By: Dodik Prasetyo )*
The pandemic resulting from the outbreak of the covid-19 virus has not ended yet and the vaccine has not yet been discovered. This condition made the government swift and extended the period of providing social assistance (social assistance) from previously only until June, given until December. It is hoped that the community can survive with this social assistance package.
Social assistance from the central government of the Republic of Indonesia in the form of packages containing rice and other food, or money amounting to 600,000 was given to millions of people. This social assistance package is not only given to Jabodetabek residents but also throughout Indonesia. The community feels happy because they are cared for by the government, because indeed they are experiencing financial shortages.
In July, the bansos actually ended, but the government decided to extend it until December. This was explained by the Minister of Social Affairs Juliari Batubara, in an online anniversary celebration of Pancasila. The provision of social assistance is in accordance with the president’s instructions. There is a total fund of 2.7 trillion rupiah for this social assistance budget.
The deciding factor in the extension of social assistance is that Indonesia’s economic condition has not yet recovered 100 percent as before. There are still many people who lost their jobs. The small traders also live a sad life. Although it has begun to sell in the new normal era, but the results have not been as big as before, before there was a corona attack.
When there are still many people who are in financial difficulties, then the social assistance package continues to be given until the end of the year. But the value is reduced, from the previous 600,000 rupiah per person, to 300,000 rupiah. The people are expected not to be surprised by the decline in nominal social assistance. Understand that there are still many needs that must be prioritized by the government, for example the costs to deal with corona patients, infrastructure development, and others.
Despite the nominal decline in the social assistance package, there are still many other assistance from the government. Among these electricity subsidies for 450 VA and 900 VA customers. So not only citizens from the lower classes can get help, but also the middle class people. Because they are also affected by the co-19 pandemic.
In addition, there is still other assistance besides social assistance and electricity subsidies. For example, the family’s hope program and village cash direct assistance (BLT). If there is a less capable and has been recorded, it will automatically get it. This assistance has been confirmed to be on target.
There are more programs to help people affected by the corona effect, namely pre-work cards. The owner of this card in addition to getting money also gets new skills that can be learned online. This skill is the most important, because it can be used as capital to start a new business.
The number of subsidies and programs other than social assistance makes the community very helped. So they not only get cash, but also discounts and even free electricity bills. The burden of life is reduced a little, and social assistance in the form of food is very useful because it is a basic need of the community.
The distribution of social assistance is also controlled and monitored closely, so as not to deviate and instead be misused by individuals. There is also cooperation with one of the Bank’s red plate to transfer directly to the recipient of bantun. So it is certain that it will be immediately accepted and used by people who are in need.
A social assistance of 300,000 rupiah was given to people affected by covid-19. The provision of social assistance was extended to December, from the previous one until June 2020. Indeed, the nominal was reduced by 50 percent from the previous social assistance. But this amount of money should be grateful for the people who receive it, because it is evidence of the attention of the government.
)* The author is a contributor to the Indonesian Strategic Information Study Institute (LSISI)