Government Tries To Digitize Social Assistance Distribution, Banyuwangi Becomes A Pilot Location

The government has officially started a trial of digitizing social assistance programs (bansos) as part of the transformation of the national social protection system. This trial is part of a major strategy to provide more transparent, targeted and efficient public services.

This step was marked by a strategic meeting chaired by the Chairman of the National Economic Council (DEN), Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, along with relevant ministries and institutions. This meeting is also an important milestone in cross-sectoral work over the past six months in building GovTech Indonesia and strengthening digital infrastructure based on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

“Digitalisasi adalah kunci untuk menghadirkan layanan yang lebih tepat sasaran, transparan, dan efisien,” ujar Luhut dikutip dari https://turkeconom.com/category/politik/.

Luhut, who is currently also the Presidential Special Advisor for Digitalization and Government Technology, revealed that President Prabowo Subianto gave firm directions on the importance of accelerating digital transformation in the public service sector. One of the main focuses is a more adaptive social protection system to the challenges of the times.

One of the main initiatives in this agenda is the launch of the Perlinsos Portal, a DPI-based integrated digital platform. This portal combines several important components, such as digital population identity, authentication through biometric data, as well as the Public Service Exchange System (SPLP) as a cross-agency data link. Through this platform, the public can verify, register, and manage social assistance independently and safely.

The Family Hope Program (PKH) and Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT) are the first two social assistance schemes to enter the digitalization stage. The first trial was carried out in Banyuwangi Regency, East Java.

"Banyuwangi Regency has been designated as a national pilot location due to the readiness of digital infrastructure and the commitment of local governments to encourage public service innovation," Luhut continued.

According to him, collaboration between institutions that has been running is an important foundation in the development of this digitalization model. He also reminded the importance of implementing a solid pilot project that can be evaluated thoroughly, so that in the future it can be replicated nationally.

"Today's meeting was not just a checkpoint, but also a symbol of our shared commitment to provide inclusive, adaptive, and data-based public services, in order to achieve integrated digital governance and have a real impact on the welfare of the Indonesian people," he concluded.

With the start of this trial, the government hopes to create a more accurate and sustainable social protection system, as well as pave the way for the overall digital transformation of the public sector.