In 2021, the One Window Service Office (OWSO) of the Kampong Thom Provincial Administration provided 61,471 public services totalling 2,167 million riel ($540,000). This included processing 120 complaints from residents, according to an official report.

The report – dated January 20 and prepared by Chhun Chhon, chairman of the provincial Council – has been submitted to Prime Minister Hun Sen and Minister of Interior Sar Kheng.

The Citizens’ Office of the OWSO, which represents the people, has the duty of receiving and mediating out-of-court complaints related to the provision of public services and administrative management.

It received 120 complaints, of which 63 were mediated, 28 investigated, five cases closed and 24 complaints forwarded to authorities.

Chhon stated in the report that reforms to the provision of public services had been carried out with transparency and accountability. The convenient and efficient service of the office showed the effectiveness of the reforms.

“In order to guarantee ease of management and provide more effective services to the people, the provincial administration built an OWSO building in the provincial hall, as well as in four districts. Offices in two districts are under construction. The administration has built administrative buildings in 72 out of 81 communes,” he said.

He said that based on the government’s policies of decentralisation and de-concentration, the provincial council has continued to strengthen the provision of public services through the OWSO mechanism and will continue to build OWSO buildings in districts that do not yet have them.

He added that the next direction included supporting and increasing the capabilities of the municipal and district administrations in human resource management towards the integrated municipal administrative structure that was introduced.

Another important step would be to guide and inspect the safety, aesthetics, quality of construction and maintenance of public and heritage buildings.

It would also continue to organise public forums to hear the requests and concerns of the local people, as well as continuing to promote vaccinations to people throughout the province.