The criteria is clear, whether severe, medium, or minor damages, the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry has the criteria
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) affirmed that the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing would have the final say in determining the class of damage of houses affected by the earthquake in Cianjur District, West Java Province.

"The criteria is clear, whether severe, medium, or minor damages, the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry has the criteria. Hence, you are not determining (the damage), as we have the 'referee'. If residents determine the damage, (I am afraid) you will all report the damage as severe," the president told residents during his visit to Cianjur as broadcast by the Presidential Secretariat on Thursday.

One of the sites visited by Jokowi in Cianjur was a shelter set up by the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) in Cijedil Village, Cugenang Sub-district.

During the visit, the president reminded residents to accept all decisions made by the ministry, as the government is keen to cater to all homes damaged by the November 21 earthquake, estimated to reach 53 thousand.

Related news: Ministry installs solar panels for Cianjur refugees


"I told you that there are 53 thousand houses damaged throughout Cianjur, and you are all fortunate to be the first recipients of the assistance because all of you have been verified," he stated.

Apart from observing the condition of refugee shelters, the president also distributed assistance to earthquake victims during his visit to the site.

Assistance will be offered for 8,100 houses in the first distribution batch this Thursday, he noted.

Related news: Cianjur: Social Service establishes 14 public kitchens


Jokowi explained that the government will also assist in the reconstruction of public facilities damaged due to the earthquake, including 272 places of worship and 540 schools.

The president affirmed that after consultation with the finance minister, he had decided to increase the amount of assistance for houses with damages of all levels.

Residents whose houses suffer severe damages will receive Rp60 million (US$3,840), from the earlier amount of Rp50 million (US$3,200), while those with houses that incurred medium damages are eligible to receive Rp30 million (US$1,920), up from Rp25 million (US$1,600), and those with houses having minor damage would receive Rp15 million (US$960), from the earlier amount of Rp10 million (US$640), he expounded.

Related news: BNPB provides stimulus funds to 8,341 families in Cianjur

Related news: BNPB aims to complete Cianjur victims' relocation by June 2023

Translator: Rangga Pandu AJ, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2022