Government Disburses IDR 39.19 Trillion For Additional COVID-19 PPKM Emergency Social Assistance

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan (DOK Setkab)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, said the government would add a social assistance budget of IDR 39.19 trillion for residents affected by the pandemic.

Luhut also reported progress regarding community mobility and activities during the implementation of Emergency PPKM. He reminded that the delta variant of COVID-19 is seven times more contagious than the previous variant.

According to him, from the results of monitoring the google traffic indicator and the night light index, there has been a significant decrease in the decline in mobility and community activities.

"Frankly, this gives hope to all of us that we can reduce this transmission. With a decrease in the mobility of community activities, it does not immediately show a decrease in the number of cases, even though the data for the last 3 days is quite good," said Luhut in a virtual press conference, Saturday. , July 17th.

The coordinator of the Java-Bali Emergency PPKM explained that the results of research from various institutions took approximately 14-21 days for the addition of cases to start flat or flat and decrease. "This will happen if we are all consistent with the implementation of Emergency PPKM," said Luhut.

The Deputy Chairperson of the KCP-PEN Committee said that it was not easy to decide on Emergency PPKM. The government must stop the exponential rate of transmission of the Delta variant so that doctors, nurses, midwives at hospitals, health centers and other health facilities can cure COVID-19 patients.

However, on the other hand, the economic impact on small people is also quite large due to the decline in community mobility and activities.

"It is not easy to overcome this policy. But we need to take PPKM to stop the transmission of the Delta variant," he said.

To ease the burden on the people affected by PPKM, said Luhut, President Jokowi has ordered his ministers to provide social assistance.

The government will provide additional social assistance with a budget of IDR 39.19 trillion for the community which will be immediately disbursed by the Minister of Finance and Minister of Social Affairs.

"The assistance includes, firstly, the provision of 10 kg of Bulog rice for 18.9 million beneficiary families (KPM). Second, cash assistance of 10 million KPM. Third, the provision of an extra 2 months for 18.9 million basic food KPMs," explained Luhut.

Fourth, he continued, social assistance for an additional 5.9 million KPM proposed by the regions. Fifth, in addition to the pre-employment card program worth Rp. 10 trillion.

While the sixth, electricity subsidies for 450 volt and 900 volt households are extended for 3 months until December 2021.

"Furthermore, internet quota assistance for students, teachers, lecturers for six months and also electricity subsidies are extended until December 2021," he said.

In addition to the addition of social assistance, continued Luhut, the government has also allocated a health budget of Rp. 33.2 trillion. Among others, to increase the cost of nurses for COVID-19 patients, health workers incentives, vaccinations.

Then the construction of the field hospital, the purchase of oxygen, as well as the distribution of 2 million free drugs that the President had started yesterday for those with isoman, OTG and mild symptoms.

"So the distribution is from the Minister of Social Affairs, TNI, Polri and other elements who want to participate and be carried out massively," he added.

Luhut said the government could not solve the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the Delta variant, only by adding more beds, hospitals, doctors and nurses. He said it was only a temporary solution.

The permanent solution is to implement strict health protocols and speed up the vaccination program that the president ordered and check multiple times to create herd immunity.

"Therefore, I ask for the cooperation of all elements of society to comply with the procedures and provisions during the Emergency PPKM period and participate in the vaccination program run by the government during this PPKM period," said Luhut.