Field Check, KSP Finds 59 Villages In Bangkalan, Madura Don't Have Enough Village Funds Distributing BLT

Archives-Deputy III Chief of Presidential Staff of the Republic of Indonesia Panutan Sulendrakusuma (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Deputy III of the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) Panutan Sulendrakusuma said 59 out of 273 villages in Bangkalan, Madura, East Java (Jatim) did not have sufficient Village Funds for the distribution of direct cash assistance (BLT).

These findings were obtained from the results of field verification conducted by KSP in Bangkalan, Madura today. The role model encourages the addition of Village BLT through the district and provincial APBD, according to a predetermined scheme.

"It is in accordance with the scheme. We will convey the results of this field verification through the Coordination Meeting of Priority Programs for Alleviating Extreme Poverty with relevant ministries/agencies and stakeholders," Panutan said in a release received in Jakarta, Antara, Wednesday, December 15.

Bangkalan Regency is one of the 35 priority districts for the distribution of Village BLT. The reason is that 20.56 percent of Bangkalan's population is poor, with an extreme poverty rate of 12.44 percent.

Panutan explained, the government provided additional Village BLT and Non-Cash Food Assistance of Rp. 300,000 each for three months, specifically for people who were categorized as extreme poor in the 35 districts.

The role model also said that additional BLT assistance was given to 694,000 Beneficiary Families (KPM) and the distribution is targeted to be completed by the end of this year.

In addition to the question of BLT Desa, Panutan and the Deputy III KSP team also monitored the distribution of Non-Cash Food Aid with representatives of PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. In this case, BRI is the main supplier of BPNT in Bangkalan.

According to BRI Regional Micro Banking Head Surabaya Asep Nurdin, e-Warong/BRILink located in Bangkalan can be used as a means of withdrawing money by BPNT top up recipients, so KPM does not need to visit branch offices.

Panutan added, the central government hopes that the BLT Desa and BPNT top-up program can help reduce the extreme poverty rate to reach the 0 percent target in 2024. Moreover, the national extreme poverty alleviation is targeted to reach zero percent in 2024.

"Based on BPS data, this year the extreme poverty rate is still in the range of 4 percent or covers almost 10 million people," said Panutan.