Jokowi Orders Social Assistance To Be Distributed Quickly So That It Is Not Judged By Just Talking

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo ordered that social assistance or safety nets for people affected by the corona virus or COVID-19 can be immediately executed by Social Minister Juliari P. Batubara and Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani, because the current situation is very urgent.

"I ask the Minister of Social Affairs, the Minister of Finance, this week everything can work. This is very, very urgent," said Jokowi while chairing a limited meeting broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube account, Monday, April 13.

According to the former governor of DKI Jakarta, this assistance program must be prepared quickly considering that the community is already waiting for this assistance. This must be done so that people do not get disappointed.

"I went downstairs, I saw that the community had been waiting for this need. Do not look down on it later to see if we just say that the goods do not reach the community, to the people," he said.

As for the social assistance awaited by the community, said Jokowi in the form of pre-employment cards for those who lost their jobs due to the massive layoffs (PHK) due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as other assistance such as direct cash assistance (BLT), basic food cards, and distribution of groceries. others in the Greater Jakarta area.

"This is very, very urgent, both in terms of pre-service cards, both PKH, BLT, basic food cards, and the distribution of basic necessities for Jabodetabek. Everything must work this week," he said.

It is known, President Jokowi often explains about social assistance for the lower class people who are affected by COVID-19. Of the Rp110 trillion in funds disbursed by the government for the social safety net program, there are several assistance that can be enjoyed.

Among them, the expansion of the number of beneficiaries of the Family Hope Program (PKH). If previously this program was only received by 9.2 million families, now the beneficiaries have increased to 10 million families. In addition, the current benefit value is increased by about 25 percent and the distribution is accelerated every three months.

Then, the Basic Food Card program also experienced an increase in the number of recipients. If previously the number of recipients of this card was only 15.2 million. In addition, the value of assistance has also increased to Rp. 200 thousand and will be given for 9 months.

Especially for the Jabodetabek area, the government is now preparing a special assistance program for 3.7 million households during the two-month emergency response period as determined by the COVID-19 Handling Acceleration Team.

Particularly in the Jakarta area, this distribution is carried out together with the details that 1.1 million heads of families will be prepared by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government and the remaining 2.6 million will be prepared by the central government.

In addition, Jokowi has also ordered the Minister of Social Affairs to distribute 200 thousand basic food packages for the Jabodetabek area.

Then regarding the Pre-employment Card, the plan will start on Thursday, April 9. This assistance will later be focused on those who have been laid off due to COVID-19, informal workers, affected micro and small business actors.

It is estimated that 5.6 million people will be recipients of Pre-Work Card assistance and the total budget for the program has been increased to Rp. 20 trillion.

Finally, the free electricity program for 24 million customers using 450VA power and a 50 percent discount for 7 million customers using 900VA power. The provision of electricity subsidies will be carried out during April, May and June.