(VOVworld) – After 3 years implementing a national program on new rural development, the living conditions of people in Bu Dang district, Binh Phuoc province, have improved significantly. This is attributed to the local authorities’ efforts to create and consolidate consensus among local people in the implementation of the program. VOV’s Phong Cuong reports…..

A mountain district in Binh Phuoc province, Bu Dang has a population of around 130,000 of 31 ethnic minorities. After 3 years implementing the national new rural development program for the period 2011-2020, Bu Dang has achieved positive results. All 15 communes have completed their new rural development planning and several of them have satisfied 13 out of the program’s 19 criteria. Tran Van Chung, Party Secretary of Bu Dang district, attributed this success to the local government’s efforts to improve local people’s understanding of the program’s importance: "People play an essential role in the program’s implementation. It’s the people’s consensus that has helped Bu Dang achieve such positive results in new rural development. Once they acknowledge the importance of new rural development, they become major contributors who make the program a success."

Minh Hung, one of Bu Dang’s communes, has seen remarkable changes since it started implementing the national new rural development program. Modern houses are replacing makeshift ones and roads have been paved, making it easier for the locals to travel. A new health clinic, cultural house, schools, and kindergartens have also been built and local incomes are increasing. Tran Van Tuyen, Deputy Chairman of the Minh Hung communal People’s Committee, said that the commune hopes to satisfy all of the program’s 19 criteria by the end of next year: "The national program on rural development puts the people at the center with the government playing a supportive role. We’ve collected local opinions regarding the program and tried to make people understand that they are the ultimate beneficiaries. Things related to the program’s implementation are publicized and made as transparent as possible. Thanks to this, people have responded enthusiastically to the program."

Local farmers harvest cocoa in Bu Dang

Many local households and individuals have contributed their land, money, and labor to upgrade the local infrastructure, including building new schools and houses and paving roads. Tran Nam and his family in Minh Hung commune donated money to build a new bridge and pave the local roads. Tran Nam said: "I strongly support this program because I understand that better infrastructure contributes significantly to improving people’s living conditions. People in my commune have reached a consensus to contribute all we can to this program’s success, whether it’s land, money, or labor."  

Bu Dang district authorities are working to rapidly implement the rural development program with the intention of fulfilling all of the program’s criteria as soon as possible.