Iwan Suryawan: Efisiensi Rp50 Triliun Makan Bergizi Gratis Harus Perkuat Rantai Pasok, Tidak Pangkas Gizi

BANDUNG - Deputy Chairman of the West Java DPRD, Iwan Suryawan, provided a strategic note on the Central Government's steps in allocating the budget for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.

Iwan emphasized that the target of budget efficiency projected to reach Rp. 50 trillion must be a golden momentum to improve logistics and food supply chain management, without sacrificing any nutritional standards for students, especially in the West Java region.

As a province with the largest number of beneficiaries reaching more than 10 million people, Iwan assessed that West Java must be a barometer of the success of this program's transition. He considers budget adjustments through digitization and cutting distribution channels as a reasonable managerial step for the effectiveness of the State Budget.

"We support the government's efforts to implement more effective budget management. However, we remind that this efficiency does not touch the basic nutritional composition that has been set for our children," said Iwan, Thursday, April 30, 2026.

This efficiency step refers to the policy of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) which optimizes the operational unit of service, including the rationalization of distribution on Saturdays to adjust the five-day school pattern. Based on the 2026 Financial Note, the total ceiling of the national MBG program reaches IDR 335 trillion.

With savings of Rp50 trillion in terms of logistics, the government is expected to divert the funds to strengthen the national nutrition infrastructure and food reserves in areas that need it more.

Iwan explained that the potential for turnover of funds for this program in West Java is very massive, reaching IDR 6 trillion per month. He emphasized that true efficiency lies in empowering the regional food ecosystem. By shortening the direct distribution channel from local farmers and livestock farmers to service units, transportation costs can be significantly reduced while ensuring the freshness of food ingredients.

"We want to see eggs, milk, and vegetables from West Java farmers become the main menu. In addition to being cost-efficient to send, this ensures the best nutritional quality because it is harvested from the nearest source," he added.

Until April 2026, the absorption of the budget for the construction of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) has touched Rp. 44 trillion. Iwan encourages the use of qualified storage technology in each unit to prevent food waste.

On the other hand, he asked the relevant services in West Java to carry out inherent supervision so that the daily protein and calorie standards of students are maintained even though the distribution channels are streamlined.

Closing his statement, Iwan emphasized the importance of budget transparency and menus that can be accessed by schools and parents as a form of social control. For the West Java DPRD, high accountability is absolutely necessary considering that the target coverage of this program reaches 82.9 million recipients nationwide by the end of 2026.

"This strategic investment must be ensured to lead to an increase in the intelligence of West Java children towards the vision of Indonesia's Gold 2045," he concluded.