Impact of Declining Birthrate in Nantou: Wen Shih-cheng Proposes Increased Childbirth and Rearing Subsidies

Central News Agency (CNA), Nantou, 8th - Wen Shih-cheng, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate for Nantou County Magistrate, today announced his childcare policy proposals. Wen stated that the declining birthrate has become a critical issue for Nantou. He advocates for increasing the subsidy for the first child from NT0,000 to NT0,000 and providing an annual child-rearing subsidy of NT0,000 for children aged 0 to 5 to alleviate the financial burden on families.

The DPP recently nominated dentist Wen Shih-cheng to run for Nantou County Magistrate. His campaign issued a press release outlining the new childcare policy, which aligns with President Lai Ching-te''s recent announcement of an expanded childbirth subsidy program.

Wen said that the central government''s expanded childbirth subsidy program, which began this year, provides NT00,000 per child and offers more flexible parental leave and family care leave to create a more family-friendly environment. He believes that following the central government''s policy direction, local governments should proactively take charge to encourage young people to settle down and start families in Nantou.

Wen Shih-cheng pointed out that if elected, he would raise the childbirth bonus for the first child in Nantou County from NT0,000 to NT0,000. Combined with the central government''s NT00,000 subsidy, a newborn with household registration in Nantou for the first birth would receive a total of NT20,000, making the support more tangible for citizens. Additionally, referencing the proposal by Lin Tzu-hsueh, the DPP''s candidate for Zhushan Township chief, to provide an annual NT0,000 child-rearing subsidy for children aged 0 to 5, Wen proposes to implement this policy county-wide to reduce the financial pressure of raising children.

Wen also emphasized the need to expand public childcare capacity within the county, increasing resources for public daycare centers and kindergartens to help dual-income families balance work and childcare. He aims to make Nantou not just a great place to live, but also a place where people dare to have and raise children. (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150508