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Title: Disaster Prevention and Protection Act CH
Amended Date: 2022-06-15
Category: Ministry of the Interior(內政部)
Chapter One: General Principles
Article 1
For making a sound disaster prevention and protection system, enhancing its functions, and increasing the public’s disaster prevention awareness and response capabilities, in order to protect the safety of people’s lives, bodies, properties and conserve the homeland, the Act was enacted especially.
Article 2
The terms of the Act are defined as follows:
1. Disaster: hazards caused by any of the following disasters:
(1) Natural disasters including windstorm, flooding, earthquake (including soil liquefaction), drought, frost, debris flow and large-scale landslide disaster, and volcanic disaster; and
(2) Fire, explosion, public gas, fuel pipe line and power transmission line failure, mining disaster, air crash, shipwreck, land traffic accidents, forest fire, toxic and concerned chemical substances disaster , biological disaster, animal and plant diseases, radiation disaster, industrial pipeline disaster, and suspended particulate disaster.
2. Disaster Prevention and Protection:Refers to measures including mitigation and preparedness before disaster, response actions during disaster, and recovery after disaster.
3. Plans of Disaster Prevention and Protection: including the Basic Plan, operation plan and regional plan of disaster prevention and protection.
4. Basic Plan of Disaster Prevention and Protection: refers to the nationwide disaster prevention and protection plan authorized by the Central Disasters Prevention and Protection Council.
5. Operation Plan of Disaster Prevention and Protection: refers to the Disaster Prevention and Protection plan prepared by the central regulating authorities of disaster prevention and protection business or the public enterprises for their respective business or administrative functions.
6. Regional Plan of Disaster Prevention and Protection: refers to the municipal government, county (city), township (city) and mountain indigenous districts of special municipalities (hereinafter referred to as indigenous district) disaster prevention and protection plan respectively authorized by the municipal government, county (city), or township(city) and indigenous districts Disaster Prevention and Protection Council.
Article 3
Prevention, response and recovery for all types of the disasters, the following agencies shall be the central regulating authorities for the disaster prevention and protection:
1. Windstorm, earthquake (including soil liquefaction), fire, explosion, and volcanic disaster: Ministry of the Interior;
2. Flooding, draught, mining disasters, industrial pipeline disaster, public gas, fuel pipeline and power transmission line failure: Ministry of Economic Affairs;
3. Frost, debris flow and large-scale landslide disaster: Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan;
4. Air crash, shipwreck and land traffic accidents: Ministry of Transportation and Communications;
5. Toxic and concerned chemical substances and suspended particulate disaster: Environmental Protection Administration, Executive Yuan;
6. Biological disaster: Ministry of Health and Welfare
7. Radiation disaster: Atomic Energy Council
8. Other disasters: the central regulating authorities of Disaster Prevention and Protection business designated by Central Disasters Prevention and Protection Council.
The preceding paragraph prescribing the central regulating authorities for the disaster prevention and protection, shall be in charge of disaster prevention and protection business in following missions:
1. Command, supervision, and coordination of the central regulating authorities and municipal government, county (city) government for disaster prevention and protection.
2. Draft and implementation of amended disaster prevention and protection operation plan.
3. Support and deal with disaster prevention and protection works.
4. Deal with command or coordination of the affairs of disaster prevention and protection, and noncompliance of Act in non-local administrative areas.
5. Where the disaster region involves the sea area and crosses over two municipal governments or county (city) governments, or where the disaster situation is significant and the municipal government or the county (city) government is unable to coordinate and process in due time.
6.Manage disaster resources, organize information, perform disaster prevention and rescue tasks, and cooperate with Ministry of Education and relevant agencies to conduct disaster prevention and protection education for all citizens.
Article 4
(Regulating Authorities)
The regulating authorities of the Act, at the central level shall be Ministry of the Interior; municipality, the municipal government; and county (city), the county (city) government.
The municipal or county (city) government and township (city) and indigenous districts offices handle the affairs of disaster prevention and protection according to Article 18, paragraph 11, subparagraph 2, and Article 19, paragraph 11, subparagraph 2, Article 20, paragraph 7, subparagraph 1, and Article 83-3, paragraph 7, subparagraph 1 as prescribed in the Local Government Act and the Act accordingly.
The affairs concerning disaster prevention and protection works conducted by offices subordinated to special municipality and city governments shall be determined by special municipality and city governments in accordance with the rules governing the township (city) offices based on the Act.
Article 5
(Essential Measures & Report)
The central regulating authorities of disaster prevention and protection may take essential measures of law, administration and finance for the purpose of Disaster Prevention and Protection, and shall report such actions to Legislative Yuan.
Chapter Two: Disaster Organization
Article 6
(Missions of Central Disaster Prevention and Protection Council)
The Executive Yuan established the Central Disaster Prevention and Protection Council in charge of the following missions:
1. To define the basic disaster prevention and protection guidelines;
2. To authorize Disaster Prevention and Protection Basic Plan and the disaster prevention and protection operation plans of the central regulating authorities;
3. To authorize important disaster prevention and protection policies and countermeasures;
4. To authorize emergency response and countermeasures in case of nationwide disaster;
5. To supervise, evaluate the performance of disaster prevention and protection of the central administration, municipal, and county (city) governments;
6. To supervise, promote post-disaster restoration and reconstruction measures;
7. Designate other disaster prevention and protection agencies that are not specified in the Act or other regulations; and the central regulating authorities thereof.
8. To carry out any other items as regulated by the law or regulations.
Article 7
There shall be one each of a convener and a deputy convener to be respectively chaired by the Premier and the Vice Premier of the Executive Yuan; and the secretary general and several commissioners to be assigned or employed on part-time basis from the incumbent ministers without portfolio, governors of related agencies, disaster prevention and protection experts and scholars by the Premier of the Executive Yuan for the Central Disaster Prevention and Protection Council.
To carry out the disaster prevention and protection policy authorized by the Central Disaster Prevention and Protection Council and to promote major disaster prevention and protection duties and actions, the Vice Premier of the Executive Yuan shall also chair the Central Disaster Prevention and Protection Commission, and the Executive Yuan established the office of disaster management, allocated with full-time staffs organized in different divisions to deal with related business.
