"This rice assistance will later be handed over directly to the village or traditional village heads all over Bali to then be given to each resident in the area," Koster said while receiving the assistance from the Bali Financial Services Authority in Denpasar on Thursday.
He deemed that even the smallest assistance—especially rice, which is a staple food for the community—very meaningful and helpful in the midst of the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.
He said his administration appreciated the Financial Services Authority and other financial institutions for actively helping the Balinese people who are going through tough times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has not ended until now.
Koster also lauded the solidarity shown by a number of businessmen, leaders of financial institutions, and party leaders, as well as organizational leaders, who used their resources to collect donations and aid for the people of Bali.
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The governor also reminded the public to avoid exposure to COVID-19 as Bali is getting ready to reopen flights and tourism.
"Even though (COVID-19 cases) have been declining, I ask all people in Bali to continue to follow health protocols, particularly the use of masks that are good and according to recommendations, especially when they are outside the house," he said.
Meanwhile, head of the Regional 8 Bali and Nusa Tenggara Financial Services Authority, Giri Tribroto, said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, his agency actively participated in activities to push economic recovery in Bali.
"The credit restructuring program in Bali has been implemented well by all industries so far," he said at the aid distribution event, which was also attended by member of Committee XI of the House of Representatives, I Gusti Agung Rai Wirajaya.
The Financial Services Authority has also been actively involved in assisting local governments in Bali in carrying out vaccination programs for the general public, pregnant women, students, and people with disabilities, Tribroto said. More than 27 thousand people in Bali have been assisted with the vaccination process, he added.
The Financial Services Authority, along with other financial services players in Bali, has carried out several relief activities, he said. They have included distribution of basic necessities and 7 tons of rice with Pegadaian at a vaccination event in Klungkung district, distribution of basic necessities and 10 tons of rice with AAUI, BPD Bali, and Perbarindo at vaccination events in three sub-districts in Buleleng district, he informed.
Other than that, it also delivered assistance for the rehabilitation of learning facilities to Gurukula Bangli Pasraman, provided free life insurance to all new students at the Hindu State University I Gusti Bagus Sugriwa, he said. On Friday (October 8, 2021), the Financial Services Authority will hold a convalescent blood donor activity at its office, he added.
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Translator: Ni Luh R, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
