18 MBG Kitchens in West Papua Still Stopped, BGN Pursuing Improvement of IPAL and SLHS

MANOKWARI - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) said that the operation of 18 of the 43 Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG) kitchens in the province of West Papua is still suspended or temporarily stopped while waiting for the repair of the waste water treatment (IPAL) installation.

West Papua Regional BGN Coordinator Erika Vionita Werinussa said that all SPPG kitchens must meet the IPAL standards and operational procedures that have been established to ensure the cleanliness and safety of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.

"There are two of the 18 kitchens that were suspended in the process of revocation because they have completed IPAL. One kitchen in South Manokwari and two are in Manokwari," said Erika in Manokwari, Antara, Sunday, April 12.

He explained that the temporary suspension was carried out as a form of BGN's commitment that all MBG activities would run according to food sanitation and hygiene standards.

SPPG which is still suspended is spread in a number of areas, namely seven kitchens in Manokwari Regency, three kitchens each in Kaimana, Fakfak, and Teluk Bintuni, and two kitchens in South Manokwari Regency.

"If it is suspended, it means that the kitchen cannot operate, so the incentive is also not paid. We continue to coordinate with partners to accelerate the repair of the IPAL," he said.

Apart from the IPAL issue, the suspension of operations was also triggered by the non-fulfillment of the Certificate of Public Hygiene (SLHS) in three kitchens, namely two kitchens in Teluk Bintuni and one kitchen in Manokwari.

BGN has extended the deadline for the completion of the IPAL and the fulfillment of the SLHS from March 31, 2026 to April 30, 2026, so that the kitchen management partners can immediately complete all administrative and technical requirements.

According to Erika, in the near future there will be three new SPPG kitchens in West Papua, consisting of two kitchens that are still in the process of activating virtual accounts and one kitchen in Manokwari that is still looking for nutrition experts.

In addition, the construction of the SPPG kitchen for the 3T (behind, ahead, and outermost) category is also prepared in 10 points in Kaimana and one point in Teluk Bintuni, which is currently still waiting for the appraisal process.

"Two kitchens that are in the process of virtual activation are in Kaimana, if you are still looking for a nutritionist, it is in Manokwari. This month we will also go to the location of the construction of the SPPG 3T kitchen," said Erika.