Thu, Apr 06, 2023 page3

• Chiang, Hou neglect duties, DPP says

  AFTER 100 DAYS: The Taipei mayor is incompetent, and his counterpart in New Taipei City has ‘largely abandoned his mayoral duties,’ DPP spokesman Chang Chih-hao said

  • By Jason Pan / Staff reporter
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  The city governments of Taipei and New Taipei City, led by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), have not done their duties to residents, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members said yesterday, as they commented on the first 100 days in office of Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) and the first 100 days of New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi’s (侯友宜) second term.

  The two have broken their promises made during their election campaigns, and their approval ratings are low, DPP members said.

  Most Taipei residents feel neglected, DPP spokesman Chang Chih-hao (張志豪) told a news conference at the party’s headquarters in Taipei, adding that Chiang lacks the competency to govern.

  

  Democratic Progressive Party Taipei City Councilor Chien Shu-pei holds up a document while speaking at a news conference in the city yesterday.

  Photo: CNA

  “Chiang and Hou head the governments of greater Taipei, with a 6.5 million population. Chiang is already slacking off, while Hou has largely abandoned his mayoral duties,” Chang said.

  Chiang and Hou rank lowest among the mayors of the six special municipalities, Chang said, citing a poll conducted by Ming Chuan University.

  The survey showed that Taipei and New Taipei City residents are seeing no improvement and are dissatisfied with the performance of their respective mayors, Chang added.

  Chiang’s first 100 days in office were fraught with “disputes and failures,” Taipei City Councilor Chien Shu-pei (簡舒培) said.

  To improve his ratings, Chiang has announced 17 “big-money programs” that require additional funding and approval from the Taipei City Council, Chien said.

  Chiang asked the council to approve NT$3.31 billion (US$108.7 million) in additional funding, including NT$1.86 billion for the new programs, Chien said, adding that the balance of the city’s spending is at stake.

  “They are throwing money around so that the city government looks like it is doing something, but it is not fiscally viable,” Chien said. “This year, the city government receives additional funding from the central government’s tax surplus after last year’s robust economic growth, but what about next year? Will the city government have to borrow money to continue the programs?”

  During his campaign, Chiang presented 59 “new visions and programs” for Taipei residents, but work on most of them has not even started, Chien said, adding that some, such as a planned “e-sports stadium” and 500 additional beds for long-term elderly care at city hospitals, have not even been mentioned in meetings between Chiang administration officials and the council.

  “We hear nothing ... on these programs. It seems Chiang has misled voters with empty promises,” Chien said.

  DPP New Taipei City Councilor Tai Wei-shan (戴瑋姍) said she and fellow councilors have asked the New Taipei City Government to deal with pollution, garbage disposal problems, traffic congestion, public safety and crime, but Hou only told them that he “will do the right thing,” without elaborating.

  “Hou ... should concentrate on administering the city, implement new programs and improving the infrastructure,” Tai said.

  However, Hou has not yet delivered his city governance report to the city council, Tai said, adding that he is rumored be seeking the KMT’s nomination for next year’s presidential election, which would require him to “jump ship” in New Taipei City.

  “The people have lost confidence in him,” she said.
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