Moldovan PM says solutions to citizens' problems to be found only together with local public administration

Chisinau, 1 February /MOLDPRES/ - Over 800 mayors and district heads from all regions of Moldova today participated in a meeting with the central public authorities. Prime Minister Pavel Filip said that he wanted openness, cooperation and trust between the government and the Local Public Authorities (APL), so that together, with joint efforts, solutions be found to citizens’ problems, the government’s communication and protocol department has reported.    

“I do not want a sporadic communication or a meeting from time to time, once or twice a year. My principle of manager has been and will always remain to create platforms for a permanent communication. I further assure you of a good communication, just as I did it each time. We are everybody responsible for how people live in Moldova,” Pavel Filip said.    

At the same time, the prime minister thanked the mayors and district heads for the work carried out, dedication and care for people. The PM stressed that the main goal of the reforms promoted by the cabinet is the well-being of the country’s citizens. Nevertheless, the results do not come immediately, but will be felt in time. One of the reforms emphasized by the prime minister was the one of the central public authorities, the goal of which was to strengthen the state institutions and create needed capacities for Moldova’s development.    

“The rationalization of the central public administration’s structure is just the beginning. The final goal of the reform is the country’s modernization, and for this, all of us understand that we must go not only through reform at the central level, but also through the reformation of the local public administration. So as to ensure quality services, no matter the region or settlement where the citizens are,” the prime minister said.     

In the context, Pavel Filip said the government had assumed another important reform, the one of the wage payment system in the budgetary sector. This will provide a fair and competitive remuneration of employees and the public office will become more attractive for professionals. The new law is set to be worked out and adopted till the end of the spring-summer session of the parliament.     

Among actions of backing the APL’s work, Pavel Filip highlighted the legislative amendment regarding the strengthening of the local autonomy in the sector of local public money, providing the status of municipality to more cities, patrimonial decentralization, changing the purpose of lands, management of the road fund and depoliticizing of the financial resources’ distribution.    

The PM referred also the assistance provided by development partners for local and regional projects and expressed gratitude for the assistance offered. At the same time, Pavel Filip gave example of settlements which have implemented ambitious projects for the benefit of the society with poor resources, but with much initiative, dedication and involvement. 

At the meeting, the mayors and district heads tackled more problems faced, among which the exodus of labour force, payment of low salaries to local authorities, need to improve the dialogue between the state’s institutions. Also, they demanded continuing actions of decentralizing the public administration and increasing the number of public services provided locally.