APGI 3T: 645 Nutrition Service Units in Underdeveloped Regions Lack Operational Certainty

The Chairman of the Association for Food and Nutrition in Underdeveloped, Frontier, and Outermost Regions (APGI 3T), Herwil Junaidi Harefa, has explained the reasons behind protests by investors and managers of Nutrition Service Units (SPPG) at the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). According to Herwil, the protests arose because hundreds of SPPG in remote 3T regions that should have been operational after completing all contractual requirements have yet to receive operational certainty, despite all construction and preparatory processes being completed in accordance with applicable regulations. Herwil stated that from the outset, investors were assigned to build SPPG based on guidelines and technical instructions issued by BGN. They subsequently constructed the facilities using personal funds or loans, without utilising state budget allocations. “We built because we saw many children in remote areas still not reached by the Free Nutritious Meals programme. Our intention was solely to build and support the government programme, not to trade the locations or facilities built,” Herwil said. He explained that building facilities in remote areas presents far greater challenges than in urban areas, ranging from limited access to high logistical costs. According to APGI 3T, most of the construction was completed between October and December 2025. However, to date, many managers have not received certainty regarding the operational activation of the SPPG they built. “The development funds came from personal capital and loans. We have many commitments to fulfil to workers and those involved in the construction. Yet until now there has been no operational certainty,” Herwil said. APGI 3T recorded that 645 SPPG in remote areas have completed construction, appraisal, verification, virtual account opening, appointment of SPPG heads, and have received draft cooperation agreements and been declared ready for operation. The realised investment value is estimated to reach approximately Rp1 trillion. Consequently, APGI 3T is urging BGN to immediately provide operational certainty for all SPPG that have met administrative and technical requirements so that the benefits of the Free Nutritious Meals Programme can be felt by communities in the 3T regions.