As of March, the Value of Basic Food Program Assistance Increases to IDR 200,000

NORTH BENGKULU (March 3rd 2020) - The Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari P. Batubara conveyed a direction from the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo that the value of the food assistance program which was previously IDR 150,000 increased to IDR 200,000 during March 2020 to August 2020. “March Today, as of March 1st to August 31st, the Basic Food Program, which was previously the Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT) program, has increased from IDR 150,000 to IDR 200,000. It's not me who ordered it but Mr. President Jokowi ordered it," said the Minister of Social Affairs at the Launching of the Basic Food Program in North Bengkulu Regency.

The Minister of Social Affairs conveyed that the government is very aware of the existing economic situation related to the impact caused by Covid-19 (corona virus), therefore the government increases the Basic Food Program assistance for six months. “We increased the amount from IDR 150,000 to IDR 200,000 for this six month period first, okay. If it turns out that the economy has improved in the past six months, we will not continue. But if it turns out that our economy is still experiencing a slowdown as a result of the impact, to be honest with this corona virus, we will continue," said the Minister of Social Affairs when met at the event.

Continuing with this, the Minister of Social Affairs said that the aim of the increase was to maintain the consumption of the people who were at the lowest level. "The most important goal is to maintain the consumption of the people at the lowest level so that it is not too affected if there is a slowdown or contraction in our economy," explained the Minister of Social Affairs.

With this increase in aid, the government also hopes that this assistance can stimulate the local economy by purchasing foodstuffs from the Foodstuff Program using local commodities. "We also hope from the Ministry of Social Affairs that the food ingredients are local, so that there is also a local economic movement, so if for example I add chicken or fish meat there, if the area is fish producer, then fish. If for example there is no fish, there is chicken, yes chicken, so we really hope that the term local wisdom is also carried out," said the Minister of Social Affairs.

In addition, the Minister of Social Affairs explained related to the business model currently being run by the Ministry of Social Affairs, that poverty alleviation is not only by providing social assistance but also by empowering. "This is indeed our new business model, at events like this we also expect a symbolic delivery of KUR (People's Business Credit). So it is not just social assistance, but also as I always say that the narrative that we are building is poverty alleviation through empowerment, not poverty alleviation by giving but also giving but we also empower, so that it will take longer the more empowered, the less poor are still," said the Minister of Social Affairs again explaining.

Previously, the Director General of Poverty Handling, Andi ZA Dulung submitted a report on the activities being carried out. He said that the number of recipients of the Family Hope Program (PKH) in North Bengkulu Regency until 2020 was 14,839. Then the beneficiaries of the Basic Food Program in North Bengkulu until 2020 were 19,433 Regent of Bengkulu.

Also attending the event were the Director of PFM Region I, AM Asnandar, the Regent and Deputy Regent of North Bengkulu Regency, the Chairperson of the DPRD Commission IX, the Head of the Bengkulu Province Social Office, the Head of the North Bengkulu Regency Social Office, as well as representatives of Bank Mandiri and BULOG. Participants who attended were KPM, which numbered approximately 1,300 people along with their assistants. Finally, the Minister of Social Affairs and his entourage paid a visit to the e-warong Rita to witness the disbursement of aid by KPM directly.