Flood control programs will receive priority financial support from the government, Premier Jiang pledged today in southern Taiwan while surveying damage caused by Tropical Storm Kong-Rey, which struck August 29.
"Although infrastructure budgets are limited, flood prevention is an important matter of public interest and must continue uninterrupted, whether we have to dig into regular budgets or extend the special budget," he said, referring to the special eight-year, NT$80 billion (US$2.7 billion) flood control program that ends early next year.
In Tainan City, the premier inspected Sanye River where crews have now completed 90 percent of a flood management project. He hopes the work will conclude smoothly so that residents of Rende and Guiren townships can be spared of further suffering from floods.
"Sanye River received NT$1 billion (US$33.3 million) of the NT$80 billion special budget. Local and central authorities must work together on follow-up matters, especially for infrastructure programs that affect people's livelihoods. The government will get the job done whether the work falls under the charge of local or central agencies," Jiang said.
In Chiayi City, Premier Jiang toured Puzi River and Lushan Bridge. He pointed out that while Kong-Rey passed to the east of Taiwan, its precipitation fell mainly over central and southern Taiwan and cities along the west coast. The storm dumped record amounts of rainfall in a very short period of time, which can easily cause flooding no matter where it occurs, he added.
Premier Jiang went on to say that the flood control program has over the past eight years made noticeable improvements at locations across Chiayi City, including Puzi River, Bazhang River, and the section from Lushan Bridge to Huaxing Bridge.
"More than 290 houses in this region were flooded by Typhoon Morakot three years ago, but only two or three were affected this time. This is the best indicator of the program's effectiveness," the premier said. The government will continue endeavoring to lower this figure and keep flood depths to less than 50 centimeters.
Premier Jiang then headed out to Chiayi County to inspect Shigui River and the Chenjingliao water pump station. Kong-Rey inundated the Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan area with severe flooding, Jiang said. In places like in Dalin Township, as much as 6,000 hectares of land was covered by flood water. This event has drawn the public's attention to the effectiveness of flood control work. The government is devoting full efforts in this area and is implementing programs that aim to protect Taiwan from flooding for 20 years, he added.
As for questions by Tainan City Mayor Lai Ching-te and Chiayi County Magistrate Chang Hwa-kuan about additional funding after the end of the NT$80 billion program, Premier Jiang said the Water Resources Agency (WRA) has proposed a budget of NT$60 billion (US$2 billion) for six more years but the details are being worked out. Even though the nation has a debt ceiling of NT$200 billion (US$6.7 billion), the government will give priority to flood-prevention and infrastructure programs. The premier asked the WRA and the Construction and Planning Agency to study all the issues and to submit a detailed follow-up plan as quickly as possible.
The premier was accompanied on his tour by Executive Yuan Secretary-General Chen Wei-zen; Research, Development and Evaluation Commission Deputy Minister Fan Chiang Tai-chi; WRA Director Yang Wei-pu; and Executive Yuan Office of Disaster Management Director Shih Tseng-kang.