Li Hung-hsiang, Section Chief of the Environmental Inspection Section at the Department of Environment Protection of the Taoyuan City Government (TYDEP), has been recognized for his outstanding integrity, earning the title of Integrity Model for 2024. Mayor Chang San-cheng presented the award during the December 11 municipal administrative meeting, publicly commending Li's dedication and ethical conduct. Li was one of 12 individuals across the city government to receive this prestigious accolade, standing out among numerous candidates. This honor not only celebrates his individual achievements but also acknowledges the collective efforts of TYDEP's inspection team.
TYDEP Director-General Chen Shih-wei praised Section Chief Li for his 12 years of exemplary service since joining the TYDEP in 2012. Starting as a frontline environmental officer, Li became Technical Specialist in 2020 and was promoted to Section Chief in 2023. With unwavering dedication, he leads a team of 63 inspectors, actively conducting pollution source investigations across Taoyuan from early morning to late night. Li's efforts have repeatedly uncovered violations by unscrupulous operators, ensuring the protection of Taoyuan’s environment.
Director-General Chen of the TYDEP emphasized the TYDEP’s unwavering commitment to integrity, ethical governance, and strict adherence to the rule of law. Stressing the importance of ethical conduct, Chen reiterated the prohibition of accepting bribes, gifts, or lobbying. He acknowledged the challenges faced by the Environmental Inspection Section, which deals with high-pollution-risk industries. Inspectors often contend with social scrutiny, pressure, and deliberate obstruction from certain enterprises, making the work both demanding and thankless. Despite these challenges, Section Chief Li has consistently led by example, demonstrating steadfast commitment to his role. Li has spearheaded numerous innovative inspection initiatives, including the implementation of body camera usage for inspections, forming task forces with multiple agencies for major environmental cases, and establishing a collaborative platform with law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies to manage pollution risks at the source. In addition to these achievements, Li has generously shared his wealth of experience and expertise with younger inspectors, fostering a culture of professionalism and accountability. His courage, dedication, and passion for protecting the environment have earned him the well-deserved title of Integrity Model for 2023, setting a benchmark for ethical governance. Director-General Chen expressed hope that Li's exemplary conduct will inspire TYDEP staff to uphold the highest standards of integrity and serve as a role model for the entire department.
Upon receiving the prestigious honor, Section Chief Li expressed heartfelt gratitude to TYDEP Director-General Chen for his nomination and to Taoyuan City Government officials for their recognition. Li noted that the award is not only a tremendous personal encouragement but also a collective acknowledgment of the hard work and dedication of the entire inspection team. Li stated that environmental protection has always been his lifelong calling. He will continue to uphold his commitment and work alongside colleagues to safeguard Taoyuan's environment.
He also took the opportunity to urge citizens to join hands in protecting the environment and cautioned businesses against taking shortcuts or engaging in reckless practices that result in pollution. Li affirmed TYDEP's unwavering stance that any acts of pollution will be swiftly investigated and penalized to the fullest extent to ensure that our citizens can enjoy a healthy and livable environment.