Executive Yuan approves NT$607.6 billion supplementary budget bill for 2026

The Executive Yuan on Thursday approved a draft supplementary budget for the 2026 fiscal year, prepared by the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics. The proposed budget provides for an additional NT$607.6 billion (approximately US$19.1 billion) in expenditures across six key areas: securing people's livelihoods, enhancing social welfare, increasing compensation for public-sector personnel, supporting post-disaster reconstruction, strengthening national defense and providing monthly subsidies for children from birth through age 18. The government's planned borrowing for 2026 will also be reduced by NT$90.7 billion (approx. US$2.9 billion) from the amount originally budgeted. The bill will now be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for deliberation.

Premier Cho said that, following a challenging legislative process, the central government's 2026 general budget proposal finally passed its third and final reading by the Legislative Yuan on August 14. However, the Executive Yuan has put forward a supplementary budget to meet the funding needs of newly added initiatives. Without impacting current fiscal planning or increasing government debt, the proposed budget includes measures to safeguard people's livelihoods in response to conflicts in the Middle East; increases in social welfare allowances; pay raises for military personnel, civil servants and public school teachers; arms procurement to enhance self-defense capabilities; and post-disaster recovery and reconstruction.

Premier Cho stressed that less than four months remain in 2026. To enable these initiatives to be implemented as soon as possible, he directed all relevant government agencies to proactively communicate and coordinate with the Legislative Yuan and seek support from all sectors, while completing all necessary administrative procedures and preparations. He also renewed his call for the Executive Yuan and Legislative Yuan to work together with the public to improve people's livelihoods; protect vulnerable groups; support salary increases for the military, civil servants and public school teachers; and strengthen self-reliant national defense and security.