Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Ministry revealed that until October 4, 2020, realization of budget for infrastructure spending had reached Rp52.08 trillion, or 59.5 percent, while the physical development progress touched 60 percent.

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, economic growth has decreased as a result of a drop in investment, exports, and imports. Hence, the only factor that supports economic growth is government spending, one of which is infrastructure spending," PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono noted in a statement here on Monday.

The ministry’s budget spending has been channeled for infrastructure development projects, such as construction and maintenance of dams, irrigation systems, roads, bridges, sanitation facilities, drinking water systems, zoning, infrastructure in strategic tourism areas, and low-income community houses (MBR).

The budget spending was expected to help bolster competitiveness and serve as a stimulus for the real sector to survive and grow during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To mitigate the impacts of COVID-19, the PUPR ministry is implementing infrastructure development with the Cash-for-Work (PKT) scheme through 16 programs, with a budget of Rp12.32 trillion. These programs include the construction of small irrigation schemes, sanitation, production roads, and self-help houses.

Furthermore, a budget of Rp1.36 trillion was allocated to support the National Economic Recovery (PEN) Program in the form of expansion of the Labor Intensive Program for revitalizing five thousand kilometers of the national road drainage system, with Rp1 trillion budgeted.

The ministry also spent Rp200 billion to procure 100 thousand tons of the people's products, Rp125 billion to build 4,700 "Risha" modest houses for the poor, and Rp5.28 billion to build 250 "Ruspin" houses.

Moreover, the ministry spent Rp20 billion to purchase rubber from local farmers in Bengkulu Province, Rp5 billion to procure 33 units of light weight deflectometer (LWD) equipment, Rp3.75 billion to buy 250 big gun sprinklers, Rp1.8 billion to purchase 300 water tanks, and Rp1.6 billion to buy 500 biodigester units.

For boosting connectivity, the ministry has allocated a budget worth Rp100 billion to buy 11,338 tons of the farmers’ rubber and 790.42 tons of ester resin worth Rp25 billion. Related news: President promises increased infrastructure spending
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Translator: Aji Cakti, Fardah
Editor: Suharto
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