Ea M'Droh Commune – Dak Lak: Efficient operation of the two-level local government model, towards a government close to and serving the people

Ea M'Droh Commune was established on the basis of the merger of three former communes - Ea M'Droh, Ea M'nang, and Quang Hiep - of the former Cu M’gar District. Covering an area of over 13,400 hectares and home to more than 33,000 residents from 13 ethnic groups living across 30 villages and hamlets, the commune is primarily agricultural. Local people still face many economic difficulties, with a high proportion of poor and near-poor households. In particular, many ethnic minority residents have yet to gain sufficient access to legal information or are hesitant to approach competent authorities when encountering legal difficulties.

A new administrative apparatus – streamlined yet effective

In accordance with the Government’s Decree No. 150/2025/ND-CP and the Commune People’s Council’s Resolution No. 12/NQ-HDND, Ea M'Droh Commune’s new local government apparatus was promptly consolidated, comprising three specialized agencies and one Public Administrative Service Center. The team of cadres and civil servants was reorganized from the former communes, with the addition of capable civil servants from the district, and assigned publicly and transparently based on job positions. Particularly, the Dak Lak Provincial Party Committee has paid special attention to assigning young, well-trained, dynamic, and proactive officials who dare to think and act - creating new momentum for the commune government in this period of transformation.

Currently, the Ea M'Droh Commune People’s Committee has 41 staff members, each clearly assigned according to their functions and duties. Every cadre and civil servant demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility and dedication to their work, considering service to the people as the core of their actions. In the early days of operation, the commune government concentrated its efforts to ensure smooth administrative activities, minimizing inconvenience for residents and businesses.

The commune leadership has identified digital transformation as the “key” to improving management efficiency and narrowing the gap between the government and the people. The new model also grants greater autonomy and accountability to the commune level, requiring civil servants to be more dynamic and innovative. Ea M'Droh Commune promptly issued its working program, stabilized its organizational structure, and immediately began implementing tasks in socio-economic development and national defense and security, thereby quickly institutionalizing the two-level local government model.

However, operating the new model across a large merged area with a dense population - more than 33,000 residents from 13 ethnic groups living in 30 villages - poses considerable challenges for Ea M'Droh Commune.

First and foremost is the enormous workload - from reviewing and transferring records and assets to operating the new administrative apparatus and handling thousands of administrative procedures. It also takes time for residents of the three former communes to get accustomed to the new administrative location and processes. Meanwhile, the large geographical area, coupled with inadequate infrastructure and human resources, adds further pressure to the work. Many commune-level civil servants must concurrently take on multiple areas of responsibility that were previously managed at the district level, leading to confusion in handling complex situations.

In addition, the application of specialized software remains problematic. The data between the public service portal (iGate) and the electronic civil status software are not yet synchronized; land-related procedures, dispute resolution, and the issuance or renewal of land use right certificates (“red books”) require in-depth expertise that commune-level officials have not yet been fully trained for.

Infrastructure and equipment also pose serious concerns: many offices are deteriorated and cramped; computers and printers are outdated and beyond their service life, with no funding yet available for replacement. The databases storing records from the three former communes remain fragmented, and there is still no standardized archive facility. Furthermore, the absence of digital certificates (Tokens) for officials has made digital signing and document digitization difficult, affecting the overall work progress.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Hong, Deputy Secretary and Chairwoman of the People’s Committee of Ea M’droh Commune, shared: After more than three months of operating under the two-tier local government model, with the consensus and unity of the Party Committee, the People’s Council, and the People’s Committee, our tasks have been effectively implemented in practice. We have met the needs of local residents and handled their administrative documents in a thorough and attentive manner. In addition, the documents transferred from the district to the commune prior to the merger have also been processed and handled properly, with most tasks completed on schedule.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Hong further shared: Alongside these positive outcomes, the commune has still faced many difficulties and obstacles. After the merger, with an extensive area, Ea M’droh Commune currently operates across three working offices, but the considerable distance between them has created many challenges. In addition, infrastructure remains inadequate, so the commune has prioritized repair and maintenance. Moreover, the number of staff members in specialized divisions is still insufficient and not fully qualified, resulting in limited performance in meeting both administrative demands and the needs of local residents.

