1.1

Monitoring of on-going projects continued this month also but with less emphasis than in the previous months due to preparation for First Anniversary. The officials from Khan, Sangkat and SUPF Khan Unit were also involved in monitoring the projects this month. They willingly participated. This gave Project the opportunity to emphasis on quality of works at the site. Also, the maintenance after completion of the projects was jointly reminded to the communities. The monitoring engineer was further briefed to supervise the on-going projects collectively and very transparently.

1.2

This month also communities “construction initiation” event to start the construction of the upgrading infrastructure projects were organised. One of the occasions was presided over by H.E. Mr. Mann Chhoeurn, Vice Governor along with the Khan Chief. Besides, they looked around the on- going activities and appreciated the quality of community works.

1.3

This month many field verifications of the project proposals received from the communities that have been organised were done. It was done along with the Project staff and concerned Sangkat office, CDMC and SUPF Khan Unit. A major portion of this month was devoted to this activity so that the Project could fulfil its commitment to upgrade 100 slums within its one year period of implementation.

1.4

The drinking water project concept initiated for the AnLung Kong community last month was discussed with the Director General of the Water Authority H.E. Mr. Ek Sonn Chan. He provided the detail information on the project. The estimated total cost of the project is little more than 121 thousand US $ which is an enormous investment for supplying water for the present potential customers of 450 family. He clearly explained that there are two alternatives to get drinking water to AuLung Kong community: a) piped water which is economically not feasible therefore implement the project as a “social project”, b) establish three water wells of bigger size which will cost around 12,00 US$. Since, the AuLung Kong community and areas around it are newly developing, there is possibility of demand expansion in some future. Besides, the MPP anyway have to supply piped water to that area sometime in distant future. Therefore, it was decided that this drinking water project be submitted to PPPUE for grant and, if accepted, implement. In that case, the PPPUE will provide about 80-90 thousand US $ and the balance will be arranged from PUPR, MPP and Water Authority. If PPPUE rejects the project, then the second option of drilling three wells will be done by PUPR.

1.5

The meeting of UPRU continued regularly this month as well. Some meetings were chaired by Cabinet Chief, Mr. Nuon Someth while others by H.E. Mr. Mann Chhoeurn. Different projects were discussed at the meeting and approved. In some meetings cheques were distributed to the communities to start the already approved projects. In all the meetings the overall achievements of the Project till date is presented. A total of 24 community projects were approved in this month alone.

1.6

In one of the UPRU meeting the community leader of Samaki 5 presented the community infrastructure development proposal differently from what was discussed in the community and approved by Sangkat and Khan Offices. In the meeting he gave priority to drainage while the proposal prepared was for laterite road only. Such discrepancy needs to be avoided otherwise the community leaders may change the proposals as they wish. Therefore, a meeting was immediately held with the community leader and concerned officials to clarify the discrepancy. The explanation given by the community leader was satisfactory but it needed to be verified with the community. A meeting was arranged with all community member of Samaki 5 to understand the priority of the community at large. This meeting was attended by Ms. Mariko Sato as well as she was in the mission. The community wanted to put some pipes at the crossings of laterite road so that they will not need to dig up the road while building drainage in future. They also agreed to contribute for the additional arrangements and thus the project was approved with addition of some pipes into the proposal.

1.7

A special meeting of all seven CDMC members along with the Project staff was held to discuss about the first anniversary celebration of the Project. It was decided to celebrate the anniversary with a week long programmes in cooperation with the CDMC and Khan Unit. The anniversary is to be celebrated on May 30 at the municipality under the chair of H.E. Governor. The CDMC members will make presentation on the achievements of the PUPR within their respective Khan. Other programme details were discussed and everybody was assigned specific work to do. The details of the Anniversary celebration are documented separately in a Proceeding therefore are not mentioned in this report. The celebration was a grand success with the participation of H.E. Governor, all the Vic-Governors, representatives from Japanese and French embassies, representatives from Ministries like Land Management, Planning and Interior, Khan and Sangkat chiefs, INGO, NGO, and the communities. More than 500 people participated in the celebration.

1.8

Four major community projects were inaugurated during the week long first anniversary celebration. Two of them were inaugurated by H.E. Mr. He Chhun Sirun, Vice-Governor and one each was inaugurated by H.E. Mr. Mann Chhoeurn, Vice-Governor and H.E. Mr. Pa Socheate Vong, Vice-Governor. was done. The details of these are narrated in the Proceeding of the anniversary.

1.9

Another landmark achievement of this month is the initiation of the credit disbursement to the community. A comprehensive credit loan application from 28 family of Roteh Pleurng Khor II in Sangkat Karkap, Khan Dangkor was received through the SUPF Khan Unit, Sangkat and Khan. These CBO and local authorities provided “social collateral” for the individual loan. Each family requesting for the loan were met and their purpose of the loan verified in the field. Thereafter loan applications were accepted for presentation in the UPRU meeting for approval. The loan disbursement activity was initiated in a small ceremony at Khan office under the Chair of H.E. Mr. Mann Chhoeurn, Vice-Governor. Ms. Mariko Sato was also present and she explained the community and the officials that this is the beginning of credit provision under the Project. If the community repays the loan on time and maintain a good credit record then the Project will expand this activity in other communities as well. The repayment schedule and one page loan agreement prepared for the purpose during the last month are being used.

