Head of the diligent civil defense committee

For a peaceful parish

Thuong Loc parish belongs to Trang Canh parish located in Hai Nam block, Nghi Hai ward. The parish has 76 households with 386 people, living on fishing, seafood trading and some other service jobs. With the local characteristics located close to provincial road 535, bordering Nghi Hoa ward (Cua Lo town), Nghi Xuan commune (Nghi Loc), the commercial and service activities of this area are bustling. This was also a complicated place in terms of security and order such as gambling, lottery, and drinking.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Hoa - Head of the People's Protection Committee of Hai Nam block, Nghi Hai ward (Cua Lo town). Photo: An Quynh

Faced with that situation, Head of the Hai Nam Block Civil Protection Committee Tran Ngoc Hoa (born in 1954), also a parishioner,Thuong Loc Parishadvised the Party Committee, government, and police force in the area to build a peaceful parish model free of social evils.

“As a parishioner and also the Head of the Civil Protection Committee, I understand better than anyone what needs to be done so that not only the parishioners in particular but also the people in the area in general can feel secure in living, working and producing. Building the model is the desire of all the people,” Mr. Tran Ngoc Hoa shared.

From that wish, in May 2018, the model "Peaceful Thuong Loc Parish, free of drug crimes and social evils" was born. With the desire to create a stable living environment, helping people feel secure in production and economic development, Mr. Tran Ngoc Hoa and members of the People's Protection Committee actively carried out propaganda work, integrating it into the parish's ceremonies to convey to the people. Within 5 years, Mr. Tran Ngoc Hoa and the Party Committee and government organized 10 propaganda and mobilization campaigns with 300 participants. Through the campaigns, 5 kg of various types of firecrackers and 15 knives and swords of various types were recovered.

Not only that, for any family with a stranger from another place, Mr. Tran Ngoc Hoa and members of the People's Protection Committee will go to find out and immediately report to the local authorities and police force in the area.

From 2018 to present, the People's Protection Committee has coordinated with the Religious Committee and the Ward Police to organize drug rehabilitation for 2 cases. After the drug rehabilitation period, Mr. Tran Ngoc Hoa and the Religious Committee regularly visited the family to meet, encourage and take deterrent measures to avoid relapse.

Since the model has been in operation, drug addiction spots have disappeared, gambling and drinking have gradually decreased, and security and order in the Hainan area have gradually stabilized.

As long as there is strength, there will be contribution.

As a soldier who fought to protect the Fatherland in the Quang Tri battlefield, Mr. Tran Ngoc Hoa was infected with Agent Orange. After returning to his hometown after being discharged from the army, he got married and had two children, but his first son was unfortunately affected. Mr. Hoa himself was injured during the resistance war and had to have two fingers amputated, and part of his eye was also disabled. However, he still enthusiastically participated in the work of the block, and in 2004, he was elected by the people as Head of the People's Protection Committee. Up to now, he has devoted nearly 20 years to the common cause.

Currently, he is also in charge of the position of Deputy Head of the Catholic Solidarity Committee of Cua Lo town. “My family situation is sometimes difficult, but when I receive encouragement and trust from the people, I am motivated to continue my work. The time working in the block and hamlet makes me feel happy and meaningful,” Mr. Hoa confided.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Hoa discussed with people about the security and order situation in the area. Photo: An Quynh

With the assigned responsibility, Mr. Hoa regularly went with the People's Protection Committee to residential areas to mobilize people to comply with the Party's policies and guidelines; disseminate information about the methods and tricks of various types of criminals, helping people raise their awareness, protect their property, and actively participate in the fight against and prevention of crimes hidden among the population.

In addition to participating in maintaining security and order, Mr. Hoa also spends time caring for and understanding the thoughts and aspirations of each household in the area under his responsibility, proactively reconciling conflicts, contributing to maintaining good village and neighborhood relationships. Therefore, from 2019 to present, Mr. Hoa has worked with the Party Committee and the government to do a good job of propaganda and mobilizing people to join hands in contributing funds to build a block cultural house, build electric lighting lines, and complete 100% of concrete roads in the block.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Hoa also regularly mobilizes and educates a number of young people who have shown signs of violating the law such as gambling, setting off fireworks, drinking alcohol and causing disorder in residential areas. As a result, he has reformed and educated 7 subjects, of which 4 subjects have shown much progress. Thereby, contributing to transforming and reducing the complicated situation of drugs, gambling, social evils and preventing criminal offenses in the area.

“Participating in the People’s Protection, I am always aware of my responsibility in contributing with departments, branches and organizations to ensure security and order in the area. Especially when an unexpected incident occurs, our People’s Protection Committee and the police force sometimes stay up until 1-2 am. Although the work is hard, as long as we have the strength, we will continue to contribute,” Mr. Hoa shared.

In 2022, Mr. Tran Ngoc Hoa was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Provincial Police Director for his outstanding achievements in the movement "All people protect national security". Photo: An Quynh

Nghi Hai Ward Police Chief Nguyen Trung Kien said: Mr. Tran Ngoc Hoa is a person who is very close to the people, closely associated with the police force and the ward and block organizations in grasping the order situation in the area. He is also a parishioner and exemplary citizen in the locality, contributing to the strong spread of the movements "Living a good life and good religion", "All people build a cultural life in residential areas".

With his enthusiasm, dedication and passion, Mr. Tran Ngoc Hoa has received many Certificates of Merit from the People's Committee of Nghi Hai Ward and Cua Lo Town for his outstanding achievements in maintaining and ensuring security and order, contributing to building a strong People's Protection Committee. He was also awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Provincial Police for his outstanding achievements in the movement "All people protect national security" in 2022.