1. Ph ư ớc Lợi, November 13, 2014

2. Background: Advantages: Ph ư ớc Lợi commune has hard-working and creative labour Phuoc Loi Commune is located in the economic central area of the province and district. The Socio-Economic infrastructure is adequately invested in and developed. Challenges: Bordering Ho Chi Minh City – The commercial & service center with large population brings up problems in jobs and accommodation for migrants together with other social issues.

3. The formation of Cultural and Sport Center (CSC) and CLC: The CLC of Phuoc Loi commune was established according to Decision No. 3136/QĐ-UBND ngày 13/7/2005 by The People Committee of Ben Luc District. The Center Office was placed in the Commune People Committee main hall. In 2008, with the investment of Ben Luc province, Phuoc Loi commune built up the Cultural & Sport Center, which however, caused many difficulties to the operation of the CLC. This led to the needs of combining the operations of the CLC and Cultural & Sport Center. As a result, on 21/9/2009, The People Committee of Phuoc Loi commune released decsion No. 294/QĐ-UBND on the model of CLC and Cultural & Sport center integration.

4. The investment and facilities of CLC & CSC A hall with capacity of more than 200 people and an outdoor stage with capacity of more than 700 people. A library with more than 500 titles A stadium and training places for sporting activities of provincal standard A mobile stereo system and musical instruments to organise musical activities, seminars and meetings,.. The annual budget allocation : 40 million & support from local businesses of about 262 million (from 2012 to 2014).

5. The structure of CLC and CSC: The managing board consists of one Director (Deputy Chairman of the Commune People Committee) and three deputy directors. There are four sections in the center in charge of Law Education, Science & Technology, Health Care and Sports – Culture – Arts. The center established 07 cultural houses in hamlets to organise thematic activities planned by the center.

6. Activities of CLC and CSC: Sporting activties: organising a football club of businesses, athetics club, martial arts club, Tai-Chi club, Body Building club,... Artistic activities: organising singing club, traditional music club, dancing club,... Agricultural & Industrial development actitivies: collaborating with teachers of Argicultural Center to raise the awareness of plant protection and family planning, giving information on sports and culture... Besides, the center serves as the coordinator in implimenting governmental projects, programs, and policies in the local area.

7. The effects of the center on the socio- economic development of the local area: In terms of economy: agricultural, industrial, constructive, and commerical outputs remain stable at high level. The structural economic transformation took place in the right direction, living standard has been improved, per capita income was about 29 million VND per year. In terms of culture and society: opening classes on science and technology helped create more jobs for villagers and thus reducing the number of poor household to about 1.4%. 12 houses for the poor were built thanks to donation from businesses and individuals.

8. The effects of the center on the socio- economic development of the local area: In terms of education: the commune has 5 schools ranging from kinder gartens to high schools, four of which meet national standards. Universalisation of education is maintained by Learning Promotion Association. In terms of health care: the commune has regional polyclinics, commune clinics has been well-equiped and expanded to serve the people. The commune is determined to meet the 10 criteria of health care according to the national standards.

9. The effects of the center on the socio- economic development of the local area: In terms of social security: 7/7 hamlets build up and follow the concensus on cultured hamlets which encourage people to fight against criminals such as prostitutes or drug dealers.... Drug addiction has been reduced by 50% and there is no insecure areas.

10. Evaluation The regulations of the center issued by the People Committee of Long An province is thorough and effective. The cooperation between businesses with cultural houses of the hamlets which belong to the CLC and CSC has been promoted in order to exploit all the resources available in the local area.

11. Suggestions It is suggested that there should be a tenured position for Director and there should be no concurrent director position for both CLC and CSC.