Overcoming infrastructure challenges

Mường Lạn commune was established by merging the entire natural area and population of three former communes: Nặm Lịch, Xuân Lao, and Mường Lạn (previously part of Mường Ảng district). The new People’s Committee headquarters is located at the former site of the commune Party Committee and People’s Council - People’s Committee office.

With the implementation of the two-tier government model, the number of commune officials nearly tripled, while the current headquarters, built many years ago with an outdated design, no longer meets the scale of the new administrative apparatus. This reality has created challenging working conditions for officials and civil servants.

Mr. Đào Duy Thạch, Vice Chairman of the Mường Lạn commune People’s Committee, stated: “Ensuring adequate and suitable workspaces is a key factor for the effective operation of the new government apparatus. However, given limited infrastructure, Mường Lạn faces many difficulties in arranging workspaces for officials and civil servants. The People’s Committee has assigned small offices for 3-4 people and larger rooms for 7-8 people. The Public Administrative Service Center, though rather cramped, has been allocated a separate area convenient for citizens. Some divisions, such as Culture - Social Affairs and other political and social organizations, operate in the sports hall, which also serves as a venue for large council meetings and commune conferences.”

After the new government apparatus began operation, the commune Economic Division, consisting of seven staff members, was arranged to work in two rooms: one with three people and another with four. However, both rooms are single-room designs from the old layout, with small areas just enough for desks and a narrow aisle.

Mr. Lường Văn Vui, Head of the Economic Division, said: “Although the space is cramped and humid, we strive to overcome difficulties, ensure progress and quality of work, and prevent any backlog or delays in processing documents.”

Following the merger and relocation to the new commune office, many officials required housing. However, accommodation services in the commune center are limited, making it difficult for staff to find places to eat and stay. In response, the People’s Committee coordinated with Mường Lạn Primary and Secondary Schools to reorganize teachers’ official rooms, allowing temporary residence for commune officials.

Currently, 20 officials have been accommodated in six rooms at Mường Lạn Primary School, and 12 officials in three rooms at Mường Lạn Secondary School.

Ms. Vàng Thị Mua, staff at the Public Administrative Service Center, who resides in Pú Nhung commune, had to temporarily stay in Mường Lạn during working days. Since being assigned to the new commune, she has been accommodated in a staff room at the Secondary School.

Ms. Mua shared: “The school’s official room is quite small, each room houses four people with bunk beds like students. But under current difficult conditions, having such a place to stay is precious and allows me to focus on work.”

Efforts to serve citizens

Due to limited infrastructure, the Public Administrative Service Center in Mường Lạn is arranged in a small room, just enough to accommodate desks for staff and a row of chairs for citizens. On peak days, when the number of people needing services is high, additional chairs are placed on the porch for waiting.

Despite the cramped space, the center maintains a professional working atmosphere. Staff are enthusiastic and dedicated, processing procedures quickly and efficiently, ensuring citizen satisfaction.

Ms. Lò Thị Duân from Hua Ná village (Mường Lạn commune) came to complete procedures for social retirement benefits for her relative. She said: “The procedure was completed quickly, and the commune staff were friendly and responsible.”

From July 1 until now, the Public Administrative Service Center has received and processed over 300 administrative records, with 100% handled accurately and ahead of schedule, leaving no backlog.

Mr. Lò Văn Bình, a Culture - Social Affairs officer, said: “After merging the three former communes into one, the number of citizens coming for procedures increased significantly. Although the center is crowded and space is limited, each staff member continues to work diligently, supporting citizens efficiently and responsibly.”

In early August, continuous heavy rains caused landslides and flooding in many areas. Almost every day, Mr. Trần Quốc Hoàn, officer of the Economic Department, was on site to assess and document damages, while assisting residents in responding to and recovering from the floods.

He shared: “When we receive information about damages or landslide risks affecting residents, I and other officials immediately go to the site to implement response measures and support the community. For households in high-risk areas, we inform and persuade them to move people and assets to safe locations. For affected farmland, we guide residents in recovery and promote the commune’s strategies for crop restructuring to minimize losses and quickly stabilize production.”

After more than a month of operation, despite many challenges, Mường Lạn’s local government has actively overcome difficulties, maintaining stable and effective activities. Moving forward, the commune aims to ensure smooth operation of the administrative apparatus while recommending provincial authorities to consider solutions such as supplementing infrastructure, increasing specialized staff where needed, and organizing training to improve skills and professional capacity. The ultimate goal is to meet citizens’ and businesses’ needs, thereby promoting local socio-economic development.