GRESIK (February 2nd, 2020) - Director General of Poverty Handling (Dirjen PFM), Andi ZA Dulung attended the "Staple Food Program Launching Event and a Visit to e-Warong Stalls" in Gresik Regency on February 2nd, 2020. On the occasion, the Director General of Poverty Handling visited three e-Warongs, namely e-Warong Munrofingah, e-Warong Barokah Erlina, and e-Warong Abdul Latif. During his visit, the Director General of PFM was accompanied by the Head of the East Java Province Social Service, Sukesi, the Head of the Gresik Regency Social Service, Sentot Supriyohadi, the Head of the Sub-Directorate for Social Stimulant Assistance and Environmental Arrangement of the Regional III PFM Directorate, Mangara Simanjuntak, and representatives of National Bank of Indonesia (BNI).

During the visit to the three e-Warongs, the Director General of PFM said that there was a development of the Non-Cash Food Assistance Program (BPNT) into a Basic Food Program. He ensured that the Basic Food Program funds amounting to IDR 150,000 had been received by Beneficiary Families (KPM) through Prosperous Family Card (KKS) cards and could be transacted using an EDC machine. "Food assistance which was originally IDR. 110,000 can only be spent on rice and eggs, but now it is increased to IDR. 150,000 and food items that can be purchased are added, including beef, chicken, vegetables, nuts and fruit," said the Director General of PFM.

In the Sembako Program, the additional food ingredients provided by e-Warong are expected to come from local production from the surrounding community. This is so that the local community's economy can also move.

The Director General of PFM explained that the basic food assistance program provided to KPM must be spent until it runs out for their needs every month. "If for three consecutive months KPM does not make any transactions at all, then the assistance that has been given will be returned to the state treasury," said the Director General of PFM.

The Director General of PFM also explained that the Staple Food Program was a government step to prevent stunting. "Apart from that, the Staple Food Program also supports the Ministry of Health in preventing stunting," said the Director General of PFM.

At the activity which was attended by around 400 KPM from the total visits to the three e-Warongs, the Director General of PFM also conveyed that there was business capital loan assistance from banks for KPMs who were starting a business. With the provision of business assistance, it is hoped that KPM can become more independent and carry out a graduation. "For KPMs who have businesses that are being initiated or developed, there are banks that will provide assistance without collateral," said the Director General of PFM.