MBG Program In Ponorogo Temporarily Stopped

The commander of Kodim 0802/Ponorogo Lt. Col. Inf. Dwi Soerjono reviewed the MBG program at a beneficiary school in Ponorogo, some time ago. ANTARA/HO-Prastyo

PONOROGO - The Free Nutrition Food Program (MBG) in Ponorogo Regency, East Java has been temporarily suspended since Friday (16/5), following adjustments to the financial administration system by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and program management foundations.

The commander of Kodim 0802/Ponorogo Lt. Col. Inf. Dwi Soerjono confirmed that the termination of MBG was not permanent, but a temporary pause during the system update.

"It was not stopped, but an administrative change was being carried out. This process is currently underway to adjust the system to make it more transparent and accountable," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, May 19.

He said the change in the administrative mechanism in question concerns the system for submitting and disbursing funds for food provider kitchens.

If previously operational funds were paid at the end of the activity, currently the budget will be given at the beginning of the month based on the submission of needs.

"For example, for the needs of the kitchen in June, the submission was made in early May. This is so that it is more structured and does not make it difficult for the kitchen to operate daily," he said.

Currently, all MBG kitchens in Ponorogo are still waiting for the activation of the new system feature that is being prepared by the foundation together with BGN. Once the system is complete, the program will resume running.

Regarding the number of beneficiaries, he ensured that there was no reduction.

Currently, MBG in Ponorogo still includes 2,697 students from 16 schools ranging from kindergarten to junior high school, including posyandu.

"Just a change in the mechanism. The number of beneficiaries remains the same as before," he said.

The MBG program had previously been running for five months since early January 2025.