Under the leadership of President Ma Ying-jeou, the three preceding premiers have devoted significant efforts to rebuilding communities ravaged by Typhoon Morakot, Premier Jiang Yi-huah said today, noting that 3,481 permanent housing units have been built on 40 sites since reconstruction began three-plus years ago.
Presiding over the 32nd meeting of the Executive Yuan's Morakot Post-Disaster Reconstruction Council (MPDRC), Jiang said that as affected residents are gradually settled into new homes, the focus of reconstruction work has shifted to industrial development, community rebuilding and job creation. Premier Jiang asked government agencies to redouble efforts in these areas so that residents can return to normal life as early as possible.
While today's meeting with the MPDRC was the first for the recently formed Cabinet, Jiang said, MPDRC has served since the beginning as the Executive Yuan's highest decision-making and consultation body for reconstruction efforts. He thanked members of the council for sharing their expertise that contributed to the successful implementation of reconstruction programs. The MPDRC has also received positive responses for a documentary tour it organized from last December to this April to share reconstruction experiences with people around the country.
After listening to various progress reports, Jiang said now that basic infrastructure and permanent housing have largely been restored, the next steps are to deepen cultural appreciation in the communities, ensure daily living needs are met, rebuild communities and businesses, and boost employment. The objective is to bring cultural, economic and ecological considerations together to create sustainable communities.
With flood season approaching in May, Jiang reminded authorities to quickly complete mountain bridges and river dredgings; disaster and flood prevention measures should also be reinforced. As for the stretches of Provincial Highways 20 and 21 running through Taoyuan and Namaxia Districts in Kaohsiung City, the premier asked the Directorate General of Highways to hasten raising the height of service roads to reduce flooding risks. He also asked the Kaohsiung City government to keep alternate roads operating smoothly so that remote residents would not be cut off to traffic in the event of a hazard.
During the meeting, the MPDRC showed the film, The Revitalization of Xiaolin Village and Pingpu Culture, which reveals how the people of Xiaolin recovered from adversity and, even more moving, how they extended help to those in greater need. The premier said these people exemplify Taiwanese compassion and fortitude, and stirring films like this should be circulated more widely.
Regarding the post-Morakot Glory and Vitalization project for industrial development, Jiang said it is a key part of efforts to build sustainable communities and businesses. The premier asked government agencies to allocate available resources toward improving living environments, developing businesses, beautifying communities and generating job opportunities. The MPDRC will oversee these efforts and ensure resources are used effectively.
As for plans to produce a documentary on Taiwan's experiences in post-Morakot reconstruction, the premier said the documentary is slated to be released in August 2014. When completed, it will not only pass on valuable experiences in disaster prevention, relief and reconstruction but also allow other countries to learn from Taiwan's model. The documentary will help fulfill Taiwan's social responsibility and raise its global visibility, Jiang said. He asked the MPDRC look into international cooperation opportunities during the course of producing and promoting the documentary.
After hearing the MPDRC's report on its manpower utilization, Premier Jiang said the final stages of reconstruction work are not yet complete. Even after the Special Act Governing Reconstruction After Typhoon Morakot expires in August 2014, much of the MPDRC's work will still be turned over to various government agencies. In the meantime, the agencies should continue supplying the MPDRC with personnel possessing the expertise and drive needed for reconstruction work, he added.