Numerous strategies to enhance PAPI

Local Department of Home Affairs has recently published a report evaluating the outcomes of the provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index 2024 (PAPI 2024) for Binh Duong province. In light of this, the department has recommended that Binh Duong provincial People's Committee implement several key strategies to sustain and enhance the PAPI ranking. 

Binh Duong is categorized within the high scoring group

Mr. Ly Van Dep, Deputy Director of the Department of Home Affairs, stated that PAPI is designed to enhance the operational quality of government agencies at all levels, foster a commitment to serving the public, and improve the transparency, accountability, and accessibility of public organizations. It also aims to safeguard fundamental human rights, particularly the rights to express opinions, access information, and utilize essential public services. In 2024, PAPI conducted a survey involving 18,894 participants across 63 provinces and cities. In Binh Duong province specifically, PAPI surveyed 360 individuals, comprising 240 permanent residents and 120 temporary residents. The survey was carried out in 12 neighborhoods across the following wards: Phu Cuong, Phu Tho (Thu Dau Mot city); My Phuoc, Thoi Hoa (Ben Cat city); and Lai Thieu, Binh Hoa (Thuan An city).

PAPI employs questionnaires and conducts field surveys through direct interviews. This survey gathers opinions and feedback from individuals who have directly engaged in government-related work. According to the published results, the 2024 PAPI for Binh Duong province attained a total score of 45.39 out of 80, placing it within the highest scoring group. When ranked from highest to lowest scores, Binh Duong secured the 9th position among 63 provinces and cities. Specifically, e-governance received 4.06 out of 10 points; environmental governance scored 3.52 out of 10 points; grassroots participation achieved 4.87 out of 10 points; accountability to the public garnered 4.26 out of 10 points; publicity and transparency earned 5.88 out of 10 points; public service provision scored 7.76 out of 10 points; public administrative procedures received 7.40 out of 10 points; and control of corruption in the public sector reached 7.64 out of 10 points. This outcome serves as a valuable source of data and information for the government to assess the efficiency of its apparatus and the quality of public services.

Sustain and enhance PAPI 

Mr. Ly Van Dep stated that, based on the analysis results, the Department of Home Affairs has advised the Provincial People's Committee on several tasks and solutions for the near future. Specifically, regarding "people's participation at the grassroots level," the People's Committees of communes, wards, and towns have enhanced the dissemination and education of the law within the community, ensuring that citizens comprehend and adhere to legal provisions. They are also promoting the practical implementation of grassroots democracy regulations, which contributes to the establishment of a democratic, transparent, and robust grassroots government. Concurrently, it is essential to earnestly implement and facilitate opportunities for public participation, particularly in areas such as encouraging voluntary contributions for the construction and repair of public works, as well as ensuring the public disclosure of voluntary contributions in accordance with regulations, thereby upholding the principles of democracy, transparency, and accountability.

Concerning the topic of "publicity and transparency," it is advisable for the Department of Justice to enhance the dissemination of legal education in accordance with the approved plan. Additionally, it should monitor and guide the local dissemination and education of law, while diversifying the methods of publicizing current policies and laws to ensure that citizens have access to information regarding legal policies. The Department of Home Affairs will continue to oversee and inspect the processes for reviewing, approving, and publicizing households classified as poor, near-poor, or recently escaped from poverty, as well as addressing social policies and programs in line with established processes and procedures. The Department of Agriculture and Environment will lead and collaborate with relevant agencies to reinforce direction and consistently inspect and supervise the public, transparent, and timely posting of land use plans, construction plans, land recovery compensation price frameworks, and regulations and policies related to compensation, support, clearance, and resettlement.

To enhance accountability to the public, it is advisable for heads of departments, branches, and Chairpersons of People's Committees at the district and city levels, as well as those at the commune, ward, and town levels, to prioritize the implementation and diligent adherence to Decree No. 90/2013/ND-CP issued by the Government, which governs the accountability of State agencies in executing their assigned tasks and powers. Chairpersons of People's Committees at both district and commune levels must rigorously adhere to the schedule for regular and ad hoc citizen receptions as stipulated by regulations, establish operational guidelines, and publicly disclose internal regulations and citizen reception schedules at designated offices and on local electronic information platforms. They should also direct units and localities to enforce accountability in accordance with the content of internal regulations and operational protocols within the agency. Heads of units bear the responsibility of setting a positive example, motivating, and overseeing the conduct of cadres, civil servants, and public employees. The Provincial Inspectorate will lead and collaborate with relevant agencies to enhance inspection and guidance in the reception and resolution of complaints, denunciations, recommendations, and reports concerning legal violations, misconduct, corruption, and waste within State agencies.

Concerning the matter of "controlling corruption in the public sector," the Provincial Inspectorate is tasked with inspecting and evaluating the adherence to legal provisions regarding corruption prevention and combat by departments, branches, district-level People's Committees, and units under the jurisdiction of the provincial People's Committee. It is imperative to rigorously address acts of corruption and hold accountable the leadership when corruption transpires within the agency or unit under their oversight. Provincial departments, branches, public service units under the provincial People's Committee, and People's Committees of districts and cities are required to ensure transparency and openness in the recruitment of civil servants and public employees within State agencies, in accordance with legal standards. Furthermore, there should be an increased application of information technology in recruitment examinations, an enhancement in the quality of civil servant recruitment in public service units, and a commitment to securing qualified individuals for positions within State agencies.

Enhance service excellence 

Mr. Ly Van Dep has stated that, concerning the "public administrative procedure" content index, the department advises agencies, units, and localities to develop and effectively implement a one-stop mechanism for managing administrative procedures in conjunction with the digital transformation of public services in the region. The People's Committees of communes, wards, and towns should enhance the efficient processing of administrative procedures related to citizens, including certification, authority confirmations, land issues, construction permits, and commune-level administrative tasks. Furthermore, it is essential to reinforce the accountability of officials and civil servants as outlined in the guidelines for receiving and processing records. Public announcements of administrative procedures, as declared by the Provincial People's Committee, should be prominently displayed at headquarters, on local electronic information platforms, and in areas with high population density. Organizations and individuals should receive formal apologies for any delays in the processing of administrative procedures, thereby increasing accountability to the public. Additionally, strict measures must be taken against officials and civil servants responsible for document delays, harassment, and inconveniences faced by individuals, organizations, and businesses.

In relation to the provision of public services, it is advisable for the Department of Health to spearhead the implementation of targeted and coordinated solutions aimed at enhancing the quality of public service delivery within the sector, refining the processes of medical examination and treatment, and advancing the integration of information technology in health sector information management to streamline and simplify administrative procedures. The Department of Education and Training should take the initiative in executing comprehensive solutions to elevate the quality of education and training; increase investment in the development of facilities and teaching resources for schools; and enhance the caliber of teachers in terms of competence, pedagogical skills, and ethical standards. The Department of Agriculture and Environment is tasked with reviewing, updating, adjusting, and supplementing the planning of rural water supply infrastructure throughout the province. The Provincial Police should lead the implementation of strategies to uphold security and order in residential areas by rigorously executing national programs and objectives related to crime prevention and control, thereby reducing the incidence of criminal activities and preventing the emergence of hooliganism and new forms of crime.

Reported by Ho Van - Khac Tuan - Translated by Vi Bao