CNA file photo

Taipei, July 9 (CNA) Premier Lin Chuan (林全) worked overtime on Sunday with Cabinet colleagues to draft a NT$35 billion (US$1.14 billion) budget for urban and rural construction projects as part of phase-one implementation of the recently enacted Special Budget Statute for Forward-Looking Infrastructure.

The Legislature approved President Tsai Ing-wen's (蔡英文) key policy proposal on July 5 and she promulgated the special budget law two days later, declaring that it will go into force on July 9.

Under the statute, the government is authorized to spend NT$420 billion on major infrastructure development projects over a four year period.

The Tsai administration plans to use NT$108.9 billion in the first phase - from now until the end of next year.

Lin and his senior aides decided that after urban and rural development should come water environment, which is to be allocated a budget of NT$25.5 billion.

The NT$60.5 billion set aside for the top two items will go mainly on improving urban and rural communities, including projects for flood control, urban sewage systems and irrigation systems for farming areas.

The Cabinet also designated NT$17 billion for the building of light rail transportation systems, NT$16 billion on digital projects and NT$8 billion on green energy projects.

In response to the Legislature's request, the Cabinet also set aside more than NT$300 million to improve food safety, NT$2 billion to address the low birth rate and NT$4.2 billion for professional training.

Lin has reported the Cabinet's decision on phase-one budget allocations to President Tsai. On Tuesday, the Cabinet will approve Sunday's budget plan before sending it to the Legislative Yuan for a final vote.

After receiving approval from the Legislature, the Cabinet will officially start to execute the first phase of the special budget. 

(By Ku Chuan and S.C. Chang) 
Enditem/ AW/