President Jokowi Ensures Distribution of BLT BBM in North Maluku

SOFIFI (29 September 2022) - President Joko Widodo ensured the distribution of Direct Cash Assistance (BLT) for Fuel Oil (BBM) for recipient communities living in the frontier, outermost and least developed (3T) areas would not face a problem. This was confirmed by President Jokowi through his visit to three regions in North Maluku Province, such as Ternate City, West Halmahera Regency, and the capital of Tidore Islands, Sofifi, Wednesday (28/9).

"How are you ladies, have you received all the help?" said the President, asking the recipients from Sofifi, Tidore Islands City, North Maluku, who were sitting in a row in front of the President.

That question, then, received a unanimous answer from the beneficiaries, the majority of them are women, "Its done, Mr President," they said, "Thank you for the help," they continued.

In the same place, Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini, whose presence in North Maluku was represented by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Affairs Harry Hikmat, revealed that the distribution of the first phase of BLT BBM for all recipients will reach 100% by the end of September.

“Until Wednesday (28/9), based on the dashboard that has been prepared by PT. Pos Indonesia, the realization of BLT BBM has reached 96.88% nationally. So, out of a total of 20.65 million beneficiaries (KPM), 20,005,508 KPM have been realized," said Harry.

Meanwhile, the realization of distribution in North Maluku itself has reached 77.4%. And, the location where the President visited Sofifi, the City of Tidore Islands, said Harry, had reached 88.8%.

“Nationally, the realization of this assistance is high for the first phase of September. By God willing, by the end of September, we can complete it to reach 100%. This is only the first stage, and there will be a second stage later in December," he said.

Harry, who accompanied the President on his visit to Sofifi, stated that the obstacles that might be faced by officers in the field when distributing assistance especially in the 3T area, were continuously communicated with PT. Pos Indonesia as the distributor, and also with the local government. "This is done so that distribution in 3T area is optimal and we can completely complete the BLT BBM nationally," said Harry.

Harry's statement was agreed by Deputy Operational Vice President for the Regional VI Makassar Post Office Syahrul Zainuddin at the Sofifi Post Office. Based on the experience of his staff who distribute BLT BBM in the 3T area, especially North Maluku and its surroundings, he has not received any reports of significant problems.

According to him, the main thing in distributing aid in the 3T area to make it run without problems is on making the right schedule. "For the distribution to the 3T area, firstly, it must be properly scheduled to ensure that all recipients can all be present, because it will be impossible to visit the area so many times," he explained.

Second, is the appointment of officers. He will tend to send officers who really control the area so that distribution can be maximized. And third, is the inevitable factor of nature and distance.

“The obstacles were more come from natural factors and extraordinary mileage. The weather and the distance affect our transportation to the location. There are those who have to use 3 types of transportation modes, which is air transportation to the nearest location, then land transportation, and continue with ship transportation through the sea or river, "he explained.

However, obstacles are not to be avoided. “We remain committed to distribute it to that location, directly to the point where the recipients gather. So, we are really getting closer to the recipients in the nearest location where they can get help. That's what we prioritize for the 3T area," he said with great emphasis.

The realization achievement that has been achieved by the Ministry of Social Affairs together with PT. Pos was for the support and cooperation of related parties, including for the local government and law enforcement officials.

“The local government's support has been quite good so far. For example, at the RT/RW level, they help us to show the addresses of the residents. Then, at the Lurah/Camat level, they instruct the residents that PT. The post will provide assistance. Likewise, with the Regent/Mayor, they help expedite the distribution process,” he concluded.

Public Relation Bureau

Ministry of Social Affairs