Jakarta – The government continues to strengthen the governance of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program through efficiency measures aimed at increasing implementation effectiveness without compromising the quality of services to the public. These efforts are part of the government’s commitment to ensuring optimal, targeted, and sustainable program benefits.
The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, emphasized that efficiency is the first step in improving MBG governance. She stated that budget savings are being achieved without compromising food quality or nutritional goals for beneficiaries.
“Our primary concern is efficiency. So, even though it’s now down to Rp268 trillion, we hope to be able to reduce it further, without compromising quality,” Nanik said in Jakarta.
He explained that the National Food Security Agency (BGN) is focusing improvements on three main aspects: refocusing beneficiaries to better target them, implementing a moratorium on new kitchen construction, and upgrading existing kitchens to meet operational standards for producing nutritious food. Furthermore, improving the competency of human resources in the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) is also a priority to maintain service quality.
Support for strengthening MBG governance also came from the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI). Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad emphasized that his institution would carry out its oversight and mentoring functions to ensure the national strategic program’s success.
“Basically, the Indonesian House of Representatives, in accordance with its duties and functions, will continue to monitor and provide assistance so that this pro-people program can run well and benefit the Indonesian people and society,” said Dasco after a coordination meeting with the leadership of the National Nutrition Agency at the Parliament Complex, Senayan.
According to Dasco, the MBG Program not only contributes to improving the nutritional quality of the community by preventing malnutrition and stunting, but also positively impacts the education sector by helping students learn in better conditions. Furthermore, this program also stimulates the regional economy through the involvement of MSMEs, farmers, livestock breeders, and fishermen as food suppliers.
Synergy between the government and the House of Representatives (DPR) in strengthening oversight, increasing efficiency, and improving governance is expected to make the Free Nutritious Meal Program even more effective in improving the quality of Indonesia’s human resources. With more accountable and targeted management, the government is optimistic that the benefits of the Free Nutritious Meal Program will be felt more widely by the community while supporting the development of a healthy, intelligent, and productive generation.