Tanjung, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The number of poor population in Tabalong District, South Kalimantan, is still high reaching 14,000 families and is a big homework for the local government.
Secretary of the Tabalong Agency of Development Planning, Research and Innovation (Bapperinda) Sujadi said even though the poverty rate has declined from 5.7 percent to 5.6 percent, but poverty and unemployment rate is still high that they need serious attention from all parties.
"We have conducted intervention but poverty in Tabalong is still high," Sujadi expounded here on Tuesday.
Based on the data collection, the highest number of poor resident is in Banua Lawas out of 12 sub-districts in Tabalong District.
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Separately, the Head of Banua Lawas Sub-district Suwandi said the poverty decree in 2024 recorded the number of poor people in his area reached 3,557 families spread across 15 villages.
"Consistent collaboration and supervision is needed to handle poverty, especially in Banua Lawas Sub-district," he said.
Meanwhile, in the development planning meeting (Musrenbang) at Banua Lawas Sub-district level, Bapperinda Secretary Sujadi explained the initial draft of the 2026 RKPD (Regional Government Work Plan) for strong economic growth with inclusivve competitiveness for public welfare.
"Seven priority programs to realize SMART (prosperous, independent, religious and leading) Tabalong according to vision and mission of the elected regent," said Sujadi.
The priority programs include free wifi, one village one preacher, producing 15 thousand skilled workers, 1,000 undergraduate scholarship to zero percent credit for MSMEs.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Social Affairs is working with the Ministry of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions to create a joint action plan to eliminate extreme poverty, especially in villages.
According to Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, the action plan will be based on Presidential Instruction Number 4 of 2025 on National Integrated Social and Economic Data (DTSEN).
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