The Disaster Prevention and Protection Expert Consultation Committee and National Science and Technology Center shall provide the Central Disaster Prevention and Protection Council and the Central Disaster Prevention and Protection Commission for disaster prevention and protection works of disaster prevention and protection consultation, facilitate research, development and implementation of disaster prevention and protection technology, and fortifying disaster prevention and protection policies and measurements.
To integrate and facilitate implementation of disaster prevention and protection, the Central Disaster Prevention and Protection Commission shall establish the National Rescue Command Center to command, supervise and coordinate personnel of functional authorities among related government agencies to carry out disaster rescue missions.
Article 8
(Missions of Municipal, County (City) Disaster Prevention and Protection Council)
The municipal, county (city) governments establish the municipal, and county (city) disaster prevention and protection councils in charge of the following missions:
1. To authorize the regional disaster prevention and protection plan of the municipality, or county (city);
2. To authorize essential disaster prevention and protection policy and countermeasures;
3. To authorize emergency response and countermeasures in case of disaster within its jurisdiction;
4. To supervise and evaluate related items of disaster prevention and protection within its jurisdiction;
5. Promote post-disaster restoration and reconstruction measures; and
6. To carry out any other items as regulated by the law or regulations.
Article 9
(Organization of the Municipal, and County (City) Disaster Prevention and Protection Councils)
There shall be one convener and one or two deputy conveners to be respectively chaired by the administrator and deputy administrator of municipal, county (city) government; and several commissioners to be assigned or employed on part-time basis from the military representatives, governors of related agencies and divisions, disaster prevention and protection experts and scholars by the municipal, county (city) mayor for the municipal, or county (city) disaster prevention and protection council.
The municipal, or county (city) office of disaster management shall deal with the affairs of the municipal, or county (city) disaster prevention and protection council.
The disaster prevention and protection experts consultation committee of the municipal, or county (city) government shall provide consultation for disaster prevention and protection works.
Article 10
(Missions of Township (City) Disaster Prevention and Protection Council)
The township (city) and indigenous districts offices establish the township (city) and indigenous districts disaster prevention and protection councils in charge of the following missions:
1. To authorize the regional disaster prevention and protection plan developed for the township (city) and indigenous districts;
2. To authorize essential disaster prevention and protection policy and countermeasures;
3. To promote and command refugee accommodation and settlement, organizing, reporting and evaluation of disaster situations, post-disaster restoration and reconstruction, execution of emergency response measures, removal of barriers in the site of disaster, and implementation of disaster rescue countermeasures;
4. To promote community and tribal disaster prevention and protection affairs; and
5. To carry out any other items as regulated by the law or regulations.
Article 11
(Organization of Township (City) Disaster Prevention and Protection Councils)
There shall be one each of a convener and a deputy convener for the township (city) and indigenous districts disaster prevention and protection council. The chief of the township (city) and indigenous districts shall be the convener; the chief secretary or secretary of the township (city) and indigenous districts offices shall be the deputy convener; and several representatives from divisions designated in the regional disaster prevention and protection plan shall be assigned or employed as the commissioners on part-time basis.
The township (city) and indigenous districts offices of disaster management shall deal with the affairs of the township (city) and indigenous districts disaster prevention and protection council.
Article 12
(Establishment of Local Disaster Response Center)
In case of disaster takes place or the risk of a disaster presents, the municipal and county (city) government, or chief of township (city) and indigenous districts office shall establish and direct a disaster response center; and, depending on the severity of the disaster, establish a forward command post to handle disaster protection and administrative support affairs nearby.
The establishment timing, procedure and grouping of above-mentioned disaster response center or forward command post shall be enacted by the municipal, county (city) governments or township (city) and indigenous districts offices.
Article 13
(Establishment of Central Disaster Response Center)
In case of a major disaster or risk of such major disaster presents, the minister of the central regulating authorities of disaster prevention and protection shall decide to establish Central Emergency Operation Center based on the severity, nature, conditions and influential factors, shall immediately report to the convener of Central Disasters Prevention and Protection Council and shall have the convener appoint a Central commander.
The aforesaid Central Emergency Operation Center may, based on the severity or the need to contact, establish the disaster response center or forward command post in an appropriate place to integrate disaster protection resources and assist local governments to implement disaster protection related affairs.
Article 14
(Establishment of Emergency Response Teams)
To handle disaster prevention and protection affairs or coordinate with the disaster response center of each tier in executing disaster response countermeasures in case of a disaster or risk of disaster presents, any agency, division or public enterprises designated in the disaster prevention and protection operation plan and regional disaster prevention and protection plan shall establish emergency response teams to execute all the response measures.
Article 15
(Joint Operation of Disaster Prevention and Protection Councils & Civil Defense Mobilization and Preparation System)
Governments at all tiers shall joint the civil defense and all-out defense mobilization readiness system and related public and private schools, hospitals designated to take charge of emergency medical treatment, groups, enterprises, businesses and limited partnerships in implementing affairs related to disaster prevention and protection. The implementation rules thereof shall be formulated by the Ministry of the Interior together with related government agencies.
Article 16
(Establishment of Search & Rescue Organization)
Special search and rescue teams and the training centers of National Fire Agency, Ministry of the Interior; and search and rescue teams and training centers of municipal or county (city) government shall handle major disaster rescue, response and other related training affairs.
Chapter Three: Plan of Disaster Prevention and Protection
Article 17
(Draw-up & Review of Disaster Prevention and Protection Basic Plan)
The Disaster Prevention and Protection Basic Plan shall be drawn up by the Central Disaster Prevention and Protection Commission, through the authorization of Central Disaster Prevention and Protection Council, and then been informed in written by the Executive Yuan to all central regulating authorities of disaster prevention and protection business, and municipal, county (city) governments to handle disaster prevention and protection affairs accordingly.
The Disaster Prevention and Protection Basic Plan referred in the first paragraph herein shall be periodically reviewed, and from time to time if required.
The Executive Yuan shall submit the white paper of Disaster Prevention and Protection Basic Plan to the Legislation Yuan once annually for review and approval.
