JAKARTA - The Ministry of Finance claims that it is prepared to increase the National Disaster Management Authority’s (BNPB) budget for natural disaster management.
According to Director-General for Budget Askolani, the government has budgeted Rp 5 trillion for emergency response in the 2020 State Budget Law. However, the amount can be increased at BNPB’s request if necessary.
“We are prepared to increase [BNPB’s] budget for disaster management. We know that it will be required much like in 2017,” said Mr Askolani as quoted by Bisnis.com, Tuesday (7/1).
The extra budget, said Mr Askolani, is included in the State General Treasurer’s post and can be disbursed whenever necessary. In addition, at the start of the year the Ministry of Finance gave Rp 500 billion funding to BNPB for natural disaster anticipation. (MS)