During a limited meeting held via teleconferencing at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Tuesday, the president stated that the mechanism for synchronizing data on the recipients of social assistance must be transparent, so that all parties can participate in the monitoring process.
"As a result, people awaiting the aid can obtain it immediately," President Widodo remarked while opening a meeting on "Simplification of the Procedure for Social Cash Assistance and Direct Cash Assistance (BLT) of Village Funds".
Another area necessitating prompt attention apart from the data is the convoluted distribution procedure. In fact, the president highlighted the need to expedite the distribution of social assistance to the people in need amid challenging times posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
To this end, the president has called on relevant ministers to expedite the distribution of all direct cash assistance.
The head of state called for simple regulations and flexibility for local governments in the distribution of social assistance, with sustained emphasis on accountability.
"The situation is an abnormal one and is extraordinary. Once again, this calls for speed," he noted.
On Monday (May 18), the president revealed that the disbursement of BLT sourced from the village funds was less than 15 percent, and cash social assistance was below 25 percent.
The head of state ordered Minister of Social Affairs Juliari Batubara and Minister of Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Abdul Halim Iskandar to speed up the distribution of social assistance this week. Related news: President inspects disbursal of staple food assistance in Johar Baru
Related news: Jokowi urges ministries to expedite disbursement of social assistance
EDITED BY INE
Reporter: Indra Arief, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Suharto
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