2.1

Attended the UPDF Board meeting of 7 May 2005 chaired by H.E. Mr. Mann Chhoeurn, Vice-Governor. Ms. Soomsak from ACHR Bangkok was also present at that occasion. Nine community improvement projects and 11 loan applications were discussed and approved by the Board. Besides, the financial statement of UPDF was presented. It was experienced that PUPR should provide credit to those communities only who have not received loan from UPDF. Similarly, PUPR should not support with infrastructure project to those communities which are supported by UPDF to avoid the duplications.

2.2

Coordination with Seila programme for arranging a study visit to Karachi was done. Necessary information for the visit were gathered and discussed with the Seila. The Seila agreed to sponsor the visit for ten people from MPP, PUPR and Seila. A proposal for the study visit with detailed objectives, institutions to be studied, cost estimates, etc. were prepared and submitted to the Governor. The Governor approved the study visit to Karachi and observe the activities of OPP, URC, SKAA and Saiban.

2.3

Necessary arrangements were made for the recruitment of international intern to the Project through Fukuoka office. Suggestions were provided on the intern's TOR and it was clarified that the Project will not be able to pay for his cost. The proposal was submitted to the Governor and was readily accepted the intern to work without any financial obligation to the Project. The intern Mr. Thomaz joined the Project from 16 May.

2.4

A Project Progress Report covering the period of April 2004 to March 2005 was prepared to submit to New York by Fukuoka office. The report was send to Fukuoka for finalisation. Some reworks, particularly on the Annexes, were done throughout the month. The report as draft was also submitted to the Governor for his information. The report was highly appreciated by the Governor.

2.5

Attended the meeting on discussion about the Daykrahom community chaired by the Governor. It seems that the MPP is considering relocating the families of Daykrahom rather than implementing the land sharing concept. This is happening mainly because the private sector is providing a very attractive housing facility for each individual family at a location which the private sector is developing in a very large scale for real estate business. The private sector is selling flats to anybody at that location and is developing infrastructures like market facility, roads, water and electricity. Besides, the location is not very far from central Phnom Penh . The community seemed to be very happy to move away from Daykrahom.

2.6

Meetings were held with H.E. Mr. Sisowath and Mr. Mann Chhoeurn, Vice-Governor, Mr. Eric of BAU on the project ideas for submitting proposal to PPPUE to access the fund under Innovative Partnership Grant. The matter was discussed with UNDP and took their conceptual agreement. The proposal will be prepared next month for submission to PPPUE.

2.7

Necessary arrangements for the contract of Information Officer were done as he joined office on 18 April 2005. The service agreement was received from Fukuoka . Besides, regular staff meetings continued to discuss the problems and the progress. This month most of these meetings were devoted for preparing for the celebration of Fist Anniversary of the Project.

2.8

The Entrepreneur de Monde, a French INGO, got support of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs to set up a network of 7 saving, loan and training branches in Phnom Penh poorest areas. A meeting was arranged with de Monde and were convinced to establish one network each in seven Khans and coordinate the credit disbursement activities in coordination with the PUPR.

2.9

Ms. Mariko Sato informed that the credit proposals for poor women received from CESO (Cambodia Elder Support Organisation) and others are approved for funding by Soroptimist. A meeting with CESO was arranged to discuss the operational mechanism. CESO was informed that the credit support will be free of interest charges and it will be disbursed directly to the women through CESO. And CESO will be paid 15% of the total credit disbursed for their services – identify the poor women particularly the widows, monitor the business and ensure the repayment. The repaid money will be deposited in Municipal Poverty Reduction Fund at MPP which will be again disbursed to new women groups in coordination with CESO. The credit disbursement process developed by PUPR will be followed by CESO – the repayment schedule without interest and loan agreement with CESO as witness. The CESO is working out the process based on the above conditions.

2.10

Supported the mission of Ms. Mariko Sato in various activities and attended some meeting together. The efforts during the meeting were directed towards: a) clarifying the issues raised by evaluation report of URC on the activities of earlier project (UPRP) along with Mr. Someth; b) Preparation for first anniversary celebration of the Project; c) salary increase of some staff; d) contract of TA which will be completed by the end of June 2005 and recruitment for the replacement; e) Soroptimist's grant fund for women; and f) other matters relating to Project.

3.1

Verify and support community project proposals coming from the communities.

Prepare First Anniversary proceeding.

Karachi visit with MPP and Seila staff.

Replacement for TA and handover of activities.

Arrange necessary staff – change and recruit new staff.