Special budget passed after cuts to MND's controversial water plan

Taipei, Oct. 17 (CNA) Lawmakers on Friday approved a revised version of the Cabinet's NT$550 billion (US$17.9 billion) special budget, cutting a total of NT$5.3 billion, including funds requested by the military for a controversial NT$120 per 550 cc bottled water program.

The final budget stands at NT$544.7 billion, with key allocations for social welfare, industry support, and labor protection remaining intact.

The NT$236 billion set aside for the NT$10,000 cash handouts to citizens and eligible foreign residents was also approved, with disbursement expected to begin in early November.

Most reductions came from defense spending, including the Ministry of National Defense's (MND) bottled-water procurement plan, which drew public criticism for its high costs and vague logistics.

Lawmakers cut NT$400 million from the plan, reducing its total to around NT$390 million, after noting that the NT$120 price tag for each 500-cc bottle was "wasteful."

Opposition Kuomintang (KMT) Legislator Ma Wen-chun (馬文君) said earlier this month that the ministry should focus on combat readiness and supply-chain resilience rather than funding an "opaque" program.

The defense ministry explained that the plan aimed to ensure a stable supply of safe drinking water during emergencies and overseas missions, noting that the bottles -- imported from Japan -- can be stored for up to five years.

The ministry, however, later found that local manufacturers could also produce similar drinking water and accepted the reduced funding after consulting suppliers and holding cross-party negotiations.

On Friday, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker Wu Szu-yao (吳思瑤) criticized what she described as "excessive" cuts to defense-related spending, warning that foreign forces could take advantage of Taiwan's defense vulnerabilities to act when the opportunity arises.