Kaohsiung mayor visits disaster-stricken areas in Zihguan District

Kaohsiung mayor visits disaster-stricken areas in Zihguan District

2024-07-29

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai on Monday visited disaster-stricken areas in the city’s Zihguan District. Farmers say last week’s typhoon heavily damaged their crops. They’re hoping to receive government subsidies to get through a difficult time. Chen says the city will work with the central government in providing all the necessary aid, including low-interest loans and subsidies.

Looking across a large area of farmland, one can see the sudden destruction of the farmers’ hard work, with vegetable leaves and roots scattered and rotten after the heavy rain.

Farmer
There is nothing we can do if it rains. I hope the government can provide subsidies to help.

Farmer
Everyone has lost so much. I myself have lost tens of thousands of NT.

Zihguan District in Kaohsiung has more than 250 hectares of vegetable fields. It mainly grows leafy greens such as water spinach and bok choy, as well as heat-resistant vegetables such as winter melon and loofah. It is one of the main vegetable supply and distribution centers in Southern Taiwan, with a daily output of about 200,000 tons. In the wake of the damage from Typhoon Gaemi, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai visited Zihguan District early Monday morning.

Chen Chi-mai
Kaohsiung mayor
We will request that subsidies from the Ministry of Agriculture be handled with priority, leniency and speed, so that our farmers can resume production as soon as possible.

President Lai Ching-te had instructed the Ministry of Agriculture to announce a comprehensive assistance program for Kaohsiung’s agricultural industry. It will provide low-interest loans, which will be interest-free in the first six months, as well as subsidies for fertilizer and other materials. Considering the seriousness of the disaster in Zihguan, people are concerned about problems in the supply of vegetables.

Liu Chen-hua
Tzukuan Farmers’ Association
There is no problem with getting through a time when crops are scarce. A rolling storage system is operating, and has been supplying produce for two days. In addition to 50 tons of cabbage, we have a lot of tubers and vegetables, and a small amount of leafy greens.

It will take about a month for leafy greens to be replanted and harvested in Zihguan District. The Kaohsiung City Government says it will work with the central government and hopes to help farmers complete post-disaster recovery as soon as possible.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

菜都泡爛了! 陳其邁視察梓官重災區農民當面哭訴

2024-07-29

高雄市梓官區大雨過後農損相當嚴重，農民欲哭無淚，經市長陳其邁向總統建議，賴清德已經指示農業部，高雄農產業全市全品項救助，陳其邁也承諾會和中央協力，全力協助農民復耕，另外梓官區農會也啟動滾動式倉儲，填補目前蔬菜短缺的問題。

一大片農田放眼望去，大雨過後蔬菜的葉子、根部爛掉，農民的心血一夕之間全部泡湯。

[[農民]]
“下雨也沒辦法，希望政府看有沒有辦法，多少補助一點”

[[農民]]
“大家都損失很多不只我，損失有幾萬塊”

高雄梓官有超過250公頃的蔬菜專業區，種植空心菜、小白菜等短期葉菜，及耐熱性蔬菜如冬瓜、絲瓜為主，每天產量約二十萬噸，是台灣南部主要蔬菜供輸集散中心之一，凱米颱風重創南台灣，高雄市長陳其邁週一一早到梓官區視察。

[[高雄市長陳其邁]]
“災損的補助會請農業局必須，從優、從寬、從速來辦理，讓我們的農民能夠儘速的恢復生產”

先前陳其邁跟賴總統建議，總統已經指示農業部公告高雄農產業全市全品項救助，並提供低利貸款及免息半年，肥料資材等相關補助，不過這次梓官災損嚴重，大家也關心，蔬菜供應會不會出問題?

[[高雄梓官區農會供銷部主任劉振華]]
“渡過現在所謂比較沒菜的時間，是沒有問題的。滾動式倉儲已經有在出了，已經連續出貨兩天，現在農會的菜，除了50公噸高麗菜以外，還有很多根莖類還是花果類，這些東西都有儲存，葉菜類的話還有少量”

目前梓官區的短期葉菜，復耕到收成大約需要一個月左右的時間，高雄市府承諾會和中央協力，希望後續能幫助農民盡速完成災後復耕。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週日至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

Related News

China pressures IPAC lawmakers to not attend Taipei summit: AP

The annual summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, or IPAC, will be held in Taiwan for the first time. Ahead of opening day, the Associated Press revealed that several IPAC members were pressured by China to not participate. According to the report, eight lawmakers from at least five countries were contacted by Chinese diplomatic officials. But the pressure tactics backfired, with members only becoming more determined to join the event.

Speaking at Taipei Guest House, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim welcomes members of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, or IPAC.

Hsiao Bi-khim
Vice president
We face significant challenges in all of these areas, particularly the geopolitical situation where Beijing is aggressively expanding their military presence. So your presence here is at a very important moment.

Forty-eight cross-party lawmakers from 23 countries are here to attend IPAC’s annual summit. They are the largest parliamentary delegation ever to visit Taiwan.

