PANGKALAN BUN – BUREAU OF ADMINISTRATION LEADERSHIP. Representing the Central Government, Governor of Central Kalimantan Sugianto Sabran attended the event of Social Assistance Launch for 2021 which was held virtually via video conference at the Regent’s Office of West Kotawaringin, Monday (4/1/2021).

The assistance includes the Program of Keluarga Harapan (PKH) which will be distributed in 4 stages; in January, April, July and October, through the Association of State-Owned Banks (Himbara); BNI, BRI, Mandiri, and BTN. Then, the Basic Food Program or Non-Cash Food Assistance with the value of IDR 200,000 / month / household and the Cash Social Assistance Program with the value of IDR 300,000 / month / household which will be distributed through PT Pos Indonesia for 4 months; from January to April 2021.

Apart from being symbolically handed over by the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo to a number of recipients who were present at the State Palace, cash assistance was also symbolically handed over by the governors in 34 provinces in Indonesia who were connected virtually.

“In the 2021 State Budget, Government has prepared a budget of Rp110 trillion for all recipients from Sabang to Merauke, from Miangas to Rote Island. We hope this assistance can ease the burdens of families affected by Covid-19 pandemic. Then we hope that it can also be a trigger to move our national economy, increase our national economy, strengthen people’s purchasing power, so we hope that national economic growth will increase and be better,” said Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

The Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini explained that PKH is targeted to 10 million Beneficiary Families with a total budget allocated of IDR 28.7 trillion. Meanwhile, the first target of the Basic Food Card or BPNT is 18.8 million families, with a budget of Rp. 42.5 trillion and as for Cash Social Assistance (BST), targeting 10 million families, with a total budget of IDR 12 trillion.

The total budget allocated in January 2021 was IDR 13.93 trillion; IDR 7.17 trillion for PKH, IDR 3.76 trillion for Basic Food Card, and IDR 3 trillion for Cash Social Assistance (BST).

The assistance will be delivered directly to the beneficiaries who are sick, elderly, or persons with disabilities by officers from the Himbara or PT Pos Indonesia.

“In order to use it wisely and appropriately, we provide directions for the use of assistance which we will distribute, either through the publication of leaflets, outreach, or education delivered by officers of Himbara and PT Pos Indonesia,” explained the Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini.

She explained that PKH can be used wisely and appropriately to improve family health, increase children’s education, reduce family burdens, be business capital, and savings. The Basic Food Card can be used to shop at e-Warong or food outlets providing main intake such as carbohydrates, animal protein, plant protein, a source of vitamins and minerals. Meanwhile, BST can be used to buy basic necessities, such as rice, corn, side dishes, vegetables, fruits, and other necessities that are useful in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We also prohibit the misuse of assistance such as for buying cigarettes and liquor. For this, we ask for support from all stakeholders and the media to continue to disseminate in the field, especially to the beneficiary families of social assistance,” explained the Minister of Social Affairs.

Meanwhile, based on the data from the Recapitulation of Assistance Recipients from Central Government for 14 Regencies / Municipality in Central Kalimantan, the total number of PKH beneficiaries reached 48,878 households, 98,936 households for basic food assistance recipients, and 69,108 households for BST recipients.

On behalf of all people of Central Kalimantan, Governor Sugianto Sabran expressed his gratitude for the attention of the Central Government through this Social Assistance. The governor also reminded beneficiaries to use the assistance wisely.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the recipients of PKH, Cash Assistance and Basic Food Assistance, we all understand what the President has said that to not spend this assistance to buy cigarettes, liquor or drugs. Do buy basic necessities, things that are useful and should not be wasted. I also hope, later on, the assistance from Provincial Government can be used wisely,” said the Governor, hoping that this assistance will be useful and get a blessing from Allah SWT.

Also attending the event at the Regent’s Office of Kotawaringin Barat were the Vice Regent  Ahmadi Riansyah, Regional Secretary of West Kotawaringin Regency Suyanto, and Acting Head of Social Service Office of Central Kalimantan Province, Rian Tangkudung. (ran / win / dew / ist/ translated by Feb)