Policy Address – Raimundo do Rosário | Real estate issues are at the top of lawmakers’ major concerns 

During the second day of the Legislative Assembly (AL) plenary meeting, lawmakers’ major concern was Macau’s real estate market, namely housing quality, public housing and land laws.

The Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Raimundo do Rosário, together with directors from bureaus under his administration, took questions from lawmakers such as Lei Cheng I, Leong Veng Chai and Gabriel Tong. 

Lei Cheng I took a critical stance, stating that “the government emphasizes Macau’s housing policies, [but] it cannot even talk about full housing policies.”

Lei pointed out that the number of the public housing units that the government currently provides are a means of “paying for its old debts.”

The lawmaker also pointed out that Macau’s construction laws need to be modified to extend constructors’ responsibility for maintaining the structures they build.

Rosário said that the government will prioritize public housing projects at Avenida Wai Long and Avenida de Venceslau de Morais.

The Director of the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT), Li Can Feng, responded by claiming that the DSSOPT will redouble its efforts in its work concerning housing quality.

Li added that the public works authorities have already modified Macau’s construction chapters, and that the departments are seeking opinions from individuals in related industries.

Leong Veng Chai, who questioned Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Alexis Tam about whether the government will build properties specifically for civil servants, addressed Rosário with the same question.

Rosário said that there have been no apparent problems regarding the construction of apartments for civil servants. However, Leong questioned again if the government will reserve lands specifically for these buildings. Rosário stated that there are no reserved lands.

Gabriel Tong considered the Pearl Horizon problem to be a serious political incident in need of discussion.

“If a project can be approved for selling […] but then halfway, the land and the buildings must be returned [to the government], don’t you think there are conflicts in the system?” he asked.

Rosário’s response to Tong was that the city’s “land law is written down and as such, I have no other ways.”

Zheng An Ting, who questioned all secretaries regarding Tong’s same concern about Pearl Horizon, suggested that the government needs to organize a team of lawmakers who participated in the formation of Macau’s past land laws, as well as government representatives.

In his words, this team needs to explain to the public the details of how Macau’s land laws were passed in the past, and to publicize records of the session when the land laws were passed.

Zheng even said, “Lawmaker Chan Meng Kam did not ask me to say that.”

Ho Ion Sang expects the government to build houses on lands that the government owns and recommended that these be put on public tender next year, with prices that are affordable for the general public. Julie Zhu

Transportation to worsen in 2017

Raimundo do Rosário said that road projects in 2017 might worsen the city’s transportation issues. The secretary added that the Transport Bureau (DSAT) and several public service organizations will co-organize a press conference to announce further details on the topic.

Rosário also revealed that most of next year’s road projects will be under CEM control.

 Construction waste landfill casts safety concerns

Lei Cheng I criticized the Macau government’s failure over environment protection policies, pointing out that even though a construction waste management system has been under discussion for many years, the system has not yet been implemented.

She noted that many of Macau’s development projects involve environmental protection controversies. Lei suggested the establishment of clear definition and division of areas which should be under protection.

The Director of the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT), Li Can Feng, replied that Macau currently has laws and regulations regarding the environmental protection of mountains.

He exemplified his point with Ilha Verde, a fully protected zone. Mountains in Coloane that are taller than 80 meters are also protected.

The director said that Macau listed 190,000 square meters of protected zones in Coloane back in the 1980s.

Environmental Protection Bureau Director Tam Vai Man has pledged that the department will move faster in regards to construction waste management policies, and expressed hopes that legal drafts on the issue can enter legislative procedures as soon as possible.

At the AL plenary meeting on Monday, Raimundo do Rosário also admitted that construction waste landfills in Taipa have grown 2.5 meters since he took his position.

“I have been saying that there will be problems sooner or later,” warned Rosário.

The secretary believes that once the landfill collapses, the Macau International Airport will be affected.

Director Tam Wai Man also said his department is collaborating with the public works authority to draft instructions for environmentally friendly construction, and expects to add eco-friendly elements to future government building construction.