Vermonte, during his working visit to review the MBG program's implementation at a special needs school SLB Negeri 5, here on Tuesday, conveyed this when questioned about the certainty of MBG's budget allocation for the upcoming years.
"The allocated budget for 2025 is Rp71 trillion, so this is the component that will be achieved for this year. This program is no longer a multi-year program, but a multi-decade program, so it (the budget) is possible to be increased," he remarked.
He highlighted that this program is designed to address the community's nutritional issues in a sustainable manner.
Vermonte highlighted that with a long-term vision, this program allows for further development through increasing the state budget allocation and by involving the community, the private sector, and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in the future.
"There would be local economy, community support, or support from corporations or state-owned enterprises, (and) it (the program) will be more sustainable when it is implemented," he remarked.
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He emphasized that until now, the main funding for the program still comes from the state budget.
"Additional funds are being discussed. It will be a government decision with the House of Representatives (DPR), but what is clear is that this year's budget is Rp71 trillion," he revealed.
Separately, Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, explained that the budget allocation of Rp71 trillion this year is designed to reach the program beneficiaries through the thousands of Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) or MBG kitchens.
From January to April 2025, BGN targets to serve three million beneficiaries through 937 SPPGs. The number of beneficiaries will continue to increase in the next stage of the program.
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Translator: Andi F, Kenzu
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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