Gov’t Channels Rp203,9T for Social Protection Programs
The Government has announced it has disbursed social protection funds amounting to Rp203.9 trillion through various programs aimed at easing economic burden of the lower class people.
“Those programs include the Family Hope Program (PKH), the Staple Food Assistance, the Cash Social Assistance, the Pre-Employment Cards, the Direct Assistance (BLT), the Village Funds, the Productive Presidential Assistance for MSME in the form of Working Capital, the Salary Subsidies, and electricity discounts. Those programs are aimed at easing the economic burden of the communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” President Jokowi said at the opening of 4th Conference of the Indonesian Muslim Brotherhood (Parmusi) held virtually from Bogor Presidential Palace in West Java province, Saturday (26/9).
On that occasion, the President also expressed gratitude that the implementation of the social protection programs had been going well.
As of 23 September 2020, the details of the disbursed funds are as follow:
- The Family Hope Program has distributed Rp29,133 trillion to 10 million beneficiaries;
- The Staple Food Program has distributed Rp30.978 trillion to 19.41 million beneficiaries;
- The Staple Food Program in Jakarta and its Greater Areas has distributed Rp4.407 trillion to 1.9 million beneficiaries;
- The Cash Social Assitance Program outside Jakarta Greater Areas has distributed Rp24.787 trillion to 9.1 million beneficiaries;
- The Pre-Employment Card Program for those who have been laid off has distributed Rp16.617 trillion to 4.8 million beneficiaries;
- The Village Fund Direct Cash Assistance Program has distributed Rp11,730 trillion to 7.55 million beneficiaries;
- Assistance for MSMEs, Productive Presidential Assistance for Working Capital has distributed Rp14,183 trillion to 5.9 million MSME actors;
- The Salary Subsidy Program has distributed Rp10,800 trillion to 9 million beneficiaries; and
- Electricity discount has distributed Rp3.455 trillion to 31.4 million electricity consumers.
President Jokowi also emphasized that health aspect is a very important aspect and preventing virus transmission is even more important.
“I appeal to everyone to be disciplined in implementing health protocols so the virus transmission can be curbed and the people’s lives can return to normal again,” he said. (FID / EN)
Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas