Mayor’s Remarks:
1. Tainan offers its full support to Hualien in light of the recent earthquake
(1) On the second anniversary of the February 6 earthquake in Tainan, an earthquake with a magnitude of six on the Richter scale struck Hualien at 11:50 P.M. According to reports on the website of the National Fire Agency, Tainan City did not suffer any damage; however, severe damage was reported in Hualien.
(2) To buy time for rescues, the search and rescue team of the Tainan City Fire Department gathered 32 rescue workers, medical personnel, and representatives from civil engineering associations and sent them to Hualien in the early morning. In the days to follow, the Tainan City Government will also send additional personnel, machinery, medical professionals, and supplies in accordance with Hualien’s needs. We hope that by offering our assistance, the losses caused by this earthquake can be mitigated.
(3) When an earthquake struck Tainan on February 6 two years ago, we bore testament to the “Taiwan spirit," where great empathy was displayed, and all delved in to help. The whole of Taiwan stands in solidarity when faced with crises. After Tainan was struck by a major earthquake two years ago, care and help from every corner of the nation poured in, which helped Tainan to get back on its feet and launch reconstruction work. Tainan will share its experience in disaster relief and collaborate with search and rescue teams from the central government and local governments, offering Hualien full support. I also hope that Hualien's residents are able to stay strong and safe during this time of hardship and rebuild their homes as soon as possible.
2. With Chinese New Year fast approaching, measures to prevent the bird flu must be enhanced
(1) With the recent cold weather, cases of bird flu have increased all over Taiwan. In late January, cases of bird flu broke out on a duck farm in Gueiren District and on a goose farm in Houbi District. To enhance disease prevention on poultry farms, the Tainan City Government has opened a response center and held meetings, thereby continuing to enhance preventative measures and strengthen strategies pertaining to disease control.
(2) I’d like to ask the Animal Health Inspection and Protection Office to continue to monitor the status of poultry farms near the outbreaks, and to conduct reallocation control, sampling, and consultation visits. I also encourage poultry farmers to protect their animals from the cold and to increase ventilation, thereby enhancing the immunity of these animals. Furthermore, please monitor and disinfect personnel and vehicles that have regular access to poultry farms, and enhance measures for preventing transmissions by external animals at poultry farms in accordance with relevant regulations. By adhering to these principles, the outbreak and spread of bird flu should be effectively controlled.
(3) With Chinese New Year approaching, chickens and ducks are in high demand. I would like to ask the Tainan City Government Agriculture Bureau and the Animal Health Inspection and Protection Office to closely monitor the progression of bird flu outbreaks and enhance early warnings and monitoring, while simultaneously supervising businesses to practice bird flu prevention and prevent possible outbreaks. By ensuring that all aspects of preventing the bird flu are thoroughly addressed, citizens are able to enjoy the Chinese New Year Holiday at ease.
3. Enhancing care for the underprivileged and preventing crop damage during the cold front
(1) According to the Central Weather Bureau’s forecast, temperatures from February 4 to 7 will drop, and extremely low temperatures of less than 10°C are to be expected. Another cold front is projected to pass over Taiwan from the night of February 10 to February 12. The Bureau of Social Affairs is now collaborating with district offices, civil groups, and volunteers to offer services for extreme weather prevention, such as supplying single-dwelling elders with needed supplies. In addition, police, health, and medical units are offering a temporary settlement or medical assistance, providing the homeless with supplies for keeping warm. Furthermore, hot meals and mobile shower vans are available at fixed locations during fixed hours, thereby enabling the underprivileged to stay warm and safe during this wave of cold fronts.
(2) The Agriculture Bureau has also launched mechanisms to assist farmers and aquafarmers in preventing low temperatures from damaging their property. This wave of cold fronts will affect Taiwan for an extended period of time; therefore, I would like to ask the Agriculture Bureau and the district offices to make an inventory of all agricultural damage, proceed with aid measures in accordance with the Regulations Governing Agricultural Natural Disaster Relief, and offer necessary assistance where needed, thereby minimizing the burdens of farmers and aquafarmers.
(3) I would like to thank concerned departments for continuing their hard work despite the cold weather, and for safeguarding citizens’ health and property. With a rising trend in extreme weather conditions, it is important for the Bureau of Social Affairs, the Agriculture Bureau, the Bureau of Civil Affairs, and the Public Health Bureau to strengthen disaster prevention and relief measures for the extreme cold. To safeguard Tainan citizens' safety and well-being, we must strive to enhance our response to relevant matters and endeavor to prevent or manage weather damage effectively.
4. Looking forward to a future of hope on the second anniversary of the February 6 earthquake
(1) Two years have passed since the devastating February 6 earthquake struck Tainan in 2016. Reconstruction for the Weiguan Jinlong Building, Xingfu Building, and Dazhi Market Building, which were most severely damaged, is now underway. The reconstruction project on Wenhe Street has been completed. All cases involving buildings labeled as dangerous or in danger of liquefaction have been closed. Reconstruction work for damaged school buildings, Shanshang District Office, and Nanhua District Office are on schedule. The Tainan City Government plans to rebuild 43 school buildings and make structural enhancements to 159 school buildings. Currently, all construction work for school buildings is being carried out according to schedule. Our objective is to provide a safe environment for children to attend school.
