"It also includes several sectors that are deemed to be very affected by the increase in fuel price and inflation, such as the agriculture, fisheries, and transportation sectors, as well as the (rise in the) poverty rate," he informed after explaining the 2022 Regional Budget Amendment Draft and Financial Memorandum Report at the plenary meeting of the Central Java Legislative Council (DPRD) building here on Friday.
He outlined the three priorities in the regional budget amendment at the meeting. The first is a wise response or policy to address the impact of the fuel price hike. He said he expects social assistance to be more on-target and provide benefits to communities in need.
"Let's calculate the impact of this fuel price increase so that we can address community problems; to maintain the purchasing power. The targeted sectors, sub-sectors, and (community) groups must be clear. I really urge this because this is also our national task," Pranowo emphasized.
The second priority is that due to unfavorable weather conditions and current global challenges, the agriculture sector must be prepared seriously, as some volatile food commodities have greatly contributed to inflation in recent months, he added.
"Both farmers and fishers are disturbed because of this, so we direct the assistance there," he said.
The third priority is ensuring proportionality in the assistance distributed to cities and districts in Central Java by prioritizing poor districts. Thus, Purworejo and Pemalang districts would receive the highest assistance.
"Once we accelerate the (assistance), we can achieve many things (such as) control in the impact of fuel price increase, inflation, as well as decline in the poverty rate," he said.
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Translator: Wisnu N, Kenzu T
Editor: Suharto
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