Investing in social policy is investing in development.

At the group discussion session on the morning of October 21, the National Assembly deputies (Nghe An and Lam Dong delegations) requested the Government to focus on removing obstacles in mineral planning, resource management, reducing logistics costs, and protecting children from the impact of social networks. At the same time, they emphasized that it is necessary to consider investment in social policies as investment in development, focusing strongly on disadvantaged groups, remote areas, and ethnic minorities.

Politburo member, Party Central Committee Secretary, Head of the Party Central Committee's Internal Affairs Commission Phan Dinh Trac speaks. Photo: Pham Thang

Removing obstacles in planning and resource management

Referring to the issue of mineral exploitation, delegate Duong Khac Mai ( Lam Dong ) said that in implementing the Planning for mineral exploration, exploitation, processing and use in the period of 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050 according to Decision No. 866 of the Prime Minister, there are still many difficulties and obstacles, affecting the progress of infrastructure investment projects, especially in localities with great mineral potential. The delegate requested the Government to direct a comprehensive review and assessment of both subjective and objective causes to find fundamental solutions, ensuring the feasibility of the planning.

Regarding the management and use of mineral resources, land and water resources, delegates commented that the implementation efficiency is still low, while natural disasters are occurring more and more frequently, causing severe damage on a large scale. Delegates emphasized the need to synchronously implement the Law on Civil Defense, the Law on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and related legal documents, thoroughly grasp the motto of early prevention, timely response, quick overcoming of consequences, protecting people's lives and property, stabilizing life and production.

Delegate Duong Khac Mai (Lam Dong) speaks. Photo: Pham Thang

In addition, the delegate also warned that "natural disasters are scary, but man-made disasters are no less dangerous", requesting that authorities strengthen inspection and market control, strictly handle acts of trading in counterfeit and poor quality goods, which are harmful to public health and damage the reputation of legitimate businesses.

Regarding resource and environmental management, delegates suggested long-term solutions to ensure sustainable exploitation and use, especially national water security. Decision 866 in particular needs to be adjusted and updated soon to suit reality, creating conditions for localities with minerals to develop harmoniously between exploitation and environmental protection.

Regarding Lam Dong province, delegate Duong Khac Mai recommended that the Government , ministries and central branches pay attention to solving difficulties related to mineral planning, land, and spontaneous migration; at the same time, invest in and support the completion of transport infrastructure, especially national highways and expressways connecting regions, creating development momentum commensurate with potential, contributing to the whole country's successful implementation of development goals by 2045.

Reduce logistics costs, develop synchronous infrastructure

Referring to transport infrastructure and logistics – factors that directly affect national competitiveness, delegate Hoang Minh Hieu (Nghe An) acknowledged the remarkable progress in infrastructure investment, with many projects completed ahead of schedule, contributing to promoting growth. However, Vietnam's logistics costs remain high, accounting for about 17% of GDP – much higher than the global average. The main reason is that the transport structure depends heavily on roads, while the connection between different types of transport is not yet synchronized.

Delegate Hoang Minh Hieu suggested that when amending the Planning Law, it is necessary to aim at building a master plan for transport infrastructure, connecting all types of roads, railways, aviation and waterways. Only when there is a unified plan, regional connectivity, reducing transportation and logistics costs will be truly effective.

National Assembly Deputy Hoang Minh Hieu (Nghe An) speaks at the group discussion. Photo: Pham Thang

In addition, delegate Hoang Minh Hieu also recommended that the Government prioritize public investment in highly connected projects, solving key traffic "bottlenecks", especially in large cities, seaport areas and airports... For the North-South expressway, it is necessary to study increasing the operating speed at sections that meet safety conditions to increase investment efficiency.

Delegates of Nghe An delegation attended the group discussion session. Photo: Pham Thang

At the same time, the delegate also mentioned the impact of social networks on children - a social issue of concern. According to delegate Hoang Minh Hieu, children using social networks an average of 4 hours per day has a great impact on their physical, mental and communication skills... The delegate recommended that the Government study international experience, develop appropriate management measures, and combine digital skills education in schools and families, to ensure a healthy development environment for children.

Overcoming limitations in implementation organization

Speaking at the meeting, Head of the Central Internal Affairs Committee Phan Dinh Trac emphasized: in the context of many international and domestic difficulties, the country has still achieved remarkable results in most areas. The socio-economy has remained stable, many targets have been met and exceeded; national defense and security have been stable; foreign affairs have been promoted, raising Vietnam's position in the international arena.

