The Cabinet has approved a significant adjustment to the Termite Subsidy Programme, implementing changes to the subsidy amounts allocated to applicants. Under the new guidelines, households with a combined income of less than $30,000 will now receive $2,000—a decrease from the previous $5,000. In comparison, households earning $30,000 and above will receive $1,000, reduced from $2,000.
This decision aims to broaden the reach of the programme, facilitating assistance to a greater number of applicants. The initiative provides financial support for repairs and reconstruction work due to damage caused by termite infestations. The government has allocated $2.9 million for the fiscal year 2025-2026, supplementing the $5 million already spent since the programme’s inception.
Assistant Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Sakiusa Tubuna, reported to Parliament that over the past two financial years, 807 households have benefitted from the Termite Control Assistance Programme (TCAP), amounting to a total of $3,990,000 in assistance. In the 2023–2024 financial year alone, 448 households received help, costing $2,213,000, with 439 households earning below $30,000 receiving a total of $2,195,000.
In the subsequent 2024–2025 financial period, a total of 357 households received assistance, totaling $1,777,000; again, the majority of recipients were from households under the $30,000 income threshold. The revisions to the subsidy amounts reflect a strategic move by the government to enhance support distribution while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Overall, this policy change signifies the government’s commitment to assist low-income families while adapting to the evolving needs of the community. This adjustment could potentially lead to more households benefiting from essential repairs and pest control in the face of increasing termite issues.
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