Public investment transforms rural areas in Dak O

Roads are gradually being expanded and extended, while investment in schools is making facilities more spacious and better able to meet students' needs for meals, accommodation, and learning. These positive changes are increasingly evident in Dak O Commune, one of the eight border communes of Dong Nai City.

Construction is being accelerated on the asphalt road project in Dak Lim Village, where 17 households donated land for it.

According to assessments by the local government, these positive changes have resulted from focused, targeted, and highly effective public investment.

Joining forces to build roads for development

At the site of the asphalt road project in Dak Lim Village, Tran Trung Son, an official from the Dak O Commune General Services Center, the project investor, said the road connects residential areas with production zones. However, just over two months ago, it was merely a trail. When the commune decided to invest in asphalting the road, the project quickly received strong public support.

The project is nearly 1.5 km long and 6.5 m wide, with a total investment of 3 billion VND from Dak O Commune’s 2026 public investment fund. The road passes through farmland belonging to 17 households, with more than 1.6 hectares of land to be acquired, valued at approximately 730 million VND.

All 17 households voluntarily donated land without seeking compensation, cleared trees, and handed over the site so construction could proceed quickly. Among them, the household of Tran Van Thuan in Dak Lim Village donated 3,300 m² of land, valued at approximately 150 million VND. The household of Nguyen Dinh Dieu, also a local resident, donated 2,000 m², valued at approximately 90 million VND.

"Using public investment funds, the commune has been focusing on building schools, boarding facilities, school auxiliary structures, and rural roads. The locality has identified the implementation of public investment projects as a key task. Therefore, the commune has provided decisive direction, proactively resolved difficulties, and urged contractors to ensure the progress, quality, and efficiency of each project."

Nguyen Tan Luc, Chairman of the Dak O Commune People's Committee

Nguyen Manh Hung, a representative of the construction unit, said, "Although the project was launched only recently, thanks to favorable conditions for site clearance, progress has been rapid, reaching about 40% so far. Currently, the company has prepared sufficient materials, mobilized machinery for construction, and is determined to complete the project ahead of the contract deadline."

In Dak O Commune, six roads and two bridges have been or are being developed using public funds, with a total value of nearly 36.6 billion VND. The construction projects have received active support from local people and close attention from the commune government. Notably, three routes have recently been completed ahead of schedule. Among them is the DH11 Road Upgrade Project, from Dak Lim Market to Bu Bung Village, a grade IV road project featuring a nearly 2 km-long, 8.2 m-wide hot-mix asphalt concrete surface, with a total investment of 5 billion VND.

Vo Van Muoi, a resident of Dak Lim Village whose house is adjacent to DH11 Road, said the road had previously been paved, but its surface was narrow and regularly bore heavy loads from tractors and vehicles transporting agricultural produce, causing it to deteriorate quickly. Many sections were steep and winding, making travel difficult and posing potential safety risks. Now that the project has been completed, the road is wider, the asphalt surface is smooth, and travel is more convenient. The drainage ditches have been solidly built, giving residents peace of mind and easing their concerns during heavy rains.

Supporting students in border areas

In the 2026-2027 school year, teachers and students at all educational levels in Dak O Commune are excited to continue benefiting from policies under Decision No. 3344/QD-UBND of Dong Nai City on the comprehensive investment and development of teaching and learning quality in the city's eight border communes. This includes a focus on organizing meals and semi-boarding arrangements for primary and lower secondary school students.

Under this policy, the Dak O Commune People's Committee has received nearly 114 billion VND in public investment funds for synchronized investment in school facilities.

At Anh Duong Kindergarten, a project with a total investment of more than 18 billion VND focuses on constructing an administrative block and functional rooms covering an area of about 400 m². It also includes the construction of a parking area, a guard house, gates, fences, a children's garden, and auxiliary facilities. Similarly, more than 23.2 billion VND was invested in Dak O Primary School; more than 40.75 billion VND in Dinh Bo Linh Primary School; more than 11.8 billion VND in the renovation and repair of Dak O Preschool; and nearly 20 billion VND in upgrading Truong Dinh Primary and Secondary School, thereby contributing to the gradual completion of facilities and creating a better learning environment for students.

At Dak O Secondary School specifically, the Commune People's Committee had previously invested in repairing, renovating, upgrading, expanding, and constructing many new facilities. Notably, these include a boarding area with spacious, clean, and attractive accommodation, a kitchen, and a dining hall for students. To date, the project has been completed. Equipment for students' meals and midday rest has been purchased, technical infrastructure has been finalized, and the facilities are ready to be handed over and put into use for the 2026-2027 school year.

Bui Van Giang, Vice Principal of Dak O Secondary School, said the school currently has more than 1,200 students, with ethnic minority students accounting for about 32%. Many of them live about 10 km from the school, making daily travel very difficult.

"The school is very excited to receive the State's attention and investment in facilities, especially the boarding area, which provides students with better conditions for studying and living. This is also an important condition for reducing the rate of students skipping school or dropping out, especially those living far away, thereby contributing to improving the school's overall educational quality," said Bui Van Giang.

The marked changes in Dak O border commune resulting from the effective use of public investment funds are now clearly visible. Alongside the spacious and synchronized infrastructure is a clear sense of solidarity and unity between the people and the local government. This serves as a crucial foundation for Dak O to continue its development, align with other communes and wards throughout the city, and maintain its position on the border frontline.

By Quang Minh – Translated by Minh Hong, Minho