KPM Empowerment Reduces Poverty Rate

YOGYAKARTA (September 29, 2019) - Director General of Poverty Handling, Andi ZA Dulung conveyed the Minister of Social's message about the importance of empowerment to Beneficiary Families (KPM).

In his remarks at the Non-Cash Food Aid (BPNT) Coordination Meeting held in Yogyakarta (29/9), he emphasized that reducing poverty with social assistance should not make us complacent.

Andi also conveyed that reducing poverty by simply relying on social assistance was not permanent because the social aid (in this case BPNT) is a program that is more aimed at reducing KPM expenditure.

"So, if we know, that the social aid (BPNT) is actually part of a program which reduces KPM expenditure," Andi said.

To make poverty reduction in the long run, empowerment programs are needed that can create sustainable income for KPM.

"The Minister wants that the reduction in the actual poverty rate is due to the success of empowerment programs, so the program for sustainable income," said Andi.

Furthermore, Andi explained that empowerment by giving capital to KPM would be difficult to run well without a change in mindset. KPM mindset changes become very important so that they can solve their own problems and become independent. With this independence, it is hoped that KPM can get out of poverty.

"Without a change in mindset, way of thinking, way of looking at a problem, people will find it difficult to solve their own problems, difficult to be independent," Andi said.

The change in mindset of KPM itself is certainly inseparable from the role of assistants. This is consistent with the previous statement that the change in mindset of KPM is inseparable from the presence of loyal assistants who continuously accompany KPM in the field.

"Because of the persistence of companion friends, many KPM, especially PKH KPM, successfully graduated and earned sustainable income continuously," concluded Andi.

Previously, PFM Region II Director I Wayan Wirawan conveyed the report on the BPNT Implementation Consolidation Meeting in Yogyakarta.

"This activity aims to find out the results of BPNT Directorate of Region II PFM activities in 2019 that have been carried out until the third quarter, improve the quality of BPNT implementation in Region II, and build understanding and agreement on BPNT implementation, especially in Yogyakarta," said I Wayan.