"I want to ensure the distribution of staple foods to the community, especially in Greater Jakarta. The community has received food assistance," President Widodo remarked in Johar Baru, Central Jakarta, on Monday.
"The second tranche of assistance was received. Today, the third phase of aid has been received," he confirmed.
Dressed in a long-sleeved white shirt and black cloth mask, the president, accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy and Social Affairs Minister Juliari Batubara, inspected the distribution of basic food aid to residents.
"We hope that the assistance would be faster and smoother in future," the president stated in connection with the distribution of social assistance to people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
After delivering a brief statement, the president departed from Johar Baru.
The inspection of the distribution of staple food assistance in Johar Baru was the second review of the disbursal of social aid to residents impacted by COVID-19 conducted by the president.
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On May 13, 2020, the president had reviewed the distribution of social assistance at the Bogor City Post Office located in proximity to the Bogor Presidential Palace.
The government conducted several social safety net programs under the efforts to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Assistance in the government's social safety net program amounts to Rp110 trillion.
In this case, the government has, among others, channeled financial assistance through a regular program in the form of the Family Hope Program (PKH), with a target of 10 million beneficiary families, with values varying in accordance with the familial conditions and assistance in the nine-basic necessities program valued at Rp200 thousand per family for 20 million beneficiary families.
The government has also distributed non-regular social assistance in the form of basic food aid worth Rp600 thousand per month for each family for a period of three months for 1.9 million families in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Greater Jakarta) and direct cash assistance for nine million families in Greater Jakarta.
In addition, the government has channeled assistance through the Pre-Employment Card Program for 5.6 million recipients, offering funds of Rp20 trillion for the distribution of aid under the scheme from April to December 2020.
Other social assistance provided is in the form of free electricity for 450-VA customers and a 50-percent discount for 900-VA customers for electricity usage from April to June 2020.
Furthermore, direct cash assistance worth Rp600 thousand monthly per family is provided from the village fund for 12.3 million targeted families from April to June 2020.
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Translator: Desca L, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
