Minister Risma: Social Assistance Program Has Been Running before PPKM Level 4

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Social Affairs seeks to accelerate the distribution of social assistance in the form of cash (BST), food (BPNT) and the Family Hope Program (PKH) for areas affected by PPKM level 4.

“PKH, BPNT/Sembako Card and BST are the existing social assistance. This means that the program has been running before the level 4 PPKM policy enforcement," said Social Minister Tri Rismaharini or Risma in a statement, Monday, July 26, 2021.

The Ministry of Social Affairs along with Perum Bulog are distributing 10 kg of rice aid for the beneficiaries. The government also allocates cash assistance of Rp15.1 trillion for 10 million beneficiaries in the span of 2 months, for May and June 2021. This aid is disbursed in July 2021 of Rp600,000 per beneficiary.

The allocation of BPNT of Rp42.3 trillion targeted 18.8 million beneficiaries. There will be additional two months, for July and August of Rp200,000 per beneficiary per month which was channeled through the Association of State-Owned Banks (Himbara).

The PKH budget is Rp28.3 trillion for 10 million beneficiaries with three components, which include health, education and social welfare. The health component consists of pregnant/postpartum/breastfeeding women and toddlers. The education component consists of elementary/equivalent, junior high/equivalent, and high school/equivalent students, and the social welfare component consists of the elderly and people with disabilities.

The latest program will provide assistance for a completely new 5.9 million beneficiaries. The data are proposed by the local governments with an index of Rp200,000/beneficiary throughout July-December 2021. For this purpose, the Ministry of Social Affairs has allocated a budget of Rp7.08 trillion.

In addition, the Ministry of Social Affairs also distributed 5 kg of rice aid specifically for informal sector workers affected by the pandemic in Java and Bali. The recipients include food stall owners, street vendors, motorcycle taxi drivers, casual workers, daily workers, contract employees, and those who cannot work due to the restrictions.

The social assistance program is a follow up of President Joko Widodo's decision on the implementation of the PPKM Level 4.

Read: Govt Grants Series of Covid-19 Social Assistance as PPKM Level 4 Extended

ANTARA | MAUDEY K. SETYAKUSUMA (Intern)