Semarang Walkot Mbak Ita Affirms The Head Of The Front Guard Market To Control Inflation

Semarang Mayor Hevearita Gunaryanti Rahayu while attending the May Inflation Release and Inflation Control Mitigation at Semarang City Hall, Thursday (6/6/2024). (ANTARA/Zuhdiar Laiis)

SemarANG - Mayor of Semarang Hevearita Gunaryanti Rahayu emphasized that the head of the market or commonly called the "market area" is at the forefront of efforts to control inflation in the regions.

"This'market village' is at the forefront of inflation control," said Ita, Hevearita's nickname, during the May Inflation Release and Inflation Control Mitigation" activity at Semarang City Hall, reported by ANTARA, Thursday, June 6.

According to Mbak Ita, the "market area" is tasked with monitoring food commodity prices, especially the basic needs of the community in traditional markets every day because there are always price changes.

When there is a shortage or scarcity of certain commodity stocks in the market, he said, the "market area" will coordinate with the Trade Office and the Food Security Service.

For the availability of rice food commodities in Semarang City, the condition is relatively safe because it can last for the next five months, especially since rice centers are currently harvesting.

"Then, other commodities, such as chilies and shallots, garlic need to be met immediately. Especially, for chilies whose stock is only for the next five days, don't let stock vacancies occur and trigger an increase in market prices," he said.

However, he admitted that there are several "market areas" that do not yet understand their main duties and functions (tupoksi) so that an comparative study will be dispatched to traditional markets in Bandung.

"I asked'market area', what's the task? Confused. Therefore, later we will be assisted by Bank Indonesia to supervise the role of'market area'. Because they play a role in controlling inflation," he said.

The study of appeals to traditional markets in Bandung, he said, as well as appreciation because Semarang City in the May 2024 period experienced deflation in line with the decline in prices of a number of basic commodities.

Meanwhile, the Head of Perum Bulog Semarang Branch, Rendy Ardiansyah, said that the rice stock to date in Semarang City has reached a total of around 22 thousand tons, consisting of commercial rice of 3,770.05 tons, and CBP rice (government rice reserves) 18,246.42 tons.

"We also absorb rice from local farmers in a total of 14,700 tons, namely Demak, Grobogan, Ungaran Regency. It consists of 8,600 tons of PSO rice, and 6,100 tons of premium rice," he said.

According to Rendy, the distribution of rice for the Stabilization of Supply and Food Prices (SPHP) to the community has a total of 1,800 tons, which is channeled to traditional markets and modern markets in Semarang City.