VP Calls for Acceleration of Social Assistance Distribution in C. Java

VP Ma’ruf Amin leads a coordination meeting on COVID-19 handling with Central Java Regional Task Force and Forkopimda (Regional Leadership Communication Forum) via video conference, Friday (23/7). (Photo by: VIce Presidential Secretariat)

Vice President Ma’ruf Amin has called for intensified efforts to distribute social assistance for communities affected by Level 4 Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) policy.

“During the Level 4 PPKM, the people are urged to stay at home. The distribution of social assistance is an integral part of the Government’s strategy to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Vice President said on a coordination meeting with Central Java Regional Task Force and Forkopimda (Regional Leadership Communication Forum) via video conference, Friday (23/7).

Based on data from Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (PMK), Central Java province should optimize the distribution of social assistance such as Family Hope Program (PKH) and Staple Food Card program to beneficiaries.

“In Central Java, for the distribution of PKH, from the target of 548,166 beneficiaries, it only reached 359,057 beneficiaries. It means only 65.4 percent.  For the Sembako Card program, from the target of 3.8 [million], only 2.96 million. It means 76 percent,” he said.

The Vice President also called for the acceleration of distribution for other social assistance such as Direct Cash Assistance (BLT) funded from the Village Fund, regional government’s assistance sourced from the regional budget, and Assistance for Productive Micro Enterprises (BPUM) from Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises.

On budget realization for COVID-19 handling, Ma’ruf said that provincial, regency, and municipal governments should be given attention, encouragement, as well as assistance regarding regulatory and legal provisions in order to realize the budget optimally.

The Vice President also underlined the focus on ensuring the availability of beds for COVID-19 patients, medicines, and oxygen. (Vice Presidential Secretariat) (FI/EP)