Rapid Crisis Response and Focused COVID-19 Measures for Small Business Economic Recovery... Emphasis on Welfare Projects Including Expansion of Welfare and Safety Infrastructure and Establishment of Eco-friendly Infrastructure
[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) has prepared the “2nd Supplementary Budget Proposal” worth 39.8 billion KRW, focusing on expanding infrastructure for COVID-19 response and improving resident welfare, and submitted it to the Gwanak-gu Council on the 10th.
This supplementary budget was formulated with an emphasis on mitigating the economic impact on local small business owners caused by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, securing infrastructure for rapid crisis response and enhancing residents’ welfare, and establishing eco-friendly infrastructure.
The supplementary budget resources will utilize ▲2019 fiscal year settlement net surplus (6.4 billion KRW) ▲Seoul City adjustment grant additional allocation (17.3 billion KRW) ▲national and local government subsidies (13 billion KRW), among others.
Additionally, to secure available resources, the district thoroughly reviewed ongoing projects, reducing the budget expected to be unused due to COVID-19 (2.4 billion KRW) and reallocating it as supplementary budget resources, reflecting a strong will to resolve residents’ difficulties together.
Key projects include 4.4 billion KRW invested in 20 projects such as ▲disaster management fund for rapid COVID-19 response (2.036 billion KRW) ▲operation of screening clinics and proactive testing expenses (177 million KRW) ▲installation of thermal imaging cameras and smartphone sterilizers (73 million KRW), and support for small business owners’ economic recovery opportunities including ▲self-employed business stabilization funds (1.4 billion KRW) ▲youth small business happy lunchbox support project (91 million KRW) ▲startup commercialization support fund (50 million KRW).
In particular, this supplementary budget draws attention as an economic revitalization measure without blind spots by additionally creating 1.4 billion KRW in the disaster management fund to support newly established small business owners and micro self-employed entrepreneurs who had been excluded from various previous support measures.
Furthermore, to improve residents’ quality of life through welfare and safety infrastructure, 9.7 billion KRW was allocated to 33 projects including ▲purchase of the Childcare Comprehensive Support Center building (310 million KRW) ▲Dorimcheon stream bridge and ecological landscape improvement (1.999 billion KRW) ▲smart city integrated platform infrastructure construction (120 million KRW) ▲road maintenance in major alleyway commercial districts (406 million KRW).
Besides, 25.7 billion KRW will be invested in resident welfare projects such as ▲housing benefits (792.3 million KRW) ▲local finance stabilization fund formation (5.2 billion KRW) ▲emergency welfare (2 billion KRW).
Notably, by purchasing the Childcare Comprehensive Support Center building (Ssukgogae-ro 128), the district is laying the foundation for the “Gwanak-gu Disabled Center” to enhance welfare for people with disabilities. To help residents recover physically and mentally from fatigue caused by social distancing, the district plans to improve the ecological environment and bridge landscape of Dorimcheon stream, creating safe walking paths and cultural spaces, accelerating the “Dorimcheon Special Project.”
Moreover, to secure nighttime visibility of CCTV installed throughout the region, LED guide signs will be installed, and CCTV video information will be directly linked to emergency services 112 and 119 for emergency dispatch support and disaster response. The district secured 600 million KRW through a Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport contest and allocated an additional 600 million KRW to build a smart city integrated platform, striving to create a “Smart Safety City Gwanak.”
Meanwhile, overcoming the limitations of the district’s poor finances and making multifaceted efforts to secure budgets for projects related to residents’ happiness rights, the district achieved a remarkable success by securing 2.1 billion KRW in special grants on the 6th for projects such as “Creating a Walkable Dorimcheon,” “Building Gwanak Youth Center,” installation of security CCTV, and windbreak and heater installations at bus stop boarding areas.
Mayor Park Jun-hee of Gwanak-gu stated, “This supplementary budget focuses on providing opportunities for small business owners suffering economic difficulties due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic to make a fresh start and building infrastructure that can revitalize residents’ lives, which have been constrained by social distancing. Although the situation is difficult due to COVID-19, we will do our best to overcome the crisis together with residents and create a happier, safer, and better Gwanak.”
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