Taipei, June 29 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian made an inspection tour of Taiwan's southernmost county of Pingtung on Thursday as part of his nationwide grassroots "reach-out" travel program.
Accompanied by Pingtung County Magistrate Su Chia-chuan and several other local political heavyweights, Chen first arrived on the county's offshore township of Hsiaoliuchiou by a ferry boat early in the morning.
This was Chen's second visit to the small isle off the southern Taiwan coast in three months to show his concern about local residents' living conditions.
The president pointed out that Hsiaoliuchiou is a "jewel on the sea," not an isolated isle. "You are not alone. I'm always with you," he added emotionally.
Chen attended a special sailboat worshiping rite at the Taoist Sanlung Temple in Hsiaoliuchiou to pray for the nation's well-being. He said his administration is a government for all people and will take care of the benefits of all ROC nationals.
Chen said the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has set aside budget in its budget plan for the coming fiscal year for purchasing a second ferry boat for Hsiaoliuchiou residents. At present, the offshore fishing township has only a ferry boat for links with Taiwan.
Chen also promised to urge relevant government agencies to improve drinking water supply for Hsiaoliuchiou residents.
Later in the day, Chen toured eel cultivation ranches and dairy farms in Pingtung County's Hsinyuan and Wantan villages before returning to Taipei.
Chen, who assumed office on May 20, began his nationwide grassroots "reach-out" tour on Tuesday, with a sandbar off the coast of Chiayi County in southwestern Taiwan as his first stop.