"As of today, the distribution is 90 percent complete, with almost everything cleared for the first quarter," Minister Yusuf stated here on Wednesday.
He explained that the remaining social assistance distribution will continue throughout February 2025, aiming for completion before the start of the fasting month, which is expected to begin in March 2025.
Although the social assistance distribution in the first quarter of 2025 relies on older data from the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS), Minister Yusuf said that future distributions will utilize the National Socio-Economic Single Data (DTSEN).
"For the second quarter, we will use the latest data, DTSEN. Currently, we are still using the old DTKS data," he remarked.
Furthermore, the minister urged all regional leaders to actively participate in verifying and validating the data on social assistance recipients.
Yusuf believes that if everyone contributes, then DTSEN can be a reliable resource for all parties distributing social assistance and ensuring it reaches the target recipients.
"We ask the new district heads and mayors to review, observe, and participate in the verification and validation process through the social office, working together with the regional Statistics Indonesia agency and the social organizations in their areas," Yusuf stated.
The Ministry of Social Affairs will evaluate social assistance recipients to ensure those of working age receive aid for a maximum of five years.
"We will assess recipients, and for those of working age who are socially capable, we will encourage them to move to empowerment programs," Yusuf stated.
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Translator: Hana K, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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