PURWAKARTA (29 July 2021) – The government has distributed social assistance to reduce the economic burden of the community during emergency situation. Social Minister Tri Rismaharini directs her staff to ensure that assistance pandemic affected communities is received according to the provisions.

To follow up on the Social Minister's directive, Director General of Poverty Handling (PFM) Asep Sasa Purnama explained that Social Minister visiting a number of areas, including to Purwakarta recently, was to ensure that people affected by the pandemic were well served.

“Social Minister ordered us to directly check the implementation and make sure that the assistance is at the best price and quality as well as right on target. She wants accountability and transparency, including in the distribution of social assistance. Moreover, this social assistance is being waited by the people affected by the pandemic," said Asep in Purwakarta.

On that occasion, the Director General of PFM inspected E-Warong for the BPNT/Sembako Program and admitted that there were still some commodity prices that were higher than the Highest Retail Price (HET).

"For example, the price of eggs is more than IDR 24,000/kg or higher than the HET," said Asep accompanied by the Head of the Purwakarta Social Office. Each BPNT/Sembako Program beneficiary families (KPM) receives IDR. 200,000/month assistance.

Every KPM of BPNT/Sembako Program spent IDR 200 thousand to buy food in the form of rice, eggs, fish, oranges (fruits), potatoes and tofu.

"In order to get the commodity prices conform with HET, the officials will talk to the regional Industry and Trade Office, so that KPM of BPNT/Sembako Program can get commodities of the best quality," said Asep.

One of the E-Warongs managed by Ali Mukti in Legok Barong Village RT 08 RW 04 Pusakamulya Village, Kiara Pedes District sells food commodities of the BPNT components in normal prices (less than HET). He sells 10 kg of rice at IDR 110,000 , eggs at IDR 24,000/kg, fish at 25,000/kg, oranges at IDR 25,000/kg, potatoes at IDR 10,000/kg, and tofu at IDR 6,000. The total expenditure of those commodities are IDR 200,000.

"Pamphlets showing the prices of the commodities will be pasted to help KPM of BPNT compare the commodity prices of each E-warong so that KPM will get competitive prices," said Asep.

One of the KPM of BPNT/Sembako Program, Imas Komalasari, admitted that the assistance was very helpful for her to meet family needs, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic and Emergency Public Activity Restriction (PPKM) level 4.

“I thank the Ministry of Social Affairs, especially the Social Minister who cares for us. I am happy and thankful,” said Imas who is also a resident of Pusakamulya Village.

The District Social Welfare Officer (TKSK) of Kiara Pedes District, Tendi (43) stated that there were no serious problems found in E-warongs in his area. The KPM were also satisfied.

"In our area, especially in E-Warong in Kiara Pedes district, no serious problems were found and the KPM were satisfied. One of them is Ibu Imas," said the man who joined as TKSK since 2009.

The E-warong in Legok Village has served KPM of BPNT for a long time and provides BPNT components at good prices and quality. The recipients are also right on target.

"Earlier we had reported to the Director General, the KPM of BPNT here were right on target and the goods received were in the right quantity and quality. There were no complaints," concluded Tendi.

Public Relations Bureau
Ministry of Social Affairs