Visit 3 Cities, Minister of Social Affairs Check Directly the Distribution of Cash Social Assistance

SEMARANG (21 May 2020) - The Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari P. Batubara visited three regions in Central Java in a marathon to monitor the distribution of Cash Social Assistance (BST).

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am here to see first hand the implementation of cash social assistance disbursement. The program that was initiated by President Joko Widodo. He calls me almost every day to ask whether social assistance has been distributed. Because social assistance is what the people are waiting for during the COVID-19 pandemic. -19, "said the Minister of Social Affairs in his speech in front of BST recipients, in Surakarta, Thursday.

Minister Ari, as he is usually called, started his visit in Semarang City by visiting the South Semarang Post Office. Continue to Surakarta City to visit the Jagalan Kelurahan Office and ending in Semarang Regency visiting the Ambarawa Sub-District Office.

"This Cash Social Assistance is a form of state presence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hopefully this assistance can ease the economic burden of all of you," said the Minister of Social Affairs.

To speed up the distribution of aid, he continued, all forces in the regions were deployed. PT Pos opens social assistance disbursement services not only at the nearest post office, but also at the sub-district office and village hall. RT, RW, and sub-district officials were also actively involved in helping to communicate and coordinate the implementation of disbursements in the field.

"So that the distribution process runs well from the procedure side to the implementation of health protocols," said the Minister of Social Affairs.

For information, the total ceiling for BST recipients in Central Java Province is 1,293,445 KPM. BST is assistance in the form of money distributed through PT Pos and the Association of State-Owned Banks (HIMBARA) with the amount of assistance amounting to Rp. 600,000 per month for three months, April, May and June.

At the end of his remarks, the Minister of Social Affairs invited all parties to work together to overcome the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We believe that the Indonesian nation is a nation known for its mutual cooperation, we face every problem and every enemy together. This time, the enemy is not visible, namely COVID-19. This is a collective problem, not only central government problem, but also provincial and regional problem. For that, let's coordinate and work together well to overcome this problem, "said the Minister of Social Affairs.

Meanwhile, when met and  taking BST in Surakarta City, Fransiska (57), who opens a laundry service every day, feels the economic shock due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The income received has dropped dramatically because many people no longer use laundry services.

"I am grateful to receive this government assistance so that it helps in fulfilling the basic needs of the family. Thank you," said Fransiska with a smile.

Romlah (63), a housewife, was also touched by the help.

"I can't say anything, I'm so happy, I was touched. I thank the government for helping people like me, "said Romlah, shedding tears.

When met during the busy disbursement of social assistance, a PT Pos employee in Solo, Sulistiono (40) admitted that the daily BST disbursement process went well and smoothly. His party has regulated the queue of residents by implementing social distancing. Each recipient is also required to wear a mask to prevent transmission of the virus.

The Social Minister appreciated the hard work of all PT Pos employees who worked quickly and responsively in disbursing BST.

Also accompanying the Minister of Social Affairs in this visit was the Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Head of the Education and Research and Social Counseling Agency, the Minister's Special Staff, the Minister's Technical Staff and the Secretary of the Directorate General of Poverty  Handling.