As Typhoon Qiangpi hit Taiwan, Fu Kunqi, the chief congressman of the Kuomintang League of the Legislative Yuan, called for speeding up agricultural disaster relief and advocated increasing the allowance for old farmers to 15,000 yuan per month. Zhuang Ruixiong, secretary-general of the Democratic Progressive Party's Legislative Yuan Caucus, said that the government and the opposition should have a common position to assist disaster-stricken farmers. The agricultural natural disaster cash assistance system has been in place for many years. The most important thing now is for local governments and town and city offices to speed up assessment and notification, and for the central government to speed up review and assistance, so that farmers can receive assistance as soon as possible. "Farmers' long-term efforts may be wasted in a storm. The speed of disaster relief must keep up with the farmers' anxiety."
Zhuang Ruixiong pointed out that local governments and town and city offices should summarize the disaster-stricken areas, crop items and facility losses as soon as possible and report them to the central government; the Ministry of Agriculture should also proactively provide necessary assistance and speed up the review, announcement and follow-up relief operations. "Now that the system is in place, it must be made to work in a timely manner. Local inspections and reports must be fast, and central assistance must keep up. Farmers cannot be left waiting."
"The land warning has been lifted, and post-disaster assistance must be stepped up; the wind and rain are gradually moving away, and the government's responsibility to care for farmers must still continue." Zhuang Ruixiong emphasized that local governments and township and city offices should take the initiative to explain to farmers how to apply for assistance and assist in processing, so that cash assistance, low-interest loans and re-cultivation assistance can be smoothly connected. Farmers cannot be left with disasters in their fields and have to rush around to apply for assistance.
Zhuang Ruixiong further said that this storm damaged not only the immediate harvest, but also fruit trees and agricultural production facilities. The time and cost of recovery vary. The Ministry of Agriculture should assist farmers in repairing and improving wind resistance for the damaged facilities and equipment, evaluate and expand subsidies for structural steel greenhouses, and assist farmers in upgrading traditional facilities to stronger production facilities based on regional wind farms, crop needs and design specifications.
For crops susceptible to wind damage such as bananas and papayas, Zhuang Ruixiong also called on the Ministry of Agriculture to strengthen technical guidance and promote subsidies for improving wind protection nets, reinforced pillars and anti-lodging facilities based on crop characteristics and field conditions, so as to reduce the burden on farmers to strengthen disaster prevention equipment. "In post-disaster reconstruction, we need to help farmers resume production and make them more capable of withstanding the next storm."
As for the subsidy for elderly farmers, Zhuang Ruixiong said that the Executive Yuan has proposed a version that would be increased to 10,000 yuan per month, and the government has specific proposals for caring for elderly farmers. If the opposition parties advocate further increasing the amount to NT$15,000, they should put forward the required funds, long-term financial resources and a complete plan. They cannot just increase the amount through the election, but leave all the responsibility for fulfilling the promise to the government.
Zhuang Ruixiong pointed out that the growth of per capita GDP does not mean that the actual income of each farmer increases simultaneously. Policy evaluation should focus on the production costs, income fluctuations and living burdens borne by farmers. Veteran farmers have worked hard all their lives and deserve stable and long-term protection. "Taking care of farmers requires more than just pre-election numbers, but also the long-term ability to deliver."
Zhuang Ruixiong emphasized that the government and the opposition should use their efforts to speed up rescue, assist in re-cultivation, strengthen facilities and improve security. "What farmers want is assistance, support for re-cultivation, and support for their lives. We need immediate help for immediate disasters, and we need to ensure long-term security."
