Ministry of Social Affairs Appreciates Local Government's Efforts to Pick Up the Ball Distributes the Basic Food Program

JAKARTA (March 21st 2020) - The Ministry of Social Affairs appreciates the pick-up system carried out by the Social Services Agency, Regional Coordinator (Korda) of the Basic Food Program together with Village Supervisory Non-commissioned Officers, Community Police Officer and State Bank Association to visit beneficiary families (KPM) to disburse the basic food assistance program.

Minister of Social Affairs Juliari P. Batubara said that the pick-up system implemented by the local government in the disbursement of the Basic Food program should be appreciated because it can minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus which is currently endemic.

"This is a creative idea carried out by the local government together with Regional Coordinator, State Bank Association and Village Supervisory Non-commissioned Officers. This system is to minimize the spread of COVID-19 because there are no gatherings. They went to the KPM one by one and brought the basic necessities according to the name and address of the KPM," said the Minister of Social Affairs in Jakarta, today.

The Minister of Social Affairs admitted that those who distributed the basic food assistance were also equipped with masks and personal protection so they would not be exposed to the Corona virus.

"They also have to protect themselves from being exposed to the COVID-19 virus," added the former chairman of the two-term IMI.

A number of areas that have implemented a pick-up system include Pulang Pisau, Lebak, Alor, West Sumba, and Denpasar City.

Imam Nurhakim as the Regional Coordinator of Lebak Regency admitted that he implemented a ball pick-up system coupled with a rotating system in disbursing basic food programs to KPM through e-Warong. The basic food programs given to KPM are 11 kg of rice, 1/2 kg of green beans, 1 kg of potatoes, and 2 kg of chicken.

"This system makes KPM easier and we can minimize the spread of COVID-19," said Imam.

KPM Sajiramekar Village, Sajira Subdistrict, Lebak Regency, Banten Province Sukmariah admitted that he was happy because he could freely shop for daily necessities at e-Warong without having to worry about the spread of the Corona virus.

"I am happy because I am not worried about the disease that is currently spreading (COVID-19). I can freely shop as needed," said Sukmariah.

This pick-up system is also carried out in areas where there is no cellular signal such as Sei Bakau Village and Hambawang Village in Sebangau District and Cemantan Village in Kahayan Kuala District.

"There is currently a flood in these areas, so the Technical Coordinator for Social Welfare (Kortex) must use a boat to distribute the aid," said M. Rosyid Ridho as the Pulang Pisau Regional Coordinator.

M. Rosyid Ridho admitted that it was not easy to distribute the basic food assistance program because there were still many KPM who were in remote areas. Accompanied by Community Police Officer officials, Village Supervisory Non-commissioned Officers and distribution banks by bringing ADC machines offline (offline).

"Getting to the three villages is not easy, we have to take a car first to the sub-district. From there, we will exchange water transportation again, Kelotok, because the three areas are located on the edge of the sea,” said Rosyid.

The same thing was told by Wira Saputra, an employee of Bank Mandiri Pulang Pisau, during a visit using a Kelotok some time ago, his party was almost unable to return home from the distribution location due to being hit by storms and waves while on the way. The unskilled position of the Kelotok crew and rainy conditions hampered the long journey and dragged it to the shoreline.

"We, together with Korda Pulpis, TKSK Sebangau and members of the Sebangau Community Police Officer, had to go down into the water to push the Kelotok because of the receding water position. The channeling field at that time was extremely energy draining. But it must be done because there are 120 KPM people who have BPNT rights there," said Wira.

As is known, the government has decided to increase the basic food aid index from IDR 150,000 to IDR 200,000 every month to KPM for the next 6 months as a form of protection due to COVID-19.