Taipei's 'Typhoon Prep Holiday' Draws Criticism; Officials Defend Safety Priority

Taipei City Mayor Chiang Wan-an's decision to declare a "typhoon preparation holiday" last Friday has sparked controversy, with critics pointing to economic losses after the day remained clear. However, city councilors Qin Hui-zhu and Zhan Wei-yuan have defended the mayor's call, emphasizing public safety as the primary concern.

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Don't blame everything on Chiang Wan-an. Current regulations state that if Taipei City has a holiday, central government agencies located in Taipei will also have a holiday, unless the law is amended in the future.

Councilor Qin Hui-zhu argued that not all decisions should be blamed on Chiang, stating that current regulations mandate central government agencies located in Taipei to observe city-wide holidays. She suggested that any changes would require legislative reform to decouple these closures.

Councilor Zhan Wei-yuan echoed this sentiment, stating that second-guessing the decision is unnecessary. He explained that the holiday was declared due to Typhoon Bavi, predicted to be the strongest in 25 years, with significant impact expected in the evening. Mayor Chiang's "prepare for the worst, hope for the best" approach aimed to prevent citizens from facing typhoon risks during their commute. The decision also considered the weather data and conditions in the greater Taipei metropolitan area.

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Second-guessing the decision is unnecessary. All cities are the same; the primary consideration is the safety of people's lives and property.

Zhan clarified that such "typhoon preparation holidays" will not become a regular occurrence, with future decisions depending on the typhoon's strength, timing, and other objective factors. He noted that similar decisions have been made in southern Taiwan following severe typhoon damage, where leaders bear political responsibility.

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The decision to grant a full-day holiday was made considering the typhoon's strength and the timing of its impact on Taiwan. Mayor Chiang's approach prioritized preventing citizens from facing risks during their commute.

Regarding the economic impact, including the stock market's closure, Zhan acknowledged that business output is affected. However, he stressed that the primary consideration was the safety of citizens' lives and property. Qin Hui-zhu added that the decision, while perhaps surprising, was a proactive measure for a single day, occurring before the weekend. She pointed out that any decision would likely draw criticism, whether it involved granting the holiday or not, especially if people faced commuting risks.

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If Taipei City has a holiday, central government agencies in Taipei, including the Taiwan Stock Exchange, will also have a holiday. This is not just about the stock market closing; it's stipulated by current law.