PM Phuc visits Army Corps 16 in Binh Phuoc

Binh Phuoc (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has commended Army Corps 16 under the Ministry of Defence on its role in local socio-economic development and defence-security maintenance during his visit to the military corps in the southeast province of Binh Phuoc on August 20.

Army Corps 16 is tasked with developing socio-economy and ensuring defence-security for Binh Phuoc and the Central Highlands provinces of Dak Nong and Dak Lak.

PM Phuc particularly lauded efforts made by the corps’ personnel in fostering friendship and maintaining security and social order along the Vietnam – Cambodia border line.

The Government leader underlined the new requirements that surfaced in the new defence-security situation, especially increasing sabotaging activities by hostile forces in the border area, and asked the army corps to stay close to local residents and maintain connection with local authorities in developing local socio-economy in line with ensuring defence-security.

He suggested the corps to focus on its business and production tasks while continuing to join in efforts for poverty alleviation and new-style rural building aiming at better living standards for local ethnic communities.

Reporting to the PM on the performance of the unit, Commander - Major General Pham Ngoc Tuan, said Army Corps 16 has joined hands with local authorities to settle down more than 5,000 households with close to 25,000 people.

According to Tuan, the corps’ units have expanded the cultivation of industrial trees with high commercial value like coffee, rubber, cashew, macadamia, and peppercorn.

It has worked with localities to build new-style rural areas along the Vietnam – Cambodia border line and strengthen the defence-security arrangements in the region.

The Army Corps has also paid special attention to social activities such as offering free health check-up and medicines to locals, and helping with the humanitarian work.-VNA