HCMC citizens yet to receive $38M in Covid support packages

Committee chairman Phan Van Mai told a HCMC People's Council meeting the city had the funds secured and would distribute the money "soon."

After the Covid-19 pandemic hit Vietnam in 2021, HCMC approved three support packages for its most vulnerable citizens.

The first package, worth VND886 billion, was proposed by the HCMC Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs in June.

The second package, worth over VND900 billion, was approved by HCMC in August. The third package, worth VND7.3 trillion, was approved by the city this September.

Mai said the second support package has already been fully distributed, while VND849 billion from the third package has yet to be sent to citizens mostly in the outlying districts of Binh Tan, Cu Chi and Binh Chanh.

"The support may be arriving slowly, but it will be continued," he said.

The HCMC economy has recovered from Covid better than expected this year.

Experts estimate that the municipal GRDP has increased by 9.03% compared to the same period last year, eclipsing initial expectations of 6-6.5% increases, Mai said.

City government earnings are estimated to reach VND457.5 trillion, 118% of local authorities’ intended goals, and a 17.05% increase from the same period last year, he added.

However, HCMC still needs to improve administrative procedures and facilitate a better investment environment, experts said.

By the beginning of December, HCMC had only disbursed 37.2% of its public investment funds. That’s only VND14 trillion of the VND37.4 trillion allocated for development resources.

Mai said the city aims to increase the disbursement rate of public investment funds to 80% by December 31, while removing obstacles for businesses to access funds and orders, among other goals.