Bulog Accelerates Cheap Food Movement, Alor Rice Stock Reaches 1,500 Tons

JAKARTA - Perum Bulog has intensified the Cheap Food Movement (GPM) in Alor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), amid the availability of rice stocks reaching around 1,500 tons. This step is taken to ensure that food supplies can be accessed by the public at affordable prices.

The stock is currently stored at the Bulog Kalabahi City Warehouse. Bulog ensures that the number is still sufficient for the community's needs as well as being a capital to strengthen food distribution in the archipelago.

The Cheap Food Movement was held at GBI Filadelfia Mali and Ebenhaeser Hula Church. The event was also attended by the Deputy Governor of NTT Johni Asadoma, Deputy Regent of Alor Rocky Winaryo, Head of the Government Market Sales Division of Perum Bulog Fauzan Dipo Pribadi, and Bulog Regional Head of Bulog Kanwil NTT Arrahim K Kanam.

Head of the Government Market Sales Division of Perum Bulog, Fauzan Dipo Pribadi, said the rice stock of around 1,500 tons in Alor showed that the supply condition was still safe.

"Bulog rice stocks in Alor are currently around 1,500 tons. This shows that rice supplies are in a safe condition. Therefore, we will continue to move the available stocks so that the benefits can be felt by the community, one of which is through the Cheap Food Movement," said Fauzan in an official statement, Sunday, August 9.

According to Fauzan, Bulog does not want rice stocks to be stored only in warehouses. Therefore, distribution through GPM will continue to be expanded so that the public can obtain staple food at reasonable prices.

"In principle, we want the existing stock not only to be stored in warehouses, but also to move and be closer to the community. We will continue to coordinate with various parties so that the implementation of GPM can be carried out massively and reach the people who need it," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the NTT Regional Directorate of Bulog, Arrahim K Kanam, emphasized that his party continued to maintain the availability and smooth distribution of rice throughout NTT, including in island areas such as Alor.

"Bulog ensures that people in Alor do not need to worry about the availability of rice. The existing stock is sufficient and we will continue to distribute it through various channels. GPM is one of our efforts to bring food access closer to the community," explained Arrahim.

He added that NTT's geographical conditions were of concern to BULOG in maintaining the smooth distribution. Coordination with local governments, working partners, and various community elements continues to be strengthened so that food supplies can be available on an ongoing basis.

"Our spirit is to ensure that food is available, affordable, and easily accessible to the public. Therefore, Bulog will continue to be present and move together with the local government and all stakeholders to maintain food stability in NTT," said Arrahim.

Through GPM, Bulog optimizes the distribution of rice stocks so that the benefits can be felt directly by the community. This effort is also part of strengthening food security and stability in NTT, especially Alor Regency.

Support for GPM was also conveyed by Deputy Regent of Alor Rocky Winaryo. He assessed that the collaboration between Bulog and the government in presenting food at affordable prices could expand public access while helping to maintain food price stability in the region.

Similarly, the Deputy Governor of NTT Johni Asadoma appreciated Bulog's steps in expanding food distribution through GPM. According to him, this activity is a concrete form of government synergy to maintain the availability and affordability of food.

"We appreciate Bulog which continues to be present in the community through the Cheap Food Movement. This is a concrete step to ensure that people get food at affordable prices. The NTT Provincial Government will continue to support efforts to maintain food security and stability throughout East Nusa Tenggara, including in Alor Regency," said Johni.

Johni said that the characteristics of NTT as an archipelago require strong coordination between the central government, local government, Bulog, and all stakeholders to ensure the smooth distribution of food.

"Alor is an important part of NTT which has its own geographical characteristics. Therefore, the availability and smooth distribution of food must be a common concern. We want to ensure that the community, including in the archipelago, can easily obtain food at affordable prices," he concluded.