Particularly, due to the large volume of work, an eight-hour working day is not enough to handle all tasks. Therefore, the commune has arranged for staff to work overtime at night and on weekends. Despite the effective work arrangements and strong efforts of the officials and employees, there remain certain difficulties - such as long commuting distances, forcing some staff to stay at their offices during lunch breaks, facing meal inconveniences - while some allowances and benefits have recently been cut or remain inadequate, Ms. Hong added.

Facing these challenges, Ea M’droh Commune has proactively reviewed and reported to higher authorities, while also recommending that the provincial government soon introduce practical support policies.

Specifically, the commune has proposed: (i) establishing appropriate incentive and allowance regimes for officials and civil servants of the merged commune in light of the increased workload; (ii) allocating funding to renovate and expand office buildings, modernize IT infrastructure, and invest in high-speed internet connections, high-performance computers, servers, and standard data storage systems; and (iii) synchronizing specialized software among relevant agencies to ensure data interoperability and shorten the time required for document processing.

At the same time, the commune suggested organizing intensive professional training courses for staff in specialized departments, particularly in the areas of land administration, civil status, and finance–accounting. It also requested the Department of Science and Technology and the Digital Certification Agency under the Government Cipher Committee to promptly issue digital certificates to commune officials to enable e-signatures in compliance with regulations.

Through these proposals, Ea M’droh Commune has demonstrated its determination to improve the grassroots government model toward modernization, professionalism, and greater proximity to the people.

Building a people-oriented government - starting from understanding the people

Alongside the process of consolidating its administrative apparatus, Ea M’droh Commune has also focused on public mobilization and providing legal support for local residents. On October 24, more than 200 participants - including village and hamlet officials, village elders, respected community figures, and representatives of mass organizations = attended a pilot training conference on access to legal aid, jointly organized by the State Legal Aid Center No. 1 (under the Department of Justice of Dak Lak Province) and the Commune People’s Committee.

At the conference, the speakers presented the fundamental provisions of the Law on Legal Aid 2017, and provided guidance on handling practical legal situations, particularly in the fields of civil affairs, marriage and family, and land issues. In addition to the theoretical sessions, participants engaged in group discussions, watched thematic documentaries, and received legal materials for self-study and dissemination to residents in their respective villages and hamlets.

Given its vast area, difficult living conditions, high poverty rate, and the fact that many ethnic minority residents are still unfamiliar with approaching competent authorities when facing legal problems, the legal aid training in Ea M’droh Commune carried special significance. It was not only a program to enhance legal knowledge, but also a means for the local government to “get closer to the people,” helping them learn how to protect their legitimate rights and interests - thus strengthening public trust in the Party and the State.

“After the merger, the new Ea M’droh Commune, formed from the three former communes of Ea M’droh, Ea M’nang, and Quang Hiep of the old Cu M’gar District, now covers a vast area with a large population, of which ethnic minorities account for about 40%. As a commune with low economic and educational levels, we still face many difficulties and challenges.

On October 24, the State Legal Aid Center No. 1 (under the Department of Justice of Dak Lak Province), in coordination with the commune’s People’s Committee, organized a pilot training conference on access to legal aid for more than 200 village and hamlet officials, village elders, reputable community figures, and representatives of local organizations.

Legal aid support is extremely necessary for our residents. Through the session, they were very delighted and gained a clearer understanding of legal matters related to themselves and their families in various fields. They have also started to share this knowledge with others in the community,” Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Hong, Deputy Secretary and Chairwoman of the People’s Committee of Ea M’droh Commune added.

From its very first steps, Ea M’droh Commune has demonstrated a spirit of initiative, solidarity, and responsibility in implementing the two-tier local government model - a new structure that presents many challenges but also great promise. Despite existing difficulties, the commune’s officials have been making constant efforts to ensure that this model truly becomes a “government close to the people, understanding the people, and serving the people.” This marks an important foundation in Dak Lak Province’s journey toward building a modern, transparent, and efficient administration in the era of renovation.