On May 15, 2019, Bappeda and Litbangda of Magelang district, with supports from USAID IUWASH PLUS, conducted a focus group discussion to evaluate the 2018 water and sanitation programs and to coordinate the 2019 water and sanitation program implementation.
Around 25 members of the Pokja AMPL in Magelang district participated in the discussion.
During the FGD, the Head of Facility and Infrastructure Division of Bappeda and Litbangda of Magelang district, Didik K Sofian, explained that the improved sanitation coverage in the district in 2018 was 86.29% and the water coverage reached 86.79%.
To improve water and sanitation development in Magelang district, the participants suggested a coordination to optimize CSR funds for improving water and sanitation access.
In addition, village fund should also be used for water and sanitation development, particularly in the villages where the water and sanitation coverage is low.
Planning and budgeting documents of the RPJMDs (regional medium-term development plan) should be synchronized from district to village level so that the water and sanitation development in Magelang district could produce significant results.
“We understand that the water and sanitation service in Magelang district is not optimal yet so that we include water and sanitation programs into the 2019-2024 RPJMD draft,” said Didik K Sofian.
At the end of the discussion, the participants agreed on action plans, which include (1) members of the Pokja AMPL (water and sanitation working group) will establish a communication group; (2) the Pokja AMPL will conduct monthly meeting; (3) each member of the Pokja AMPL who represents local government office is responsible for ensuring that water, sanitation, and hygiene programs are implemented; (4) the Pokja AMPL will sustain the participatory monitoring and evaluation teams that have been established with supports from USAID IUWASH PLUS; (5) the Pokja AMPL will monitor the septage treatment plant construction and the domestic wastewater management institutionalization in Magelang district.
