Six more local governments will be getting their share of the nation's tax redistribution fund earlier than scheduled to deal with the financial effects of Typhoon Nari.
Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) instructed the Cabinet yesterday during its weekly meeting to make the early distributions.
Taoyuan and Miaoli counties will receive NT$300 million from the fund. The Cabinet will also provide NT$150 million to Hsinchu City and County and Chiayi City and County.
On Tuesday, Chang said that NT$650 million would be distributed early to Taipei City and County, and NT$450 million would be given to Keelung and Ilan County.
"In total, the Cabinet has distributed NT$3.4 billion to local governments," said government spokesman Su Tzen-ping (蘇正平) shortly after yesterday's Cabinet meeting.
The Cabinet also plans to review construction projects proposed by local governments on a case-by-case basis before deciding whether any more funds will be distributed.
Lin Chuan (
But given the government's financial difficulties, Lin said, emergency funds distributed now may have to be paid back later.
According to estimates by the Council of Agriculture yesterday, agricultural losses nationwide come to roughly NT$1.1 billion. The figure includes NT$490 million in lost agricultural products and damage to equipment and facilities and an estimated NT$650 million needed for reconstruction work.
In addition, Chang yesterday reiterated his instruction that government agencies come up with measures to limit the effects of natural disasters in the future.
According to Su, Chang also demanded a full review into the malfunction of the Yucheng pumping station located in Taipei's Nankang area. The station is said to be the largest in Asia, but failed to divert flood water to the Taipei basin.
Chang said the Cabinet would punish anyone responsible if human negligence is found to have prevented the station from working properly.
Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
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