The President is Welcomed Enthusiastically in Ende When Distributing Social Assistance to Hundreds of Traders at Pasar Mbongawani

ENDE, WEDNESDAY (1 June 2022) – People of Ende Regency gathered around Simpang Lima, Ende City (31/05). Thousands of people crammed onto the road passed by the official state car of President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana. They cheered and jostled trying to get closer to the slowly moving official state car.

The President was present in Ende Regency, East Nusa Tenggara to become a ceremony inspector and lead the 2022 Pancasila Birthday Commemoration Ceremony at Pancasila Field, Ende, this morning (01/05).

After that, the President accompanied by the Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini moved to Pasar Mbongawani. Just like when he first arrived here, people have been gathered since the morning waiting for the President to arrive.

As soon as the President got out of the car, the crowd returned to hysteria. They called out the President's name and tried to get closer. The president seemed to be waving his hand towards the crowd. Slowly the President and Mrs Iriana entered the market area.

While carrying and handing over an envelope containing money for business assistance. The President also met with beneficiaries to deliver various social assistance, such as Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI), Cooking Oil Direct Cash Assistance (BLT Cooking Oil), basic food assistance, and Working Capital Assistance (BMK) at Pasar Mbongawani.

The President greeted the Beneficiaries and had a dialogue when handing over the assistance. "Ladies and gentlemen, can the assistance received be used to buy cell phones and new clothes?" asked the President. Then the beneficiaries answered, "It can’t, sir!"

Again the President asked, "Is it okay if the assistance is utilized for capital funding?". "Yes, it is," they replied in unison.

On this occasion, the assistance was symbolically handed over to 100 beneficiaries. 10 beneficiaries received ATENSI assistance for 2 children in need of special protection (AMPK) worth IDR 5,501,350, as well as entrepreneurship assistance for 8 people worth IDR 32,942,250. 90 beneficiaries received BLT Cooking Oil of IDR 300,000 with a total value of IDR 27 million.

"In total there are 100 beneficiaries attending the event to receive BMK from the President of IDR 1,200,000 for a total of IDR 120 million and 100 packages of basic food assistance. The total assistance for the people in Pasar Mbongawani is IDR 179,942,250," said the Minister of Social Affairs.

Responding to the screams of people who asked for the oil prices to be lowered, The Minister explained that world oil prices were rising. “Not only in Indonesia, but the oil prices are also rising in the world. The President's presence in this market is to help overcome your difficulties, ladies and gentlemen," said the Minister.

The various social assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) were distributed through the Center of Efata Kupang. One of the assistance was for entrepreneurship so that the businesses are sustainable. Moreover, it has the potential to find out the potential talents of the people to be productive and gain more economic value.

“The assistance provided is in accordance with the assessment’s result. In general, the process of preparing and distributing assistance has no problems even though NTT geographically has some archipelagoes,” said the Head of the Center of Efata Kupang, Supriyono.

The activities ran smoothly since the Center of Efata Kupang, the Ende District Social Office, social companions, as well as social workers have good cooperation.

In addition to Ende, MoSA also distributed social assistance for 100 beneficiaries in Ngada witnessed by the Director of Family Social Security (JSK) Heri Krissritanto. As many as 90 beneficiaries received BLT Cooking Oil of IDR 300,000 with a total value of IDR 27 million. 10 beneficiaries received ATENSI assistance. Those 100 beneficiaries also received BMK of IDR 1,200,000 for each. The total amount of assistance in Ngada was IDR 169 million.

After receiving the assistance, the people expressed their gratitude to President Joko Widodo and the Minister of Social Affairs for paying attention to their needs. “My husband works as a labourer and I am the chairman of the Association for Persons with Disabilities in Ende. I have a physical disability (Poliomyelitis). We are here to receive assistance from the President of the Republic of Indonesia and the Ministry of Social Affairs in the form of sewing machines," said Christina Pero (52).

Christina explained that the assistance of a sewing machine really helped her business. The sewing machine can be used to improve the sewing business that is currently managed by Christina and her friends.

“On behalf of friends with disabilities in Ende Regency, I am very grateful for the visits and assistance we received. Hopefully, people with disabilities will be more productive in the future,” she said.

Public Relations Bureau

Ministry of Social Affairs