Executive Yuan: Unapproved Budget May Delay 8 Major Social Welfare Allowance Increases in July

(Central News Agency reporter Kao Hua-chien, Taipei, June 16) Executive Yuan spokesperson Li Hui-chih stated today that the Legislative Yuan has yet to complete the review of the 115th fiscal year central government budget after 292 days. She emphasized the urgency of flood prevention preparations and various care measures in the second half of the year, noting that the Executive Yuan's approved increase in eight major social welfare allowances, originally scheduled for implementation in July, is now at risk due to the pending budget review, which affects related supplementary budgeting and follow-up procedures.

In a press release today, Li Hui-chih pointed out that the Executive Yuan legally submitted the 115th fiscal year central government budget proposal to the Legislative Yuan on August 29 of last year. However, after 292 days, the statutory review process remains incomplete. This delay not only affects government policy planning and execution but also plunges national governance into a state of high uncertainty. She urged the Legislative Yuan to recognize the serious impact of budget delays on national development and public welfare and to swiftly complete the review to restore normal government operations.

Li Hui-chih stressed that the central budget is the fundamental basis for the government to implement policies and public projects, directly affecting major national construction, industrial transformation, social welfare, national defense, and the delivery of essential public services. However, the prolonged delay in budget approval has left central government operations under long-term constraints and weakened the government’s ability to respond to international developments, extreme climate events, and various emergencies.

She emphasized that when resources essential for national development and public welfare fail to arrive on time, it is ultimately the entire population that suffers.

Li Hui-chih noted that as the second half of the year approaches, flood prevention preparations, infrastructure projects, and various care programs have pressing urgency and time sensitivity. Public livelihood and safety cannot wait, she said, citing Premier Cho Jung-tai’s repeated emphasis that “nothing is more urgent than the budget.” With the current legislative session already extended, she urged the Legislative Yuan to use the additional time wisely by prioritizing the budget review and responding concretely to public expectations.

She highlighted that the Executive Yuan recently approved increases in eight major social welfare allowances, originally planned for implementation in July, benefiting low-income households, vulnerable children and youth, people with disabilities, and elderly farmers. However, with the central budget still under review, the related supplementary budgeting and subsequent administrative procedures are being affected.

Li Hui-chih stated that social welfare should not become a casualty of political calculations. She expressed hope that the Legislative Yuan will swiftly complete the budget review, enabling the supplementary budget process to proceed and ensuring that those in need receive government support as soon as possible.

In January this year, the Executive Yuan revised laws to increase welfare allowances such as elderly farmer allowances and National Pension benefits, and the draft bills have been submitted to the Legislative Yuan for review. Additionally, in March, the Executive Yuan approved a 23.5% increase in six major living subsidies, including living allowances for people with disabilities, low- and middle-income elderly, vulnerable children and youth, living subsidies for low-income households, child living subsidies for low-income families, and educational living subsidies for low-income students. Moreover, living subsidies for vulnerable and low-income children and youth will be directly raised to at least NT$5,000, with implementation targeted for July this year. (Edited by Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150616