Manna from Hong Kong

If you live in a country where its government gives money to its citizens simply because it has HK 71B (P 398B) as surplus, then you must be proud you belong to that country.

The fuss about the HK 6,000 in The Standard 4 Feb issue.

A few days ago, chitchats about Hong Kong’s budget have been non-stop around the city. The country’s Financial Secretary has proposed to spread HK 36B (around P 198B) out of the total HK 71B  among its permanent residents aged 18 above a handout of HK 6,000 (P 33K) each. Aside from that, people will also enjoy tax rebates not exceeding HK 6,000. This was after the people have voiced out and urged the secretary to revise his initial proposal of injecting the HK 6,000 into the mandatory provident fund accounts. Apparently, many people are not qualified to benefit from the first plan, reason also of the rethink.

Quite surprisingly, most of the Hong Kong people are still not satisfied with the proposed handout. Their clamour is that the budget plan is not aimed at long-term benefits. They would rather see more budget funnelled in education, public housing, healthcare and environment protection. Some 10,000 people have even gathered on the streets yesterday to demonstrate their frustration towards the government.

As for the business sector, they are more than happy to accommodate those blessed with the cold cash in the future, should they just want to splurge it on luxury items, gadgets, travel, or dining. Right after the plan took a U-turn, business establishment owners said they will already come up with attractive promotions to trigger buyers with more purchase. Like for example, giving travel offers for less than HK 6,000.

 

Sadly, I am not a permanent resident. Yet.

In our household alone, they will receive an aggregate amount of HK 30,000. It is a significant amount of money so to speak. But of course, each one has already a plan in mind which will likely lead to some impulse buying come June as it is when the cash will be paid out most probably. But for those people which the unexpected HK 6,000  is promised, it is already an annual’s worth of salary. To them it is nothing but a blessing that will help them for months, which makes me think how I will be spending it if I were to receive it. But sadly, I am not eligible to receive it, maybe in a different form of policy but not cash. Still, I have my husband’s to think of. Hehe.

Imagine if it were to happen in the Philippines.