Support given to level of service provided

Caption:  Planning Minister Charles Abel.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, August 31, 2014 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

SUPPORT to churches from the national government in the country providing health and education services around the country are measured accordingly to the level provided by each denomination under the Church- State Partnership Program.

Minister for Planning Charles Abel on the panel on the Tanim Graun program explained the system in which the government was disbursing support funds in appreciation of the immense role of churches as service delivery partners in the country’s development.

“We acknowledge the work of churches and the fantastic work they are doing, not only spreading the good work but also helping government deliver vital services in health and education,” Mr Abel said.

“The churches have been a partner with government for a long time, in fact well before the government was established the churches were here before us.”

“I always say in many instances they are doing a better job than government and so they are a logical partner.”

Minister Abel said that funding was a major issue highlighted by various churches that run educational institutions and health services.

“Just a reminder to the people that the partnership program that we have, and the funding that is provided is based on the relative level of services provided within health and education,” the minister said.

“For example like the Catholic Church, because they are providing close to 50 percent of the health and education on the ground, relative to the other churches and relative overall- that is how the funding has been allocated.”

“So it is not arbitrary- it is based on what you are doing, I keep going back to that point of commitment through action.”

He said it was not that the other did not have commitment, but is based on current level of services provided.

“If you only provide 10 percent of the service, then it doesn’t make sense to give you 50 percent of the funding,” he said.

“We are thankful to those people in the church that are dedicating their lives to the service of the people.”

“It is hard to find that level of commitment generally speaking, because you normally have to be paid properly but people like that are committed you must also support them.”