TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA, 經濟部) announced Monday (Jan. 13) that Taiwan Power Company (台灣電力公司) and Taiwan Water Corporation (台灣自來水公司) have no plans to raise prices. MOEA stated that the Water Resources Agency (水利署) and Taiwan Water Corporation did have a broader review of water pricing structures and costs. Still, the purpose is to determine fair pricing without implying an immediate increase.
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) has instructed the ministry to assess water price rationality. However, the ministry clarified that any potential adjustments remain undecided. They emphasized the need for a reasonable adjustment plan, possibly implementing a tiered pricing mechanism to uphold principles such as livelihood care, price stability, and user pay.
In addition, CPC Corporation (中油) will maintain its policy of not increasing gasoline and diesel prices during the Lunar New Year holiday. Household natural gas and bottled gas prices will remain unchanged through Feb. 28. The ministry has mandated uninterrupted services from CPC, Taiwan Water, and Taiwan Power during the holiday, ensuring that CPC's car wash discounts at direct-operated stations remain stable.
To further stabilize consumer prices, the ministry tasked Taiwan Sugar Corporation (台糖公司) with maintaining the cost of small bag sugar at NT$36 per kilogram and 3-liter salad oil bottles at a suggested retail price of NT$169 until the end of February. These measures aim to alleviate economic pressure on households during the festive period.
