People's participation in the construction of rural traffic works in Tan Thanh district, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Problem statement

Under the leadership of the Party, our country's agriculture and rural areas have achieved great successes after 25 years of implementing the renovation process. However, the achievements have not really been commensurate with the potential and advantages. Specifically, agricultural development is still unsustainable, productivity and quality are not high, and competitiveness is low. In addition, agricultural and rural development lacks planning, infrastructure is poor, and the environment is increasingly polluted. The material and spiritual life of farmers is still low, the poverty rate is high, and the gap between rich and poor in rural and urban areas is large. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out new rural construction to improve the material and spiritual life of the people, while eliminating the barriers between urban and rural areas, narrowing the gap between rich and poor, and contributing to giving rural areas a new face and potential for socio-economic development.

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The National Target Program on New Rural Development is a comprehensive program, covering all areas of economics - culture - society, politics, security - defense. On April 16, 2009, the Prime Minister approved Decision No. 491/QD-TTg promulgating the National Criteria for New Rural Development, including 19 criteria. Of those 19 criteria, criterion No. 02 on rural transport infrastructure development is given top priority. Rural transport infrastructure development is a necessary and important requirement for social life. Criterion No. 02 on rural transport is also considered a difficult criterion to implement because it is related to funding, planning, and people's consensus. Rural transport is an important part of infrastructure, the first step for socio-economic development in rural areas. In fact, it has been proven that wherever there is a complete transport infrastructure, the socio-economy will develop quickly and sustainably.

In recent years, the State has launched the movement "State and people work together" in building new rural areas, especially building rural roads.

implemented in many localities. From the central to local governments, rural roads are given priority for investment over other areas because roads are considered the basis for development of other activities. People participate in the construction of rural roads such as surveying, designing, supervising, contributing costs or contributing direct labor to build the works and the community itself directly benefits from these construction works.

However, many people in some localities still do not understand the importance of participating in the construction of rural traffic roads. Or the participation of people in the construction of works has not been given due attention, if any, it is only a formality due to the impact of mobilization and one-way imposition from above. The situation of people using the wrong purpose, exploiting the works beyond the design capacity, encroaching on land within the traffic safety corridor, the role of people has not been properly assessed... are the results of solutions that are not really scientific, reasonable and effective in the construction of rural traffic roads in our country.

Tan Thanh district is a district that plays an important role in the overall socio-economic development of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, and is the gateway for economic, cultural and social exchanges between the province and Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City. Therefore, in determining investment and construction of infrastructure to create a breakthrough in socio-economic development, the Party Committee and the government of Tan Thanh district have mobilized resources such as investment capital from the Central and the province, launched a movement for farmers and people to participate in building rural roads. Up to now, the traffic system in the district is not yet synchronous, a large number of roads have not reached technical standards. The reality is that in many places, the works are seriously degraded, and management during construction and exploitation is still very limited. The participation of people in the construction of rural roads is not really effective and lacks synchronization. That is also one of the reasons why the works are seriously degraded, management during the construction process as well as exploitation and use is still very limited. The community of beneficiaries is not interested in participating in road construction.

traffic. Therefore, the requirement is how to improve people's participation in the construction of rural roads in Tan Thanh district.

Based on the practical requirements for developing the rural transport system and people's participation, the author chose to research the topic "People's participation in the construction of rural transport works in Tan Thanh district, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province".

1.2 Research objectives and questions

The research topic is about the current status of people's participation in the construction of rural transport works in Tan Thanh district, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province. Through analyzing the current status of people's participation, the topic will make recommendations to help improve people's participation in the construction of rural transport works in Tan Thanh district, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province. To create a basis for research, the topic explores the role of people in the construction of rural transport roads and the level of people's participation in developing policies for the construction of rural transport roads.

Therefore, the topic raises the following policy question:

Question 1: How is people's participation related to the development of rural transport works?

Question 2: What is the actual role of people in participating in the construction of rural transport works in Tan Thanh district?

Question 3: How to improve people's participation in the construction of rural transport works?

1.3 Research object and scope

- Research object: People's participation in the construction of rural transport works in Tan Thanh district.

- Scope of research: The study was conducted in 03 communes in Tan Thanh district. In addition, information and data were also collected at the research communes, Tan Thanh district People's Committee, and the district and commune New Rural Development Steering Committee.

1.4 Research methods

The topic uses qualitative analysis methods, combining descriptive statistics with comparison, contrast and analysis of the actual situation to make assessments and answer research questions.

- Descriptive statistical analysis method: Based on statistical data to describe the current situation. Using a system of statistical indicators to analyze fluctuations and trends in the development of the investigated subjects. Through statistical data, it is possible to reflect the current situation and actual situation of building the GTNT system in the research area.

- Comparative statistical method: This method is used in the collection and processing of data and documents, used to compare this phenomenon with other phenomena at the same time or the same phenomenon at different times. Using this method through comparing statistical indicators reflects and analyzes the current situation and reality of the problem. Compare some GTNT projects with and without the participation of the people.

1.5 Thesis layout

The thesis consists of 5 chapters: Chapter 1 introduces an overview of the research context. Chapter 2 presents the theory and practice of people's participation in rural road construction to serve as a basis for analysis. Chapter 3 presents the research method. Chapter 4 summarizes some results in rural road construction in Tan Thanh district, analyzes the participation situation and the role of people. Finally, Chapter 5 draws conclusions and proposes recommendations to help improve community participation in rural road construction.

