Over the last few days, the president, vice president and premier have all made claims that cooperation between the central government, local governments and public has been seamless. However, the central government's bypassing of county governments has revealed its desire to take direct control of relief efforts.
Most victims of the earthquake have not been impressed by the government's coordination of relief efforts, perhaps because of recent stinging media criticisms of the government's inefficiency.
Faced with criticism from all sides, the central government has undertaken some changes. First, it dispatched high-ranking officials from central government ministries to quake-affected areas. Central government officials of all ranks can now be found directing relief work on sites in Taichung and Nantou counties. The central government has also directly authorized local governments to conduct relief efforts, bypassing county authorities.
We dare not speculate if the central government's efforts are related to next year's elections or if they represent an attempt to monopolize power. The central government may be able to bypass county governments, but it cannot avoid the reality of the disaster. The regulations issued by the Cabinet on Sept. 30 on housing compensation, condolence payments (慰問金) and rent subsidies completely excluded the evidence of structural damage already collected by assessors and provided for direct links between central and local governments without involvement from county authorities.
County governments were only authorized to take money given to them by the central government and transfer them to local authorities, but county governments ended up dipping into their own coffers to make up for shortages. County governments' responsibilities appear to be light, but future problems are waiting in the wings.
First, are village and borough officials qualified to make complex decisions about damaged houses? Are they able to determine a house in which more than one-third of their rafters and roof tiles have collapsed; or, in the case of a concrete house, one that has cracks in the floor slabs and crossbeams which render it unfit for habitation? Village and borough officials also have to assess whether damaged house will have reconstruction costs over half of the value of the original structure.
Second, even if village and borough officials are able to make these decisions, will they be able to avoid the influence of local forces? Village heads and representatives are bound to put pressure on borough chiefs to exaggerate damage reports.
Third, if disagreements emerge, village and borough officials will have to consult with government engineering agencies. Whose assessment will be accepted? After all assessments are sent to local governments, it is likely that funding requests will greatly exceed the actual damage.
Moreover, many local government offices in quake-affected areas were destroyed or heavily damaged, making it difficult for them to effectively handle fund disbursement.
Last, the central government has stripped the county government of its powers in the matter. People complain about county authorities, but county governments are unable to respond with action. Will residents complain to local authorities if damage to their houses is underestimated? Or will they censure village and borough officials? Of course not. If residents are unable to collect money or if the government is late in issuing it, both the central government and residents themselves will blame county authorities.
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