Kupang (November 7, 2024) — Vice Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono emphasized the importance of the role of the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) in efforts to reduce poverty rates in front of hundreds of social pillars at the Efata Kupang Center on Thursday (11/7/2024).

"Ministry of Social Affairs must be at the forefront of the poverty graduation process. We have to make people smile and prosper," he said.

As part of the President's message, Agus Jabo also reminded about accurate and integrated poverty data. This is very important so that the provision of social assistance can be right on target. He also said that the problem of poverty data in Kupang still needs to be fixed.

In addition, in front of Kupang social pillars, Agus Jabo explained several priority programs from MoSA in addition to data.  The program is like the Prosperous Fishermen Village in Indramayu as a pilot village that is expected to increase the empowerment of the surrounding community and take firm action against Social Welfare Institutions (LKS) that do not have permits.

Agus Jabo also said that this visit was a series of reviewing the distribution of aid for victims of the Mount Lewotobi eruption. "MoSA is always present amid people in need," he said. Agus Jabo also added that they must always be ready to be present and ensure that services and aid reach those who are entitled to receive them.

This meeting activity is a motivation for all social pillars to continue to actively contribute to helping the community and ensuring that poverty alleviation efforts are carried out effectively and on target.

"Efata Kupang Center is the first one I have visited, and I am very happy to be able to meet the social pillars here. Thank you for your dedication as the vanguard in dealing with poverty," said Agus Jabo.

The social pillars present in Kupang consisted of Family Hope Program (PKH) companions, Sub-district Social Welfare Workers (TKSK), Social Rehabilitation Companions, and Disaster Response Volunteers (Tagana) which were also attended by the Director General of Social Protection and Security Agus Zaenal Arifin, Head of Kupang Regency Social Office Paulus Leo, Acting Director of Social Protection for Natural Disaster Victims Masryani Mansyur, and Head of the Efata Center Tota Oceanna Zonneveld.