Yilan's Toucheng Township Plans Universal Cash Handout of NT$3,000 Per Resident, Benefiting 27,000

(Central News Agency, Reporter Shen Rufeng, Yilan County, 12th) Toucheng Township Mayor Tsai Wen-yi announced today that in response to soaring prices and considering the hardships of the townspeople, the township plans to distribute NT$3,000 to each resident. The program is expected to launch after the township representative council reviews and approves it in July, benefiting approximately 27,000 people, with the aim of revitalizing the local economy. Mayor Tsai pointed out that in response to rising commodity and fuel prices, and considering the difficult lives of grassroots residents, an internal meeting was held to decide on this measure. The funds, totaling over NT$80 million from administrative surpluses, will be distributed to all residents without a means test. The goal is to stimulate the local economy and boost consumer spending. As this is an election year and Mayor Tsai has been nominated by the Kuomintang to seek re-election, there have been external suspicions of vote-buying. Mayor Tsai responded that many townships across Taiwan have implemented similar practices. He stated that this is a way to return surplus administrative funds to the people, providing a small token of happiness and allowing residents to feel the government's warmth, and has nothing to do with the election.