(2) After the earthquake, the Tainan City Government deployed nearly 100 professional social workers and rapidly launched a single-window mechanism by allocating one social worker per one affected household. This measure ensured that affected citizens received immediate care, consolation, and important information on reconstruction work. In addition, comprehensive care was provided to family members of the deceased, the wounded, and the affected citizens. By offering genuine care and practical subsidies, the Tainan City Government strives to assist affected citizens in rebuilding their homes.
(3) Since the February 6 earthquake struck over two years ago, various reconstruction tasks are underway. A portion of reconstruction work has already been completed, and many citizens have moved into their new homes and started new lives. Again, I would like to thank everyone from Taiwan and abroad for providing aid and support. Your generous donations have facilitated Tainan City to proceed with reconstruction work successfully. Tainan will stand stronger than before while turning a new page and embracing a hopeful future.
(4) I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the hard work of the staff members in the Tainan City Government. The earthquake that struck Tainan on February 6, 2016, was the worst earthquake that hit Southern Taiwan over the past 50 years. Other than rescue workers who came from afar, staff members of the Tainan City Government also worked under difficult circumstances and played a role in disaster relief and reconstruction. This has been a long and hard journey. I would like to thank you all for your determination in helping restore normal life to citizens in such a short amount of time.
Announcements
1. The Agriculture Bureau’s report on the 2018 Taiwan International Orchid Show (refer to written sources for details)
Decision: Approved for reference filing.
Mayor’s Remarks:
(1) The 2018 Taiwan International Orchid Show (TIOS) will open with the theme “Sparkle Taiwan! In Orchid We Love,” which symbolizes Taiwan’s flourishing orchid industry and how every March, during mid-spring, orchid fans gather at Houbi District to share their love for orchids. Fourteen years have passed since the first orchid show was held in 2005, during which Houbi District’s Taiwan Orchid Plantation has become an important platform for exchanges and trade between Taiwan’s orchid industry and the international society.
(2) Among the three major international orchid shows, the TIOS offers the greatest volume and variety. The TIOS is known for having record-breaking trade value, and it is also the largest orchid production cluster in the world. During January 2018, the Taiwan Orchid Varieties Commercial Center (TOVCC) was established in the Taiwan Orchid Plantation, setting a milestone for production, marketing, and orchid industry research in Taiwan. In the future, the TOVCC will also benefit the development of the area north of Zengwen River.
(3) The winning bidder of the 2018 TIOS, the Taiwan Orchid Growers Association (TOGA), has many years of experience in convening orchid shows. Furthermore, the TOGA is also equipped with intangible assets, such as support from the orchid industry and overseas orchid associations. The theme of this year’s show, “Sparkle Taiwan! In Orchid We Love,” derived from the Lantingji Xu, a piece of calligraphy work created by renowned calligrapher Wang Xizhi in 353 AD. Images of magnificent mountains and lush forests were used as a backdrop to highlight the beauty and the magnificence of the blossoming orchids. Oncidium flexuosum was used to construct the “Golden Path,” and orchid-related stories were employed as a marketing spotlight. The 2018 TIOS offers diverse and exciting exhibition content that many are looking forward to.
(4) I would like to thank the Agriculture Bureau and concerned departments for working together to promote the TIOS, which is a major event held by the Tainan City Government annually. This year's show will open shortly after the Chinese New Year Holiday, which leaves us with less than one month to prepare. I would like to ask all involved departments to put your greatest effort into preparing for the 2018 TIOS. Let us strive to improve this year's show further, and make it one that the public will remember.
(5) In recent years, Taiwan’s orchid exports have declined due to the rise of the orchid industries in the Netherlands and China. Therefore, the Agriculture Bureau has an important task of considering how to collaborate with the central government and local orchid businesses to provide a superior environment and to ultimately enhance the competitiveness of the orchid industry.
2. The Water Resources Bureau’s report on recent water conditions in Tainan City (refer to written sources for details)
Decision: Approved for reference filing.
Mayor’s Remarks:
(1) Precipitation has been scarce this year. As of August 2017, rainfall at Zengwen Reservoir, Wusantou Reservoir, and Nanhua Reservoir has only reached 50% of the yearly average. As a result, the color-coded monitoring system for the water supply was switched from blue (i.e., stable supply) to green (i.e., in need of reallocation) on October 1 of 2017. According to the Central Weather Bureau’s forecasts, precipitation will remain limited during the coming season (February to April); therefore, precaution is necessary when responding to water conditions in the near future.
(2) The scattered waves of rain in January had a minimal effect on the water condition in Tainan City; thus, the Tainan City Government has maintained the green-light status, which indicates a need for water reallocation. With the Chinese New Year Holiday fast approaching, civilian water demands are expected to rise. In short, all departments in the Tainan City Government must remain vigilant and continue to save water.
(3) I would like to ask the Water Resources Bureau to follow up on the water condition and report back to the Tainan City Government regularly. All departments in the Tainan City Government must collaborate with the central government’s compulsory measures on water conservation, and if needed, employ drought prevention measures simultaneously with the central government.
(4) Regarding plans to stabilize water supply in Southern Taiwan, the dredging system for Zengwen Reservoir has been completed. Construction work on the dredging system for Nanhua Reservoir and the Kaohsiung-Tainan Water Transfer Project are in progress. The project to build a cross-over pipe between Zengwen Reservoir and Nanhua Reservoir has been reported to and approved by the Water Resources Agency, Ministry of Economic Affairs, and is waiting to be approved as part of the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program. I would like to ask the Water Resources Bureau to continue follow-ups on the progress of approval.