Heru Budi Urged To Budget Free Nutrition Eating Program In 2024 DKI Regional Budget Changes

Acting Governor of DKI Heru Budi Hartono (Diah Ayu-VOI)

JAKARTA - The Gerindra Party faction and Golkar DPRD DKI Jakarta asked the Acting (Pj) Governor of DKI Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono to allocate a free nutritious food program budget in schools in changes to the 2024 budget year. Gerindra wants a free meal program similar to the idea of the elected President-Vice President Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka to be included in the routine program of the DKI Provincial Government. This was revealed by Gerindra faction member of the DKI DPRD Bastian P. Simanjuntak, quoted from the DPRD faction view document on the draft 2024 budget year amendment. "The Gerindra faction encourages that in the 2024 revised RAPBD this change is allocated for free nutritious eating programs in schools," said Bastian, quoted Friday, August 9. According to Bastian, free nutritious eating programs in schools are needed as an effort by the DKI Provincial Government in improving nutrition or nutritional intake for students. He continued, when the nutritional needs of children are met, the ability to absorb lessons in schools will be better. "The program is not only to fulfill the basic needs of students, but also to contribute to long-term welfare by laying the basis for healthier lifestyles, and aiming to improve the quality of education and children's health as a top priority," he explained. Also in the fractional view, Golkar faction chairman Basri Basco also asked Heru Budi to budget for free nutritious eating programs according to the central government programs that have been tested. "This program is also an effort to suppress the increasing number of children suffering from kidney failure due to wrong eating and drinking patterns," said Baco. Previously, Heru Budi Hartono admitted that he would conduct a free nutritious trial at several Jakarta schools. Heru said that the implementation of this free nutritious trial would begin after the anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia. "I will start the trial of there are several schools in Cakung, East Jakarta, there are some in South Jakarta, if that is SD, yes," said Heru. Heru asked for assistance from the Jakarta Regional Own Business Agency (BUMD) to further facilitate the implementation of the Prabowo-Gibran program.

Heru has not been able to explain about the mechanism for implementing the free nutritious eating trial. He only ensured that the implementation would be carried out by BUMD with the community. "Later, the trial, we have a name BUMD Dharma Jaya. They can also carry out these activities with the surrounding community as well. We'll see, yes. The most important thing is that the food is nutritious," concluded Heru.