Council of Indigenous Peoples: Over NT$24 Billion in Central Government Budget Directly Benefits Indigenous People

According to the Central News Agency, the Council of Indigenous Peoples stated today that indigenous policies involve education, culture, healthcare, transportation, industry, housing, and social welfare. At least NT$24 billion of the 115th fiscal year's central government budget directly benefits indigenous people. Independent legislator Kao Chin Su-mei recently questioned the CIP's 115th fiscal year budget, arguing it did not meet the proportion of the indigenous population. She suggested that based on population, the budget should be around NT$82.7 billion, whereas the actual CIP budget is less than NT$12.8 billion. In response, the CIP issued a press release today clarifying that indigenous policies span multiple areas, and related funding is not solely allocated to the CIP but is jointly promoted by various ministries according to their responsibilities. At least NT$24 billion in the 115th fiscal year's central government budget directly benefits indigenous people. The CIP pointed out that the Ministry of Education, the Sports Administration, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Agriculture, and related funds have allocated nearly NT$9 billion to promote indigenous policies. Additionally, various ministries have allocated funds for childcare, social housing, transportation construction, disaster prevention, reconstruction, and communication infrastructure, which also benefit indigenous people alongside the general public. Regarding concerns about the financial status of the Indigenous Peoples Comprehensive Development Fund, the CIP stated that as of the end of April, the fund's net value was approximately NT$7.1 billion, and its overall financial condition is stable, with no risk of 'bankruptcy' as suggested by some. The 115th fiscal year budget continues to include funding for important policies such as compensation for logging bans on indigenous reserved land. The CIP also noted that due to amendments to the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures, central and local funding allocations have been adjusted. While subsidies for tribal access roads have been adjusted, local government allocations have increased simultaneously, meaning overall local funding has not decreased. Taking Jianshi and Wufeng townships in Hsinchu County as examples, the overall funding for the township offices has increased by approximately NT$40 million. Regarding the progress of indigenous-related legislation, the CIP stated that the Executive Yuan has repeatedly submitted important draft bills such as the 'Indigenous Autonomy Act' and the 'Indigenous Land and Sea Act' to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation, while the draft 'Urban Indigenous Rights Protection Ordinance' and amendments to the 'Indigenous Work Rights Protection Act' are currently awaiting review.