Returning to Phu Lac commune, Tuy Phong district in early September, one can witness the remarkable transformation of this mountainous, hilly commune inhabited solely by ethnic minorities.
Phu Lac today
Previously, the people of Phu Lac Cham relied solely on rice cultivation with three harvests per year. Now, they have boldly switched to more suitable crops. Looking at the lush green vineyards laden with grapes and the orchards covered with netting during harvest season, one can see the economic transformation of the farmers here. Furthermore, diversified farming, including chili peppers, onions, and peanuts, has significantly improved farmers' incomes. The farmers' willingness to switch crops is largely due to the irrigation systems and canals that the government has invested in, built, repaired, and reinforced. With access to water, the previous difficulties caused by the weather have become advantages for these crops. Grapes and apples are now advantageous crops and have become local specialties. Currently, the entire commune has nearly 1 hectare of Japanese pink grapes, 22 hectares of green grapes, and 18 hectares of apples grown on trellises covered with netting. The intense sunshine and strong winds are disadvantages for farming, but they are also advantages that make the fruits here tastier, crispier, and sweeter.
Mr. Mai Duc Nghia, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Lac commune, said: "Thanks to effective crop conversion, the average per capita income in Phu Lac commune at the end of 2022 reached 44.3 million VND/person/year, and the multidimensional poverty rate reached 4.9%. In particular, when mentioning Phu Lac, locals immediately think of the "Song Long Song Rice" product of My Pho rice milling facility, which was awarded a 3-star rating in the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program in 2020."
Venturing into the narrow alleys, one can see that Phu Lac has been given a fresh new look. 100% of inter-commune and inter-village roads have been paved with asphalt or concrete, ensuring clean, airy, and convenient transportation for residents and facilitating the trade of agricultural products with other communes, towns, and districts within and outside the district. Furthermore, electricity and clean water are now available to all households in the commune. The facilities and equipment for teaching and learning at schools at all levels have been upgraded. The community center and sports complex have received significant investment for new construction, repairs, and upgrades, serving the people for recreation, sports activities, and cultural events. It is evident that the material and spiritual lives of the people here are changing day by day.
When we arrived, bright red flags hung along the main road leading to the commune's People's Committee office, announcing the good news to anyone passing by: Phu Lac had just received the certificate recognizing it as a New Rural Area (NRA) standard commune. While chatting with the locals, they were all excitedly sharing this good news with us as a source of pride and joy.
A breakthrough development
According to the leaders of the District People's Committee, Phu Lac is a locality rich in cultural traditions and patriotic traditions. Throughout its long history of formation and development, the land and people here have always created bright spots and breakthroughs in revolutionary movements. Especially during the period of reform, Phu Lac has undergone positive transformations in line with the general development trend of the whole country. Infrastructure has received adequate investment; culture, health, education, and social welfare are ensured; political security and social order are consolidated and strengthened, and the material and spiritual lives of the people are constantly improving. The political system has a fairly close relationship, creating unity and cohesion. From this solid foundation, Phu Lac has all the conditions and opportunities to develop and complete the targets and criteria for building new rural areas according to plan.
By the end of 2022, Phu Lac commune had basically met 19 out of 19 criteria and was recognized as a New Rural Commune by the Provincial People's Committee with socio-economic indicators that met and exceeded targets such as: the rate of people participating in health insurance reached 90.09%; the rate of cultural households increased year after year; 3 out of 3 villages achieved the status of cultural villages for many consecutive years; the Party Committee achieved the status of clean and strong; 100% of rural and inter-village roads were paved; there were no more temporary or dilapidated houses; the rate of junior high school graduates continuing to high school, vocational training, or further education reached 91.25%; enrollment of 5-year-old children in kindergarten reached 100%; environmental protection and sanitation work has seen positive changes, food safety and hygiene are being given attention; there are many good models for ensuring security and order; the appearance of the new rural area is becoming increasingly clear…
“Achieving the status of a New Rural Area is difficult, but maintaining and improving the quality of the achieved criteria is even more challenging. Therefore, with the motto that New Rural Areas have a starting point but no end point, we hope that the officials and people of Phu Lac commune will continue to unite and work together to raise awareness among officials and people, and improve the quality of emulation movements. In addition, we must develop and improve the quality of the criteria, striving to become an advanced New Rural Area commune. We must focus on mobilizing and integrating resources into New Rural Area construction, overcoming limitations, promoting local strengths, and mobilizing all sectors of the population to contribute to building a more civilized, prosperous, and beautiful homeland,” Mr. Nguyen Trung Truc – Chairman of the District People's Committee – conveyed at the ceremony to receive the Certificate of Recognition for achieving national standards in New Rural Areas at the end of August.
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