In his National Day address, President Lai Ching-te cited a monthly growth allowance for children aged 0 to 18 from next year, housing support and heavier fines for drugged driving. This summarizes United Daily News and Liberty Times reports of Oct. 10.
According to United Daily News (聯合報) and Liberty Times (自由時報) on Oct. 10, President Lai Ching-te devoted much of his National Day speech to livelihood policy, including the low birth rate, housing, wages and public safety, promising continued pay raises, tax cuts, more welfare and lighter burdens.
광고 문의 · 300×250United Daily News reported that, to address the low birth rate, the government plans a growth allowance of NT$5,000 per month for each child aged 0 to 18 starting next year. Liberty Times said the speech cited the 'nation helps raise children aged 0 to 6' effort and a new population strategy covering childbirth, child-rearing and education, while a 'Healthy Taiwan' plan covers cancer screening, smart healthcare, home care and nursing staffing.
On housing and labor, the speech cited a 'Million Rental Households Support Plan' with public housing, rent subsidies and expanded loans, a larger share of marriage-and-childbirth housing, and Youth Housing Loan 3.0. United Daily News reported that Lai said the minimum wage has risen for 11 consecutive years and pay for military personnel, civil servants and teachers has been raised five times in 10 years; migrant labor is meant to supplement domestic workers and be linked to wage increases. The paper also said NT$10,000 cash payments per person, and adjustments to elderly farmer allowances and the national pension, were mentioned.
On public safety, the anti-fraud command center has become a standing Executive Yuan task force, and a new-generation anti-drug strategy was described. United Daily News reported fines of up to NT$150,000 for a first drugged-driving offense and up to NT$270,000 for refusing a roadside test, with uncapped fines, license revocation and vehicle confiscation for repeat offenders; Liberty Times added that roadside checks will use saliva rapid tests.
United Daily News reported that Lai again stressed that economic gains should show up in better wages and lighter household burdens. The speech did not set out funding sizes or timetables for every measure, so details are expected to be settled in later procedures such as legislative review.