The DPR Asks The New Poor To Be Immediately Recorded In Order To Get BBM Social Assistance

The atmosphere of the people's market in Kulon Progo Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region. (ANTARA/Sutarmi)

JAKARTA - Commission XI of the DPR asked the Government to immediately distribute social assistance (bansos) for the transfer of fuel subsidies through social cushions. The government is reminded to immediately record the community, especially those who fall into the category of the poor, only after the increase in fuel.

"Social bills through various aid programs to the community must be immediately distributed, because the increase in fuel will also have an impact on increasing various other necessities," said Member of Commission XI DPR RI, Charles Meikyansah, Wednesday, September 7.

The DPR also urges the Government to accelerate the distribution of subsidies for workers in sectors who are directly affected by the increase in fuel. Such as public transportation and motorcycle taxi workers, MSME players, fishermen or workers in the fisheries sector, to workers in the agricultural and food sectors who rely on logistics transportation.

"We also note to the Government to pay attention to community groups, which before the increase in fuel were above the poverty line and were not included in the BLT (direct cash assistance) radar. Now due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rising fuel prices, they are categorized as vulnerable to poverty," said Charles.

The legislator from the East Java IV electoral district explained that the community group he was referring to was the lowest middle class. According to Charles, those who are now on the poverty line include workers, urban informal workers, farmers/fishhopers, even online motorcycle taxi drivers (ojol) and taxi drivers.

"Their number is quite large. Not the desil groups 1 and 2, but the results are 3-5," he explained.

Desil is a household category according to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) which is measured based on community income. Desil 1 and 2 are absolute groups of poor people who are usually in rural areas and 3T (lagging, leading, and outermost) areas.

Meanwhile, desil 3 is a relatively poor household group, 4 are vulnerable to poverty, and 5 and above are groups of people who are able to afford it to the fullest.

"The online motorcycle taxi initially entered 4-6. Now it's hard and it could be a 3-4 decile. The taxi driver is also heavy because during the pandemic there was no income. The increase in fuel also added to the load," said Charles.

This 4-6 desil group is not registered as poor people. They can't get BLT, even though it's now a hard life," he added.

Charles asked the Government to pay special attention to providing social assistance to these vulnerable poor groups. Data collection and provision of fuel assistance must be appropriate and on target.

"It is necessary to immediately give social support so that vulnerable groups who are poor do not fall into the abyss of poverty," said Charles.

The House of Representatives Commission XI in charge of financial affairs also requested that the government budget allocated for Village Funds, General Allocation Funds, Social Assistance, and Non-Party Expenditures can be prioritized for social safety nets for the poor and vulnerable to poor in all regions.

Furthermore, Charles encourages Regional Governments to be proactive in controlling inflation in their respective regions amid rising fuel prices.

The local government must synergize with all elements of society and policy makers. This includes collaborating with the private sector by utilizing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to be used as social cushions for communities affected by the increase in fuel prices," he urged.

As is known, inflation is expected to increase in line with the increase in subsidized fuel prices. The reason is, the increase in fuel prices triggers an increase in food prices, public transportation costs, production costs in the fisheries and agriculture sectors, as well as logistics costs.

In fact, in a number of areas, public transport rates and conventional motorcycle taxis have increased. Fishermen also have difficulty going to sea because production costs have increased, and local expedition services have also increased by 30 percent due to the increase in fuel prices.

The domino effect triggered by the increase in fuel prices needs to be anticipated so as not to raise the inflation rate too high in each region. The role of the local government in controlling inflation rates in its territory is urgently needed," said Charles.

On the other hand, the DPR requested that the policy of adjusting tariffs for public transportation, taxis, online vehicles be carefully watched by the Government. Charles reminded that strict supervision must be carried out so that the adjustment of transportation service rates is not excessive.

"The increase in tariffs on public transportation, taxis and online-based transportation should not only benefit the company and application service providers," he said.

Don't let drivers or driver-partners pay fuel fees. The increase in public transport rates and other transportation services must also improve the welfare of their workers," concluded Charles.