| Driving efforts to
cut costs at MCDS |
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| A
skit to bring home the ED message. |
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Since the Economy Drive
was officially launched across the public sector
in May 2003, the Ministry of Community Development
and Sports (MCDS) and its statutory boards have
formed respective Internal Economy Drive Committees
(iEDC) to spread
the ED message.
The committees set the direction and nurture a culture where staff always try
to get more out of government expenditure. MCDS’ iEDC is chaired by Deputy
Secretary, Ms Yeoh Chee Yan, while the iEDCs of the statutory boards are chaired
by the respective CEOs.
At MCDS, we are always economical in the way we manage our systems and run our
programmes. This attitude is clearly spelt out in our corporate approach, the
MCDS Way.
In fact, when we talked with MCDS staff, many said they have been practising
the ED approach over the years as a matter of duty. We applaud this attitude
and explained that the relaunch is a timely reminder for everyone of the need
to systematically realise efficiency gains. As the fiscal environment grows tighter,
the ED way must be promoted and practised at all levels so that there will be
resources for funding new initiatives.
For the minority who viewed ED as a one-time campaign during bad times, we took
pains to point out that this should not be the case. By driving ED efforts from
the top and with support from one and all, we hope to see ED progressively becoming
part and parcel of how we work and manage our resources.
Initially, we examined the Net Economic Value (NEV) drivers of seven big-ticket
items, including public education and IT, because of their potential to achieve
material savings. Although this approach provides clear accountability and potentially
good results, it did not involve everyone.
Hence we adjusted our approach and incorporated ED targets for all divisions
as part of their resource management process of redeploying savings to fund new
programmes. This way, all divisions have a stake in ED.
To inculcate ED values, we established a communication plan. We are tackling
the ED challenge in three phases: creating awareness, educating staff to inculcate
the spirit of ED, and reinforcing and upholding the spirit of ED.
Like many public agencies, MCDS has adopted measures such as double-sided photocopying,
switching off lights during lunch hour, outsourcing the production of public
education materials and using minimal specifications for these materials.
We conducted a review of the usage of water and electricity at MCDS-run homes
to identify areas for savings. We are also placing fewer paid advertisements.
Instead, our public education messages are carried for free in the mass media
through magazines, newspapers and television.
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| Learning about
ED in a fun and memorable way |
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Our ongoing ED efforts include a feasibility study on setting up an administrative
hub for voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) that are running social welfare
programmes funded by ministries and the National Council of Social Service. By
tapping on central administrative services (e.g. building maintenance), VWOs
can focus on their core business and achieve greater cost efficiency.
The ministry is also actively exploring ways to save energy in MCDS Building,
use NEV as a management tool for deploying resources efficiently, and to outsource
the ministry’s non-core functions. |
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| By MCDS |
