The Sóc Trăng Ward People’s Committee in Cần Thơ is running the “Saturday for Citizens” programme from August 16 until September 27. – VNA/VNS Photo Trung Hiếu

CẦN THƠ – Cần Thơ has launched several initiatives to better serve citizens after getting a two-tier local government.

On July 1 the former Hậu Giang and Sóc Trăng provinces merged with the city, which now has 103 commune-level units comprising 72 communes and 31 wards.

Youth Unions at all levels have set up young volunteer teams at commune-level public administrative service centres.

These “digital literacy volunteer teams” have helped the public complete procedures smoothly.

The young volunteers show people how to take queue tokens, register for online services and install digital payment and VNeID applications.

Lê Thị Điểm, a resident of Hòa An Commune, said: “I came to register my child’s birth. I was very pleased with the friendly support from the young volunteers. The staff handled procedures quickly.”

She praised the centre’s cleanliness, air conditioning, seating, and volunteer support, which created a comfortable environment.

Nguyễn Thúy An, deputy chairwoman of the Hòa An Commune Fatherland Front and secretary of the commune Youth Union, said: “Most residents are farmers with limited internet access, and so volunteers both encourage and show them how to use online services.”

In Sóc Trăng ward, the People’s Committee is launching the “Saturday for Citizens” model from August 16 to September 27.

Every Saturday morning officials and staff from the ward’s service centre visit cultural houses, schools and other venues to meet the public and process their demands.

Sơn Van, a Khmer resident in Chông Chác, said she was preparing to enrol her child in school but did not know the procedures.

When she learnt that officials came to her area on August 16, she was glad.

“I went early in the morning. The staff explained everything clearly, even helping me install and use VNeID. They also guided me through the steps to register my child for school. I was so happy.”

Phú Lợi Ward is launching the “Coffee with Citizens and Businesses” programme on the second Friday of each month to listen to and support both members of the public and businesses.

With the two-tier model, the ward is building a streamlined, strong and effective political structure, Thái Đăng Khoa, secretary of the Phú Lợi Party Committee, said.

“The goal is to create a service-oriented government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”

A young volunteer supports a local at the Hỏa Lựu Commune Public Administration Service Centre in Cần Thơ. – VNA/VNS Photo Hồng Thái

Services stabilise

After a month of implementation, communes and wards are gradually stabilising services.

In Đại Thành Ward, facilities are adequate, staff are in place, and the police, military and health units operate regularly.

Phạm Quốc Ân, chairman of the ward People’s Committee, said personnel had been quickly arranged according to the approved plan. However, the health centre was too small to meet the demand, he said.

“We will address challenges step by step, focusing on serving residents and businesses.”

Nguyễn Thị Hồng Hạnh, deputy director of the province Department of Home Affairs, said her department guided communes and wards in recruitment, training and assessing staff needs.

So far 37 members had been temporarily assigned to fill vacant positions, she said.

Trần Văn Lâu, chairman of the city People’s Committee, said the two-tier government was running smoothly and in line with policies, but admittedly some areas still lacked specialists, had old offices and a shortage of equipment.

He called for reviewing facilities, maximising equipment use, ensuring stable internet connection and building separate, multi-functional administrative centres for public convenience.

Centres should also provide water, snacks and comfortable spaces to improve public satisfaction, he said.

The public has hailed the new model as effective.

Nguyễn Hồng Tươi of Vị Tân Ward said: “The two-tier government feels closer to the people. Government workers are friendly and helpful. The government should sustain such ethics and conduct.”

The People’s Committee recently issued Plan No. 20 to implement resolutions on reorganising provincial and commune-level units this year.

The plan aims to ensure smooth operations, streamline the system, improve staff quality, promote digital transformation, and bring the government closer to the people. – VNS