Strengthening Food Safety and Flood Preparedness, Mayor Chen Calls for Rigorous Inspections, Dredging, and Enhanced Response Capacity

[Kaohsiung News] Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai stated during the municipal administrative meeting on April 14 that as temperatures rise, food safety has become a major public concern. In addition to monitoring recent food poisoning sources and compensation negotiations, he instructed the Department of Health to step up food safety inspections and testing, and to strengthen traceability mechanisms to safeguard public health.

With the flood season approaching, the Water Resources Bureau and Environmental Protection Bureau presented their annual flood preparedness reports. Chen emphasized that relevant agencies must carry out drainage dredging operations, prioritizing low-lying flood-prone areas and key sections of regional drainage, secondary drainage systems, and stormwater sewers where sediment buildup is common. These works should be completed before the flood season. He also called for accelerated improvements to drainage bottlenecks and the construction of detention basins to ensure effective flood discharge.

Chen further directed the Water Resources Bureau and district offices to strengthen maintenance of pumping stations, ensure adequate staffing and fuel readiness, and make full use of smart monitoring systems to track water conditions in real time. Combined with efficient reporting mechanisms, these measures will enable rapid response and enhance overall flood control effectiveness.

The Environmental Protection Bureau reported that as of March 2026, inspections had been completed at 176 flood-prone locations citywide. A total of 1,592 kilometers of roadside drains have been dredged, removing 5,299 metric tons of sediment. During the flood season, additional efforts will focus on clearing debris and fallen leaves from drainage inlets and covers to maintain smooth water flow.

In response to concerns over the potential impact of China's "ten preferential policies for Taiwan" on Kaohsiung's industries, Mayor Chen stated in a pre-meeting interview that all international economic and trade exchanges involve risks and should not rely on unilateral commitments. Citing examples such as shrimp exports to Honduras and tourism cooperation with Japan, he emphasized that exchanges should be conducted on a government-to-government basis through equal and structured negotiations. Careful assessment and institutionalized mechanisms are essential to safeguard the interests of farmers, fishers, and tourism operators, while reducing investment risks caused by policy uncertainty and ensuring more stable industrial development.

Photo: Mayor Chen Chi-mai instructs relevant agencies during the municipal meeting to strengthen flood preparedness and food safety management.