Article 18
(Contents of Disaster Prevention and Protection Basic Plan)
The Disaster Prevention and Protection Basic Plan shall include:
1. Overall long-term disaster prevention and protection plan;
2. Essential items of disaster prevention and protection operation plan and regional disaster prevention and protection plan; and
3. Any other items deemed as necessary by the Central Disaster Prevention and Protection Council.
The Disaster Prevention and Protection Basic Plan, disaster prevention and protection operation plan and the regional disaster prevention and protection plan referred in the first paragraph shall include following contents:
1. Related affairs of Disaster prevention;
2. Related affairs of Disaster emergency response and countermeasures;
3. Related affairs of recovery and reconstruction after disaster; and
4. Any other items deemed as necessary by the other administrative agencies, public enterprises, and municipal, county (city), township (city) and indigenous districts councils.
Article 19
(Draw-up and Report for Approval Procedure of Disaster Prevention and Protection Operation Plan of Public Enterprises)
Public Enterprises shall draw up the disaster prevention and protection operation plan according to the Disaster Prevention and Protection Basic Plan, and seek the authorization from the central regulating authorities of object enterprises.
The central regulating authorities of disaster prevention and protection business shall, within their jurisdiction, draw up the disaster prevention and protection operation plan according to the Disaster Prevention and Protection Basic Plan, seek the authorization from Central Disaster Prevention and Protection Council for implementation.
Article 20
(Draw-up & Report for Approval Procedure of Regional Disaster Prevention and Protection Plan)
The municipal or county (city) government shall draw up regional prevention and protection plan according to the Disaster Prevention and Protection Basic Plan, related disaster prevention and protection operation plans and potential characteristics of regional disasters, seek the authorization from respective disaster prevention and protection councils for implementation and report to the Central Disaster Prevention and Protection Council for reference.
Any regional disaster prevention and protection plan as set forth in the first paragraph herein shall never contradict to the Disaster Prevention and Protection Basic Plan and related disaster prevention and protection operation plans.
Special municipal or county (city) government shall adjust land use plan in compliance with regional disaster prevention and protection plans.
Township (City) and indigenous districts offices shall draw up regional disaster prevention and protection plan according to the disaster prevention and protection plan drawn by its superior organization and potential characteristics of regional disasters, seek the authorization from respective disaster prevention and protection councils for implementation and report to the superior disaster prevention and protection council for reference.
Any regional disaster prevention and protection plan as set forth in the preceding paragraph shall never contradict to the superior disaster prevention and protection plan.
Article 21
(Conflict solution)
Any pending conflict between disaster prevention and protection operation plans or regional disaster prevention and protection plans shall be reported to the Central Disaster Prevention commission of the Executive Yuan for settlement.
Chapter Four: Disaster Prevention
Article 22
(Work Items for Disaster Occurrence Reduction or Expansion Prevention)
To reduce the occurrence or prevent further expansion of disaster, various tiers of governments depending on its functional authorities shall implement following mitigation affairs; and encourage public and private schools, hospitals designated to take charge of emergency medical treatment, groups, enterprises, businesses and limited partnerships to actively organize or assist to organize it:
1. Draft, budget preparation, execution and review of the disaster prevention and protection plans;
2. Education, training and propaganda of disaster prevention and protection;
3. Research and development or application of results of disaster prevention and protection technology;
4. Mountain treatment, flood control and other conservation of homeland;
5. Inspection, reinforcement and maintenance of old building, important public building and disaster prevention and protection facilities and equipment, and improvement of urban disaster prevention and protection mechanism;
6. Observation, collection, analysis and establishment of essential meteorological, geological, hydraulic and other related information required for disaster prevention and protection;
7. Investigation of disaster potentials, hazardous degree, situation simulation and risk analysis, and publication of results as applicable;
8. Signature of mutual support agreement related to disaster prevention and protection among local governments and public enterprises;
9. Promotion, guidance, assistance, and encouragement to prevention and protection group and community voluntary organization of disaster prevention and protection;
10. Plan and promotion of disaster insurance;
11. Disaster prevention and protection supports for the disadvantaged minority;
12. Disaster prevention and protection works in indigenous districts after an incident.
13. Establishment, exchange and international cooperation of disaster prevention and protection information network;
14. Use various public places to promote disaster prevention and protection education for all citizens.
15. Promote community-based disaster prevention and protection works by training local residents or establishing a local volunteer organization.
16. Plan and promote to enhance enterprises' operating and disaster prevention and protection capacities.
17. Any other affairs related to disaster prevention.
Various tiers of governments shall include the mitigation affairs under the preceding paragraph to each prevention and protection plan.
Public enterprises shall depend on its disaster prevention and protection operation plan to implement mitigation affairs.
Pursuant to Item 7 of Para. 1 document to be published, regions, operational procedure and other related items of the disaster potentials, shall be reimbursed with the procedure to be enacted by the central disaster prevention and protection operation regulating authorities and the municipal government, or county (city) governments.
Article 23
(Preparation of Emergency Response Measures)
To effectively execute emergency response measures, various tiers of governments and related public enterprises depending on its functional authorities shall implement the following preparedness affairs:
1. Preparedness of disaster prevention and protection organizations;
2. Training and drill of disaster prevention and protection;
3. Disaster monitoring, forecast, warning announcement and facility reinforcement;
4. Collection, notification of Disaster situation and establishment, maintenance and reinforcement of communication facilities for commanding;
5. Storage and inspection of supplies and facilities for disaster prevention and protection;
6. Preparedness and inspection of facilities and equipments for disaster prevention and protection;
7. Improvement, reinforcement or detachment of barriers to disaster response countermeasures;
8. Coordination in international disaster rescue supports; and
9. Regular investigation, preparedness of public/private disaster protection machines and professional manpower, and establishment of a database. All information shall be provided to the central disaster prevention and protection operation regulating authorities for summarizing.
10. Provide priority to the use of communication media and communication equipment to disseminate emergency-related information.
11. Any other preparation affairs required for emergency response.
Various tiers of governments shall depending on its functional authorities to include the preparedness affairs under the preceding provision to each prevention and protection plan.
Public enterprises shall depend on its disaster prevention and protection operation plan to implement preparedness affairs.
To insure the stream transmission of microwave communication for succeeding the responsive measures of disaster rescue, an efficient wireless transmission distance range shall be enacted and publicized duly by the Ministry of the Interior.
Before the enactment of Enforcement Rules for the Regional Plan Act, if the builder has had new construction or extension construction, a construction shall be obtained from the municipal, or county (city) government, provided one of the following requirements is met:
1. An improvement program has been approved by the Ministry of the Interior.
2. The builder has agreed to allow the Ministry of the Interior to adopt a revised minimum information transmission loss method in which a microwave radio or a satellite digital broadcast transmission is installed on the said building top to achieve stream communication.
