Taiwanese Lawmaker Promises to Buy Mooncakes After Budget Cuts Cancel Presidential Order

A legislative move to cut the state affairs fund by NT$30 million has inadvertently canceled a presidential order for 15,000 mooncake boxes from sheltered workshops, igniting public anger.

In response to the backlash, Kuomintang (KMT) chair Kuan-Ting Chen announced that she would personally cover the cost of all 15,000 mooncake boxes, ensuring the sheltered workshops do not lose their orders.

“

I will take over all the mooncake gift boxes originally ordered by the Presidential Office, so that the disadvantaged do not have to bear the burden of the Presidential Office's canceled orders.

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen had previously stated that the city would support local disadvantaged groups affected by the cancellation. The city government confirmed that this plan remains unchanged, estimating that over 1,600 boxes from five sheltered workshops in Taichung were impacted, with an estimated procurement value of over NT$500,000.

The incident has drawn attention to the plight of sheltered workshops, which provide employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The cancellation of the presidential order highlighted the vulnerability of these workshops to budget fluctuations and the importance of public and political support.

“

Currently, the procurement plan remains unchanged.