A government property in Triq Fleur-de-Lys, Birkirkara, has been given to the Office of the President in order to support the Malta Community Chest fund and be used as part of a social project, the Ministry for Lands stated.

The Ministry said that the social project will be aiming to help vulnerable people have an independent life, and added that the property is being used for this purpose in order to expand the services the MCCF offers in the social field.

The transfer was formalised through agreement which was signed on Friday in the San Anton Palace by the Secretary of the Presidency and the Chief Executive of the Lands Authority. The Ministry added that the signing was chaired by President Myriam Spiteri Debono and Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi.

It continued that during the signing, the Minister said that this agreement shows that the government is committed to using public assets in the best way possible for the benefit of the community.

Zrinzo Azzopardi commented that the agreement is a clear example of how the government is giving social value to public properties by making them available for initiatives that make a difference in people's lives. He added that through the property in question, the Office of the President will be able to continue supporting the working of the MCCF.

President Spiteri Debono said that the original purpose for which the MCCF was established was always to address the needs of the vulnerable. She spoke of the importance of the MCCF extending and strengthening the services it offers in the social field, and added that this is the first step in the implementation of the pilot project aimed at helping vulnerable people have an independent life.