Please Don't Be Greedy! Rare Of 3 KG Elpiji Stock, Intended For Underprivileged People

A subsidized 3kg LPG gas cylinder at one of the bases in Kwandang District (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The North Gorontalo District Government, Gorontalo Province, has asked the well-to-do residents in that area not to use subsidized 3 kilograms (kg) of Elpiji (gas cylinders). The 3kg Elpiji is only intended for underprivileged people.

"What is happening now is that the users of 3kg subsidized Elpiji are evenly distributed. Everyone wants to be served the same, even though subsidized Elpiji is only for the underprivileged", said Head of the Economy and Natural Resources (SDA) Section of North Gorontalo Regency Government, Ahyun Blongkod, March.

He asked residents who are classified as capable to have awareness not to use the 3kg Elpiji subsidized. "Please use 5.5 kg of bright gas, which has a lot of stock", said Ahyun.

His party, he said, intensified the socialization to the community, including synergizing with the sub-district government to encourage residents to be able to use bright gas.

It is quite difficult to change the usual one from previously using subsidized 3kg Elpiji to switch to bright gas.

"However, it must be done because capable citizens, including civil servants (PNS) and business actors with basic capital above IDR 5 million, must immediately switch", he said again.

It is hoped that capable citizens will have awareness, and all stakeholders including the DPRD (Regional House of Representatives) are expected to participate in encouraging this.

Data from the local Social Service, said Ahyun, the beneficiaries in this area are as many as 900 target households in 2020. Meanwhile, our quota in that year reached 3,131 metric tons. For 2021, the district government has proposed an additional quota to adjust for data changes due to an increase in several micros, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, Gorontalo Utata gets a quota of 4,100 metric tons for 1,367 target households, MSME players, and 800 fishermen who receive the BBM to BBG conversion program.

"Remember, this quota is not for the well-to-do citizens. Those who are able, please use 5.5 kg of bright gas", he said in response to public concerns regarding the difficulty of getting 3kg of Elpiji in that area.