Jakarta (ANTARA) - Ninety percent of social cash aid has been distributed to DKI Jakarta residents through Bank DKI Jakarta, Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta, Ahmad Riza Patria, has said.
"The distribution of social cash aid has reached more than 90 percent. I reviewed (the progress) at several locations yesterday. Alhamdulillah (praise be to God), (the aid) has been distributed, which has been disbursed through Bank DKI ATMs," he informed while reviewing vaccinations at the National University campus in Jakarta on Monday (July 26, 2021).
Patria said he was hopeful that the cash aid would ease the burden on those affected by the pandemic, especially in areas where level 4 public activity restrictions (PPKM) have been enforced.
In future, for all aid sourced from the regional budget (APBD), Bank DKI will be used as the main distributor agent, he added.
"It is also expected that in future, all cash aid from the Jakarta government's regional budget, that is more than Rp1 million, can be disbursed through Bank DKI ATMs. It is good to avoid crowds," he said.
Related news: Jakarta confirms extension of worker registration certificates
Cash aid provided by the Ministry of Social Affairs should no longer be distributed through Pos Indonesia Ltd, or the mailing service, but via bank transfers, he requested.
"Hopefully, in the future, the aid and support from Pos Indonesia Ltd and the social ministry can be attained through ATMs, so crowds can be avoided," the deputy governor stated.
Social cash aid from the regional budget began to be distributed to 1,007,378 households from July 19, 2021, and about 837 thousand family heads have received the aid from the government budget (APBN), he informed.
Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini (Risma) has also said she is optimistic the social aid, provided under the Family Hope Program (PKH), will boost the purchasing power of 33.6 million recipients amid public activity restrictions.
At least 33,674,865 people from 10 million households have been recorded as recipients of the aid, she noted.
The government has also distributed food aid, equivalent to Rp200 thousand (around US$13), to 18.8 million families and provided Rp200 thousand in social support funding to 10 million families each month, she said.
A budget of about Rp85.7 trillion (around US$5.8 billion) has been prepared by the government for the three social assistance programs, she added. (INE)
Related news: Death rate in Jakarta drops significantly: COVID-19 task force
Related news: Jakpro launches vaccination program for employees, residents
