Premier Sean Chen today highlighted the importance of developing industries while rebuilding communities devastated by the 2009 Typhoon Morakot disaster.
At the 31st meeting of the Morakot Post-Disaster Reconstruction Council (MPDRC), Chen instructed central and local governments to fast-track programs that promote the livelihoods of reconstructed communities. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Ministry of Culture, Council of Agriculture and Council of Indigenous Peoples will also integrate cultural, ecological and economic considerations when promoting the agricultural and tourism industries.
After hearing a briefing on the progress of reconstruction, Premier Chen thanked the MPDRC for coordinating marketing arrangements that will provide long-term boosts to businesses in the communities. Taiwan High Speed Rail is offering three holiday packages to the reconstructed areas, China Steel Corp. organized a Morakot Rainbow Fair, and the Dream Mall in Kaohsiung is helping to market their produce.
Premier Chen also mentioned Zhulu Community in Chiayi County, built for the indigenous Tsou people and inaugurated December 15. Though the Tsou only moved a short distance away from their ancestral homes in Mount Ali, it was one of the largest relocation efforts after Morakot. The premier was grateful to the MPDRC as he saw that many Tsou were satisfied with their new homes.
On the whole, construction of permanent housing units is nearing completion except for a couple of sites in Chiayi and Kaohsiung. The premier directed the agencies responsible to expedite those projects, adding that all permanent housing bases should be designed around residents and their living needs in order to create sustainable communities.
In public infrastructure, newly built roads and bridges within reconstruction zones have already proven their worth through several typhoons and heavy downpours. Many of the major structures have also become iconic tourist attractions, the premier said, attesting to the fine quality of construction as well as aesthetic design. However, temporary bridges are still being used along sections of Provincial Highways 20 and 21 because of unstable surroundings. The responsible agencies will make sure contractors hasten construction work before flooding season arrives.
Premier Chen thanked the MPDRC for planning meticulously and seeing to the details. This is important because good results can only be achieved when all aspects are considered, he said. In a few instances where environmental groups have filed lawsuits or appeals over reconstruction projects, the MPDRC was able to win even at the Supreme Court level. This demonstrates prudent planning on the legal as well as technical fronts.
As for the Tourism Bureau's project to promote tourism-related industries at the permanent housing communities, the premier said if it goes well, the project may be expanded to cover all reconstructed areas so long as funding allows. The Tourism Bureau will review the project on a rolling basis and coordinate marketing and publicity campaigns with media outlets and travel agencies.