Responsibility to the people

Every Monday morning, around 3-4 a.m., while most people are still asleep, a large number of officials, civil servants, and workers living in the southeastern part of Lam Dong province gather at familiar pick-up points, waiting for contracted vehicles to take them to their workplaces. Although many fear a wave of resignations will follow the merger of Binh Thuan, Lam Dong, and Dak Nong provinces, the majority remain employed, not only for their income but also out of a sense of responsibility to the people.

To save time and money, many people rent shared vehicles, departing on Sunday evenings or early Monday mornings. Around 15 people share one vehicle. Some even have to bring their young children to work because there's no one to look after them. The journey isn't just about geographical distance; it also involves navigating unfinished construction sections of National Highway 28B, shrouded in dust and debris. A staff member from the Lam Dong Provincial Department of Justice confided, "Sometimes I'm completely exhausted, but I stay because I love my job and want to contribute to serving the people." For convenience, many rent small rooms near the office, sharing accommodation with colleagues. They cook together and gradually adapt to life away from home while their families back home have to fend for themselves.

The difficulties stemmed not only from the long distances and poor road conditions but also from differences in administrative methods and document processing procedures. However, after nearly three months of work, many gained valuable experience, particularly regarding the clear inter-agency coordination. According to a leader from the Lam Dong Provincial Department of Internal Affairs, the province has implemented several measures such as providing temporary housing and reviewing the educational conditions of officials' children. However, many civil servants and employees reported that policies supporting transportation and housing are still slow, forcing them to rent accommodation and arrange their own transportation. The Lam Dong Provincial Department of Finance has developed a plan to repair and upgrade dozens of facilities to provide housing for over 1,600 officials and civil servants, but due to tight deadlines and a large workload, some facilities have not yet been completed. National Highway 28B, the shortest route connecting the coastal area with the former new administrative center of Lam Dong province, is currently under renovation, making travel difficult. Officials and civil servants hope the project will be completed soon to ensure the health of those working far from home and want support in terms of social housing and transportation so they can settle down and build a stable life.

On Friday afternoons, at the street corners of the pine-covered city of Da Lat, the officials who "go to work on Monday mornings and return on Friday evenings" quietly put on their backpacks and board their vehicles to go home. Their lives are like shuttles between the sea and the mountains, but their love for their profession remains unwavering, keeping the administrative machinery running and serving the people.

TIEN THANG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/trach-nhiem-voi-dan-post814603.html