Gov’t to Optimize Social Protection Program as PPKM Level 4 Extended

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 25 Juli 2021
Category: News
Read: 403 Views

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto and Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan (Source: YouTube Channel of Presidential Secretariat)

The Government has announced it will extend the Public Activity Restrictions (PPKM) Level 4 from 26 July to 2 August 2021.

“After taking health, economic, social dynamic aspects into consideration, I have decided to continue the implementation of PPKM Level 4 from 26 July to 2 August 2021. However, we will make several adjustments on public activities and mobility gradually with extra caution in the implementation,” President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said on Sunday (25/07/2021).

In a bid to support community’s economy amid COVID-19 pandemic, the President added, the Government will continue to optimize social protection program for people and MSMEs affected by the pandemic.

Echoing a similar sentiment, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said there are several social protection programs that will be administered to the public during PPKM Level 4, as follows.

First, the benefit of Staple Food Card will be increased by Rp200,000 for two months for 18.8 million beneficiary families.

Second, the PPKM Staple Food Card will be given to 5.9 million new registered beneficiary families. Each family will receive Rp200,000 per month for six months.

Third, the extension of Cash Social Assistance (BST) for two months (May-June this year) will be distributed in July. The budget allocation is Rp6.14 trillion for 10 million beneficiary families.

Fourth, the Government will extend internet quota subsidies until the end of this year. This will be used by 38.1 million students and educators with a total budget allocation of Rp5.54 trillion.

Fifth, the Government will also extend electricity stimulus for 3 months (October-December this year). The budget allocation is Rp1.91 trillion for 32.6 million customers.

Moreover, Minimum Expense and Subscription Fee of Electricity Assistance will be given for 3 months (October-December this year). The budget allocation is Rp420 billion for 1.4 million customers.

In addition to those assistances, the Government has allocated Rp8.8 billion for wage subsidies for workers and Rp1.2 billion for preemployment card program.

According to Airlangga who also helms the COVID-19 Handling and National Economic Recovery Committee, the Government will also distribute 10 kilograms of rice to 28.8 million beneficiary families as additional assistance.

Furthermore, Airlangga said that the Government will also administer assistance to MSMEs players, as follows.

First, Micro Scale Business Productive Assistance (BPUM) will be given to 3 million new recipients with Rp1.2 million for each recipient.

Second, Cash Assistance for small kiosk owners and street vendors will be given to one million recipients with Rp1.2 million for each recipient.

Moreover, the Government also provides assistance to the business sectors during PPKM Level 4, including fiscal incentives namely Value Added Tax (VAT) on store rentals in shopping centers or malls from June to August 2021 and other effected sectors namely transportation, tourism, hotels, restaurants, cafes. (TGH/UN) (AP/MUR)

Latest News