Minister Tito Brings Good News, Asks A Number Of Regions To Also Provide Social Assistance, This Is The Source Of The Funds

Home Minister Tito Karnavian (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, has asked all regional governments that have implemented Emergency Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM) in Java-Bali and 15 other regions to distribute social assistance in the form of necessities.

This social assistance to residents, said Tito, is outside the cash social assistance (BST) provided by the Ministry of Social Affairs which will be disbursed soon.

"In addition to cash from the Ministry of Social Affairs, in each Social Service, there is a budget for social assistance and a social safety net. It can be used and it is hoped that it can be distributed to those affected in the form of physical food items so that they can be seen in the community", Tito said in a virtual press conference, Friday, July 9th.

For the government at the village level, basic food assistance can be budgeted from an allocation of 8 percent of village funds. This is by the Ministry Finance regulation, where each village must allocate 8 percent of village funds for handling COVID-19.

"From the Regional Budget component, there is a central transfer that is in the profit-sharing fund of 8 percent, used for the benefit of handling COVID-19", said Tito.

While in the city, the Mayor can budget 8 percent of the revenue-sharing (DBH) and general allocation funds (DAU) from the central government to provide social assistance for necessities to support village operations.

"Also support for the village because they do not have a budget and are very dependent on their respective mayors. This can be used from 8 percent of the Regional Budget from the DAU and DBH. Meanwhile, in the village, they have village funds", he explained.

It is known that the government has expanded the implementation of the Emergency Community Activity Restriction (PPKM) policy. There are at least 15 districts/cities outside Java-Bali that must implement Emergency PPKM.

This was done because of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the area. This decision was conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto in a press conference held online. "The government encourages several regions to apply Emergency PPKM", said Airlangga.

The 15 regencies/cities outside the Java-Bali islands are located in eight provinces, namely West Sumatra, Riau Islands, Lampung, North Sumatra, East Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, West Papua, West Nusa Tenggara.

"This arrangement will take effect on July 12, 2021, until the next decision", he said.

The 15 regencies/cities outside Java-Bali that are currently implementing the Emergency PPKM policy are:

West Sumatra:

1. Padang Panjang City

2. Bukittinggi City

3. Padang City

Riau islands:

1. Tanjung Pinang City

2. Batam City

Lampung:

1. Bandar Lampung City

2. North Sumatra:

3. Medan City

East Kalimantan:

1. Balikpapan City

2. Bontang City

3. Berau District

West Kalimantan:

1. Singkawang City

2. Pontianak City

West Papua:

1. Manokwari Regency

2. Sorong City

West Nusa Tenggara:

1. Mataram City