Listening to the people

Monitoring public opinion is the foundation for targeted, effective communication work, helping build consensus in implementing socio-economic development tasks after the merger. Localities have adopted different approaches to engaging with public sentiment, but they share the same goal: listen and act.

In Quài Tở commune, following the spirit of “listening to the people,” the commune People’s Committee organized a face-to-face meeting with village heads to promptly grasp the situation at the grassroots level. With the participation of commune leaders and professional department representatives, the dialogue became a practical forum for village heads to raise issues such as land disputes, management of agricultural land, stream encroachment, the need for road construction, and building embankments to prevent landslides.

Nhữ Duy Đông, Chairman of the Quài Tở commune People’s Committee, affirmed: “Village heads are an important bridge between the government and the people. They play a key role in implementing guidelines and policies, while directly receiving and conveying the people’s thoughts and aspirations to the Party committees and local authorities. Realities at the grassroots always pose many issues that require flexible and practical solutions, so holding regular meetings and dialogues is an opportunity to exchange, resolve, and build consensus for action.”

At the meeting, many issues within the commune’s authority were clearly explained by commune leaders. Matters beyond their authority were acknowledged, compiled, and promised to be reported to higher levels for consideration and resolution. In addition to meeting key village leaders, commune leaders also visit villages directly to understand local conditions and the people’s concerns. This allows residents to feel that their voices are heard, their petitions are valued and addressed, helping to strengthen trust in grassroots authorities. As a result, after the merger, the local situation has remained stable, public opinion positive, and the people united in supporting their commune government.

In Mường Ảng commune, leaders also do not wait passively for reports from below but instead go directly to villages, attend Party cell meetings, check on residents’ conditions, and hold direct dialogues with Party members and the public, especially in remote, difficult villages such as Pú Súa and Hua Nặm. Here, people’s requests, such as upgrading village roads, repairing community halls, and adding equipment for community activities, were addressed and noted by commune leaders.

Doãn Đức Chính, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Mường Ảng commune Party Committee, emphasized: “The government cannot perform well without understanding what the people are thinking and needing. Every opinion and piece of feedback from the people is an important basis for us to review, adjust our approach, and invest in the right places.”

Earning the people’s trust

According to the National Assembly Standing Committee’s resolution, Điện Biên has completed the large-scale restructuring of commune-level administrative units, reducing from 129 to only 45 units (42 communes and 3 wards). At the same time, the intermediate level (district, town, and city) was abolished, and like the rest of the country, the province officially began operating under the two-tier local government model. Preparations were carried out methodically, with extensive public consultation and a high level of consensus.

Since the two-tier local government model came into operation, all administrative activities, public services, and even responses to sudden incidents such as natural disasters and floods in the province’s communes have been smooth, timely, and uninterrupted. However, organizational, territorial, personnel, and habitual changes can also give rise to certain emerging issues, potentially exploited by ill-intentioned individuals to distort facts, spread falsehoods, and incite the public.

The merger of administrative units and the shift to the two-tier local government model is a crucial step in the development path. Initial disruptions and difficulties are inevitable. The most important thing now is for the new government apparatus to truly prove its superiority through work efficiency and, above all, by ensuring the people’s satisfaction.

To achieve this, there is no alternative but to continually listen to the people and monitor public sentiment to ensure effective connection. Channels for receiving and addressing public opinions and petitions must be utilized to their fullest potential. Every thought, aspiration, and even frustration from the people should be considered valuable input for authorities at all levels to adjust policies and improve operational methods, ensuring that the reform truly serves the highest goal: a better life for all ethnic communities in the province.