PHNOM PENH: The Secretary of State of the Ministry of Public Works and Chairman of the Sub-National Administration Personnel Committee, Thor Sethana, has said that the implementation of the Decentralization and Administration Reform (DAR) program has promoted the capacity development of sub-national administrations to provide better services for the people.

Speaking at the Closing Ceremony of the Decentralization and Administration Reform (DAR) Program on 16 June, Secretary of State Thor Sethana said the past three years of implementing the Decentralization and Administration Reform Program, from May 2019 to April 2022, required gradual learning and practice, however many tasks were successfully achieved, including the implementation of support programs, national policy programs, and the preparation of various laws.

Within the field of health, the program focuses on developing a vision to improve the provision of health services for future implementation. By implementing alternative functions, the program has been able to provide a budget package to support commune administrations in implementing services and solutions to meet local needs and support municipal administrations in enhancing citizen participation, along with the support of some partner non-governmental organizations at the grassroots level.

In terms of public administration reform, the Decentralization and Administration Reform program has the support of the Ministry of Public Works in compiling video production and dissemination of documents and experiences on the performance of model service units in education and healthcare, and has participated in preparing additional guidelines for expanding the scope of implementation in these areas.

The Secretary of State added, "Support for the reorganization and revision of management system-based guidelines on job descriptions in the administration of municipalities, districts, communes is within the capacity of organizers, with implementation focused on the chairmanship of the sub-national level.”

He said that the government's efforts for reform are aimed at improving service delivery mechanisms to improve the quality and efficiency of public services to meet the real needs of the local people.

The Decentralization and Administrative Reform (DAR) program aims to support sub-national administrations and specialized agencies in partner cities to provide responsive, coordinated, and accountable public services with a focus on improving selected services.

The program is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ) and implemented by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ). Project partners include the National Committee for Sub-National Democratic Development (NCDD) and a number of districts in Battambang province. The Ministry of Civil Service (MCS) is also a partner of the Decentralization and Administrative Reform program, focusing on BMZ-funded components.

^{PHOTO: EAC NEWS}