Macao earmarks five billion patacas for Sichuan reconstruction

Macao will inject five billion patacas for reconstruction works in the earthquake-hit Sichuan province, and Macao Foundation will reserve 500 million patacas for works in the province as well, the Chief Executive Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah announced today. Mr Ho disclosed this when he attended a plenary session of the Legislative Assembly this afternoon to answer legislators’ questions on various issues. He said the Government would allocate five billion patacas in Sichuan’s reconstruction works over the next five years. In addition, the Macao Foundation would also reserve 500 million patacas for works in the province. Mr Ho said he believed that the donation will not bring any pressure on Macao’s public finance. In the first phase of Macao’s supporting effort, the Government would earmark 300 million patacas for Guangyuan, one of the most seriously affected cities in the province. Next, the Government would discuss with Macao’s business sectors and communities to co-ordinate their effort in helping Sichuan. The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Chui Sai On, who chairs Macao’s committee for reconstruction works in Sichuan, will visit the province on Saturday and discuss with the authorities there on how to support the province’s reconstruction efforts. They will also discuss how to monitor the usage of Macao’s fund and what Macao could do to help re-invigorate Sichuan’s tourism industry.