Jakarta — The government-initiated Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program further emphasizes the state’s role in ensuring the future of Indonesian children. This program is seen as a crucial investment in building a healthy and quality generation from an early age.
Deputy Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Veronica Tan, assessed that MBG is not just about distributing food, but also a step to ensure the quality of human resources in the future.
“Free nutritious meals are an investment in the future. Children’s nutrition today determines the quality of the nation tomorrow,” said Veronica in an audience with the Wijaya Peduli Bangsa Foundation (YWPB).
He also added that this program is able to touch the basic needs of families and communities.
“Programs like this are real solutions that are close to families and communities,” he said.
Veronica emphasized that the implementation of the MBG still requires supervision to prevent new problems. She emphasized the importance of observing hygiene and food safety standards in the field.
“Providing food isn’t just about protein, but also ensuring the water is clean, the feeding bowl is washed, and the serving process is carried out properly,” he said.
Support also came from political party figures. PDI-P Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto assured that PDI-P cadres, down to the grassroots level, would help the government ensure the success of the MBG program.
He acknowledged that the MBG program is a program that favors the people, especially children. He also described the MBG as a concrete manifestation of the state’s concern for the nation’s future.
“The House of Representatives Commission, including the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction, has also taken the initiative to assist the government in conducting the evaluation. The results of these studies indicate that the people truly need to improve their intellectual capacity and ensure adequate nutrition for their children,” Hasto explained.
According to him, an evaluation of the MBG program must be carried out and this is a natural thing because it will be able to increase productivity and be more able to educate children as the future of the nation.
“From the program’s perspective, this is a good thing for the people’s interests,” said Hasto.
As is well known, MBG is now a national program that reinforces the country’s focus on the future of Indonesia’s younger generation. This program is designed to address children’s basic needs: adequate and healthy nutrition, to prepare them to become a more resilient generation in the future.*
