Local magistrates from the DPP agreed yesterday to "adopt" townships in central Taiwan where earthquake destruction has been the most severe to aid in the reconstruction effort.
DPP presidential candidate Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) said that each of the counties and cities governed by the DPP will reach out and shoulder responsibility for getting people back on their feet.
"For example, Hsinchu City will provide educational resources for students from Dali (
PHOTO: CHEN CHENG-CHANG, TAIPEI TIMES
The 921 earthquake has caused extensive damage to the central part of the island. Lai Shyh-bao (
"The damages and losses inflicted by the temblor were no smaller than those of the Kobe quake. They spent over US$38 billion in rescue and rehabilitation," Lai said.
The DPP set up a "post earthquake rebuilding committee" on Sept. 29 to coordinate distribution of resources to victims and help with rebuilding efforts.
PHOTO: CHEN CHENG-CHANG, TAIPEI TIMES
Chen, also appointed as convener of the committee, called the first meeting yesterday in Taichung and announced that all 11 DPP local administration chiefs promised to do their best to aid their "areas of responsibility."
The aim of the committee is to cooperate with the central government and mobilize civilian volunteers, he said.
"Community to community, school to school and association to association -- these are the channels we must keep open. We must keep in touch with those on the ground in these areas to understand what is needed and how best to provide for their needs," Chen said.
In addition, Chen reaffirmed that the central and local administrations will work together as partners when undertaking the rebuilding work.
"There is a long road ahead of us; officials -- no matter whether from the central or local government -- must work as partners, there should not be a bureaucratic undertone to their efforts."
Meanwhile, the DPP policy research and coordinating committee proposed a rebuilding act for central Taiwan and urged the legislature to approve it as a special law.
"The Executive Yuan decided to roll over the housing loans for five years for those residents whose houses collapsed during the earthquake. But we are worried that that may cause a financial crisis after the time period is over," said DPP secretary-general Yu Hsi-kun.
"The best method is to set a `post-disaster rebuilding fund' to buy collapsed buildings and land, and then draw up a comprehensive plan to restore the area," Yu said.
He stressed that Taiwan is a living organism, therefore, all residents should share the responsibility for rebuilding devastated areas.
The central bank has announced that it would allocate NT$100 billion in low-interest loans to help the homeless rebuild.
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