Kampong Thom Province Holds Training for Local Councilors on Social and Environmental Funds

Kampong Thom Province, Cambodia – September 15, 2026 – Mr. Kieng Sengky, President of the Provincial Councilors Association of Kampong Thom, in collaboration with the district branch and the Provincial Treasury, organized a branch meeting and training session for district/commune councilors on the roles and responsibilities of branch committees and the use of social service and environmental sanitation budgets in Sandan District, Kampong Thom Province. The event took place on the morning of September 15, 2026, at the Sandan District meeting hall. The meeting was attended by approximately 100 participants, including Mr. Sim Vanna, President of the District Councilors Association Branch, Mr. Khuan Sokhon, Deputy Governor of Sandan District, representing Mr. Sin Vonnouth, Governor of Sandan District Administration, the working group from the Kampong Thom Provincial Treasury, commune chiefs, commune council members, commune clerks, and commune financial assistants, as well as heads of district offices. Mr. Sim Vanna outlined the objectives of the branch meeting and training for district/commune councilors. These included: 1. Strengthening the understanding and knowledge of district/commune councilors regarding the principles, procedures, and management of social service and environmental sanitation budgets for correct and effective use. 2. Enhancing capacity in planning and budgeting, focusing on the actual needs of the people, especially vulnerable groups, and promoting community well-being. 3. Increasing the efficiency and transparency of budget utilization in accordance with plans, principles, and relevant procedures, while ensuring that expenditures are accountable and auditable. Mr. Khuan Sokhon, Deputy Governor of Sandan District, emphasized the importance of promoting environmental sanitation activities at the grassroots level, reducing waste and pollution, and contributing to public health protection. He highlighted the need for cooperation between districts/communes and relevant parties in planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating activities supported by social service and environmental sanitation budgets. Sharing experiences and challenges in local work was encouraged to find appropriate solutions and improve implementation effectiveness. Ensuring that funds are used for their intended purposes and provide tangible benefits to the people through social service delivery and environmental sanitation improvement at the local level was also stressed. Ms. Hong Sychanh from the Sub-National Finance Accounting Office presented on the management, allocation, and identification of expenditures for social service and environmental sanitation budgets from municipal/district funds and commune/sangkat funds. She elaborated on the significance of these budgets, the roles of municipalities/districts and communes/sangkats in providing public services, and the objectives of efficient, transparent, and accountable management and expenditure. Understanding budget management principles, clearly defining expenditure targets for fund utilization, distributing roles and responsibilities among stakeholders, and enhancing the efficiency of budget use for social and environmental services were key takeaways. Mr. Kieng Sengky, President of the Provincial Councilors Association of Kampong Thom, urged all commune administrations to review sub-decrees, circulars from the Ministry of Interior, and documents distributed during the training to understand income and expenditure for their respective commune administrations. He stressed the importance of performing roles and responsibilities effectively and in accordance with the association's principles, and pledged the association's commitment to finding valuable lessons to further enhance commune administrations. He also called for maintaining internal harmony within commune administrations and fostering good communication with working teams and partner organizations to achieve success. By Sum Vanna © All rights reserved by Agence Kampuchea Press 2018