County Magistrate Marks Two Years of Governance with Press Conference, Demonstrates the “Strong Governance, Happy Penghu” Vision
Penghu County Magistrate Chen Kuang-fu marked his two-year anniversary in office today (Jan 20th) with the "19th County Magistrate’s Two-Year Performance Press Conference" held at the Discovery Hotel. During the event, Chen reported on the county’s achievements under the governance vision of "Strong Governance, Happy Penghu." Concrete progress has been made in areas such as healthcare, social welfare, educational innovation, industry support, fiscal management, infrastructure development, sustainability, and tourism and culture, underscoring the county government’s commitment to building a happier home for all the people of Penghu. Chen highlighted the significant strides made in healthcare services during his administration, emphasizing the success of the denture subsidy program, which has completed over 1,200 cases since its launch, greatly enhancing the quality of life for elderly residents. Furthermore, the county government has also embraced cutting-edge technologies by introducing AI-powered smart medical systems and expanding Penghu-exclusive free vaccination programs. These programs now include pneumococcal vaccines for individuals aged 60 to 64, HPV vaccines for adolescents aged 13 to 14, rotavirus vaccines for infants aged 0 to 2, shingles vaccines for low-income residents over 50, and enterovirus vaccines for young children. Chen further noted the county’s partnership with a cancer treatment center, which has established a "green channel" for cancer referrals. This initiative reduces unnecessary wait times and travel burdens for patients and their families, ensuring timely access to professional medical consultations and care. In addressing the challenge of declining birth rates, Chen introduced the "468 Childbirth Subsidy Policy." Effective from 2025, families now receive NT$40,000 for the first child, NT$60,000 for the second, and NT$80,000 for the third, alongside a quarterly childcare subsidy of NT$4,500, which serves to lessen the burden on young families. The county has also opened six public childcare centers, offering nearly 160 spots, and launched specialized classes for two-year-olds, accommodating close to 150 children. These efforts fully demonstrate the county government’s commitment to fostering the growth and well-being of the next generation. Chen highlighted the county government’s efforts in educational innovation, which include integrating AI and digital tools into primary and secondary school curriculum and organizing AI experiential camps to enhance smart technology education in Penghu. The administration is also steadily advancing school consolidation and repurposing spaces to address societal changes while accommodating diverse needs such as childcare, elderly care, culture and creative industry, and talent cultivation. To support local industrial growth, the county government partnered with the Small and Medium Enterprise Credit Guarantee Fund of Taiwan (Taiwan SMEG) to provide NT$100 million in youth entrepreneurship loans. This initiative helps local young entrepreneurs bring their business visions to life. Additionally, the Youth Affairs Committee has been established as part of organizational reforms. The committee actively gathers input from young people, ensuring their voices are heard and their creativity integrated into policy-making, fostering a government that is both responsive and vibrant. The Penghu County Government continues to host the "Youth Ties" initiative, fostering meaningful exchanges and connections among young people from Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu. This year, the Hudong Community stood out among more than 900 rural communities across the country, earning the Bronze Medal in the Golden Village Competition. This achievement highlights the collaborative efforts of the county government and local youth, showcasing their dedication to community revitalization and sustainable development. Chen emphasized the importance of university years as a critical phase f