Ministry invests 5 billion to earthquake-proof 366 district offices during disasters

The Ministry of the Interior announced today that, starting in 2017, it has continuously assisted township, city, and district offices as well as village assembly halls across various counties and cities with seismic reinforcement, demolition, reconstruction, and new construction projects through central government subsidies under the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program. To date, statistics show that 366 projects have been approved and implemented, with an investment of approximately NT$5 billion. This funding is primarily utilized to upgrade the structural safety of local office buildings, ensuring that public service hubs can maintain uninterrupted functionality during potential future earthquakes, thereby reducing casualties and property losses.

Taiwan is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, and large-scale earthquakes have occurred historically, such as the major earthquake on September 21, 1999, and the 2016 Meinong earthquake in Kaohsiung. Both events exposed the vulnerability of numerous public buildings to seismic activities. During post-disaster reviews, the government identified the enhancement of public building resilience as a critical issue and launched the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program in 2017, prioritizing local office buildings for seismic reinforcement. This measure not only responds to lessons learned from past disasters but also aligns with the concept of "disaster prevention resilience" required by the Disaster Prevention and Protection Act, aiming to enhance overall societal earthquake resistance through structural reinforcement and new construction.

Regarding the implementation of subsidies, the Ministry of the Interior has signed cooperation agreements with local governments. Local authorities independently assess the seismic grades and reconstruction needs of buildings, and then submit proposals to secure central government funding. Subsidized items include reinforced concrete strengthening, base isolation, and wall thickening technologies, while also covering post-demolition reconstruction planning to comply with the latest building regulations and disaster prevention standards. Most of the completed projects to date are located in earthquake-prone eastern and central mountain regions. Township offices and village offices in these areas often serve as command centers and civilian evacuation shelters during disasters, making their safety directly related to post-disaster rescue and recovery efficiency.

Beyond improving structural safety, the subsidy program has also stimulated local construction industries. Numerous local construction firms and engineering consultants have benefited from government commission contracts, creating a virtuous cycle between public infrastructure and the private sector. Furthermore, local governments have leveraged this opportunity to promote the digitalization of building asset management, integrating seismic inspection results and maintenance records into digital platforms to enhance the transparency and efficiency of future asset management. In the long run, these complementary measures will help establish a more comprehensive disaster prevention system and reduce resource waste caused by information asymmetry.

Looking ahead, the Ministry of the Interior stated that it will continue to review the usage conditions and seismic benefits of subsidized buildings, and adjust reinforcement standards based on the latest earthquake scientific research. Newly discovered high-risk buildings will also be included in subsequent subsidy lists to ensure that every public service hub can perform its intended function when disasters strike. This policy not only strengthens local administrative efficiency but also represents a commitment to the life and property safety of all citizens, with the hope that through continuous investment, Taiwan's disaster prevention resilience will be truly implemented in every community.