Jokowi Calls BLT El Nino Injecting People's Purchasing Power

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) believes that people's purchasing power will increase with the provision of Direct Cash Assistance (BLT) El Nino to 18 million beneficiaries.

"The assistance from BLT El Nino is indeed to inject the purchasing power of the people affected yesterday, super El Nino because many are rotten, many have decreased productivity so we hope that with the injection people's purchasing power can return to normal," Jokowi said quoting Antara.

The government, said the President, has set a policy of BLT El Nino (BLT) for communities affected by the phenomenon of sea level heating or El Nino, which has caused drought and decreased food production. BLT El Nino was given to beneficiary families amounting to Rp400 thousand.

"After the distribution is complete, it will appear that people's purchasing power will increase like what," said the President.

On that occasion, Jokowi also emphasized that national food reserves meet the needs of the community during the year-end holiday season. The President said there are 1.4 million tons of food reserves available by the end of 2023.

"Usually only 800 (900 tons), 1.2 (million tons) this is 1.4 (million tons). This will be added again, some will come in again, but until the end of the year 1.4 million (tons)," said the President.

In addition to BLT El Nino, the Government also distributed 10 kilograms of government rice reserves (CBP) food assistance starting from September 2023.

"Later January, February, March (2024) 10 kilos will be continued again," said Jokowi on the previous occasion at the Genteng Post Office, Banyuwangi Regency, East Java Province.

Also accompanying the President during a visit to Rogojampi Market were Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan, East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa, and Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani.