MANGGARAI BARAT (December 23rd 2019) - Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari P. Batubara hopes that the poverty rate in West Manggarai Regency will decrease in the next six months. "It is hoped that in the next six months the poverty rate in West Manggarai Regency will decrease," said the Minister of Social Affairs in the Socialization of the Distribution of the Family Hope Program (PKH) and Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT) in Labuan Bajo (23/12).

Labuan Bajo is one of the priority tourist destinations as proclaimed by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, therefore support for the poor in West Manggarai Regency can be given more attention because they live in the position of a priority tourist destination.

"This will have an impact on future tourist visits to Labuan Bajo, because it is impossible for people to be seen in poverty in the region to be exposed to the world," said the Minister of Social Affairs.

The Minister of Social Affairs revealed that in the future targeted interventions must be implemented immediately to alleviate poverty in West Manggarai Regency. One of them is he ordered directly to prioritize the Social Rehabilitation of Unfit Home for Living (RS-RTLH) and Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT) programs in the region.

The Minister of Social Affairs also emphasized that all data on Beneficiary Families (KPM) must be considered so that they are more targeted by the Regency / City Government. "If needed, the Ministry of Social Affairs is also ready to increase the KPM BPNT quota in West Manggarai district," said the Minister of Social Affairs.

During his briefing, the Minister of Social Affairs also expressed the idea of ​​the need for English language education for mothers living in Labuan Bajo which might be useful for communicating with international tourists visiting Labuan Bajo.