Taipei Water Department

To strengthen the ethical values of construction workers and improve the quality of public works across the city, the Taipei Water Department, along with its Engineering Agency and the Taipei City Government Department of Government Ethics, partnered with the College of Engineering at National Taipei University of Technology (NTUT) to host the first-ever Engineering Guardian Chain Consensus Camp today (Aug 29th). Participants included engineers from the city government, construction contractors, and students from NTUT's College of Engineering. The goal is to instill the principles of integrity in engineering, cultivating highly ethical and skilled engineering professionals.

In his opening remarks, Chang Wen-te, Deputy Secretary-General of the Taipei City Government, emphasized that in the first half of 2024 alone, the city processed around 800 awarded contracts for public engineering projects, with a total contract value of approximately NT$22.6 billion. The ultimate goal of these projects, carried out by various government agencies and schools, is to create a safe and livable environment for the residents of Taipei. He emphasized that the professionalism and ethical standards of both the commissioning agencies and contractors significantly impact the quality of these projects, which, in turn, affects the lives and rights of the public. He reiterated Mayor Chiang’s concept of "abnormal but not disastrous," underscoring the importance of safety as the top priority, with zero tolerance for compromising public safety. The camp aims to deepen participants’ understanding of engineering ethics and encourage them to apply these principles in actual practice during the performance of their duties.

Shen Feng-liang, Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Justice's Agency Against Corruption, also stressed the importance of character education in promoting integrity, thanking the Taipei City Government for its efforts in supporting ethical standards in engineering. The engineering sector plays a vital role in driving Taiwan’s infrastructure and economic development. The ethical conduct and quality of work by industry professionals are closely tied to the welfare of the public and align with the need to prevent corruption risks. By upholding the principles of ethical engineering and applying technical expertise, these professionals will contribute to enhancing the nation's overall competitiveness.

The Taipei Water Department noted that by co-hosting the city’s first Engineering Guardian Chain Consensus Camp, it strengthens the consensus with its contractors on operating with integrity and demonstrates its commitment to improving both technical proficiency and ethical standards. This commitment is reflected in key projects such as the improvement of water supply networks, the renovation of the Feitsui raw water supply tunnel and the reconstruction of the Gongguan Distribution Reservoir and Integrated Multi-Use Building Complex. With integrity as its foundation, the Department aims to continue providing sustainable and high-quality water services to Taipei’s citizens.

The event featured sessions led by Prosecutor Huang Pei-yu of the Taipei District Prosecutors Office and Lawyer Chen Chin-fang of the Chang Sheng Law Firm, who provided case studies on illegal practices in government construction projects and explored ethical challenges. They introduced the legal and ethical risks that public officials and contractors may face in procurement cases. Professor Tsai-chi Kuo of National Taiwan University of Science and Technology’s Industrial Management Department also delivered a talk on engineering ethics and sustainable development.

In the afternoon, Deputy Mayor Lee Shu-chuan led a panel discussion with experts, including Engineer Chen Chin-fang, Professor Tsai-chi Kuo, NTUT Associate Professor Li-hsien Chen, Architect Lin Ming-e and Commissioner Lin Chao-hung of the Department of Government Ethics. They addressed topics such as the illegal dumping of construction waste, green energy developments in engineering, and low-carbon sustainability measures, with a focus on land preservation and environmental protection. The discussion fostered a productive exchange of ideas from industry, government and academe, working together to make Taipei a safe and livable city.