Mayor’s remarks:
I. The Lunar New Year holiday is approaching. All agencies should commit themselves to ensure a joyous new year for all citizens.
1. The Lunar New Year Eve is two days away. I would like to thank all fellow directors and lead executives for their dedicated contributions to our citizens. I will like to take this moment to wish everyone, as well as every fellow citizen, a happy and prosperous New Year of the Rooster. I sincerely hope that everyone will be able to enjoy a peaceful and successful year.
2. The Tainan City Police Bureau has activated measures for ensuring public safety and security during the New Year. All police officers, military police, firefighters, volunteer police, civil defense forces, traffic volunteers, community security patrol teams, other volunteers, and various administrative agencies have adopted the goals of achieving peaceful public security, smooth traffic, and friendly services. Tourism in Tainan has continued to grow. Large crowds are expected to arrive in the city during the New Year holidays. Relevant agencies have prepared various plans, but to safeguard the Tainan’s image as a tourist destination, we must rely on our on-duty personnel to maintain their grasp of the general situation, make flexible adjustments to duty schedules, and strive towards zero defects.
3. This is especially true for the 2017 Yuejin Lantern Festival that has already been launched. The Yanshuei Beehive Fireworks, a key event and attraction of the Lantern Festival, will also start soon. The areas north of the Tengwen River will be facing challenges in terms of traffic. I hereby request that the Police Bureau, district offices, and the Transportation Bureau remain vigilant and commit themselves to measures to ensure that visitors to Tainan will be able to experience a great new year holiday.
2. First Anniversary of the Earthquake
1. The February 6th earthquake last year dealt a severe blow to Tainan City. Fortunately, we were able to quickly implement disaster rescue and recovery operations thanks to the monetary donations and voluntarism from various contributors. Normal functions were restored to various district-level offices, agencies, and infrastructure. Reconstruction for the 13 collapsed households along Wenhe Street are nearing completion and the 12 households of Xinshi District that were affected by soil liquefaction were rebuilt, for which moving-in ceremonies had been held. I hereby thank all agencies for their full support, and I encourage everyone to provide continuing care to the families who were affected by the disaster, offering support where necessary to help them return to their normal lives, leave sadness behind them, and bravely look towards the future to start their lives anew.
2. Since the earthquake, we have been receiving plenty of donations from various communities and groups. We have adhered to the principles of proper use of these donations and adopted the methods of empathy, diverse care, case-by-case management, and transparency to provide the most direct form of support for the people affected by the disaster. I recently visited many people affected by the earthquake and found that most had set aside their sorrows and grief caused by the disaster, re-established their normal lives, and gave their most sincere thanks to our society. This is our most responsible form of express gratitude those who had donated to help victims.
3. As February 6th approaches, we have organized a memorial concert and various activities. I would like every agency to implement proper communications and coordination and demonstrate to others the Tainan people’s resilient spirit that embodies the saying that “bones gain strength from having been broken.”
Reports
1. Key legal amendments and package measures for the “one fixed day off and one flexible rest day” proposal presented by the Labor Affairs Bureau (Refer to the printed information for details)
Resolution: Approved for filing.
Mayor’s remarks:
(1) The formal initiation of the one day of weekly holidays with the second day of leave per week has initiated a great deal of discussion in our society. To prevent disputes arising from the lack of legal awareness amongst businesses and laborers, I hereby request the Labor Affairs Bureau to refer to the Principles for handling the supervision and inspection of revisions of the Labor Standards Act stipulated by the Ministry of Labor to gradually implement the 3 phases of promoting awareness, consultation, and inspection for the purpose of helping and encouraging businesses to adhere to the law and protecting the rights and interests of fellow laborers.
(2) Supplementary reports from the Secretariat revealed that over 7,000 fellow colleagues in the Tainan City Government are classified as laborers. I hereby ask the Secretary-General to arrange suitable meetings and have directors and lead executives of each agency report on the response measures relevant to labor issues after the amendments to the Labor Standards Act.
2. 2017 Forecasts of Water Resource Conditions presented by the Water Resources Bureau (Refer to the printed information for details)
Resolution: Approved for filing.
Mayor’s reminders:
(1) The Tainan region is currently experiencing its dry season. Experience has taught us that significant water usage stress often occurs during this period. However, the report presented by the Water Resources Bureau showed that current water storage capacities of Zengwun, Nanhua, and Wushantou reservoirs were 79.9%, 67.1%, and 69.5% respectively, offering enough water to last till the month of May. Forecasts made by the Central Weather Bureau for the next season showed normal to slightly reduced rainfall. All fellow citizens are encouraged to implement water conservation measures and remain vigilant.
(2) Although data showed that there were no long-term changes to total annual precipitation in Taiwan, effects of global warming have led to significant reductions in the number of days with rain for the last 100 years, with an average reduction of 4 days per 10 years. This meant an increased chance of heavy rain of short durations and shorter plum rain periods. The predicted date for the formation of the first typhoon in this year was also earlier compared to that of the previous year. Therefore, I ask all agencies to initiate flood prevention preparations well in advance.
(3) Significant progress for improvements of water resource utilization and allocation. Expected overall progress for the construction of the desilting tunnel designed to extend the usage life of Zengwun Reservoir was 87.32%, while actual progress made was 87.59%, making it 0.27% ahead of schedule. Expected overall progress for desilting tunnel construction for Nanhua Reservoir was 46.71%, while actual progress was 47.03%, making it 0.32% ahead of schedule. Predicted completion of construction work would be the end of 2017 and during 2018. Plans to enhance backup and supporting capacities of water purification plants have been implemented as well. I hereby thank Director General Peng and the team of the Water Resources Bureau for their hard work. I will also like to provide a reminder that for the Yongkang Water Resource Recycling Center and Water Reclamation Plant project currently pursued by the Water Resources Bureau, once the said project has been reported to the Executive Yuan and gained the latter’s approval, measures should be taken to accelerate the tendering process, so as to provide a stable source of water for industries and companies in the Southern Taiwan Science Park (STSP) and Tree Valley Park. Collaboration between the central government and local agencies will help reduce the impact of water shortage in Tainan.
(4) To improve water resource deployment capacities of Tainan City, another 65,000 tons of output will be provided after activating Phase 1 of the improvements made to the Zengwun backup water purification plant. The improved Tanding water purification plant will also provide another 15,000 tons of treatment capacity, adding a total support capacity of 80,000 CMD to water purification plants in Tainan City that can be used to support domestic needs and uses. Completion of Phase 2 of the Zengwun backup water purification plant is expected to add another 70,000 tons treatment capacity to meet the needs of the Southern Taiwan Science Park. I hereby ask the Water Resources Bureau and relevant agencies to remain vigilant of subsequent issues and report on construction progress and areas where the City Government can provide assistance in every 3 months to facilitate future urban development. I also request the Water Resources Bureau to arrange my personal survey and review of the water resource construction projects.