President Ma Ying-jeou visited storm-affected areas in southern Taiwan on Monday, and announced special subsidies for families severely damaged this time. But victims hope that the president can do more by offering a permanent solution to their flooding woes.

Spotting President Ma Ying-jeou, residents of Kaohsiung County's Pihsiu Village lined the road to lodge their complaints and ask for help.

In recent days, the villagers have been dealing with flooded homes and water stoppages.

Ma has called on relevant government departments to provide assistance to the victims, but the villagers say that a long-term, comprehensive solution is needed to the annual flooding problem.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and a civic group are providing 25,000 NT subsidies for households in which water levels reached at least one-meter high,

and municipal governments are expected to add to that amount.

Ma also drew upon his experience as Taipei City mayor to provide recommendations for flood-prone parking garages.

Prior to returning to Taipei, Ma met with Kaohsiung City Mayor Chen Chu.

Although Chen accompanied Ma on his tour of flooded areas, she maintained her distance from the president. In contrast, Kaohsiung County Magistrate Yang Chiu-hsing was constantly at Ma's side.

Chen and Yang will be running against each other for control of Kaohsiung in the year-end municipal elections.