HCMC voters put questions to city's 15th National Assembly deputy candidates

Voters were given the chance to ask candidates questions ahead of the May 23 elections for deputies to the 15th National Assembly in the southern city's constituency No. 4, which takes in District 10 and District 12. Residents were concerned with quality of life, as well as foreign NGO projects

Hannah Nguyen

ngminhphuong26@gmail.com May 10, 2021 | 13:43

	Le Loi Street emerges as new skateboarding haven for HCMC youth
	HCMC students stay home starting next week amidst Covid-19 threat
	Ho Chi Minh city police hunt for Chinese escapees from quarantine facility

A meeting was held last week allowing residents of Ho Chi Minh City's District 10 and 12 to question candidates, ahead of the upcoming 15th National Assembly deputy elections for the the city's constituency No. 4. Questions and answers were wide ranging taking in everything from NGO and volunteer activities throught to social order, crime, public safety, and the rights of women and children.

Ho Chi Minh city's voters concern about NGOs socio-economic development project

Need to increase resources for foreign NGOs

Voter Le Thanh Dat (District 12):

Question: What activities and projects do foreign NGOs and international organizations have in HCMC and District 12? What are some methods to link organizations, promote volunteering and social security, and help young entrepreneurs to find opportunities to start businesses?

Candidate Phan Anh Son, vice president and general secretary of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, as well as deputy chairman of the Committee for Foreign NGOs Affairs, and director of the Institute for International Studies and Public Diplomacy.

Answer: Currently, there are 496 international organizations and foreign NGOs nationwide, of which 163 organizations have offices in Ho Chi Minh City. According city data, from 2016 to 2020 the city mobilized 320 million U.S. dollars in foreign aid.

In HCMC, the NGO project mainly focus on healthcare, medical examination and treatment, free medicine delivery, preventive medicine support, and medical access for the disadvantaged, disabled and elderly, etc. In addition, the NGOs support the training of doctors and nurses at the grassroots. Along with that are programs such as cardiac surgery, eye surgery, and humanitarian surgery for children with birth defects, such as cleft palates, etc.

Regarding education, domestic and international social organizations focus on enhancing quality of equipment and facilities (computers, reading rooms and libraries for students), as well as innovative student-centered teaching methods.

There are currently four NGOs conducting projects District 12 focusing on fixed programs: Tet (Lunar New Year) gifts for disadvantaged households; assistance for disadvantaged households affected by Covid-19, scholarships to excellent but disadvantaged students; and support programs for female workers.

Next time, we will join the the city's Union of Friendship Organizations and the District Youth Union to implement a number of programs supporting start-up students, vocational training, English teaching and programs providing free meals for the poor.

Ensure stability and safety for the city

Voter Nguyen Ngoc Sang (Hiep Thanh ward, District 12)

Question: The situation of social order and safety in the city in general and District 12 in particular is complicated, especially drug problems and social ills. If you are elected to the National Assembly, what will you do to ensure city stability and safety?

Candidate Do Khac Huong, colonel, Party committee member, deputy head of Department of Legal Affairs and Administrative, Judicial Reforms, Ministry of Public Security.

Answer: Drug addiction and social ills in general cause many frustrations, reduce quality of life, especially affecting the young generation. We understand the concerns of voters in District 12 and the people in general.

The function of the National Assembly is to build and perfect the legal system. Recently, our state has paid great attention to improving laws and legislation, including the Criminal and Administrative Law, in order to take appropriate measures for violations of the law on drugs and social evils. However, there are a number of sanctions that are no longer appropriate to deter and prevent. In addition, there is a lack of legal sanctions and that has hindered the prevention of drugs and social ills

As a person in the People's Armed Forces, for many years studying criminal law and proceedings on crime prevention and fighting, I will propose for the National Assembly, and government agencies to perfect the provisions of the law, with strengthening and supplementing sanctions to solve this problem more effectively.

Protecting the legal rights of women and children

Voter Nguyen Thi Phuong (Tan Chanh Hiep ward, District 12).

Question: How are institutions being built as related to the protection of the legal rights of women and children today?

Candidate Thi Hong Hanh, Party committee member, deputy Director of the Department of Justice of HCMC.

Answer: As a female candidate, I am always keen on building institutions to create conditions for women to have equal opportunities in access to employment; and participate in activities and programs to protect the legitimate rights and interests of women and children. Vietnam has developed a sound legal framework to promote gender equality, but the implementation of these regulations has shown limitations in practice. Somewhere among Vietnamese families, backward customs and practices still exist.

If I become a member of the National Assembly, I will pursue these matters so that the legal decrees can be fully implemented in practice. With my responsibility, ability and knowledge, I will actively support victims, help alleviate their pain and make recommendations to the authorities.

Building a standard school network

Voter Lai Thi Huyen (Tan Chanh Hiep ward, District 12).

Question: How will you deal with the city's schools being overloaded, especially at enrollment time?

Candidate Thi Bach Tuyet, deputy head of HCMC National Assembly Delegation.

Answer: Currently, District 12 is facing a severe shortage of schools. Classrooms are overcrowded, especially primary schools. School building processes encount many difficulties such as land fund shortages, compensation and site clearance. In some locations, people do not always agree on planning decisions and refuse to clear ground.

Recently, the city National Assembly delegation surveyed and worked in a number of districts in the area. We find that this is common in the districts today. We have made direct recommendations to the Municipal People's Committee. Firstly, to pay attention to implementing the school planning network to ensure the area allocated for schools. Secondly, to prioritize funding for the construction of schools in the districts. Thirdly, to focus on solving problems and difficulties, speed up compensation, site clearance and resettlement progress, so that school-age children have a good living environment, and enjoy a modern educational environment under the city's guidelines.

I will continue to stick to the issue, so that recommendations of National Assembly members of the 14th term will continue to be concerned by the city and implemented early.

Event to protect children from violence held in Dien Bien Province

A forum held in Muong Cha, a rural district of the northern border province of Dien Bien, addresses practical solutions to end physical violence against ...

India will not apply anti-dumping duties for Vietnam's artificial fiber

The Trade Remedies Authority of Vietnam received information on May 6 that the Indian Ministry of Finance's decision to not impose anti-dumping duties on a ...