Power utility CEM said in a statement yesterday that it had recently partnered with the Housing Bureau (IH) to provide free inspections and maintenance of electrical installations for 21 senior citizens living in social housing units through the Community Programme.
The seniors were referred by the bureau. Both CEM and the bureau have partnered for seven years, the statement noted, and arranged for electricians to check the household electrical safety for the elderly.
CEM Regulatory Affairs and Corporate Communications Office Senior Manager Jaclyn Iun (阮少寶) noted in the statement that the programme was launched in 2000, with CEM among the first in the city to initiate such services.
According to the statement, the programme encourages CEM staff to use their free time and expertise to deliver free safety inspections and maintenance of household electrical installations for seniors living alone, underprivileged families and those with special needs in order to improve their living environment and electrical safety.
Iun and the bureau’s Head of the Social Housing Division Chan Kuan Kit also handed food gift packs to the seniors during the visits.
The statement said that residents can also refer those in need to CEM’s Community Programme. To be able to receive assistance recipients need to hold valid Beneficiary Cards issued by the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS). Details and registration can be found at www.cem-macau.com or by calling 8393 1206.
Meanwhile, the utility has also subsidised 39 buildings for complete safety upgrades through its “Safety Upgrade Subsidy Programme for Communal Electrical Installations in Low-rise Ageing Buildings”, which supports the upgrade of communal electrical installations in low-rise buildings that are over 30 years old (aka “three-nil” buildings) to help residents with electricity safety problems, the statement said.
Through the programme, which was set up by the utility’s shareholders with a 30 million pataca endowment at the end of 2020, the statement pointed out, 30 more buildings are in the process of being upgraded or are in the preliminary planning stage, with the programme benefiting around 3,000 households. For enquiries on the subsidy programme, call 2833 9911.
This undated handout photo provided by CEM yesterday shows the power utility’s electricians changing a light bulb.