The Ministry of the Interior shall compensate the builder a liquidated damages incurred from the improvement program adopted by or the microwave radio or satellite digital broadcast transmission installed on the said building top.
The builder shall obtain the nominal execution for reimbursing the liquidated damages provided an agreement of such liquidated damaged is entered into between the two parties. The procedures, requirements, application deadline and the amount of liquidated damage and other relevant settlement affairs shall be reviewed and approved by the Ministry of the Interior.
Article 24
(Measures of Emergency Refuge)
In a case of a disaster or where there is a concern of a disaster, the municipal government, county (city) governments, or the township (city) and indigenous districts offices shall advise or force people to evacuate and provide proper settlement to protect the safety of people’s lives and properties or prevent further expansion of disaster.
In the scope of necessary response to the disaster, the municipal government, or county (city) governments, township (city) and indigenous districts offices shall advise or force the owner of objects or items that may expand the disaster or interrupt the rescue to except the object or item, and to take applicable actions.
Article 25
(Training and Drill of Disaster Prevention and Protection)
Agencies of governments at all tiers, public enterprises, public and private schools, hospitals designated to take charge of emergency medical treatment, groups, enterprises, businesses, limited partnerships shall implement training and drills of disaster prevention and protection.
Governments at all tiers shall hold disaster prevention and protection education and propagation, whereas public enterprises, public and private schools, hospital designated to take charge of emergency medical treatment, groups and broadcasting media shall assist in promoting the implementation related events and designate personnel to participate the activity together.
Governments at all tiers shall produce disaster protection educational video, propaganda, technical guidelines or other related diverse propagation and teaching materials; and shall broadcast, or publish or promote or post them in public places.
To implement such training and drill of disaster prevention and protection as specified in the Paragraph 1, relevant government agencies, public enterprises and other public and private schools, groups, enterprises, hospitals designated to take charge of emergency medical treatment, groups, enterprises, businesses and limited partnerships selected by governments at all tires are obligatory to participate or provide assistance.
Anyone who participates or assists in the training and drill as specified in Paragraph 1 shall be granted with an official leave by the government agency, public or private school, hospital designated to take charge of emergency medical treatment, group, enterprise, business and limited partnership thereof.
Article 26
(Assignment of Full-time or Part-time Disaster Prevention and Protection Staff)
Various tiers of governments and public enterprises shall assign full-time staff
to execute disaster prevention works; while township (city) and indigenous districts offices could assign part-time staff before assigning full-time staff to execute disaster prevention and protection works.
Chapter Five: Disaster Response Countermeasures
Article 27
(Work Items of Imposing Emergency response countermeasures)
To execute emergency response measures, various tiers of governments shall depend on its functional authorities implement the following subparagraphs:
1. Disaster alarm announcement and delivery, response and alert, people evacuation, rescue and refuge advise, information collection of disaster situation, survey report of loss, and provide priority to the use of communication media and communication equipment to disseminate emergency-related information;
2. Delimitation of precaution zone, traffic control, order maintenance and crime prevention;
3. Firefighting, flooding prevention and other response measures;
4. Providing temporary accommodation, Social rescue and special protection measures for the disadvantaged minority;
5. Emergency cares for the children, youths and students suffered from the disaster;
6. Emergency handling of hazardous materials, facilities and equipments;
7. Infectious disease prevention and control, reject processing, environment disinfection, inspection of food sanitation and any other public health affairs;
8. Search and rescue, emergency medical service and transportation of the injured;
9. Assist inspection and disposal of the bodies of victims and their belongings;
10. Supply and allotment of livelihood products and potable water;
11. Disaster prevention and emergency repair of water conservancy and agriculture;
12. Emergency repair of public facilities including railway, highway, bridge, mass transportation, rapid transit system, airport, seaport, public gas and fuel pipeline, power transmission line, telecommunication, tap water, and agricultural fishery.
13. Emergency evaluation of hazardous building;
14. Preservation and disposal of drift, sunk objects and other objects from the salvation;
15. Complete documentation of the disaster response course; and
16. Any other affairs taken in response to disaster and prevention from its expansion.
Various tiers of governments shall include the response affairs under the preceding paragraph to each prevention and protection plan.
Public enterprises shall depend on its disaster prevention and protection operation plan to implement response affairs.
Pursuant to Item 13 of Para. 1, applicable disaster types, timing of implementation, operating personnel, procedure, posting of danger signs in case of emergency evaluation of hazardous building shall be enacted by Ministry of the Interior.
Article 28
(Commanding Authority & Operation Venue of Disaster Response Center)
Upon creating the disaster response center at each tier, the governor of every grouping organization shall either in person or designate personnel of functional authority to station in the center and execute the disaster response works. Then the response center commander shall be in charge of commanding, coordination and integration.
Each tier of disaster response center shall maintain a permanent venue for its operation, keep sufficient equipment of disaster prevention and protection, and hold periodical drills.
To prevent Central Disaster Prevention and Protection Center from failing to cope with the disaster or to implement responsive measures in the case of cross-municipality or cross-county (city) disaster, Remote Disaster Backup and Recovery Center shall be established.
Article 29
(Responsibility to Notify Disaster Situation and Take Essential Measures)
Anyone shall take initiative to report any disaster or the risk of a disaster to the fire or police department, the village master or secretary.
Upon receiving the report, the department or the personnel as set forth in the preceding paragraph shall promptly take essential measures.
Upon discovering, being notified of a disaster situation or the risk of a disaster, the government at each tier and the public enterprises should take the initiative to collect and communicate related information on the disaster situation and promptly make necessary disposal.
Article 30
(Items of Disposal or Injunction made subject to the extent for disaster response)
After establishment of disaster response centers, the commander of the disaster response center may, subject to the extent necessary for disaster response, make the following affairs under the name of the agency designated by the commander:
1. Announcement and execution of emergency response measures.
2. Delimit a precaution zone to limit or forbid people to enter or order to leave by issuing temporary pass.
3. Specify some interval within a road, water area, and/or an air altitude to limit or forbid passages of vehicles, sea vessels and aircrafts;
4. Requisition related professionals, technicians and operating personnel for purchased resources for their assistance in rescue;
5. Requisition and purchase of private searching dog, salvation tools, vehicles, sea vessels, or aircrafts, land, water rights, buildings and work objects;
6. Command, supervise and coordinate among national army, fire department, police department, coast guard, related government agencies, public enterprises, organization of reserve force, civil defense organization, community disaster prevention and protection groups and civil voluntary organizations of disaster prevention and protection in carrying out disaster rescue works.
