Mr. Teun LaingKhun, 61, of the Kreong ethnic minority, is Commune Chief in Teun Commune, Koun Moum district. He said that Teun Commune has collaborated in implementing the I-SAF project from January 2016 with the National Committee for Sub-National Democratic Development (NCDD) and from June 2016 with the Coalition for Integrity and Social Accountability (CISA).

Through consultation, coordination and inception meetings he has developed a thorough understanding of the role of supply and demand in implementing I-SAF particularly the role of commune councils in responding to standards of service delivery in communes, and ensuring public awareness of commune budget allocated for Cambodian Defender Project/Commune Investment Plan every year. During self-assessment, facilitated by CISA staff and Community Accountability Facilitators CAFs, the commune councils gained knowledge about how to improve Teun Commune, including information about the role and responsibilities of commune councilors, standards of service delivery in the commune and the importance of documents such as birth certificates and certification letters.

The commune councilors gained awareness of commune services, documentation and database management, building and maintaining a latrine in the commune office and a well, and how to mobilize participation in the Commune Investment Plan process. These finding have been recorded in the Joint Accountability Action Plan (JAAP) by service providers. Over years Mr Teun LaingKhun has shown himself to be a dedicated commune councilor who actively collaborates with CISA in implementing I-SAF activities in his commune such as I4Cs dissemination, the community score card and self-assessment, the interface meeting, JAAP development and implementation and follow up.

He said that “as a local authority I am thankful and happy to collaborate in implementing I-SAF in my commune with CISA, NCDD and other service providers to improve local service delivery to my community”. As a result Mr. Him SamY, CAFs in Teun village, said that there is a noticeable improvement in commune services which is much appreciated by people in the community.