TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Cabinet Spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝) said Monday that a 90% cut to the Cabinet’s policy implementation liaison fund has limited Premier Cho Jung-tai’s (卓榮泰) disaster response travel, per CNA.
Heavy rain has caused flooding across southern Taiwan in recent days. Lee said Cho has contacted local governments by phone and video to assess damage and learn what assistance they need.
Cho said the central government has established standards and procedures for providing aid after typhoons and floods. He said he has relied on remote communication with local officials in recent days and plans to visit affected areas when conditions permit.
Lee said Cho received a briefing on the disaster situation at a Cabinet meeting Monday morning. He was also scheduled to visit the Central Emergency Operation Center at 2:30 p.m. for video meetings with local government leaders.
The legislature cut 90% of the Cabinet’s policy implementation liaison fund, which has been used to support the premier’s visits to disaster areas and post-disaster recovery work. Lee said the reduction has made it harder for Cho to travel during the current emergency, per UDN.
Heavy rain and difficult road conditions in southern Taiwan have also affected travel. Lee said Cho is initially using phone and video calls to avoid disrupting local governments’ emergency response work.
Local governments will continue collecting information on damage and recovery needs. Lee said Cho has instructed officials to work within the reduced budget, visit affected areas when conditions allow, and help local governments with recovery and reconstruction under existing rules.
