Presidential spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) says a requirement that disaster
relief funds be approved by the legislature is hindering allocations for
flood relief even as torrential rains continue to cause flooding and
landslides around Taiwan.

Kuo is urging the Legislative Yuan to quickly pass the general budget so that
the funds can be made available to cities and counties suffering from the
effects of recent torrential rainfall.

The KMT caucus has argued that there's flexibility in Taiwan's Prevention and
Relief Act for the government to make necessary allocations.

Kuo said today that while a fractional budget has been approved for flood
control this year ... that's different from flood relief. The approved funds
are earmarked for prevention and conservation, not emergencies.

The legislature has extended its session from May to August as it works
through ruling and opposition party differences.

The opposition is stalling on approving the government's special military
expenditure, while the government is holding out on pay increases for the
military and civil servants as well as on increased pension payments to
police officers and firefighters.

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