The Social Affairs Ministry has prepared several programs to control the poverty rate amid the COVID-19 pandemic.Medan (ANTARA) - The government is set to raise budget allocations for social empowerment in 2021 by Rp30.1 trillion to Rp91 trillion, from Rp60.4 trillion a year earlier to keep down the poverty rate, Social Service Minister Juliari P. Batubara stated.
"The budget for social empowerment or assistance stood at Rp60.4 trillion in 2020. There will be a significant increase of Rp30.5 trillion to Rp91 trillion in 2021," the minister remarked after witnessing the disbursement of cash social assistance at the Medan City Post Office on Friday.
Budget allocations of Rp91 trillion for social assistance is part of the total budget ceiling of Rp92.817 trillion approved by the House of Representatives (DPR) for the Social Service Ministry, he remarked.
The increase in budget allocations for social assistance is aimed at controlling and curbing the country's poverty rate as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, he explained.
"The Social Affairs Ministry has prepared several programs to control the poverty rate amid the COVID-19 pandemic," he remarked.
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The ministry has in place regular programs that have proven effective to reduce the poverty rate, he noted.
The programs, including the Family Hope Program (PKH) and basic necessity program (Sembako), have helped the public immensely, and the government will continue the programs in 2021, he remarked.
Social assistance has been pegged at Rp30.4 trillion for PKH and Rp44.7 trillion for Sembako/non-cash food assistance.
"In 2021, the social assistance for PKH will reach 10 million beneficiary families (KPM), well above 9.2 million in 2020," he remarked.
Meanwhile, the Sembago Program will reach 18.5 million beneficiary families (KPM) next year. Each of the KPM will receive Rp200 thousand per month.
"The Social Service Ministry will also continue BST (cash social assistance) during the COVID-19 pandemic," he explained.
The BST will target nine million KPM, with each expected to receive Rp200 thousand per month.
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Translator: Evalisa Siregar/Suharto
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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