Two-tiered local government: Streamlined for better service (Part 3)

- After nearly a year of operating the two-tiered local government system, the apparatus has basically been functioning smoothly from the very first day of operation, without interruption. However, reality shows that the transition from a three-tiered to a two-tiered government model also faces many difficulties and challenges, requiring Party committees and governments at all levels to proactively review and promptly resolve any obstacles arising during the implementation process.

Lesson 3: Building a government for the people

Officials and civil servants in Cai Kinh commune received training on using artificial intelligence applications in their work.

Overcoming difficulties

One of the difficulties and obstacles in implementing the two-tiered local government model is that the physical infrastructure does not meet the requirements of modern operation. Of the 65 communes and wards, nearly 30 units have Party committee and government offices located more than 4 km apart; 54.1% of commune-level computers are outdated, and the internet network and data transmission are unstable in many places.

To ensure adequate facilities and working conditions for officials and civil servants, the province has directed relevant departments and agencies to review the entire system of facilities and information technology infrastructure in newly established communes and wards for repair and upgrading. Using the initial allocated funds, some communes have proactively invested in and supplemented facilities, arranging additional temporary accommodation to support officials from distant areas.

Mr. Lo Minh Hong, Secretary of the Party Committee of Quan Son commune, said: After implementing the two-tiered local government model, the number of officials and civil servants working at the commune increased, while the initial infrastructure was still limited. In response, the commune reviewed and maximized the use of existing office space, building additional combined offices to meet the needs. With the support of the province and relevant departments, the system of equipment, internet access, and computers for handling administrative procedures has been gradually supplemented and upgraded, contributing to the gradual stabilization of the administrative apparatus.

With the significant decentralization of many tasks to the grassroots level, the workload at the commune level has increased noticeably, especially in areas such as land clearance, land management, basic construction, and handling administrative procedures for citizens. Job demands are increasing, but the shortage of highly specialized personnel in some fields has not been addressed promptly. Currently, the province still lacks 475 commune-level civil servants, 2,300 education staff, 1,154 health staff, and 55 department-level leaders.

To support and assist communes and wards in handling a large volume of complex documents, and in accordance with the directives of the provincial leadership, several provincial departments and agencies have seconded officials and civil servants. Specifically, agencies such as the Provincial Inspectorate and the Department of Agriculture and Environment have seconded civil servants to work in communes and wards.

Mr. Duong Trung Kien, a civil servant seconded from Department III of the Provincial Inspectorate to the Economic , Infrastructure and Urban Planning Department of Dong Kinh Ward, shared: "I was seconded to work in Dong Kinh Ward for 12 months. According to statistics, the ward has received many letters requesting solutions to issues related to construction projects and land management in the area. Currently, I am assisting in developing a work plan to address these letters, classifying the resolution process, and coordinating the implementation of several assigned tasks."

The implementation of a two-tiered local government model not only changes the requirements for innovation in management and administration methods but also places increasing pressure on local officials and civil servants. While the workload is increasing and the demands for problem-solving are rising, the compensation and policies for some positions are still not truly commensurate, which to some extent affects the morale and motivation of officials and civil servants...

In response to this situation, the province has focused on issuing several mechanisms and policies to promptly motivate and support officials and civil servants affected by the restructuring of commune-level administrative units. A prime example is Resolution No. 29 dated September 17, 2025, which stipulates support policies for officials, civil servants, and employees working in organizations assigned tasks by the Party and State, and allocated personnel to work in communes and wards within Lang Son province. This resolution has contributed to creating additional motivation, helping officials feel secure in their work, stabilizing the organizational structure, and improving operational efficiency at the grassroots level.

During the operation of the two-tiered local government system, from the provincial to the grassroots level, authorities have proactively and flexibly addressed difficulties and obstacles, following the principle of "solving problems wherever they arise," ensuring that the system's operations are not interrupted and that the process of serving citizens and businesses is not affected. However, these are mainly solutions to address immediate issues. In the long term, to ensure that a modern governance system operates effectively, synchronously, and sustainably, Party committees and authorities at all levels have determined that it is necessary to continue implementing comprehensive solutions.

Solutions to enhance management

Identifying the establishment of a two-tiered local government model as a crucial step in the administrative reform process, one of the key tasks mentioned in the Resolution of the 18th Provincial Party Congress for the 2025-2030 term, is to effectively organize the political system's organizational structure according to the new model to meet the requirements of national development in the new era.

To realize that goal, in the coming period, the province will continue to focus on implementing a comprehensive range of solutions to improve governance capacity at the grassroots level, build a modern, professional, effective, and efficient administrative system, and better serve the people.

One of the top priorities is improving the quality of cadres, civil servants, and public employees. Accordingly, Party committees and authorities continue to promote training and professional development through hands-on instruction, linking theory with practice, focusing on areas such as administrative procedure handling skills, document management software operation skills, effective utilization of digital platforms, and enhancing overall capacity and advisory skills. At the same time, they will strengthen the rotation and deployment of capable cadres to grassroots levels, especially in areas where there is a shortage or weakness, in order to promptly supplement human resources and improve the quality of governance at the commune level.

To operate the model effectively, administrative reform has been identified as a key task aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the apparatus. This includes focusing on reviewing all administrative processes and procedures to promptly address any shortcomings arising during implementation; reducing intermediaries, simplifying procedures, and enhancing the accountability of officials and civil servants in handling matters for the people.

According to Ms. Pham Minh Hue, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairwoman of the People's Committee of Loi Bac commune, administrative reform in the commune has achieved certain results in recent times, contributing to improving the quality of service for the people. However, during the implementation process, there are still some difficulties related to the operation of the system, processing documents in the electronic environment, and some procedures in the land sector still encounter obstacles. We hope that in the future, the software system will continue to be improved, and the shortcomings in the administrative procedure process will be resolved so that the processing of documents for the people will be faster and more convenient.

Simultaneously, focusing on the development of science, technology, human resources, innovation, and digital transformation continues to be identified as crucial solutions to enhance governance capacity at the grassroots level. This is also one of the three breakthroughs in the Provincial Party Committee's action plan to implement the Resolution of the 18th Provincial Party Congress, term 2025-2030.

Accordingly, all levels and sectors are focusing on improving information technology infrastructure, upgrading management and operational software systems and shared databases in a way that is synchronized and interconnected between the province and local levels. Simultaneously, they are promoting the digitization of records and documents and increasing the processing of work in an electronic environment to reduce the time required for administrative procedures, creating convenience for citizens and businesses.

Furthermore, strengthening coordination mechanisms between communes and linking departments, agencies, and local governments is also given special attention. Practical experience shows that many issues arising at the local level involve multiple sectors and agencies working together. Therefore, building a close coordination mechanism with clear responsibilities and standardized resolution procedures will help reduce buck-passing and overlapping, improve work efficiency, and better serve the people.

With a strong commitment to reform, Lang Son province is gradually perfecting its two-tiered local government model towards a streamlined, modern, effective, and efficient operation, with citizens and businesses at the center of its service. With the consensus of the people and the efforts of the entire political system, it is believed that the two-tiered local government model will continue to affirm its correctness and practical relevance, contributing to building a government that is for the people, close to the people, and serves the people even better.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/bai-3-quyet-tam-xay-dung-chinh-quyen-vi-dan-5093236.html