formed from the merger of three agencies, namely National Productivity Board (NPB), Singapore Institute of Standards and Industrial Research (SISIR) and the SME development function of the Economic Development Board (EDB). The agency aimed to encourage productivity and growth in the economy. 6 April – The Gleneagles Hospital is officially opened. 14 April – The S.League, a professional tournament, is launched. May 2 May – The Advance Medical Directive Act is passed to allow people to apply for a Directive should they not want to continue treatment. The law came into effect in 1997. 11 May – The Government announced that it will end SingTel's monopoly on the mobile network by 2000 as part of a move to start competition in the telecoms industry. 21 May – A debate happened in Parliament over the HPL saga. June 20 June – The National Youth Centre and Youth Park are officially launched. 24 June – The Singapore Chinese Orchestra is launched as Singapore's second orchestra. July 1 July – The National Parks Board (NParks) is formed, building on the vision of a 'City in a Garden'. 5 July – Plans to replace the Causeway are announced. 12 July – In response to mobile liberalisation, a sum of $1.5 billion is approved as compensation to SingTel for the early end of its monopoly. 20 July – New finger piers are opened in Changi Airport's Terminal 2. 24 July – The Tourism 21 plan is unveiled. August August – Lot One opens to the public. 11 August – Construction starts on The Esplanade, which will enhance the arts in Singapore. 18 August – Plans to develop Punggol are announced known as Punggol 21. The town will incorporate residential areas, clustered community areas linked up by an LRT system. However, the plan did not fully materialise after the 1997 Asian financial crisis, low demand of flats and construction troubles plagued the project. On the same day, the formation of Community Development Councils (CDCs) are announced, which numbered nine in 1997. September 3 September – The third phase of the Tampines Expressway opens. More roads are planned for upgrading and widening, including on stretches of the Pan Island Expressway and East Coast Parkway, the PIE/TPE flyover and Upper Bukit Timah Road. The ERP system is still being tested. 27 September – The Sengkang LRT line is unveiled during a ceremony to start construction on the Bukit