NEW TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The New Taipei City Government on Tuesday (Dec. 24) unveiled its disaster prevention coordination center drill at the Tzu Chi Banqiao Jing Si Hall (慈濟板橋靜思堂). The event featured participation from President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳), New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜), and Tzu Chi Foundation Executive Director Yen Po-wen (顏博文), aiming to bolster the city's emergency response capabilities.
After observing the exercise, President Lai praised New Taipei's operational mechanisms and expressed gratitude to all participating units and personnel. He stressed the importance of preparedness, stating, "A little more preparedness will result in a little less disaster." Highlighting Taiwan's vulnerability to natural disasters, including the recent Hualien earthquake and frequent typhoons, Lai underscored the need for robust disaster readiness.
The drill simulated a large-scale disaster response involving Tzu Chi personnel, resilient communities, civilian groups, and disaster prevention experts. Lai also introduced the "Whole-Society Defense Resilience Committee," encouraging central and local governments and the private sector to propose policies and strategies. He commended Mayor Hou's efforts, noting that New Taipei's disaster prevention personnel have grown the fastest nationwide.
Mayor Hou, who has led the city's disaster preparedness initiatives since 2022, has collaborated with Tzu Chi to establish four disaster coordination centers. He expressed gratitude for Tzu Chi's contributions and pledged to continue expanding these centers across New Taipei. Lai lauded Tzu Chi as a national treasure and encouraged local governments to collaborate with the organization. The drill underscored ongoing efforts to strengthen Taiwan's disaster resilience, with leaders advocating for continued collaboration and preparation to safeguard communities.