Lin Ching
FTV reporter
IPAC, or the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, will hold its annual summit in Taiwan for the first time. The event opens on Tuesday at the Grand Hyatt Taipei.

This year’s summit will focus on peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. There will be special Taiwan forum, during which President Lai Ching-te will give a speech.

According to the Associated Press, eight lawmakers from at least five countries, including Colombia and Slovakia, faced Chinese pressure to not attend the summit. They said they received calls and emails from Chinese embassy officials. Some found that their party leadership had been contacted. But the pressure campaign backfired: One Bosnian lawmaker said it only “steeled her determination” to go to Taiwan.

Founded in 2020, IPAC has lawmakers from dozens of countries and the European Parliament. It seeks to safeguard democracy against the Chinese threat. It also promotes legislation to challenge China’s political and economic influence.

Wang Ting-yu
DPP lawmaker
IPAC is a global alliance of lawmakers that promotes human rights, freedom, and democracy. Today, China poses a threat to the freedom, democracy, and normal international relations of other countries.

Defying Chinese pressure, IPAC’s lawmakers departed for Taipei, standing united to defend democracy.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2024-07-29

Lai to request record defense budget for 2025: sources

Details are out on President Lai Ching-te’s first budget proposal since taking office. The fiscal year 2025 proposal features a record-high defense budget, according to sources familiar with the matter. The amount will be around NT$460 billion, the most ever requested. Factoring in special budgets and other supplementary funds, total military expenditures are expected to reach NT$630 billion, reflecting a 5% yearly increase.

Despite a typhoon, the first-ever “unscripted” Han Kuang exercises came to a successful close last Friday.

And after staying away for four days amid the storm, the PLA resumed its harassment of Taiwan last Sunday. Thirty-four aircraft and vessels were detected near the island, with 13 planes crossing the strait’s median line.

Amid China’s gray-zone warfare, the Lai administration has requested a record-high budget for defense.

It would cover new purchases of F-16s, a project to enhance naval and air combat capabilities, and arms like Harpoon missiles. Sources say the amount requested for 2025 is around NT$460 billion. With special budgets and other supplementary funds, total military spending is expected to reach NT$630 billion, marking a 5% yearly increase.

Wang Chih-sheng
Cross-Strait Policy Association scholar
To cope with the threat of China’s growing strength and expansionism, Taiwan has continually increased its defense budget over the past few years. To some extent, doing so is about declaring to the world that we are committed to indigenous defense. It’s to show that we are determined to defend ourselves.

Since the Tsai administration, Taiwan’s military spending has increased each year, going from NT$349.7 billion in 2016 to NT$355.7 billion in 2017, and surpassing NT$400 billion in 2020. In 2023, spending soared to NT$580.3 billion. Military spending is expected to surge again to NT$630 billion this year, taking its GDP percentage from 2% to 2.6%. But even so, a scholar says there’s still plenty of room to expand expenditures.

Su Tzu-yun
Institute for National Defense and Security Research
Compared to other vulnerable nations like Israel, Singapore, and South Korea, our defense spending is on the low side. A reasonable defense budget should target 3% of the GDP. This would give our professional staff at the defense ministry a more stable and long-term financial plan.

The scholar called on the government to further boost spending, in order to ensure Taiwan’s national security.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2024-07-29

Taiex edges up to hit 22,164 points, TSMC gains NT$20

2024-07-29

Prescription reform to launch in October for dentist clinics

Drug prescriptions sometimes include a doctor’s note saying “Do Not Substitute.” That means pharmacies can’t switch out the brand-name medications mentioned for generic drugs with the same active ingredients. Starting October, dentists will have to give a justification for the note. Failing to do so will render the instructions invalid. And starting next April, dentists won’t be allowed to specify brand-name drugs, only active ingredients. This policy may later be expanded to other medical specialists.

A woman hands over her prescription but leaves the pharmacy empty-handed. That’s because her prescription is labeled “Do Not Substitute,” meaning that the drug listed can’t be replaced with equivalent medications. To save patients a trip in vain, the National Health Insurance Administration will require dentists to explain their reasoning for not allowing substitutes, starting in October. If no reason is provided, the pharmacy will be permitted to dispense generics.

Chiang Hsi-jen
Taiwan Dental Association
A cancer patient who has undergone surgery may need specific drugs. So in that kind of scenario, it might not possible to substitute with another drug. But most prescriptions written by clinics are for anti-inflammatory drugs or pain relievers, which can usually be substituted.

Member of public
If the effect of the drugs is the same, I think it should be OK.

It remains to be seen whether the policy can work for chronic patients, who must take medications regularly. In the policy’s second phase, which starts next April, dental prescriptions may no longer list brand names, only active ingredients.

Liu Lin-yi
National Health Insurance Administration
The policy allows for more flexibility in prescriptions. It can also make it more likely that patients follow doctors’ orders, and reduce the likelihood that they interrupt the treatment, mitigating potential health risks. So this initial trial will roll out for 6,900 dental clinics around Taiwan.

