The Executive Yuan yesterday approved amendments to a special act for rebuilding in the aftermath of Typhoon Danas and extensive flooding last month, which sought an additional budget of NT$25 billion (US$818.46 million). If passed, the budget of the special relief package would increase from NT$60 billion to NT$85 billion.
The Cabinet proposed amendments to articles 4, 5 and 10 of the special act to earmark an additional budget to five key areas.
First, authorities are to survey and monitor the barrier lake along 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.
Photo: Wang Chin-yi, Taipei Times
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 would work on farmland restoration and agricultural production environment reconstruction.
Fifth, post-disaster sand and mixed waste are to be classified and disposed properly.
Of the budget, NT$10.7 billion is earmarked for the barrier lake, NT$4 billion for water facilities, NT$3.25 billion for roads 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 as contingency funds.
The amendments would extend the implementation period of the special act and relief budget to Dec. 31, 2028, while the new recovery work projects would be effective until Dec. 31, 2030.
Hualien was declared a disaster zone on Tuesday last week, so 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 special act is the fastest and easiest way to help residents affected by the disaster, Lee said in response to opposition lawmakers’ request for another special act to fund recovery work in Guangfu.
Lee said she hoped that the amendments would be swiftly passed by the legislature.
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