CIMAHI (5 September 2020) - Ministry of Social Affairs continues to strive to be able to provide assistance for communities affected by COVID-19. On last Wednesday (02/09), Social Minister Juliari P. Batubara the Rice Social Assistance program for KPM PKH who were affected by COVID-19.

To ensure that the distribution of Bansos Rice can be carried out as soon as possible, on Saturday (05/09), Minister of Social Affairs was checking and ensuring the quality of rice at Bulog Warehouse Cimindi, Cimahi City, West Java. The activities are carried out starting from the quality of the rice, the availability of rice, the package of rice social assistance, until the cooking test for medium quality rice.

"Yes, this is for the preparation of Rice Bansos. Earlier I saw samples of some of the sacks; the quality so far has been very satisfying. Hopefully in the future it can be consistent. This is actually a combination of social assistance and a strategy for the absorption of farmers' products which will also improve the welfare of farmers, ”explained Juliari.

Rice stocks are also monitored to fulfil the needs of 10 million KPM PKH who will receive a total of 45kg / KPM for 3 months. Distribution is carried out 2 times, namely 30 kg per KPM in September and 15 kg per KPM in October.

"Stock at BULOG is safe, especially for distribution in Bandung and Cirebon areas. The taste, aroma, and visuals of the rice are good, ”explained Triyana, Plt. Director of Operations and Public Services of Perum BULOG who directly accompanied the Minister of Social Affairs on his visit to the BULOG Warehouse Cimindi.

One of the Social Safety Net (JPS) programs is a form of government effort that continues to provide innovations and solutions to face social problems arise as a result of COVID-19. This program is also the result of the synergy between Ministry of Social Affairs and Perum BULOG as a way to absorb local farmers' crops.

On the previous occasion, Director General of Social Empowerment Edi Suharto also explained that Ministry of Social Affairs is responsible for ensuring the quality of rice is good and suitable for consumption.

"We ensure the quality of the rice, so that there is no old and damaged rice. This must be taken seriously from here, packaging and distribution. For this reason, we also have to check the BULOG warehouses," said Edi Suharto.

The purpose of the launch of this rice social assistance is to reduce the burden on expenses for the Family Benefit Program (KPM) of the Family of Hope Program (PKH), especially in food needs in the form of rice for daily needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The BULOG Cimindi warehouse is one of the warehouses that prepare rice social assistance in the West Java region. In the West Java region, there are 1,737,884 KPM PKH and in the fulfillment of social assistance rice will be served by 7 West Java BULOG Branch Offices located in Bandung, Cianjur, Cirebon, Indramayu, Subang, Ciamis, and Karawang. BULOG said they are ready and sure the rice for Rice Social Assistance was safe in stock.

After going through the packaging process at the Bulog warehouse, the rice social assistance will be delivered using a transporter to be distributed door-to-door to KPM PKH. The transporters appointed for this program are PT. Bhanda Ghara Reksa (BGR) and PT. Dos Ni Roha (DNR).

Also attending the working visit were Secretary of Directorate General of Social Empowerment, Head of Regional Division of Bulog West Java, Head of Division for operational planning and food data, Head of General Section of the Directorate General of Social Empowerment, Head of Regional Division of BGR Logistic West Java, Head of BBPPKS Bandung, Director of Poltek Kesos, Head of BLBI Abiyoso, and the Head of BRSPDSN Wyata Guna Bandung.