Four More Unsung Singapore Public Agencies

Public Agency Units That Keep Us Thriving, Part 2

Learn about four more Public Service agencies you may not have heard of before, which are working behind the scenes to keep Singapore thriving.

Learn about four more Public Service agencies which are working behind the scenes to keep Singapore thriving.

Much of what keeps us moving happens behind the scenes. Here are four more names within the Public Service you may not have heard of, whose staff provide specialised skills and services to support citizens and other public officers.

Agency for Care Effectiveness (ACE)

Parent Ministry: Ministry of Health (MOH)

Not To Be Confused With:
Agency for Integrated Care (AIC)
Assurance, Care & Engagement (ACE) group, Ministry of Manpower
Health Sciences Authority (HSA)

What They Do:
Globally, the costs of new health technologies such as drugs, devices, tests and other treatments, continue to rise rapidly. The clinical outcomes these deliver are often not commensurate with the price points set by industry. Using standardised health technology assessment methodology, ACE establishes the value of such treatments by evaluating predicted outcomes and costs compared to existing standards of care. This calculated value is then used to negotiate fair prices - the concept of value based pricing (VBP).

Aside from VBP, ACE also promotes Value Based Healthcare (VBH) to clinicians and patient groups. Clinical guidances are produced for doctors, primarily General Practitioners, to highlight treatments that represent good value, ie high quality outcomes at affordable cost points. The agency also produces educational resources for patients and their caregivers to help them make better informed choices in healthcare, both in terms of quality as well as cost.

Land Surveyors Board (LSB)

Parent Ministry: Ministry of Law (MinLaw)

Not To Be Confused With:
Singapore Land Authority (SLA)

What They Do:
Land is one of Singapore’s most valuable and scarce resources. For land to be optimally used for national development and to enhance our quality of life, it has to be properly surveyed and demarcated. This task is done by land surveyors.

The LSB manages the registration and regulation of the community of surveyors and licenses corporations/partnerships supplying survey services in Singapore. Aspiring land surveyors must pass examinations held by the Board before they can register and practise as surveying professionals.

As development projects grow bigger and more ambitious alongside Singapore’s progress, the LSB supports our land surveyors’ continued efforts to undertake education, learn new skills, and maintain excellent conduct in their professional lives.

Central Manpower Base (CMPB)

Parent Ministry: Ministry of Defence (MINDEF)

Not To Be Confused With:
Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB)
Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB)
SAF Careers Centre

What They Do:
CMPB probably needs no introduction if you are amongst those who have gone through National Service (NS)! As the agency that acts as the first touchpoint for pre-enlistees embarking on their NS journey, CMPB manages the pre-enlistment activities from start to end. Core processes include administering the NS registration process, the medical screening of pre-enlistees, deferment and Exit Permit matters.

Beyond these essential services, CMPB also provides useful resources for pre-enlistees and their families who may have NS-related queries. Of note, the CMPB website contains a wealth of information that will come in handy for pre-enlistees who are looking to learn more about their NS journey, as well as their families who may wish to better understand and support their loved ones through this national rite of passage.

Public Defender’s Office

Did You Know:
On 1 Dec 2022, the Public Defender’s Office (PDO) was established as a department under the Ministry of Law to provide criminal defence aid to Singapore citizens and PRs who face non-capital criminal charges in Singapore, but are unable to afford legal representation due to limited means. The PDO helps to enhance access to justice for the more vulnerable members of our society. Find out more about the PDO here.

Hotels Licensing Board (HLB)

Parent Ministry: Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI)

Not To Be Confused With:
Singapore Tourism Board (STB)

What They Do:
For visitors to our little red dot, the accommodation they choose could shape their impression of Singapore and our hospitality sector.

The HLB is entrusted with the licensing of new and existing hotels. Before hotels can operate, they are assessed by the HLB on their room furnishings, security, building signage and other factors to ensure compliance with prevailing licensing regulations.

The board also works closely with other agencies to carry out regular compliance checks and look into feedback from the industry and visitors. This ensures the safety and comfort of the visitors during their stay at the hotel and in Singapore.

Clerk of Parliament

Did You Know:
The Clerk of Parliament advises the Speaker and Members of Parliament (MPs) on matters of parliamentary practice and procedures, including ensuring that questions put by MPs, as well as bills, motions and papers presented to Parliament are aligned with the House’s rules.

The Parliament Secretariat, in which the Clerk of Parliament is the most senior official, ensures the smooth administration of sittings and parliamentary committee meetings, and the proper maintenance of records. Read more about the Clerk of Parliament here.

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