Memorable days

On the first day of the trial operation of the new ward administrative apparatus, people were present at the Chơn Thành Ward Public Administrative Service Center from early morning to handle administrative procedures - Photo: Như Nam

On the bus carrying the delegation of the Provincial Association for the Promotion of Learning to attend the Southeast Region Cluster Conference for the Promotion of Learning, held in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, the phone started ringing. First, the chairman of the association called the accountant, requesting immediate contact with the associations for the promotion of learning in the districts, towns, and cities to complete the handover and sealing of documents related to the Fund for the Promotion of Learning and Talent. Next, my phone screen flashed with a request from the chairman to immediately draft a document to send to relevant departments and agencies regarding the cancellation of the 2025 awards ceremony due to time constraints. The association's secretary quickly called a friend to cancel a family picnic that had been planned earlier, as she had to join the association members in completing the procedures for terminating operations and merging with the Dong Nai Provincial Association for the Promotion of Learning. The driver tried to keep his voice low so as not to disturb the other passengers, but everyone knew it was a call to his mother-in-law to discuss selling her breakfast shop on Le Duan Street (Dong Xoai City), as business was expected to slow soon... Then, as if suddenly remembering something important, the secretary quickly called home to ask her mother to come and help in early July because she hadn't yet figured out where her two children would go to school. The head of the association's office, the most relaxed person on the bus, suddenly blurted out:

- I only work in association activities; my workload isn't heavy, and even that is rushed and urgent. I can't imagine how the departments, agencies, and specialized units, with their mountain of work to accomplish in such a short time, manage to cope!

The chief of staff's concerns were indeed correct. That evening, I called my younger sister, who works at the Department of Finance, to ask for advice on procedures related to the budget account and the Scholarship and Talent Promotion Fund account before the provincial merger, and I heard a lot of noise. I asked her why she was making so much noise at almost 10 PM. She replied:

- All the departments and offices of the agency are still working, ma'am!

It turns out that the Department of Finance, like many other specialized departments and agencies, has to work on Saturdays and Sundays, even working late into the night. Looking at the work schedule of the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People's Committee, it's clear that since the Lunar New Year, provincial leaders have been scheduled to work on almost every week, including weekends. At the central level, a series of issues have been raised, such as prioritizing investment in infrastructure and transportation connections with localities that have large areas after reorganization; reforming salary policies after mergers, due to increased workload, broader scope of management, and greater responsibility for officials and civil servants; and how to manage and utilize a large number of surplus office buildings after mergers to prevent damage and waste of public assets... With the frequency of new documents being issued, disseminated, and implemented continuously, even on weekends, it shows that central-level officials and civil servants are working at up to 200% capacity.

The simultaneous merger of provinces and cities, along with the streamlining and reorganization of the administrative apparatus, is a major policy of the Party and State, unprecedented in scale, and is creating multiple layers of emotion and having a profound impact on social life. This event has deeply touched the feelings and hearts of every official, civil servant, and citizen. Alongside the excitement and anticipation of the majority of the people, officials, and provincial and central leaders regarding the opportunity to expand development space, strengthen the economy , and attract investment, there will inevitably be concerns and anxieties. A series of important and urgent issues arise, from individuals to families, agencies, and units from the provincial to the commune level. These include deciding who stays and who goes; negotiations between departments, agencies, and units in the merged provinces to develop and unify the merger plan; and resolving the major disruptions to families and children's education. Conditions for relocation and employment for officials and civil servants moving to new provinces and cities; regulations and policies for officials and civil servants who resign or are redundant...

For people in localities that have been merged into new provinces and no longer bear their old names, such as Binh Phuoc , many feel a sense of unease, even a sense of loss, at the drastic changes. They fear losing their local identity without a new name. They worry that moving to a new province will not only disrupt their daily lives but also present other psychological challenges. However, the bold, strong, and decisive policies of the Central Party Committee, with the ultimate goal of creating sustainable national development and better caring for the people's lives, have been wholeheartedly supported by cadres, Party members, and the people. Many localities, including Binh Phuoc, have prepared themselves for this historic merger. These feelings of unease and disappointment will quickly pass, giving way to pride that we are living through memorable historical days, directly contributing to a great and meaningful change that will be remembered by generations to come.

Source: https://baobinhphuoc.com.vn/news/9/174095/nhung-ngay-dang-nho