The DPP's race for Penghu county magistrate is heating up, with candidate Wu Shu-chin campaigning on increased elderly allowances and expanded outlying-island transport subsidies — benefits aimed at seniors and families with children.

• Wu Shu-chin held three local forums in a row in Xiyu Township, with DPP Deputy Secretary-General Ho Po-wen crossing the strait to Penghu to accompany her in canvassing for votes.
• She pledged to raise the seniors' holiday bonus paid at the three major festivals from NT$5,000 to NT$6,000 per festival, which, together with the seniors' card, would bring the annual total for older residents to NT$30,000.
• She also plans to extend the 65%-off children's airfare discount from age 12 to age 18, easing the travel costs parents face when sending their children to Taiwan for competitions or schooling.
• The core of her platform is to continue the welfare policies of incumbent county magistrate Chen Kuang-fu and build further on them.

Outlook: With the race entering the stage of competing policy platforms, expanded welfare benefits and outlying-island transport costs are expected to be the main battleground in the Penghu county magistrate election.