Holds Simulation Of Free Lunch Program, Airlangga Denies Funds From The Government

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto revealed that the source of the budget to hold a simulation of the free lunch program came from the Tangerang Regency Government.

"Anggaran dari Pak Regent. Kan namanya volunteer (relawan) itu kan siapa yang mau ikut program pertama," kata Airlangga kepada awak media, Tangerang, Kamis 29 Februari 2024.

For information, Airlangga was also accompanied by former Tangerang Regent Ahmed Zaki Iskandar who is known to be the Head of the Prabowo-Gibran Regional Campaign Team (TKD) for the DKI Jakarta area. Acting principal of SMPN 2 Tangerang Juanda, Head of Tangerang Education Office Dadan Gandana and Acting Regent of Tangerang Andi Ony.

Airlangga conveyed that the location selection was in Tangerang Regency because it represented Indonesia which is located in three national typology, namely urban, rural, and coastal areas.

In addition, according to him, the Tangerang SMPN2 volunteers to become a pilot project for the free lunch program and this simulation seems to raise problems so that in the future the free lunch policy can run smoothly.

"So we are shopping for problems. So, we will see what simulations we are doing, how to finance mechanisms and from there learn to make public policies," he said.

Airlangga said that this free lunch simulation involves micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) so that it is hoped that this program can have a sustainable impact.

Meanwhile, Zaki conveyed that the funding for free lunch programs in Tangerang Regency was proposed through Specific School Operational Assistance (BOS), outside of regular BOS.

"The funding pattern we propose through a specific boss or special affirmative boss the provision of lunch students can be from a separate account from the regular boss to the affirmative boss so that the budget monitoring is clear and orderly," said Zaki.

Furthermore, Zaki said, the free lunch provider came from food traders who were used to trading in the school canteen.

In addition, the mechanism for the free lunch program will soon be made and assisted with facilitation for MSMEs.

"We will prepare the administrative facilitation process and filing for disbursement of funds by the education office," he said.