Date: 29 August 2006
Time: 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Venue: Global Distance Learning Center, Asian Institute of Management
Ensuring Safe and Affordable Water for All
In keeping with the tradition of honoring accomplished Asians who manifest the true meaning of service, this installment of the globalization lecture series was dedicated to 2006 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Mr. Ek Sonn Chan, general director of the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority. The presentation commenced with the documentary “The Connection” which was the very film that caught the attention of the Ramon Magsaysay Awards Foundation leading to Chan’s recognition. The film featured Phnom Penh’s public water utility, manned by Chan and his team, and their initiatives towards the goal of providing water for all inhabitants of the city.
A short lecture followed, filling in more information on the step-by-step strategy of reviving Phnom Penh’s source of water. Chan described the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) as the “perfect bad example” back in 1993. Aside from its war-damaged physical state, the system was biased towards the rich and its top management was liable for numerous illegal connections. The change in government gave Chan the opportunity to overhaul the system which he ‘house cleaned’ by restructuring the whole top management and placing a young and dynamic staff into the frontline. A “change of culture” also took place, one that promoted people empowerment and an “all for one and one for all” spirit.
He also worked to provide better compensation to employees as a way to prevent corruption. As for the tangible, Chan and his team applied a self-sustained operation through a Lower Non-Revenue Water Program. They installed water meters to all connections and put together an inspection team to stop illegal connections. The team ensured Phnom Penh residents that they would see improvements starting with accessible public consultations and a convenient payment system. In no time, Chan’s office helped rebuild the people’s trust in public service. From a mere 48 percent connection ratio to 99.9 percent, PPWSA has also gone from heavy subsidy to full cost recovery. Chan gave credit to his juniors and the support of several bilateral and multilateral donors: the French and Japanese governments and The World Bank and Asian Development Bank. Now, Chan said, the challenge lies in grooming the next PPWSA leader.
Mr. Ramon B. Alikpala, executive director of the National Water Resources Board and Ms. Regina Paz Lopez, managing director of the ABS-CBN Foundation, acted as reactors during the ‘Perspectives’ portion. Both congratulated Chan for a job well done. Alikpala cited that Chan’s achievement has already created a ripple effect and he saw no reason why this can’t be replicated in the Philippines.
Cambodia, Timor Leste, China and Saudi Arabia engaged in the open forum through videoconference. The discussions emphasized the need to understand the situation of the poor as a way to encourage community participation. Chan said that community participation can be generated if the poor are given the sufficient service they need. “Why should the poor pay for water, while the rich don’t? Therefore, policy must be centered in providing same services to the poor as to the rich,” said Chan. The open forum also touched on the issue of corruption in government. Chan acknowledged that Corruption is everywhere, whether in the private or public sector, but a government server should never succumb to this. Chan also acknowledged during the open forum that industrialization is a major killer of clean water. He said that it is indeed a challenge to get the government and the donor’s attention on the issue.
Dr. Federico M. Macaranas brought the lecture to a synthesis and close. He thanked Chan for preaching the gospel of good management, which is not dependent on it being private or public. PPWSA has proven that state-owned enterprises, when well managed, can do better than private ones. Their impressive statistics deserve recognition, especially in a poor country where the temptation of corruption is just lurking around. It is a simple lesson that is hard to practice. Like the late President Ramon Magsaysay, Chan has passed the real test of leadership in a poor country.
The Ramon Magsaysay Awards speaks of an ennobling value system as demonstrated by Chan, a true servant-leader, a person who listens first to his people and then makes an impact on his organization by serving them with all his heart. The late Philippine President Magsaysay was loved by the poor because he reflected exactly what Chan stressed, “those who have less in life must have more, not only in law but in good corporate practice of business.”
The literature of public finance is very clear: state owned enterprises, when well-managed can do even better than some private sector enterprises. There are so many examples around the world—in electricity, in water, in transport, which demonstrated good management and equity is central to the management philosophy of these enterprises.
The event was graced by distinguished guests from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Mr. Amos Helms, SE Asia Head and Mr. Klaus Preschle, Country Representative; representatives from the Ramon Magsaysay Awards Foundation; as well as Mr. Chan’s wife, Mrs. Than Tihping. AIM students and MWSS personnel were also present.
The Thirst for Good Government: Rebuilding People’s Trust in Public Services (.pdf)
Mr. Ek Son Chan
General Director, Phom Pehn Water Supply Authority
2006 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Government Service