Budget Stalled, President Lai Warns of Threat to Lives and Property from Heavy Rain Disasters

(Central News Agency, Reporter Yeh Su-ping, Taipei, June 10) President Lai Ching-te, who also serves as the chairperson of the Democratic Progressive Party, stated today that the delay in passing this year's central government general budget will impact disaster prevention and response capabilities. He noted that Taiwan is facing a critical flood prevention period, and the central government has allocated over NT$10 billion for flood control and management, which remains stuck in the Legislative Yuan without review. Once heavy rain causes disasters, it could endanger people's lives and property.

The DPP held its Central Executive Committee meeting today. Lai said that local construction, industrial development, social welfare promotion, and transportation improvements all require support from central government policies and budget resources. Only through the joint efforts of the central and local governments can the people's expectations be turned into concrete results.

He expressed regret that, as we have entered June, the review process for this year's central government general budget bill remains at the committee review stage in the Legislative Yuan and has not yet completed its third reading.

Lai indicated that the prolonged delay in passing the general budget will not only affect the implementation of various policies and industrial development but will also impact disaster response capabilities, the disbursement of local subsidies, and the progress of major public construction projects. Those affected are not just the Executive Yuan, but every Taiwanese citizen who expects the nation to continue progressing.

He said that we are now in the plum rain season, and the typhoon season is also approaching. Taiwan is facing a critical flood prevention period. However, the central government's allocated budget of over NT$10 billion for flood control and management remains stuck in the Legislative Yuan without review. Once heavy rain causes disasters, it could endanger people's lives and property.

Lai further stated that although the budget has not yet been passed, he still requests that relevant ministries and commissions of the Executive Yuan fulfill their duties and continue to coordinate with local governments to fully carry out flood prevention preparations. At the same time, he also asks all party officials to strengthen flood prevention advocacy, help citizens prepare early, and jointly reduce disaster risks.

Secondly, he said that according to the central government's general budget preparation schedule, the Executive Yuan has already begun drafting next year's general budget bill, which is expected to be finalized and sent to the Legislative Yuan for review by the end of August.

He stated that if the opposition caucuses continue to delay the review of this year's general budget bill, once next year's general budget bill is sent to the Legislative Yuan, it will inevitably lead to a situation where two annual budget bills are reviewed simultaneously. This could cause data confusion, chaotic reviews, and compress the review space for other important livelihood-related bills, further affecting the overall operational efficiency of the nation.

Lai said that Taiwan's development cannot wait, and the people's expectations cannot be delayed. He once again called on the opposition caucuses in the Legislative Yuan to complete the review of this year's central government general budget bill as soon as possible. Only by returning the nation to a normal governance track can the central and local governments work together to promote construction, care for the people, and build a safer, more prosperous, and more hopeful Taiwan. (Editor: Zhai Sijia) 1150610