Bulog Rice Is In Standby, Social Assistance Is Ready To Launch This Month

Illustration of basic food assistance. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Director General of Budget at the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) Isa Rachmatarwata said that his party believes the distribution of basic food social assistance (bansos), which consists of rice, eggs, and chicken, will be realized this month.

He conveyed that optimistic tone after the government confirmed the availability of basic commodities which are now controlled.

"Hopefully in March (it can be distributed) because the rice is at Bulog," he told the media crew at the Ministry of Finance's office complex on Tuesday, March 7.

Isa explained, the funds earmarked for the basic food assistance were taken from the 2023 State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN). He also ensured the smooth distribution was according to plan.

"The budget is not an obstacle. Because usually Bulog distributes rice and then makes claims," ​​he said.

Isa added, if the government prioritizes people who have registered in the Family Hope Program (PKH) as many as 20.65 million beneficiaries.

"Regarding the amount, we will check again exactly how much because he said there is mixed data. So maybe it can change from last year's data of 20.65 million recipients," he said.

In the previous VOI news, the Coordinating Minister (Menko) for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto, made the decision to provide basic food assistance for the first time last weekend.

"The regulations are being regulated and given for three months," said Airlangga.

For information, the government in the 2023 fiscal year has prepared a social protection budget of IDR 476 trillion which will be spread across various sectors.

The jumbo figure is expected to maintain people's purchasing power in order to encourage sustainable economic growth this year. Meanwhile, the 2023 resilience budget was recorded at IDR 104.2 trillion.