TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) announced Thursday (Oct. 9) he will evaluate the city's financial status before deciding on an additional NT$21,000 (around US$688) cash distribution. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨), Taiwan's ruling party, proposed the supplemental payout to enhance consumer resilience and expand domestic demand while returning surplus tax revenue to residents.
Chiang emphasized fiscal constraints despite Taipei receiving over NT$40 billion (around US$1.3 billion) in additional tax revenue, noting central government cuts reduced MRT construction subsidies by NT$65 billion (around US$2.1 billion). The mayor cited ongoing major infrastructure projects requiring over NT$480 billion (around US$15.7 billion) in funding, including school and market reconstructions that demand careful financial planning.
The DPP proposal supports Legislative Yuan (立法院), Taiwan's parliament, deliberations on strengthening economic and national security resilience through direct cash transfers. The plan would supplement the central government's existing NT$10,000 (around US$328) per person distribution with an additional NT$21,000 (around US$688) municipal payout to boost consumer spending and domestic economic activity.
The proposal encountered delays in Taipei City Council following objections from Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨), Taiwan's main opposition party, councilors who challenged the fiscal appropriation. Deputy Commissioner Chang Ya-hui (張雅惠) from the Taipei City Department of Finance (台北市財政局), the city's treasury department, pledged continued dialogue with council members regarding the contentious cash distribution plan. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$30.518)
