Commemorating the second anniversary of the August 8, 2009 Typhoon Morakot, the Morakot Post-Disaster Reconstruction Council of the Executive Yuan held a press conference this afternoon at the Government Information Office to report on the progress and achievements of reconstruction efforts thus far. The Reconstruction Council also took the opportunity to convey its gratitude to representatives of local governments as well as private organizations and enterprises that have helped in the reconstruction process.

Premier Wu Den-yih stressed that reconstruction projects have been moving at full speed for the past two years, and that it is a race against time. In community rebuilding, the government has provided 216.5 hectares of land, simplified relevant administrative procedures, and worked with six charity organizations—including the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, the Red Cross Society of the ROC, World Vision Taiwan, the Chang Yung-fa Foundation, the Dharma Drum Mountain Social Welfare and Charity Foundation, and the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan—on the task of constructing houses. To date, 2,946 permanent houses have been completed, benefiting over 10,000 disaster victims, he said. 

In infrastructure restoration, a total of 171.33 million cubic meters of mud and debris had been dredged since the floods, and the dredging continues. Important sites that have been restored include the Jiji Township stretch of Provincial Highway No. 16, Alishan Highway, Dajin Bridge on Provincial Highway No. 27, Jiashian Bridge, Liugui Bridge, Chishan Bridge, Shinfa Bridge, 18 major landslide areas, and the Jiuliao embankment in Gaoshu Township of Pingtung County.

In industrial rebuilding, the orchid industry has recovered fully with 2010 production value increasing 32 percent from the previous year. The government also amended laws and regulations to transfer dredged sand and gravel to Jiadong Village in Pingtung County for use in aquaculture ponds. A total of 930,000 cubic meters of sand and gravel have so far been supplied, saving fish farmers NT$740 million (US$26 million) in expenses while helping the grouper industry to a speedy recovery. In 2010, grouper production value increased 71 percent as compared with 2009. Further, in Taitung County’s Taimali Township, 442 hectares of farmland washed away by flooding have been restored and ready for cultivation.

Premier Wu expressed special thanks to 15 businesses and charity organizations, including Foxconn Technology Group, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. and Chant Oil Co. Ltd., for stimulating industrial development and providing job opportunities to residents of permanent housing communities. The premier also thanked the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, the Chang Yung-fa Foundation, the TVBS Foundation, the Delta Electronics Foundation, the BenQ Foundation, the Lions Clubs International, Formosa Plastics Group and the CPC Corp., Taiwan, for their work in reconstructing schools; the Fo Guang Shan Monastery for donating four libraries; the CSC Group for rebuilding the Shinfa Bridge; and the Chiayi Charity Organization for restoring several bridges in disaster-stricken areas.

The reconstruction process is expected to take three years, Wu emphasized, and while significant progress has been made, much work still lies ahead. For instance, a post-Morakot special budget of NT$983 million (US$34 million) was approved for use in restoring traffic access for rural indigenous communities along Provincial Highways No. 20 and No. 21. For traffic-restoring projects that are currently underway or have not yet been outsourced by local governments, Wu has instructed the Reconstruction Council to monitor them closely and provide updates throughout the process to village leaders, borough chiefs and representatives of concerned groups so as to ease the concerns of residents.

To help residents adjust to their new environments in the permanent housing communities, Wu said, the government will invest in schools and religious facilities, construct cultural heritage buildings, preserve the communities’ social structure and provide industrial and employment opportunities. This will give residents not only a safe house to live in, but a secure home where people can settle in and make a life for themselves, ultimately realizing the concept of a “Colorful Sustainable Community,” the premier said.

Premier Wu stressed that the devastation caused by Typhoon Morakot gave the nation an opportunity for introspection. Having learned from its experiences since the disaster, the government will implement President Ma Ying-jeou’s “1P3R” strategies—referring to prevention, rescue, relocation and reconstruction, he added.

“In principle, being prepared is better than conducting rescue, and evacuating is better than being prepared. We must anticipate the worst, prepare for disasters in advance, deploy troops with an eye to preparedness, and ensure readiness for rescue,” Wu explained.

According to the Reconstruction Council’s Deputy CEO Chern Jenn-chuan, the section of Provincial Highway No. 21 leading to Namaxia Township had been shut down due to the effects of Typhoon Ma-on of July 18, but this section has been reopened to traffic today after round-the-clock roadwork by the Directorate General of Highways. As for reconstruction on the roadways, bridges and farm roads damaged by Morakot, the Reconstruction Council will follow Premier Wu’s instructions from an earlier August 2 meeting to coordinate with relevant agencies and complete those tasks as quickly as possible so as to meet the living and transportation needs of local residents.

Chern emphasized that all major countryside roads such as Provincial Highways No. 20 and No. 21 run alongside rivers and streams. After the Morakot floods, the riverbeds have risen significantly, widening water flow considerably and turning small brooks into large rivers. This makes reengineering more difficult and has necessitated a systematic approach to the reconstruction tasks. For instance, workers must first restore major arteries such as Jiashian Bridge and Shinfa Bridge before proceeding to rebuild country roads and farm roads. The Reconstruction Council will instruct relevant agencies to follow this procedure when fixing roadways and bridges.

The two-year anniversary of Typhoon Morakot marks not the end but a checkpoint on the road to recovery, and the nation will need more determination, patience and compassion to persist to the end of this long process of reconstruction. Many tasks were met with obstacles in the beginning, but over the months it has become clear that as long as it can help the victims, the government will communicate and coordinate actively to get the job done. On the second anniversary of Typhoon Morakot, private organizations and businesses will continue to work hand in hand with the government to create a safe and secure future for victims of the disaster.
 

Premier Wu Den-yih hosted international press conference on second anniversary of morakot post-disaster reconstruction.

Reconstruction Council’s Deputy CEO Chern Jenn-chuan reported on the progress and achievements of reconstruction efforts.

Premier Wu Den-yih hosted international press conference on second anniversary of morakot post-disaster reconstruction.