President and Premier Call for Swift Budget Approval Amid Delays

President William Lai and Premier Cho Jung-tai have urged opposition lawmakers to expedite the review and passage of the general budget for the 2026 fiscal year. Their appeal comes amid significant delays caused by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), which together hold a legislative majority. They warned that continued obstruction could disrupt the implementation of essential government programs.

During the Hakka Contribution Awards, both leaders emphasized the potential setbacks to key allocations, particularly the annual budget of NT$3.6 billion (approximately US$114.45 million) for the Hakka Affairs Council. Lai and Cho highlighted that delays could jeopardize funding for various cultural and community projects, including NT$150 million earmarked for the Romantic Route 3 arts festival and NT$50 million for the digital Hakka token 2.0 initiative.

Budget Delays Impacting Key Programs

The proposed budget for the central government totals NT$3.35 trillion, which includes over NT$300 billion in subsidies for local governments. Cho stressed the importance of swift legislative action, stating that without timely approval, ministries would struggle to collaborate effectively with local authorities.

The Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics revealed that NT$299.2 billion of the next year’s budget cannot be disbursed until the legislature approves it. This figure includes NT$101.7 billion allocated for new programs, which comprise NT$38 billion for central government initiatives and NT$63.7 billion for local governments. Key initiatives at risk due to budget delays include fiscal subsidies, flood control projects, and the monthly TPass initiative designed to support commuters.

“Without budget approval, local disaster resilience and flood-risk mitigation projects would be severely impacted,” the agency noted, citing a planned NT$9.8 billion initiative focused on enhancing local river management and urban flood-control infrastructure.

Legislators Demand Accountability

The potential consequences of a budget delay extend to approximately 980,000 commuters, who rely on the monthly TPass program, backed by NT$5.9 billion in central subsidies. Additionally, NT$4.1 billion in supplementary maternity benefits, which aim to raise birth-related payments to NT$100,000 for around 120,000 families with newborns, would be unavailable.

KMT Legislator Hsieh Lung-chieh stated that the Legislative Yuan could initiate a budget review immediately if the Executive Yuan amends the budget to comply with legal requirements for military and police compensation. TPP Legislator Chang Chi-kai echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for the Cabinet to ensure fair treatment for public servants, including police and military personnel, by addressing their compensation adequately.

The ongoing budget impasse raises significant concerns regarding the government’s ability to execute planned initiatives effectively. Lai and Cho’s call for action underscores the urgency of resolving these legislative obstacles to ensure the timely allocation of critical resources for Taiwan’s communities and programs.