Village Funds to be Used for Labor-Intensive Program: President Jokowi

President Jokowi accompanies by VP Ma’ruf Amin on the Limited Cabinet Meeting on the Distribution of Village Funds in 2020, at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Wednesday (11/12). (Photo by: Rahmat/PR).

In a bid to boost economy in the villages, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered the Cabinet to utilize the Village Fund program budget starting January next year.

“Do prioritize labor-intensive programs and provide job opportunities for the poor and unemployed in villages using the cash for work scheme,” President Jokowi said in his remarks on the Limited Cabinet Meeting on the Distribution of Village Funds in 2020, at Presidential Office, Jakarta, Wednesday (11/12).

The President also ordered his Cabinet to direct the funds drive productive sectors such as post-harvest processing, micro and small industries in villages, aquaculture, and tourist villages.

President Jokowi also ordered that rural industrialization through the Village Owned Enterprises (Bumdes) to be immediately revitalized to open large-scale employment after he received reports that 2188 Bumdes are not currently operating and 1670 Bumdes are operating but not contributing to village income.

According to the President, revitalization of Bumdes can be done through scaling-up, integration with national supply chains, product placement in marketplaces both at home and abroad, and conducting partnerships with big private sectors.

Furthermore, President Jokowi also urged the people to support and supervise the usage of Village Fund for a more accountable, transparent, and better program management.

For the record, the total Village Fund that has been allocated in the past five years from the State Budget reaches Rp329.8 trillion and in 2020, the Village Fund budget will be increased into Rp72 trillion from previously only Rp70 trillion this year. (MAY/SM/RAH/ES)

Translated by: Galuh Wicaksono
Reviewed by: Muhammad Ersan Pamungkas