Efficient use of surplus public assets 

By arranging and repurposing facilities to serve the public while promoting the leasing and exploitation of surplus properties in accordance with regulations, Binh Phuoc Ward has effectively put surplus facilities to use for the operations of the political system and the needs of residents, helping prevent the waste of public assets.

The headquarters of the former Tan Thien Ward People's Committee is repurposed as the “Daytime Care for the Elderly” model.

Effective arrangement and repurposing

Before the administrative rearrangement was implemented, the People's Committee of the former Dong Xoai City, in former Binh Phuoc Province, issued decisions on the transfer of public assets in connection with the implementation of the two-tier local government model. Accordingly, functional agencies compiled a list of assets and equipment expected to be allocated. Meanwhile, numerous guiding documents were issued to strengthen the management, protection, arrangement, and handling of public assets, with a focus on redundant headquarters and neighborhood cultural houses.

Ngo Hong Khang, Chairman of the Binh Phuoc Ward People's Committee, said the ward has assigned the Division of Economy, Infrastructure and Urban Affairs to take the lead in coordinating with relevant units to compile inventories, maintain monitoring records, conduct accounting, and manage each category of public assets. At the same time, the ward is coordinating with the Department of Finance in receiving and reviewing houses, land, and other assets, and in developing plans for their exploitation, transfer, and handling in accordance with regulations.

Based on the arrangement and handover plans of agencies, units, and localities, the Binh Phuoc Ward People's Committee has completed the reception of all office headquarters, cultural houses, and public land within its management scope. Following the reorganization, the ward was assigned to manage, use, and exploit 119 housing and land facilities. Of these, 86 have been allocated for use as office headquarters and specialized facilities. These facilities have been put to use for their intended purposes, serving administrative, educational, and community activities. No cases of misuse, abandonment, encroachment, or property disputes have occurred.

The facilities have been appropriately arranged and repurposed to improve the efficiency of their exploitation. One of the most notable cases, which has attracted public attention and received high praise, is the headquarters of the former Tan Thien Ward People's Committee, now used for the “Daytime Care for the Elderly” model.

Specialist Level II Doctor Trinh Xuan Thieu, Director of the Binh Phuoc Ward Health Station, said that after the premises were repurposed, the entire ground floor was allocated to the “Daytime Care for the Elderly” model. The premises feature a playground, a spacious exercise area, trees, and shaded areas for dance practice and wellness exercises. Multi-purpose exercise equipment has also been installed to enable elderly people to engage in suitable physical activity and exercise.

All offices on the upper floor have been fully utilized as workspaces for doctors, medical personnel, and staff of the administrative and population departments.

"Since the 'Daytime Care for the Elderly' model began operations, the number of elderly people coming for activities in the morning and evening has been quite high. Through this initiative, we have received much positive feedback from the elderly, especially regarding the effectiveness in improving their health and mental well-being," added Trinh Xuan Thieu.

Preventing waste

Along with arranging and allocating facilities to support the operations of the political system and the community, Binh Phuoc Ward is continuing to deal with surplus headquarters in a way that ensures their effective use and generates additional value from public assets.

The headquarters of the former Binh Phuoc Provincial Party Committee's Inspection Commission is used effectively by the Binh Phuoc Ward General Service Center.

According to Dang Ha Binh, Head of the Binh Phuoc Ward Division of Economy, Infrastructure and Urban Affairs, the City People's Committee has so far handed over 33 surplus headquarters of agencies and units to the Ward People's Committee for management, exploitation, and handling. Of the headquarters received, the ward handed over the headquarters of the Traffic Inspectorate under the former Binh Phuoc Department of Transport to the City Center for Continuing Education for management and use. The remaining surplus headquarters are managed by the ward.

Nguyen Van Lam, Director of the Binh Phuoc Ward General Service Center, said the Ward People's Committee has assigned the center to manage the surplus headquarters and invite units seeking to lease them to apply in accordance with regulations. To date, rental price lists have been approved for 18 of the 31 headquarters. Of these, four facilities formerly belonging to departments and sectors of Binh Phuoc Province have been leased by businesses, including the headquarters of the Department of Education and Training, the Department of Construction, the Department of Science and Technology, and Market Management Team No. 7.

For the remaining 13 headquarters, information and documentation on asset values remain incomplete, providing insufficient grounds to approve rental price lists. The Ward People's Committee is continuing to ask the units that previously used the properties to complete the necessary documentation and coordinate with relevant agencies so that a handling plan can be developed promptly in accordance with regulations.

The handling of surplus headquarters, buildings, and land following the reorganization must be carried out promptly and in accordance with regulations, while ensuring long-term effectiveness. Binh Phuoc Ward's approach is gradually turning surplus assets into resources serving the community and local development, preventing them from being left vacant, allowed to deteriorate, or wasted.

"Currently, no facilities are partially used, entirely abandoned, or partially abandoned; nor are any surplus facilities left unused. For the headquarters that do not yet have tenants, the Ward People's Committee has assigned the militia force, neighborhood management boards, and the Ward General Service Center to coordinate in managing, protecting, and preserving the assets. This limits the risk of loss, theft, deterioration, and encroachment while awaiting handling plans."

Ngo Hong Khang, Chairman of the Binh Phuoc Ward People's Committee, Dong Nai City

By Quang Minh – Translated by Minh Hong, Minho