The image of many border localities in the southern province of Binh Phuoc has been changing from day to day as void land and bare hills have quickly been replaced by the green of rubber forests, vast cashew and pepper plantations. Local officials and people said that garrisoned soldiers, especially border guards had helped them much in building plantations. Deputy-Commissar of the Binh Phuoc Province’s Border Guard Command, Lieutenant-Colonel Ngo Duy Thua said, “Over the past years, border guards have been joining force with local people in planting industrial trees in border communes, contributing to hunger elimination and poverty reduction for local people, local socio-economic development and echoing the campaign to build a new model of the countryside.” According to official figures, Binh Phuoc shares 240 km of borderline with Cambodia and is home to 17 ethnic groups. Over the past years, local people have received much investment from the State and direct supports from local soldiers and their lives have been improved much. However, the rate of poor households is still high in border areas. Against the backdrop, the Provincial Border Guard Command orders its subordinate units to render supports to local people by instructing them to build new economic household models. Political Chief of the Ta Vat Border Guard Station, Lieutenant-General Ngo Phi Thuan said, “Loc Ninh District is home to many ethnic minority communities. The Station has sent soldiers with knowledge and skills to carefully survey the soil and study ways of life of local people to provide appropriate advice and technical supports in planting trees and developing household economy for local people.” Over the past years, border guards in association with local authorities also have built a number of infrastructural projects, handed over new homes of gratitude and great unity to local poor people, granted scholarships, books and school equipment and opened classes to eradicate ignorance for local people. (qdnd.vn May 29)
