The process of decentralization must be preceded by a transfer of responsibility so that local public authorities are prepared to take over the responsibilities implied by this process. The statement was made by Prime Minister Vlad Filat on Friday at the meeting of the governmental joint commission for decentralization, which he chaired, Info-Prim Neo reports. During the discussion on the concept of raising several district capitals to the status of municipalities, Vlad Filat said the procedure must begin bottom-up and not otherwise. “The status of municipality implies a status of ‘center’ that should provide certain services with adequate local infrastructure, things that can be developed only when having at least a minimum of inhabitants”, said the Prime Minister. At this stage, the decentralization process involves a series of central public authorities responsible for the domains that could undergo decentralization. So far, a series of documents have been developed to facilitate the delimitation of functions between the various levels of public administration. Deputy Minister of Finance Maria Caraus said that the new Bill on local public finance is at the stage of public consultations. According to the new provisions, direct budgetary relations will be established with first level local authorities, unlike the current situation, when such relations are established only with second level authorities. Minister of Education Maia Sandu said her Ministry is working on the final version of the sectoral strategy of decentralization and is ensuring the transfer of subordinated institutions from the first level to the second level of local administration. The official stressed the necessity to develop a clear formula on the delimitation of assets between administrative levels, considering that many institutions aren’t registered. Minister of Labor, Social Protection and Family Valentina Buliga spoke about the need to develop the mechanism of financing social work services through national programs and ensuring a fair approach to the beneficiaries of social services. “We’re working on the new mechanism of contracting, of social responsibility and of involving private partners in the development of these services”, said the Minister. The Prime Minister requested the joint commission for decentralization to meet monthly in order to ensure more efficient communication with public authorities.