We Have to Open the Budget to the Public

Herman Batu (35), Head of the Clean Water Section at the PUPR Office of Ende Regency, was one of the participants in the Road Map preparation meeting organized by WVI through the FinWASH4UC Project supported by World Vision United State. On the activity of the plan of the PUPR Service for Fiscal Year 2022, Herman explained in detail each work program, including items, numbers, and location of activities, especially those related to new development and rehabilitation of clean water networks.

The exciting thing is that the data described is the data contained in the SIPD application that WVI obtained from Bappeda Ende. This method is excellent because the government has started to open up and provide important data to the public, which has been considered a “state secret” so it is very difficult to provide. Herman also conveyed the same thing after the activity.

“As far as I know, this data is our secret in the government, but for now Wahana Visi Indonesia can get it from Bappeda Ende, I think this is a new thing and I think it's good. We have to open the budget to the public so that the public knows and can help monitor it,” said Herman.

Herman admitted that this work should indeed be monitored thoroughly so that the community becomes less apathetic and understands every project that comes in to support their village.

"With the preparation of this Road Map, it is very good for us in the government because there are people who help monitor and remind us and we are open, and let's discuss it together through the PKP working group that we have formed together with WVI so that we can achieve the target of access to water and sanitation by 2024 in Ende," said Herman.

Written by: Yohanes Brechmans Tanaboleng, Project Coordinator of FinWASH4UC Wahana Visi Indonesia