JAKARTA - The realisation of the social protection cluster in the National Economic Recovery programme during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) reached 77.3% or Rp 181.11 trillion from an adjusted ceiling of Rp 234.33 trillion in the third quarter (Q3) of 2020, said Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati.
According to Ms Indrawati, the realisation included the Families of Hope Programme (PKH) budget for 10 million families, basic food card for 19.4 million families, additional social assistance for 9 million families, basic food assistance for almost 2 million families in the Greater Jakarta area and 9.2 million in other areas, and direct cash assistance through the Village Funds programme.
“Therefore, we have so far assisted 60% of people who live in poverty in Indonesia,” Ms Indrawati told the House of Representatives’ Commission XI on Thursday, 12 November 2020.
In addition, she said, the realisation also included electricity subsidies of up to 50% for 900-watt and 450-watt electricity users, salary subsidies for 12.4 million workers through the Social Security Administration for Employment (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan), salary subsidies for 2.4 million teachers under contract managed by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and distance learning support for school and university students. (MS)