PPKM Extended, Mojokerto Accelerates Social Assistance Distribution

JAKARTA - The Mojokerto City Government, East Java, issued policies and anticipatory measures to deal with PPKM level-4 by accelerating the distribution of various types of social assistance (bansos) to the community.

Mayor of Mojokerto Ika Puspitasari said the policy was in line with the government's strategy to accelerate the distribution of social assistance programs, as stated in the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs Number 22 of 2021 concerning Enforcement of Level-4 Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) in the Java and Bali Region.

"Because people's activities and mobility are limited during the PPKM level-4 period which is extended until next August 2, we will accelerate the realization of the social protection cluster in the social assistance program," said Mayor of Mojokerto Ika, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, July 27.

In addition to accelerating social assistance, he said, the Mojokerto City Government also opened a "Mojokerto City COVID-19 Complaints Post" at the People's House, Jalan Hayamwuruk 50, Mojokerto City. The public can report or complain about everything related to the COVID-19 pandemic through telephone lines and whatapps at the same number 0823 3498 4573. In addition, for information and updates on COVID-19, the public can access the page www.covid19.mojokertokota.go.id.

He said the total budget prepared from the 2021 APBD Bansos post at the Mojokerto City Social and P3A Office post which focused on the impact of COVID-19 was IDR 13.14 billion.

According to Ning Ita, several types of COVID-19 social assistance sourced from the APBD have been distributed from January to July 2021, including the COVID-19 Affected Basic Food for 9,325 families. COVID-19 confirmed staple food from January to July is distributed every day.

Then 3,000 packages of PPKM Impact Sembako were distributed at the end of July, and 1000 basic food packages for street vendors and affected private employees were distributed last week. Then 'Fast Food Confirmed COVID-19' for hundreds of residents who are undergoing self-isolation.

In addition, he continued, the exemption from the Benpas Market levy was given to 131 traders for 24 days, the amount of which was Rp. 1,600 thousand each. For 25 business actors at the Mount Gedangan Rest Area stand, the rental fee for one month is Rp. 500 thousand.

In addition to COVID-19 social assistance sourced from the APBD, as many as 11,844 people also received COVID-19 social assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs and PKH for 3,163 people. Meanwhile, regular assistance that is disbursed every year includes social assistance for BPNT APBD e-warung for 2,500 targets, basic food assistance for 600 pedicab drivers, cash assistance for 347 orphans is IDR 1 million each and 1,467 poor elderly people are IDR 500 thousand each. Also basic food assistance for 300 people with disabilities. In addition, from the Ministry of Social Affairs, namely BPNT APBN e-warung for 5,349 targets and PKH for 2,665 targets.

Ning Ita also assured the public that her party would continue to balance the interests of health and socio-economic recovery in the face of PPKM Level-4.

In addition, the Mojokerto City Government also cooperates with Baznas and the CSR Forum to cover the need for assistance for parties that have not been recorded or covered by the government budget.

"The highest appreciation and appreciation as well as thanks to all medical personnel, TNI, Polri and volunteers as well as social communities who have fought on the front lines and continue to struggle during the implementation of PPKM Level-4 as a result of the emergence of the COVID-19 variant that I also thank the residents of Mojokerto City who have complied with the government's call to stay at home and always apply the 5 M health protocol (wearing masks, washing hands, maintaining distance, avoiding crowds and reducing mobility)," he said.