hou Kong Building, where the patient lives.  The SSM carried out a full cleaning and disinfection of the building’s water supply system on September 22. Between September 25th and 26th, after total disinfection of the system, the SSM carried out tests on the building’s water supply system. Water was collected from the patient’s residence, and also from other flats. Following an analysis by the Public Health Laboratory, all samples were declared as negative for the presence of legionella bacteria.

DSEJ wants to  promote health education

The Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ) has organized a session to present its “Platform for Health Education.” During Sunday’s session, DSEJ’s director, Leong Lai, noted that the platform was created this year in order to support measures to improve the physical and mental health  of students in the basic and secondary levels.

Local architects featured in Seoul exhibition

Macau-based architects Carlotta Bruni and Rui Leão, both partners at LBA Architecture & Planning, were selected to be among the “100 Architects Of The Year 2017” featured in an exhibition included in the recent UIA World Congress of Architects. The event was held between September 5 and 8 in Seoul. According to a statement issued yesterday by the local architects, “the exhibition is always seeking a new architectural paradigm through the selection of works of 100 architects and their philosophy for contemporary architecture.”

Press association   launches first website

The Macau Portuguese and English Press Association (AIPIM) yesterday announced that it had launched its first ever website at the web address www.aipim.org.mo. The website contains news about the association and reports on the freedom of the press in the territory. The information is available in English and Portuguese. AIPIM was established in July 2005, and has now grown to encompass a membership of over 80 people, most of whom are journalists working for Macau-based Portuguese and English-language media outlets.