The NHIA hopes the policy will change public attitudes and reduce health risks. If the dental clinic trial is successful, the policy may be expanded to other clinics and hospitals.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2024-07-29

Rail operator to assess rerouting landslide-prone sections in Hualien

2024-07-29

NDC’s economic indicator flashes ‘booming’ red in June

2024-07-29

Alishan Forest Rail out of commission till late August due to Gaemi’s destruction

2024-07-29

Pingtung middle schooler builds a temple festival in miniature

And now we meet a school student with a very impressive hobby. Pingtung junior high school student Hsiao Cheng-hou has built a whole temple festival in miniature. He creates temple processions, mini gods and even temple buildings in his home workshop. Everything from the carpentry to the painting on the ritual objects is Hsiao’s own handiwork. It’s so finely made, he’s already booked an order from a buyer who wants to collect his models.

A sedan chair for a deity bounces down a busy street as part of a temple festival.

Firecrackers are set off to the sound of drums and cymbals. These kids are having great fun. Look closely, and everything from the god’s sedan to the ritual offering tables and the altar seem to be under a magnifying glass.

There are even miniature versions of the gods in this tiny temple where imitations of the real ceremonies can be acted out. All these models were made by the talented Mr. Hsiao.

All the gods, military deities and other temple tools are smaller than your hand. Open up the god’s sedan and you find a tiny lamp inside. Hsiao Cheng-hou is a seventh grader and has always loved temple festivals. Now he’s set his hand to creating his own tiny temples.

His meticulous work makes even the offerings on the altar look just like the real thing. These detailed models are all made in Hsiao’s secret workshop.

It’s on the top floor of the home. Here he measures out each material to the millimeter, and saws up his own wood.

Hsiao Cheng-hou
Temple model maker
I started watching temple festivals when I was little, and I thought it would be fun to do this. I’ve been doing it throughout the summer vacation, gradually learning things, and the more I do it the more I love it.

Hsiao is completely self-taught, and relies on his careful observation of the festivals around him. He gets his materials online or orders them at bookstores. Sometimes he’s lost in the project for an entire day.

Liang Shu-mei
Grandmother of Hsiao Cheng-hou
I think it stops him getting into trouble. He’s at home, we don’t have to go off looking for him. I think he does it well. It’s what the kid is interested in.

Hsiao Cheng-hou
Temple model maker
This is handpainted. It took me more than a week.

Hsiao often brings the models out to play with friends. They set out a big table and act out the whole festival in miniature. A collector has already bought some of his miniatures. With his extensive knowledge of temple culture, and his love for the art, Hsiao knows how to make the most of his summer.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2024-07-29

Cold noodles must be preserved properly to prevent bacteria

It’s refreshing to have cold noodles when the weather is so hot, but food safetycan be a concern. Customers often have an upset stomach after eating them, even at famous spots. There’s one cold noodle shop in Taipei that uses three fridges set at different temperatures to make sure their ingredients stay fresh. Doctors advise that it’s best to finish cold noodles in one sitting and separate the sauce and noodles when putting them in the fridge.

These cold noodles with sesame sauce may look simple, but the shop uses three fridges to maintain the ingredients’ quality and ensure food safety.

Mr. Su
Noodle shop owner
Most traditional cold noodle shops will put the noodles and sauce in a pot and serve from that. But it’s easy for bacteria to grow during this process when the weather is hot. When we prepare the noodles, we refrigerate the sauce in separate bottles, taking out only as much as we need. The preserved eggs we are about to use are first put in a cold fridge, next to the fridge for noodles. We move them to the fridge in front when needed.

The three fridges are kept at different temperatures, one to preserve food, then another to prepare it for use, and the last out front for making orders. The owner puts the noodles in paper bowls, separates the sauce into individual packets, and puts the cucumber slices into a container. Then everything is put in the fridge to prevent bacteria growth.

Mr. Su
Noodle shop owner
Not only do we make this for customers, but we also eat it ourselves, so it’s important that it’s safe. We always ask customers when they plan to eat and how far they have to walk. If they have to walk too far in the heat, we will advise them not to buy it because it may go bad.

Bacteria can increase by over 100 times if cold noodles are left at room temperature for three to four hours. Unfinished cold noodles should be put in the fridge in an airtight container or bag. As humidity is key to bacteria growth, doctors say the noodles and sauce should be stored separately and finished the next day.

Cheng I-ching
Gastroenterologist
The problem with cold noodles is that they must be left out to cool after being cooked. Bacteria grows easiest in food at 5 to 60 degrees. If left out for two to four hours, the bacteria growth could be enough to cause food poisoning. It’s best to finish the meal within two hours or put it in the fridge to preserve it.

It’s refreshing to eat cold noodles in the summer, but pay attention to food safety to stay healthy.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Sun to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

2024-07-29

A quick guide to the meaning of bus names and numbers in Taipei

2024-07-29