The deteriorated Chau Hoi suspension bridge in the mountainous Quy Chau District, Nghe An Province.

Some VND20 trillion (US$1.12 billion) from new government bonds should be earmarked for investment in healthcare and education in poor areas, said National Assembly (NA) representatives Wednesday.

Deputy Nguyen Thi Kim Tien said the government should set aside some of the funds to invest in commune-level health facilities.

“Investment should focus on commune-level health facilities in northern mountainous areas, the Central Highlands region, the Mekong Delta and localities far from district centers,” she said.

She suggested that the government spend the money expanding overloaded central and provincial hospitals, which find it hard to attract private investment. She also said the money should go toward building dormitories for medical schools in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Can Tho.

She said she wanted the government to build a national program to develop human resources in the health sector as well.

Deputy Dinh Trinh Hai said the government had proposed spending VND8 trillion of the funds on building dormitories in 2009. But he said the government should set aside a smaller fund for the construction of dormitories, and spend the rest on the transport and irrigation projects in the remote and mountainous areas, and on district-level health facilities.

Budget deficit proposal

The government has sought permission from the NA to increase the budget deficit to 8 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2009. The earlier limit was 4.82 percent.

But Lan said the government should be sure the budget deficit does not exceed 7 percent.

She said budget spending could be reduced by strengthening inspections, punishing those who misuse funds, implementing tax regulations and halting ineffective investment projects.

Delegate Mai Thi Anh Tuyet said the government should keep budget overspending below 8 percent to ensure national financial security.

Minister of Finance Vu Van Ninh explained the budget deficit adjustment proposal by saying that government revenues are expected to drop in 2009 due to the global economic slowdown and tax exemptions offered as part of economic stimulus programs.

But he said government spending could not be cut as social welfare and economic projects demanded more funds.

Despite the target, the government will strive to keep the budget deficit small, he said, noting that financial security could be ensured within the new target.

Unemployment

Lan said the government should ask relevant agencies to facilitate unemployment programs and support policies by facilitating training and recruitment.

Government statistics show 66,700 people losing jobs in 2008 and the number is 64,900 people in the first quarter of 2009.

Reported by Bao Van