7. Demolish of hazardous building, work object, and removal of barriers in the site of disaster;
8. Having the top priority to use the media and communication equipment to collect and broadcast the disaster situation and related information of emergency response;
9. Application and reception of overseas disaster protection organizations combing to Taiwan for disaster protection operations; disaster-affected areas in charged thereby; and related coordination and contact.
10. Organize, calculate, report and evaluate disaster situation.
11. Any other required response disposal.
Where the commander of the disaster response center designates an agency to take a disciplinary action other than issuing a temporary pass as prescribed in Paragraphs 2 and 3 of the preceding articles shall make a public announcement and publish it on a government notice, newspaper, by SMS, or by other means that are sufficient for the purpose of disclosure; and the same shall apply to the revocation, annulment and modification thereof.
In the event that any one in distress by violating the requirements set forth in Paragraph 1, Subparagraphs 2 and 3 has been rescued by the disaster response center, the disaster response center may send a written request for the reimbursement of salvation expenses from the one so rescued or the responsible enterprise; executive agency, timing and procedure to make the reimbursement request and other related affairs shall be enacted by Ministry of the Interior.
Pursuant to Item 6 of Paragraph 1, grouping, training, assisting disaster relief and other related affairs of the civil defense organization, community disaster prevention and protection groups and civil voluntary organizations of disaster prevention and protection shall be enacted by Ministry of the Interior.
No one shall evade, hinder or reject any disciplinary actions taken by the agency in accordance with Paragraphs 4, 5, 7 and 8 of Paragraph 1.
Article 31
(Injunction Taken to the Essential Supplies Dealer for the Implementation of Disaster Response Countermeasures)
For the purpose of implement those countermeasures set forth in Article 26.1 and 27.1, government at each tier may issue injunctive order to dealers who manufacture, transport, vend and are in custody of those supplies needed for the implementation, to have those supplies under custody or requisition.
To execute the penalty under the preceding paragraph, the government may dispatch personnel with ID to enter the business place of any of those businesses or the place where the materials are stored for inspection.
No one shall evade, hinder or reject disciplinary actions taken by governments at all tiers in accordance with Paragraph 1 and any check conducted thereby in accordance with the preceding paragraph.
Article 32
Governments at all tiers may purchase insurance for personnel carrying out disaster prevention and protection works in accordance with the Act; dispatched professionals and technicians; and operating personnel of the requisitioned materials
Article 33
(Reimbursement Regulations for Carrying out Requisition)
Any requisition, purchase or priority use made under the Act shall be reimbursed or compensated with the operating procedures, compensation standards, payment methods and other related matters to be enacted by Ministry of the Interior.
Article 34
(The Range, Method and Duration for Civilian to Claim for Damage Amends)
Any civilian sustaining loss to his/her properties as a result of the disposal, injunctive action or order made pursuant to Article 24.2, Article 30.1.1 to Article 30.1.3, Article 30.1.7 and Article 30.1.11 of the Act and penalty of custody pursuant to Article 31.1 of the Act may claim for damage amends unless such loss is attributable to the civilian.
Pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the damage amends shall be paid in money and at a sum not greater than the loss as incurred.
The claim for damages as described in Paragraph 1 shall have its causes specified in written and be made to the execution agency within two years. But no claim shall be made five years after the occurrence of the said damages.
Article 35
(The Item and Procedure of Request Superior Organization to Support in Disaster Disposal)
If the township (city) or indigenous districts office fails to cope with a disaster, the special municipal or county government shall take the initiative to send its employees to provide the support, or assign coordinators to provide support and assistance as requested by the township (city) or indigenous districts office.
If the municipal, or county (city) government fails to cope with a disaster, the central disaster prevention and protection operation regulating authorities shall take the initiative to send its employees to provide the support, or assign coordinators to provide support and assistance as requested by the special municipal, or county (city) government.
Items and procedure of support referred in the first two paragraphs herein shall be separately enacted by the central disaster prevention and protection operation regulating authorities and the municipal or county government.
If the municipal, or county (city) government, or the central disaster prevention and protection operation regulating authorities fails to cope with the disaster, it may request supports from the national army. However, the national army shall actively support responsive measures of major disaster rescue.
The Ministry of National Defense shall mobilize reserved servicemen's organizations to support responsive measures of major disaster rescue as provided in the preceding paragraph.
The procedures for requesting rescue support or active support for responsive measures of disaster rescue from national army, arrangement and dispatch of national defense force, commanding and coordination, negotiation and communication, education and training of disaster rescue affairs, the schedule of duty operation and other relevant operation regulations as prescribed in the fourth paragraph therein shall be duly enacted jointly by the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of the Interior.
Article 36
(Classification, Content and Announcement of Alarm Signal Required in Emergency response)
Unless otherwise provided by other laws, the classification, content, method and announcement timing of alarm signals needed during the emergency response, shall be drawn up by each central disaster prevention and protection operation regulating authorities to seek the approval from the Executive Yuan for publication.
Alarm signals referred in the first paragraph and any similar signals shall not be used unless otherwise permitted.
Chapter Six: Recovery & Reconstruction after Disaster
Article 37
(Implementation of Recovery & Reconstruction after Disaster)
Various tiers of governments and related public enterprises shall implement recovery and reconstruction after a disaster according to applicable laws and disaster prevention and protection plan while encouraging public and private schools, hospitals designated to take charge of emergency medical treatment, groups, enterprises, businesses and limited partnerships to actively provide supports.
1. Investigate, study, evaluate and analyze disaster situations and needs of victims in disaster-affected areas.
2. Authorize and implement program and proposals for recovery and reconstruction after a disaster.
3. Record and allot volunteers.
4. Distribute and handle donated resources and money and allocate relief.
5. Attend to casualties, settle people from disaster-affected areas and maintain order in disaster-affected areas.
6. Medical care, epidemic prevention and psychological counseling.
7. Rebuild school dormitories and its supplementary public facilities.
8. Schooling and boarding of affected students.
9. Approve or assist the drafting of urgent repair and recovery of heritage, historical sites and memorial and settlement buildings.
