The Indonesian government has prepared a fund worth Rp110 trillion allocated for social safety nets. This program is intended for the grassroots to remain able to meet basic needs and maintain purchasing power in overcoming the socioeconomic impact of the Corona Virus (Covid-19) outbreak. President Joko Widodo revealed it at a Limited Meeting on the Effectiveness of Social Security Net Distribution Program, Tuesday (7/4), through a Video Conference from the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta.

According to President Joko Widodo, the government has expanded the number of beneficiary families of  the Family Hope Program  from 9.2 million to 10 million. President Jokowi also said that he would increase the value of benefits by increasing approximately 25% and accelerating  distribution from every  three months to once a month. The government also increased the number of nine basic food card holders from 15.2 million to 20 million. The benefits were increased by 30% from 150,000 rupiah to 200,000 rupiah and  given for 9 months.

Specifically for Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi (Greater Jakarta), the Government is preparing a special social assistance program for 3.7 million families. The President explained, assistance for 1.1 million families was prepared by the Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta, while for the remaining  2.6 million families by the Central Government for two months, according to the emergency response period stipulated by the Covid-19 Task Force.

In addition, the President has also ordered the Minister of Social Affairs to distribute 200 thousand packages of the Nine Basic Staples for the Greater Jakarta area and the Pre-Work or unemployed Cards starting April 9. The budget was raised from 10 trillion to 20 trillion rupiahs for  5.6 million  beneficiaries, especially layoffs, informal workers, micro and small businesses affected by Covid-19 pandemic.

President Joko Widodo requested that social safety nets to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic impacts be given quickly and right on target  to the people who really need it without any difficult bureaucracy.