BGN: No Maximum Age Limit for MBG Volunteers

Public participation is one of the main strengths in supporting the success of the programme. Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, emphasised that there is no maximum age limit for volunteers in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme because it is open to all layers of society. Volunteers in the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) or MBG kitchens are paid staff under a different financing scheme from the head of SPPG, nutrition supervisors, or financial supervisors, who hold government employee status with work agreements (PPPK). SPPG volunteers include those working in food processing, meal delivery, or cleaning. “The key is to have a healthy condition, be ready to work, and have the enthusiasm to contribute to supporting national nutrition fulfilment. There is no maximum age limit as long as the volunteer is healthy and able to work,” said Dadan in an official statement in Jakarta on Friday. According to Dadan, the MBG programme is a national strategic initiative that requires involvement from various community elements to ensure its optimal implementation across regions. Therefore, public participation is one of the main strengths in supporting the programme’s success. Nevertheless, the minimum age requirement is still enforced as a form of attention to the volunteers’ readiness in carrying out field tasks and responsibilities. “To become a volunteer, the minimum age requirement remains 18 years,” he stated. Dadan added that community involvement in the MBG programme is not only a form of support for the government initiative but also reflects the spirit of mutual cooperation and social care in improving the nutritional quality of Indonesian society. “The spirit is to open up participation as widely as possible for the community who wish to contribute to supporting the success of the MBG programme,” said Dadan. According to him, the MBG programme is one of the government’s steps to strengthen national nutrition fulfilment efforts while supporting the improvement of Indonesian human resource quality. In its implementation, BGN continues to prioritise principles of collaboration, accountability, and benefits for society.