NTT Realizes The PEN Program In 2022 For IDR 5.7 Trillion, Most Of Them Are Sent To The Perlinsos Cluster

Head of the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Treasury of NTT Province, Ministry of Finance Catur Ariyanto Widodo. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

The Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) noted that central government spending for the National Economic Recovery Program (PEN) in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) during January-December 2022 reached 5.7 trillion. "The total distribution of PEN until December 16, 2022 reached Rp5.7 trillion for three clusters, namely health, social protection, and economic recovery," said Head of the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Treasury NTT Province, Catur Ariyanto Widodo in a statement quoted by Antara, Friday, January 6. He conveyed this related to the progress of distribution of PEN funds in NTT during January-December 2022. Regulation explaining PEN funds channeled for health clusters in the form of claims for COVID-19 patients and incentives for health workers reaching Rp284.3 billion. In addition, social protection clusters in the form of Family Hope Programs, Direct Cash Assistance (BLT) for cooking oil, BLT basic necessities, and Village Fund BLT with a total of Rp2.97 trillion. Economic recovery clusters in the form of construction of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) infrastructure, labor, tourism, food security, and other priorities amounting to Rp2.5 trillion.

Catur said PEN spending shows the role of the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN) in maintaining and protecting the economy in regions including NTT from the pressure due to the COVID-19 pandemic and conflicts at the global level. "APBN continues to play a role as a shock absorber for economic recovery, it is hoped that it can grow faster in the midst of various pressures," he said. He said, the Ministry of Finance continues to oversee the implementation of the regional budget so that it remains responsive, flexible, and sustainable, to support NTT economic growth.