TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) visited two of Taiwan's leading Buddhist organizations, Fo Guang Shan (佛光山) and Tzu Chi (慈濟), on Tuesday, offering prayers for peace and prosperity while pledging more support for social welfare programs.
During a visit to Fo Guang Shan's Jile Temple (極樂寺) in Keelung, Lai said he had visited the temple on the first day of the Lunar New Year to pray for peace and protection from natural disasters. He praised the group's late founder, Master Hsing Yun (星雲), for dedicating his life to promoting Humanistic Buddhism and making significant contributions to Taiwan, per a press release.
Lai also recalled frequently visiting Fo Guang Shan's main center while serving as Tainan mayor, saying he had the opportunity to meet Master Hsing Yun, who encouraged him to follow the four kinds of giving — giving people confidence, joy, hope, and convenience — as guiding principles for public service.
Later, at Tzu Chi's Keelung Jing Si Hall, Lai thanked Dharma Master Cheng Yen (證嚴), volunteers, and practitioners for their contributions to Taiwan. He said Tzu Chi's facilities across the country serve not only as places of worship but also as centers for charity, environmental protection, and social welfare.
The president noted that people aged 65 and older now account for more than 20% of Taiwan's population, reflecting improvements in healthcare and longer life expectancy. However, he said declining birth rates have accelerated population aging, increasing the need for long-term care and government support.
Lai said Taiwan has significantly expanded its long-term care system over the past decade. He noted that when former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) left office, there were about 720 long-term care centers nationwide. Following eight years under former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) and the first two years of his administration, that number has grown to more than 15,000 facilities supported by over 100,000 long-term care workers.
He said long-term care services not only support older adults' physical health but also promote mental well-being through exercise, recreation, and social interaction. The government now allocates approximately NT$110 billion (US$3.42 billion) annually to long-term care programs, he added.
Lai also highlighted government efforts to reduce the financial burden on young families through subsidies for childbirth and childcare. He said the government currently spends about NT$120 billion annually on childcare assistance.
The president said children from birth to age 18 are eligible for support totaling NT$5,000 per month, or NT$60,000 annually, for a total of NT$1.08 million over 18 years. Between the ages of 6 and 18, half of the monthly benefit is provided directly to parents, while the remaining NT$2,500 is deposited into a dedicated government savings account, per the press release.
Reflecting on his upbringing in Wanli, Lai said he witnessed classmates forced to leave school because of financial hardship, with some beginning factory work at a young age or attending vocational night schools while working during the day.
He said Taiwan's economic development should ensure future generations do not face similar circumstances. Since taking office, his administration has waived tuition for all public and private senior high schools and vocational schools, introduced annual tuition subsidies of NT$35,000 for private college and university students, and expanded financial aid from NT$15,000 to NT$20,000 annually for students from economically disadvantaged families.
Lai said the government has a responsibility to ensure that every child who wishes to pursue an education has the opportunity to do so, regardless of family background, adding that education improves individual lives while strengthening the nation as a whole.
The president also said increases to social welfare payments took effect this month, with higher monthly payments for recipients of the National Pension Program and elderly farmers' welfare allowances. He said Taiwan's economic growth and rising tax revenues should enable the government to continue expanding support for its citizens, emphasizing that the people are the country's ultimate beneficiaries of economic progress.
