NGANJUK (March 9, 2025) – Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) and Vice Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono conducted a Ramadan Safari at the Al Jali Grand Mosque, Bungur Village, Sukomoro District, Nganjuk Regency, East Java, Sunday (3/9/2025).

In a meeting with 400 Beneficiary Families of Family Hope Program (PKH), Gus Ipul emphasized that social assistance recipients should not continue to depend on social assistance, but must be encouraged to become independent.

Gus Ipul said that this visit was aimed at seeing the condition of beneficiaries directly and ensuring that Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) programs were running effectively.

"I can see directly the profile of these beneficiaries, because we have a strategic plan for the future through a targeted, integrated, and sustainable program," said Gus Ipul.

In the meeting, Gus Ipul emphasized the importance of the role of social companions in encouraging beneficiaries to move up a class. He said that social assistance is only temporary and must move to empowerment programs.

"From social assistance recipients, hopefully with empowerment, they can become more independent, (become) more empowered families," said Gus Ipul.

MoSA has distributed social assistance worth IDR 474 billion in Nganjuk Regency, consisting of PKH of IDR 167.8 billion and the Basic Food Program of IDR 286.8 billion. This allocation is among the highest, showing the government's commitment to eradicating poverty in the region.

To ensure the effectiveness of the program, the role of 173 PKH Companions is very important. Gus Ipul targets that each companion must be able to encourage 10 beneficiaries to graduate each year, so that each year it is hoped that 1,730 PKH beneficiaries will be free from dependence on social assistance.

"PKH Companions must make new plans, new mindsets, and new enthusiasm (to encourage KPM graduation)," said Gus Ipul.

Vice Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono added that people must have their income, especially those who are still healthy and productive.

"If we already have our income, our society is prosperous, if our society is prosperous, our country is advanced, a prosperous country. Our country becomes a country that is baldatun thayyibatun wa rabbun ghafur (a peaceful and prosperous place under the mercy and forgiveness of God)," said Agus Jabo.

In addition to providing motivation, on that occasion Gus Ipul also distributed social assistance packages in the form of rice, cooking oil, and sugar to beneficiaries.

One of the recipients, Siswanti (34), said she was happy to be able to meet directly with Minister of Social Affairs Gus Ipul and get encouragement to free herself from dependence on social assistance.

"Thank God, I am happy to meet Gus Ipul directly and get motivation to graduate. This is also given a basic food assistance package," she said.

Through various empowerment programs, MoSA targets that more families can live independently without relying on social assistance. This effort is in line with President Prabowo's vision of achieving zero percent extreme poverty by 2026 and creating conditions where the people can smile.