Politburo member, Party Central Committee Secretary, Head of the Party Central Committee's Internal Affairs Commission Phan Dinh Trac speaks. Photo: Pham Thang

Regarding Party and political system building, many breakthroughs have been implemented synchronously, from innovation in leadership methods to perfecting laws. The process of institutional amendments has been carried out flexibly, demonstrating the spirit of "doing while perfecting", not allowing backlogs or prolongation... However, delegate Phan Dinh Trac also frankly pointed out limitations, such as the lack of synchronization in education and training, slow planning, and overlapping, hindering development. Some planning has been adjusted inappropriately, reducing urban quality, causing infrastructure overload and environmental pollution.

Head of the Central Internal Affairs Commission Phan Dinh Trac also said that waste in management and administration is still widespread, not only in material matters but also in administrative processes and procedures, reducing work efficiency and social trust. Although the Government has directed many times, the results have not met the requirements. The main reason is that the implementation organization is still weak, and the capacity of officials has not met the requirements of digital transformation.

To overcome this, it is necessary to continue to improve the mechanism of decentralization and clear delegation of power, ensuring the promotion of local initiative while still maintaining the principle of unified state management. At the same time, it is necessary to train and foster cadres at all levels, especially at the grassroots level, to meet practical requirements and improve public service ethics.

Regarding national target programs, delegates said that it is necessary to strengthen coordination between levels and sectors for effective implementation, creating clear changes in ethnic minority and mountainous areas... In the fields of finance, budget and land, the Government needs to innovate the way of allocating, managing and monitoring resources, ensuring flexibility, avoiding delays, and at the same time reviewing and thoroughly handling long-standing backlogs.

Adapt quickly and promote the two-level local government model

Concerned about social policies, delegate Lam Van Doan (Lam Dong) said: Vietnam is entering a new stage of development, it is necessary to build a poverty standard for the period 2026-2030 that is suitable to real life. "The determination of the poverty standard must accurately reflect the minimum living standard, ensuring that the poor truly benefit from support policies. If the poverty standard is set too low, poverty reduction may achieve the target on paper, but will miss many vulnerable groups," the delegate emphasized.

Delegate Lam Van Doan (Lam Dong) spoke at the group discussion. Photo: Hai Phong

On that basis, delegates proposed that the Government define a new poverty line based on multidimensional criteria, reflecting the reality of life, ensuring fairness and inclusiveness; at the same time, it is necessary to consider investment in social policies as investment in development, focusing strongly on disadvantaged groups, remote areas, and ethnic minorities.

In addition, delegates also appreciated the tuition-free policy, but said that more attention should be paid to vocational and university education to improve labor productivity and train high-quality human resources. Among the three strategic breakthroughs, institutions and infrastructure have achieved many results, but breakthroughs in human resources are still slow and not commensurate. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the development of high-quality human resources as the center of development, especially in the context of digital transformation and innovation.

Discussing in groups, delegate Y Thanh Ha Nie K'dam (Lam Dong) suggested that the Government comprehensively assess the situation and proactively adjust development policies in the context of a rapidly changing and unpredictable world, especially the impact of climate change. The delegate acknowledged the Government's flexible response in recent times, but also noted the lack of synchronization between institutional development and implementation. Many regulations were issued in the right direction, but implementation was slow, inconsistent, and not yet translated into concrete actions.

Delegate Y Thanh Ha Nie K'dam (Lam Dong) spoke at the group discussion. Photo: Pham Thang

Referring to the two-level local government model after the administrative unit arrangement, delegates said that the merger helps streamline the apparatus but also creates great challenges in terms of human resources and management capacity... In the process of operating the new model, localities need support in digital transformation, training of officials and guiding people to carry out administrative procedures online conveniently and effectively.

Delegates from Lam Dong delegation speak. Photo: Pham Thang

The delegate emphasized that digital transformation is not only about investing in technology infrastructure, but also about changing awareness and working habits. People need to be accompanied and given specific instructions to access online public services, while state agencies must improve their capacity and responsibility in serving the people... In addition, there needs to be specific guidance on managing and exploiting public assets after administrative unit reorganization, avoiding waste and ensuring effective use. At the same time, the decentralization mechanism must be clear so that localities can proactively decide, implement and be responsible before the law.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/dau-tu-cho-chinh-sach-xa-hoi-la-dau-tu-cho-phat-trien-10391219.html