Village Funds Allocated for Prevention and Control of COVID-19 in Villages, Social Assistance

Minister of Villages, Disadvantaged Regions Development, and Transmigration delivers statement at a press conference after an online Limited Cabinet Meeting, Tuesday (7/4). Photo by: Ibrahim/PR

The Government has announced three main priorities for the allocation of village funds amid the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

According to Minister of Villages, Disadvantaged Regions Development, and Transmigration Abdul Halim Iskandar, the three priorities are as follows:

First, prevention and control of COVID-19 outbreak in villages.

Second, village cash for work programs, which are provided for the unemployed domiciled in villages, the underemployed, and other disadvantaged groups.

“The participants should be domiciled in villages because every village must provide cash for work programs to keep money circulation in the villages,” the Minister said, adding that the value of wages should be higher than the value of materials used in the programs as the programs aim to employ as many disadvantaged people as possible.

The wage for participants of cash for work program, he added, should be paid daily and should the daily payment is not possible, the wage may be paid every three days or every seven days at the least.

“(The program aims) to strengthen purchasing power of village residents and provide economic resilience,” Abdul Halim said.

Third, social assistance. Abdul Halim said that as per the instruction given by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, village funds should also be allocated for social assistance for the people who have not benefited from the Government’s programs.

“The President is committed to ensuring that every village resident affected by the COVID-19 outbreak can receive benefits from the Government’s programs,” the Minister said.

The social assistance, he added, will also serve those who have do not yet enjoy the benefits of the Family Hope Program (PKH), non-cash food assistance (BPNT), and other programs funded by the State Budget. (TGH/EN)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Muhammad Ersan Pamungkas