BLT El Nino Targets 18.8 Million Families, Jokowi: To Increase People's Purchasing Power

Illustration. Jokowi inaugurated the Opening of Bahaupm Bide Bahana Taru Borneo Bangkule Rajaking (TBBR) on November 29, 2022. (Jokowi Instagram)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) conveyed the distribution of direct cash assistance (BLT) from the government to residents affected by the El Nino phenomenon in an effort to increase people's purchasing power.

"BLT El Nino is indeed to inject the purchasing power of the people affected by the super El Nino, many have rotten (plants) and their productivity has decreased, so we hope that with this assistance people's purchasing power will return to normal," he said after conducting a review and distributing aid at the Rogojampi Market. Banyuwangi, East Java, Wednesday, December 27, confiscated by Antara.

He said the government distributed BLT El Nino each Rp. 200,000 per month to 18.8 million beneficiary families (KPM) throughout Indonesia.

The government provided the assistance for two months, namely in November and December 2023.

"Currently it has not been seen (the impact). This has only been distributed in December 2023. Later it will be seen after the distribution is complete. Later it will be seen how people's purchasing power will increase," said the President.

A resident of Rogojampi Subdistrict, Saptuni (57), is grateful to receive BLT El Nino and hopes that the government will continue such assistance programs.

"Thank you Pak Jokowi. We hope that assistance like this will be continued. Of course we will be greatly helped," said Saptuni, a flower seller in the background of the Rogojampi Banyuwangi Market.

President Joko Widodo visited the Banyuwangi Rogojampi Market accompanied by the Governor of East Java Khofifah Indar Parawansa and Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani.

During the visit, the President also distributed food packages to residents in the Rogojampi Market environment.

Before reviewing the Banyuwangi Rogojampi Market, the President together with the Governor of East Java and the Banyuwangi Regent reviewed the distribution of BLT El Nino at the Genteng District Post Office.