Taipei City faces over $500 million funding gap; official slams mayor for campaigning instead of addressing issue

Taipei City is grappling with a significant funding gap, with over 500 million NT dollars in central government subsidies yet to be disbursed. This shortfall is causing considerable distress for numerous contractors who have completed work for the city but are awaiting payment.

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The君子務本，本立而道生 (A gentleman focuses on the root; when the root is established, the way arises). Chiang Wan-an is not doing what he should be doing. Today, he still has the nerve to go to Yilan and Hualien to campaign. This is simply 'forgetting his roots'!

Political commentator Chou Hsuan has sharply criticized Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, accusing him of "forgetting his roots" by campaigning in Yilan and Hualien while the city faces financial difficulties. Chou highlighted specific examples of funding delays, including the Environmental Protection Bureau, Health Bureau, Taipei City Hospital, Police Department, and Fire Department, collectively facing over 500 million NT dollars in outstanding payments.

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The city government is 'running on empty,' affecting the livelihoods of contractors' employees. These grassroots businesses that have already completed work and provided services for the city need to support their employees and families, but they haven't received a single cent.

The delayed payments are creating a domino effect, impacting the livelihoods of contractors and their employees. Many subcontractors are reportedly on the brink of financial collapse, with some long-term care providers resorting to taking out bank loans to cover government-funded services. This situation has led to accusations that the city government is "running on empty."

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Many subcontractors have come to us saying they can barely survive.

Chou further pointed out that the central government's budget was delayed for nearly a year in the Legislative Yuan, allegedly due to obstruction by the KMT and TPP parties. He expressed dismay that Mayor Chiang has not taken a stronger stance on the issue, especially considering the impact on businesses that have fulfilled their obligations to the city. Instead, Chiang has been reportedly focused on mobilizing support for a presidential run.

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Some long-term care units have reported that because the subsidy payments are delayed, some institutions have to borrow money from banks themselves to cover the government's payments.