The Deputy Prime Minister requested close monitoring of Formosa.

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh requested continued monitoring of Formosa Company to ensure it fulfills its commitments, and that it will only be allowed to discharge wastewater when absolute environmental safety is guaranteed. The Government's Steering Committee will establish four inspection teams to examine the compensation for marine environmental damage in four central provinces.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh delivers a directive speech at a meeting on addressing the environmental incident in four central provinces. Photo: VGP/Le Son

On the morning of March 8th, at the Government Headquarters, Politburo member and Standing Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh, Head of the Steering Committee for addressing the environmental incident in the four central provinces, chaired a meeting of the Steering Committee.

According to a report by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the environmental incident in the four central provinces has been largely resolved. The people have expressed their support and appreciation for the policies of the Government and relevant ministries, departments, and localities in addressing the environmental incident. Production and people's lives are gradually being restored, and they have received compensation and support for the remediation efforts.

The process of identifying and reporting damages was carried out promptly, targeting the correct individuals and adhering to the correct standards, in a public and transparent manner. Efforts were intensified to develop environmental monitoring plans, restore and regenerate aquatic ecosystems and fisheries resources, implement policies for restoring and developing production, support vocational training and job creation, deploy fisheries patrol vessels to assist fishermen in fishing, and strengthen inspection and monitoring within 20 nautical miles of the shore.

In particular, following the Prime Minister's Decision No. 12/QD-TTg approving the plan for determining damages, implementing compensation and support; restoring production and ensuring social security for people affected by the marine environmental incident in Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien-Hue provinces, the aforementioned work has been carried out more urgently and quickly by ministries, sectors, and localities.

As of December 31, 2016, authorities had implemented the government's emergency support policy of providing free rice to fishermen, totaling 15,027 tons and 59 billion VND.

Regarding the results of compensation payments and inventory handling, the Prime Minister has decided to temporarily allocate funds in two phases: 3,000 billion VND in the first phase and 1,680 billion VND in the second phase for the four central provinces mentioned above.

As of March 6, 2017, all four provinces had disbursed 3,595.1 billion VND out of the total 4,680 billion VND temporarily allocated, reaching 76.8%.

After hearing the opinions of ministries, sectors, and localities on the advantages, obstacles, and shortcomings in the process of compensating for environmental damage caused by the environmental incident in the four central provinces, the Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Steering Committee stated that immediately after this meeting, the Steering Committee will establish four inspection teams to examine the compensation for marine environmental damage in the four central provinces. Local authorities will also establish inspection teams to address obstacles, record feedback from localities and the people, and take timely measures to resolve issues.

Overall, ministries, departments, and localities are still focusing on implementing assigned tasks, especially compensation and support for people affected by the damage. However, in some areas, the payment progress is still unsatisfactory, requiring strong determination to accelerate this process.

Production, fishing, aquaculture, and seafood trading activities in the locality have largely returned to normal. Seafood trading at the market has resumed, and people are consuming seafood products again.

Photo: VGP/Le Son

Regarding future directions, the Deputy Prime Minister requested that ministries and agencies urgently submit to the Prime Minister for consideration and approval a decision to supplement compensation and support levels for those affected by Decision 1880/QD-TTg; quickly implement Decision 12/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister according to assigned tasks; localities should promptly complete the second phase of advance payments; continue to deploy fisheries inspectors to monitor and encourage people not to exploit bottom-dwelling marine resources in the sea area within 20 nautical miles from the coast of Ha Tinh to Thua Thien-Hue. The Ministry of Industry and Trade will continue to take the lead in handling stockpiled seafood.

Continue to monitor Formosa Company to ensure it fulfills its commitments and social responsibilities to the local people. Waste discharge should only be permitted when absolute environmental safety is guaranteed. Authorities will closely monitor environmental issues to find solutions and alleviate public concerns.

In particular, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the need to strengthen communication efforts, linked with public relations, regarding the compensation process for people affected by the incident. The press should reflect the situation objectively, truthfully, and accurately, avoiding incitement, speculation, and reporting based on scientific conclusions from competent authorities regarding the remediation efforts. Currently, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment affirms that the situation has stabilized, and the sea is clean, allowing for tourism, services, and fishing activities.

The government is determined to prevent fraud, misconduct, and corruption in the compensation and damage support process. At the same time, localities must ensure political security and social order in their areas.

Media outlets need to coordinate with relevant agencies to strongly promote awareness among the local population, encouraging them to stand alongside local authorities in maintaining security and order, and striving to build new rural areas and gradually improve their living standards. Furthermore, they should clearly identify reactionary and extremist elements who exploit the situation to incite and manipulate the people, causing a disruption of security and order in the locality.

According to Chinhphu.vn