The Poor In Kaltara Decreased To 47,970 People

TANJUNG SELOR - The poverty rate in North Kalimantan Province (Kaltara) has continued to decline over the past three years.

This positive trend cannot be separated from the commitment of Governor Zainal and Deputy Governor Yansen Tipa Padan who seriously eradicate poverty on Earth Bainanta.

In detail, the poverty rate in September 2022 was 6.86 percent and March 2023 was 6.45 percent.

Thus, there was a decrease of around 0.41 points, where the number of poor people in Kaltara was 50,580 people in September 2022 to 47,970 people in March 2023.

Not only that, during the period September 2022 to March 2023, the poor population in urban areas decreased by 1.6 thousand people from 26.38 thousand people in September 2022 to 24.75 thousand people. Meanwhile, in March 2023 or in percentage, it decreased by 0.40 percent from 5.58 percent to 5.18 percent.

The poor population in rural areas decreased by 1.0 thousand people from 24.20 thousand people in September 2022 to 23.22 thousand people. Then in March 2023 or in percentage, it fell 0.41 percent from 9.15 percent to 8.74 percent.

The number of poor people in rural areas is less than in urban areas. Even so, the percentage of poor people in rural areas in March 2023 was 8.74 percent, while in urban areas it was 5.18 percent.

This pattern is the same as the conditions in September 2022, the percentage of poor people in urban areas is 5.58 percent, while in rural areas it is 9.15 percent higher.

Head of Bapedda Litbang Kaltara Province, Bertius revealed, the positive number is an translation of Governor Zainal's instructions through existing regional apparatus by making several efforts. For example, through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) meeting to reduce poverty and open unemployment.

"We do a roadshow to the city district in order to reduce that number," said Bertius, Monday, November 6.

Bertius explained that the change was evidenced by the Human Development Index (HDI) in Kaltara continuing to increase. This progress is evidenced by the rate of economic growth in the 2nd quarter of 2023 which reached 5.01.

With this figure, Kaltara is lined up to be second in the largest economic growth on the island of Kalimantan so that it continues to improve. Then prosperity is proven by poverty and unemployment continues to decline.

"This is in line with the vision and mission of the Governor and the Deputy Governor, namely changing forward and prosperous," he explained.

Meanwhile, Governor Zainal explained that the Provincial Government (Pemprov) of Kaltara continues to try to reduce poverty through various steps. Starting from providing quality access to education for all children is an important step to reduce poverty.

"Providing scholarships and improving the quality of schools in remote areas can help children from poor families get proper education and increase their chances in the future," explained the Governor.

Furthermore, economic empowerment programs can help poor people increase their income and get out of poverty. This includes skills training, business capital assistance, cooperative formation, access to markets and job opportunities, as well as support for the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

"I have also instructed the Department of Trade of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (Disperindapkop-UKM) Kaltara to provide information on business skills to our community," he explained.

In addition, infrastructure improvements such as roads, bridges, clean water, sanitation, energy, and telecommunication access can open accessibility, reduce gaps between urban and rural areas, and create economic opportunities.

Not only that, the agricultural sector in increasing access to farmers and agricultural technology can also help reduce poverty in rural areas. "Agricultural assistance programs, training, financing, and institutional development can improve the welfare of farmers and food security in Kaltara," he added.

Then basic services such as fulfilling access to quality health are important factors in reducing poverty. Programs to improve health facilities in remote areas can help the poor get the necessary access to health care.

Sukses membuat Kaltara menjadi provinsi yang terus berubah, maju dan sejahtera. Gubernur Zainal juga mendapatkan apresiasi dari Lembaga Amil Zakat Nasional Yayasan Kesejahteraan Madani (Yakesma) Kaltara dalam memajukan kesejahteraan masyarakat.

Yakesma Kaltara is an amil zakat institution that is also committed to promoting community welfare, providing education, empowerment, and doing da'wah among the community.