CHAPTER 2: THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL BASIS

2.1 Theoretical basis of people's participation in the construction of rural transport works

2.1.1 Concept of participation

There are many definitions of participation, depending on the field and the perspective from which the issue is viewed. Participation is a process in which individuals participate in decision making in organizations, programs, and environments that affect them (Florin, Paul, 1990).

According to Peter Oakley (1991), participation is a process by which people can create sensitivity, increase their receptivity and capacity to meet local development needs. This process aims to enhance their capacity to control resources and build organizations in certain circumstances. Participation includes implementation, decision making, negotiation of benefits and evaluation of development activities of people.

In another definition by Tran Thi Thanh Ha (2009), participation is a long-term, proactive agreement and active role of the community in the development process, from recognizing problems to planning, monitoring, and evaluating activities to improve the quality of life in the community and ensure fairness to the benefits of development.

In general, according to the author's point of view: Participation is the contribution of one's activities to a program or organization. It is a process in which there is open and equal discussion between the project implementing agency, management staff and local people. In which the opinions and knowledge of the people must be explored and respected. The people are an important factor in this discussion. When making the final conclusion to implement the project or development plan, it must be agreed upon and agreed upon by the people.

2.1.2 Concept of rural development

The World Bank (1994) defined: “Rural development is a strategy

strategy to improve the socio-economic conditions of the population, farmers living in rural areas. It helps the community living in rural areas benefit from development”.

Rural development is a process of building a modern rural culture, but still preserving traditional values through the application of advanced science and technology. At the same time, this is also a channel to attract all people to participate in development programs, aiming to improve the quality of life of rural communities.

In Vietnam, rural development is understood as a process of sustainable economic, social, cultural and environmental development, aiming to improve the quality of life of people living in rural areas and with the active support of the State and other organizations.

2.1.3 Concept of GTNT road

According to the Ministry of Transport (2011), rural roads include routes connecting the national highway system, provincial roads to villages, hamlets, fields, farms, production facilities, livestock farms... serving agricultural - forestry - fishery production and economic - cultural - social development of localities. Rural roads are mainly roads and bridges serving agriculture and rural areas.

Rural roads are roads running in rural areas. They are defined as roads with low traffic volume, branch roads, roads serving mainly agricultural areas and connecting to the main road system, administrative centers or villages, residential areas along the route or connecting to the main traffic network.

It can be said that rural roads are closely linked to all economic and social systems and are an important factor in promoting socio-economic development. The rural road network includes district roads, commune roads and village roads.

Low-level traffic works such as: Dirt roads, trails and bridges that do not allow motor vehicles but only allow pedestrians,

Bicycles, carts, animal-drawn carts, motorbikes and sometimes larger, low-speed vehicles play an important role in the transport of goods and people.

2.2 Level of people's participation in the construction of rural transport works

Depending on the level of awareness, culture, and geographical conditions of each region, people's participation is expressed in the levels of people's participation in many areas in the development of villages and communes at different levels. According to Sherry Arnstein (1969), the process of community participation is like a ladder with eight steps: (1) Mobilization; (2) Therapy - the stage does not demonstrate participation, only aims to train participants; (3) Information - this is the first important step to promote participation but often the information is only one-way without feedback; (4) Consultation - survey attitudes, organize neighborhood meetings and consult with the community; (5) Encouragement - reward and elect outstanding members to the community development organization; (6) Cooperation - people and authorities coordinate and both must be responsible for planning and decision making; (7) Delegation; (8) Citizens hold the majority of positions on the committee and have decision-making power.

(Dower, 1996) describes participation as a process of mobilization, which includes different levels of community access. The higher the level, the more the role and responsibility of the community in participation is required. Participation is divided into 5 levels as follows:

- Information: This is an important first step to promote citizen participation, but information is one-way and there is no feedback from relevant stakeholders.

- Consulting: Surveying people's attitudes towards projects and works through community meetings and consulting people's opinions. At this level, information is provided to the parties, the consultation organizer will listen to the difficulties and needs of the community. However, the consultation process is only for reference, the sponsors make their own decisions and solutions. People are not allowed to participate in the decision-making process.

- Participation: People participate by contributing available resources in exchange for food, money, etc., or contracts to provide labor or land. People can also form small groups to perform functions related to the project. At this level, outsiders will also decide on issues. Participation only appears after a decision has been made.

- Collaboration: Power is distributed to both the people and the government, both of whom are responsible for planning and decision making. People participate by jointly analyzing the problem and coming up with a plan of action. Stakeholders jointly come up with solutions and synthesize opinions to make the final decision.

- Empowerment: People hold the majority of decision-making power. People identify problems themselves, explore and create solutions to solve those problems. Outsiders only have a catalytic and supportive role in increasing people's capacity to participate.

Figure 2.1 Level of people's participation in rural road construction

Information

Advise

Join

Cooperate

Empowerment

Source: Author's own drawing based on Dower's (1996) levels of participation

2.3 Rural Road Development Policy in the New Rural Development Program

The policy of “The State and the people working together” is a channel to mobilize investment resources for the construction of rural roads that has been quite effective in recent years. However, depending on the economic and social conditions in each locality, each locality has different methods of mobilizing investment resources for the development of rural roads, such as supporting a proportion of the provincial budget for the development of rural roads; mobilizing contributions in cash and working days from people, businesses, and organizations.

People's participation in the construction of rural traffic works in Tan Thanh district, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province - 2

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