Four commune offices in Phnom Penh were singled out for providing outstanding services, improving public security and building confidence in the government in 2009 during the third annual Commune Council Congress, held at City Hall on Wednesday. Oeur Siphon, deputy chief of Russei Keo district’s Prek Tasek commune, said his office was praised for developing local infrastructure using US$190,000 in funds contributed by the public. “We had to make the people trust that we collected money to build roads for them. It is our success,” he said. Meanchey district’s Stung Meanchey commune was recognised for its achievements in security and gang control, Sen Sok district’s Toek Thla commune for its access to public health and Boeung Pralit commune, in Prampi Makara district, for educating its commune clerks to be professional and attend to public needs. Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Mann Chhoeun admired the good work of the award recipients, saying that commune officials had improved on their delivery of public services. “The people’s participation is important for the security of our communes,” he said.