The government wants to create one big program by putting together four smaller ones. These cover culture, education, rural development, and healthcare.

The new program is called the National Target Program on Cultural and Social Development.

The program has seven main tasks. It needs $30.7 billion from 2026 to 2030, with $13.1 billion coming from the central government.

The government wants to review funding sources and make sure state resources are used well. The goal is to have 75% for investments and 25% for other expenses.

The Ministry of Agriculture will oversee the program.

Other ministries will be in charge of their areas, but not control the money.

The Ministry of Finance will manage the money.

Local authorities will decide how to use the money and be responsible for the results.

The government wants to avoid just combining the programs without making real changes.

The Nationalities Council agrees that the programs should be combined to make things simpler and faster.

But the council says the combination must be done carefully to create a real comprehensive program.

The merger must not reduce the importance of individual sectors or areas.

The council wants to know how the $30.7 billion budget was calculated and if there will be any savings.

The council also wants a plan for the $654 million in leftover funding from 2026.

The council supports reducing administrative costs and using more money for investments.

But it warns against reducing support for important areas like livelihoods and education.

For some localities, the council suggests limiting their funding requirements.

The council wants to prioritize disadvantaged areas.

The council suggests having one main agency to oversee the program.

Local authorities should decide and implement their projects, but with transparency and accountability.

The National Assembly Chairman says the integration is to reduce fragmentation and strengthen decentralization.

The old system had too many guidance documents, causing slow disbursement.

The new system will use block funding, giving local authorities more power.

The Chairman warns against a mechanical merger and suggests a single central office.

He also wants a digital monitoring system to track progress and risks.

Funding should be transferred to localities that perform well.

The proposal will be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration.

Tran Thuong