10. Emergency responses, including investigation of damage of heritage, historical sites and memorial and group buildings, urgency repair and reinforcement.
11. Safety evaluation and handling of damaged structures.
12. Recovery of houses, public buildings, urban renewal and handling of land ownership.
13. Repair utilities including water conservancy, soil and water conservation, environmental protection, tele-communications, electricity, water, oil and gas, and regulate resource supplies.
14. Repair tracks, roads, bridges, mass transportation, airports, ports and agriculture and fisheries.
15. Environment disinfection and reject processing.
16. Employment services for people and reconstruction of industry.
17. Investigation on the cause of disaster or accident.
18. Other issues related to recovery and reconstruction.
Various tiers of governments shall include the mitigation affairs under the preceding paragraph to each prevention and protection plan.
Public enterprises shall depend on its functional authorities depend on its disaster prevention and protection operation plan to implement mitigation affairs.
Article 38
(Creation & Dismissal of Reconstruction Promotion Commission)
To execute recovery and reconstruction after a disaster, government at each tier may create a tasking commission to promote the reconstruction with members assigned from all agencies concerned.
The reconstruction promotion commission may only be dismissed upon the completion of the recovery and reconstruction after a disaster.
When the reconstruction promotion commission dissolves, governments at all levels shall, according to the nature of the post-disaster restoration and reconstruction plan, designate regulating authorities to review and revise the following plan.
Article 39
In case of traffic interruption or where damage of public utilities concerns safety of people due to occurrence of disaster, various tiers of government shall simplify administrative procedures and shall not be subject to Regional Planning Act, Urban Planning Law, Water and Soil Conservation Law, Slopland Conservation and Utilization Act, Forest Law, Water Act, National Park Law and other restrictions from related laws or acts in order to make urgency repairs or reconstruction.
Measures governing matters related to the simplified administrative procedures that are not subject to related laws or acts under the preceding paragraph shall be defined by the central disaster prevention and protection operation regulating authorities.
Article 40
Where normal living conditions in disaster-affected areas are affected due to occurrence of disaster, various tiers of government shall, in terms of delimiting, acquiring, altering, evaluating, managing, protecting land and building, simplify administrative procedures and shall not be subject to Regional Planning Act, Urban Planning Law, Construction Law, Urban Renewal Regulation, Environmental Impact Assessment Law, Water and Soil Conservation Law, and other restrictions from related laws or acts in order to provide proper settlement for disadvantaged minority or to adopt reconstruction works in disaster-affected areas.
Measures governing matters related to the simplified administrative procedures that are not subject to related laws or acts under the preceding paragraph shall be defined by the central disaster prevention and protection operation regulating authorities.
Article 41
Central Disaster Prevention and Protection Commission shall cause the financial institutions to provide loans at lower interest rate to meet the funds required for reconstruction or repair by the people from the disaster-affected areas.
Central Disaster Prevention and Protection Council shall approve the ceiling amount of the loans, interest subsides, and loan operation procedure for the purpose of the first paragraph herein. The ceiling amount for interest subsides shall be paid from the budget prepared by the government of each tier. In deciding the range of interest subsides, the extent of damage the people suffered from the disaster and their capability of independent reconstruction shall be taken into consideration.
Article 42
Self-use residence purchased by people from disaster affected areas with a mortgage may have the house and land offset against the loan upon the consent of original loan financial institution if governments at all levels have determined that the residence is severely damaged during the disaster and can no longer be used. The interest of the leftover loan for the remaining years shall be subsidized by the Ministry of the Interior.
The scope, method, procedures and rate of subsidized interest mentioned in previous Paragraph, the determination of a self-use residence that is severely damaged during the disaster and can longer be used, and other related matters to follow shall be defined by the Ministry of the Interior with relevant agencies.
Financial institution that bear or dispose the house or land mentioned in Paragraph 1 shall not be bound by Article 75 and 76 of The Banking Act and Article 146-2 of Insurance Act.
Article 43
Regarding all types of loans and credit card debt applied by people in disaster affected areas before the disaster, financial institution shall extend the repayment schedule of the principal and accounts payable. The interest during the extension shall not be charged to the victim and subsidized by the central government accordingly. The subsidy scope, extension period, operating procedures and other related matters to follow shall be defined by Financial Supervisory Commission with relevant agencies.
If the term of loan exceeds thirty years due to the extension of capital payment as stated in the preceding paragraph, it shall not be bounded by Article 38 of The Banking Act.
Article 44
All types of relief assistances, monetary condolences or pays for temporary jobs are exempted from tax.
Profit-seeking enterprises that donate relief and reconstruction assistances to people from disaster affected areas through organizations or institutions stated in Paragraph 4 of Article 11 of Income Tax Act shall list the said assistances as the annual expense or loss while filing income tax return. The said assistance shall not be limited by the total amount and is not applicable to Paragraph 2 of Article 36 of Income Tax Act.
Lands and buildings in disaster affected areas that have reached certain qualifications may be exempted from land and house taxes.
The certain qualifications mentioned in the preceding paragraph and the time limit and scope of reduction shall be defined by municipality and county (city) governments in disaster affected areas according to autonomy regulations and shall be reported to the Ministry of Financial Affairs for reference.
The relief assistances, monetary condolences or pays for temporary jobs mentioned in Paragraph 1 shall not be used for seizure, offsetting, guarantee or enforcement.
Article 45
For National Health Insurance beneficiaries in disaster affected areas, their national health insurance fees, part of disaster-related medical expenses, and general food expenses during the hospitalization within a certain period of time after the disaster shall be supported by the central government and private donations. This applies to those who come from disaster-affected area and who are not covered by the National Health Insurance, where the disaster-related medical expenses and general food expenses during the hospitalization will be covered accordingly.
Before disaster affected areas are announced, in the event of a large number of disaster-affected patients requiring treatment, the Ministry of Health and Welfare may designate a large-scale disaster-affected patient area. The disaster-affected people in this area seek medical treatment approved the provision in the preceding paragraph concerning the medical expenses and general food expenses during the hospitalization is applicable mutatis mutandis to disaster-affected patients.
