The Executive Yuan today approved amendments to a special act to rebuild in the aftermath of Typhoon Danas and extensive flooding last month, seeking an additional budget of NT$25 billion (US$820 million).
The budget ceiling of the special relief package, if passed, would be raised to NT$85 billion, up from NT$60 billion.
The Cabinet proposed to amend Article 4, 5 and 10 of the special act to earmark an additional budget to five key areas.
Photo: Taipei Times
First, the authorities are to survey and monitor the barrier lake on the Mataian River (馬太鞍溪) which flooded Hualien County’s Guangfu Township (光復), set up a flood-prone area and work on sediment and soil control.
Second, residents affected by the disaster would be relocated.
Third, rainwater and sewage systems as well as household and road drainage facilities are to be dredged and repaired.
Fourth, the government is to work on farmland restoration and agricultural production environment reconstruction.
Fifth, post-disaster sand and mixed waste are to be classified and disposed of.
Of the NT$25 billion, NT$10.7 billion is earmarked for the barrier lake, NT$4 billion for water facilities, NT$3.25 billion for road and transportation, NT$2.65 billion for homes and public facilities, NT$500 million for agricultural facilities, NT$478 million for social recovery and industrial promotion and NT$3.421 billion for contingency funds.
The amendments would extend the implementation period of the special act and relief budget to Dec. 31, 2028, while the newly added recovery work projects would be effective until Dec. 31, 2030.
As Hualien has already been declared a disaster zone on Sept. 30, the special act would apply to the recovery work for the barrier lake, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) was quoted by Executive Yuan spokeswoman Michelle Lee (李慧芝) as saying.
Amending the current special act is the fastest and easiest way to help residents affected by the disaster, Lee said when responding to opposition lawmakers’ request for proposing another special act to fund recovery work in Guangfu Township.
She expressed hope that the amendment bills would be swiftly passed by the legislature.
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