During the meeting participant agree that beneficiary (Penerima Manfaat) of WASPOLA Facility is from national level (WSS-related ministries), provincial government (through WSS provincial WSS working group), local government (through WS Districts-WG), university(s), NGO(s) and secretariat of WSS national WG. Also discussed critically how to encourage Penerima Manfaat to send their proposal as soon as possible and how the central level (Steering Committee/SC and/or Technical Team/TT) reviews the proposal fairly. Clear manual for proposal format and review is needed to avoid vested of interest. As known, flow of proposal approval is through 2 mechanisms, where if (1) proposal’s budget is more than USD 100.000 approval will be by SC, and (2) if below USD 100.000 will be by TT. SC is represent of Bappenas, WSP and AusAID, meanwhile the TT is represent of echelon 2 (director level) from the national WSS WG members. Flow of proposal submission and approval is as shown in the flowchart.

Beside above issues, the critical issues discussed during meeting is how to ensure proposal received is related on WASPOLA’s project goal. A 4.5-year scenario of WASPOLA Facility from 2009-2013 is already set up and broke down into Annual Strategic Plan (ASP). However, Mr. Rewang from MOHA  remained that to ensure WASPOLA’s project goal is achieved, the ASP has to defined clearly and be reviewed annually by compare to last year achievement.  Inline with that Oswar Mungkasa, Bappenas, said that focus of year to year activity is need to set up, so we can list how many proposals from local government can be funded yearly. “But I hope we don’t be trapped with proposal number ratio between central and local. My concern is that proposal must be contained with innovative activities” said Oswar. 

Procurement issue is also become a critical aspect discussed during the meeting. Mrs. Maraita Listyasari, Bappenas, presented the fund channeling used in the WASPOLA Facility, particularly the government received budget, namely as Recipient Executed (RE). Maraita said that for RE, the procurement system is refer to the Keputusan President (President Decree) No. 80/2003 (Kepres 80/2003).

The meeting is closed by Oswar Mungkasa, where he emphasized participants commitment to boost energy to make WASPOLA Facility able to be executed faster.   “We aware that demand and expectation from outsider to WASPOLA Facility is huge, but I think this is not a problem but a trust for us, both Working Group and or WASPOLA Facility Team”, said Oswar.

After meeting closing, the WASPOLA Facility held an internal meeting, chaired by Mr. Gary Swisher, to follow up and assess the appropriate scenario to accelerate WASPOLA Facility activity.

+Dormaringan h Saragih+