Reforms stymied at grassroots

by VTV416 August 2016 Last updated at 11:43 AM

VTV.vn - The Vietnam Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index or PAPI is regarded as a useful tool to reflect the efficiency of local authorities based on public perceptions of service quality.

According to the recently released 2015 report, there has been a downward trend in 5 out of 6 criteria. Questions have been raised about why PAPI criteria are falling despite an increased focus by local authorities.

Over 60% of the questions posed by the local people are related to land issues, a topic that remains an obsession for many locals. They complain that although administrative reforms on providing Land Use Rights Certificates have been promised, yet nothing has happened.

"I’ve waited for my land use right certificate for two months. They told me that I should receive the certificate after 15 days, then I got told an additional 15 days, but I still haven’t received it." - NGUYEN VAN DAU, Hoa An Commune, Phu Hoa District, Phu Yen Province.

The provision of land titles is one of six public administrative procedures that are judged by the PAPI. Phu Yen’s PAPI has fallen in 5 of 6 criteria, according to recent research conducted by the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Centre for Community Support Development Studies and United Nations Development Programme.

"The provincial authority launched an action programme with detailed guides. But when it’s delivered at local level, implementation hasn’t been effective." - BUI PHUONG DINH, Vietnam Institute of Leadership and Public Policy.

In a conference on how to improve Phu Yen’s PAPI results, experts pointed out the main reasons for the PAPI criteria failures. Implementation at grassroots levels in several localities was identified as the problem. Certain localities lack transparency. For example, only 3.7% of locals were aware of the land use plan and 9.8% informed they could make suggestions on land plan at communal levels. In response the locality has been encouraged to strengthen transparency and improve local accountability.

"We need a steering committee to supervise and consult the authority on a regular basis, in a bid to really enhance PAPI. If they can’t work efficiently, there should be disciplinary action." - HUYNH TAN VIET, Chairman, Phu Yen Provincial People's Council.

There is action at provincial level. But the remaining issue is whether grassroots levels attempt to improve their accountability. Improved PAPI results are unlikely to become a reality if local level authorities fail to carry out reforms initiated by provincial authorities.

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