The qualification, conditions,duration of the applicable target as prescribed in Paragraph 1 and the delineation procedure of the area of large number of disaster-affected patients and other related matters shall be defined by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
Article 46
For insured people in disaster affected areas, their farmer health insurance, national pension insurance, labor insurance and employment insurance within a certain period of time after the disaster shall be paid by the central government.
The insured of labor insurance who are suffered from injury or disease due to natural disaster may apply for injury or sickness benefits. The central government shall support required budget accordingly.
The qualification of the insured, claiming terms, payment amount, period and other related matters to follow shall be defined by the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Health and Welfare and Ministry of Labor.
Article 47
Whereas low income households in disaster affected areas that fail to apply for preferential financing or other subsidies offered by the government have received venture financing loans from financial institutions, the Ministry of Health and Welfare shall subsidize loan financial institution the interest and the loan amount shall not exceed NT$1.500,000
The amount of subsidized interest, application procedures and other related matters shall be defined by the Ministry of Health and Welfare with relevant agencies.
Article 48
Whereas farms, fish farms and other agricultural facilities that are used as collaterals for the loans are totally damaged or lost, the financial institution shall bear it according to the leftover amount of loan.
Financial institution that bears such loss as stated in the preceding paragraph may be subsidized by the government, where the subsidy can reach 80% of the amount covered by the financial institution at maximum. The subsidy scope, method, procedure and other related matters to follow shall be defined by Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, with Financial Supervisory Commission.
Article 49
Whereas Enterprises in disaster affected areas suffer from operational difficulty due to the disaster, the central industry competent authority may provide assistance.
The determination of operational difficulty stated in the preceding paragraph, assistance measures and standards, and other related matters to follow shall be defined by the central industry competent authority and approved by Executive Yuan.
Where enterprises in disaster affected areas suffered from operational difficulty due to the disaster have applied loans before the disaster, the deadline of their repayment of principal and interest may be extended or the interest derived therefrom may be reduced or exempted.
Regarding the extension stated in the preceding paragraph, circulating fund may be extended for one year at maximum, whereas capital financing may be extended for 3 years at maximum.
Regarding the loss of interest during the agreed extension or interest reduction/exemption period stated in Paragraph 3, a financial institution will be subsidized by the central industry competent authority.
Where disaster impacted enterprises have applied for loans from financial institution as the working capital in their operation recovery plan, they may have their loan interest subsidized if the loan was applied for circulating fund (one year at maximum) or capital financing (three years at maximum).
When the loan stated in the preceding paragraph deemed necessary, relevant credit guarantee fund may provide credit guarantee percentage shall be 90%. During the insurance application, guarantee transaction fees shall not be charged to disaster impacted enterprises.
The scope and operating procedures of subsidy and other related matters as stated in the preceding two Paragraphs shall be defined by the central industry competent authority.
Article 50
People in disaster affected areas who file civil litigation against the persons liable for their damages are free from court costs and execution fees provisionally when they appeal to the courts for compulsory enforcement.
Where disaster victims apply for provisional attachment or provisional injunction to ensure compulsory enforcement as stated in the preceding paragraph, the amount of money that the court requires as a guarantee in accordance with The Code of Civil Procedure shall be no more than one-tenth of the price or value of the claim.
The guarantee stated in the preceding paragraph may be provided in the form of a executive guarantees issued by the competent authority.
Where people in disaster affected areas won the appeal according to the final judgment, the Court shall on its own initiative declare a provisional execution. The guarantees provided by the court for the declaration of provisional execution are applicable to rules stated in the preceding two paragraphs.
Article 51
Disaster affected areas stated from Article 42 to the preceding article refers to severe casualties or destruction or damage of the buildings. Its range shall be announced by Executive Yuan and be published in Government Notices.
Article 52
With respect to the land use rights offered by a public land management agency or public enterprise without charges, if the government or a private unit certified by the government constructs buildings and transfer them to people from disaster-affected areas, the said areas shall not be the subject of compulsory enforcement.
Chapter Seven: Penal Provisions
Article 53
Punishment for anyone taking advantage of disasters to commit theft, fraud, offenses of kidnapping for ransom, plunder and robbery shall be increased up to one and a half in accordance with Criminal Law.
Informants who report untrue information about disasters despite the fact that they perfectly know the information is untrue as specified in Paragraph 1 of Article 29 shall be fined from NT$300,000 to NT$500,000.
Anyone who spreads rumors or untrue information about disasters and thus causes damage to the public or other people shall be subject to imprisonment for not more than three years, detention or a fine not more than NT$1,000,000.
If the commission of an offense specified in the preceding paragraph results in the death of others, the offender shall be sentenced to life imprisonment or imprisonment for not less than seven years; if it results in serious physical injury, the offender shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than three years but not more than ten years.
Article 54
(Penalty on Violation of Requisition, Priority Use or Custody)
Any of the following offenses shall be subject to a penal sum not less than NT$100,000 and not greater than NT$500,000:
1. Violate Paragraph 5 of Article 30. That is, evade, hinder or reject agencies’ request of making any requisition, purchase or priority use as prescribed in Subparagraph 4, 5 or 8 of Paragraph 1 of the same article.
2. Violate Paragraph 3 of Article 31. That is, evade, hinder or reject the requisition, purchase or custody request made by government at all tiers in accordance with Paragraph 1 of the same article.
Article 55
(Penalty on Violation of Delimitation, Mandatory Demolishment & Abuse of Alarm Signals)
Any of the following offenses shall be subject to a penal sum not less than NT$50,000 and not greater than NT$250,000:
1. Violate enforcement measures or appropriate handling as described in Paragraph 2 of Article 24.
2. Accessing the precaution zone delimited by an agency as described in Subparagraph 2 of Paragraph 1 of Article 30 without a temporary pass or refusing to follow the order to leave the said precaution zone.
3. Violate Subparagraph 3 of Paragraph 1 of Article 30. That is, access the road, water area or an air altitude designated by the agency according to provisions of the same subparagraph.
4. Violate Paragraph 5 of Article 30. That is, evade, hinder or reject the demolishment or removal conducted by the agency in accordance with Subparagraph 7 of Paragraph 1 of the same article.
5. Violate Paragraph 2 of Article 36. That is, use alarm signals needed during the emergency response without a permission.
