Bogor DPRD calls for poverty data validation to ensure aid reaches intended recipients

Bogor City (ANTARA) — The Bogor City Council (DPRD) in West Java has asked the regional government to continuously update and validate poverty data so that various assistance programmes can be received by those rightfully entitled.

Rozi Putra, a member of Commission IV of the Bogor City Council, said in Bogor on Friday that data validation is important because there are still many public complaints about inaccuracies in poverty decile data.

He said the issue not only affects the distribution of social assistance, but also people’s access to healthcare services and educational scholarships.

He asked the Bogor City Social Affairs Office to ensure it has carried out field verification, or ground checking, of the National Single Social Data (DTSN).

According to him, Commission IV of the Bogor City Council continues to receive complaints about inaccuracies in poverty decile data, which have caused children from underprivileged families to miss out on school scholarships.

“We ask the Social Affairs Office to keep updating and validating the data so that all assistance programmes genuinely reach the right targets and are felt by those entitled,” he said.

He believes the existence of unspent budget balances (SILPA) at agencies handling social welfare deserves attention, since allocated funds should be optimally utilised for vulnerable communities.

“Even one rupiah of SILPA at the Social Affairs Office means there are poor residents, orphans, or persons with disabilities whose entitlements were delayed last year,” said Rozi.

He therefore asked the Bogor City Social Affairs Office to explain why social protection budget allocations remain unspent, while also ensuring that budgeted programmes can reach the people who need them.