SINGAPORE: Starting this year, every fourth Saturday of May will be designated as Singapore's 'Family Day Out'.

This is the latest initiative by the National Family Council to encourage Singaporeans to spend more time with their family.

63-year-old Teresa Quah, a retiree, said: "It's a very good idea to bring the family closer... help them communicate with each other."

The National Family Week was launched 22 years ago, but not many people seem to be aware of such a campaign, going by a straw poll conducted by Channel NewsAsia.

To raise the profile of the National Family Week, organisers have decided to give their month-long campaign a new name. It is now called the National Family Celebrations, and campaign activities will be launched on 24 May at a carnival at the Singapore Flyer.

Organisers will be giving away 15,000 free tickets for rides on the Singapore Flyer as well as other attractions. There will also be special family packages at other places such as the Singapore Zoo and Jurong Bird Park.

Yeo Chuan Hong, a father of two, said: "This year, families can get together in their own time and take the extra effort to be closer."

Over the years, activities organised for the family campaign have been expanded to last for almost a month.

More information on the special family packages are available online at www.nationalfamilycelebrations.sg.


- CNA/so