Paragraph 1 of Article 39(delete)
Article 56
(Penalty on Violation of Emergency Response Measures and Inspection)
Any of the following offenses shall be subject to a penal sum not less than NT$30,000 and not greater than NT$150,000:
1. Violate Paragraph 3 of Article 31. Avoidance, interference or refusal with the inspection conducted by governments at all levels as prescribed in Para. 2 of the same articles.
2. A major damage caused by public enterprises’ Violation Paragraph 3 of Article 22, Paragraph 3 of Art. 23, Paragraph 3 of Article 27, Paragraph 3 of Article 37. That is, failing to implement disaster reduction, preparedness or response or post-disaster restoration or reconstruction works according to Plans of Disaster Prevention and Protection.
3. A major damage caused by public enterprises’ Violation of Paragraph 3 of Article 29. That is, failing to collect and communicate related information on the disaster situation and promptly making necessary disposal.
4. A major damage caused by public enterprises’ Violation of Subparagraph 6 of Paragraph 1 of Article 30. That is, failing to exercise command, supervision and coordination.
Chapter Eight: Supplementary Provisions
Article 57
(Adjustment & Application of Disaster Prevention and Protection Expenditures)
Expenditures needed to implement disaster prevention and protection under the Act shall be duly prepared with the budgets by the government at each tier according to those affairs to be undertaken as set forth in the Act.
Receipts and expenditures of the current fiscal year may be adjusted as applicable without being subject to Articles 62 and 63 of Budget Act when such adjustment is required in the event that the budget prepared for the expenditures of disaster prevention and protection is insufficient to pay the costs of the response measures during the disaster, and the recovery and reconstruction after the disaster.
Where the situation described in the preceding Paragraph has been approved by Executive Yuan, it shall not be bounded by restrictions set forth in Article 23 of the Budget Act.
Article 58
Where a township (city) or indigenous districts office is unable to afford post-disaster restoration and reconstruction costs derived from a major natural disaster, the case may be reported to the county or special municipal government subordinated thereto for a subsidy.
Where the municipal or county (city) government is unable to cover the said expenditure, it shall request subsidy from Central Government.
Pursuant to the preceding two paragraphs, timing of the application for the subsidy, qualifications, guidelines, and request procedure shall be reimbursed with the procedure to be enacted by the respective county or special municipal government and Executive Yuan.
Article 59
(Application of Civil Donation for Disaster Relief)
Where the disaster relief funds donated or gifted by the private sector is organized or handled by the government for disaster response, restoration and reconstruction, the said conducts shall be in compliance with Charity Donations Destined for Social Welfare Funds Implementation Regulations.
Article 60
(Commendation of Disaster Prevention Merits)
Any agency, prevention and protection group, prevention and protection voluntary organization or individual that or who has given extraordinary contributions to the following national disaster prevention and protection education shall be duly commended by the government of each tier:
1 Private sector set up disaster prevention and protection education facilities and venues in public and private idle spaces or buildings.
2. Citizens serve as volunteers in disaster prevention and protection education.
3. Private enterprises provide funds, facilities or other resources to promote national disaster prevention and protection education.
Regulations governing the qualifications, conditions, scope of application, review procedures, review standards, methods of commendation and other related matters of the recipient referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be defined by the central disaster prevention and protection operation regulating authorities.
Article 61
(Compensation for the Wounded and Dead Suffered from Carrying out Disaster Prevention and Protection Action)
Any one carrying out disaster prevention and protection could get allowence, and who becomes injured, ill, disabled, or dead in the course of carrying out disaster prevention and protection action under the Act, payment(s) shall be paid according to the following requirements:
1. Injury or ill: a certificate for such injury or ill issued by the government shall be produced to a public hospital or a contracted hospital to receive medical care: Provided, however, that medical care may be sought from any hospital in case of emergency.
2. Disabled: the disabled payment shall be paid in a lump sum depending on the gravity of the injury as follows:
(1) Extremely severe and severe degree: 36 cardinals;
(2) Intermediate degree: 18 cardinals; or
(3) Mild degree: 8 cardinals.
3. Death in the event: 90 cardinals of pension is payable in a lump sum
4. Disabled and then dead within one year after the event: payment in a lump sum to make up the deficiency as provided in the preceding subparagraph.
For the purpose of this Article, the amount of one cardinal shall not be less than that of a monthly remuneration of an annual remuneration payable to a civil servant of the fifth post rank.
The authentication of the disabled degree set forth in the second paragraph shall be determined pursuant to “People with Disabilities Rights Protection Act” and related regulations.
All expenses required for the allowance as described in Paragraph 1 shall be approved by governments at all levels and public enterprises.
All expenses derived from the payments as described in Paragraph 1 shall be budgeted and approved by governments at all levels.
Article 62
Where a person is missing due to disaster, the court shall confirm his or her death and time of death according to application of stakeholder or prosecutor even though the body has not been found yet.
The application in the foregoing paragraph shall be made within one year after the disaster.
The missing person in the first paragraph is presumed to be dead at the time confirmed by the court’s final judgment.
Regarding the final judgment on the death and time of death and revocation or amendment to the said judgment, matters concerning the declaration of death by the court stated in Family Act shall be applicable if no regulation has been made in the Act.
A public summon shall be made for court permitted applicant stated in Paragraph 1. Besides, Paragraph 3 and 4 of Article 130, and Paragraph 2 of Article 156 of Family Act are applicable in the case. The filing period shall be three weeks to two months, from the date of publication
Article 63
(The Enactment of Disaster Prevention and Protection Category and Standard)
Categories, types, standards and related matters for the purpose of supports to be provided for the disaster shall be unified and specified jointly by the central disaster prevention and protection operation regulating authorities and the municipal, or county (city) governments.
Article 64
(Certification of Civil Voluntary Organization of Disaster Prevention and Protection)
Registration and work permit for prevention and protection group of the emergency response measures or prevention and protection voluntary organization shall make recordation with the municipal government, county (city) government; filing requirements of recordation, expiry date, abandonment, guidance and other related matters shall be prepared by Ministry of the Interior.
The government shall insure against accident insurance and help provide salvation equipment for prevention and protection group or prevention and protection voluntary organization in record under the preceding provision.
Article 65
(Enforcement Rules)
The Enforcement Rules of the Act shall be enacted by Ministry of the Interior.
Article 66
The Act shall become effective on the date of promulgation.