Bulog rice aid helps ease burden on Bajo Village residents

The distribution of rice aid from Perum Bulog is helping to ease the spending burden on residents of Bajo Village, Tilamuta District, Boalemo Regency, Gorontalo Province, amid rising prices for a number of food staples and declining incomes.

Aid recipient Hilda Pana said the assistance was very helpful for the community because food prices had risen while incomes were relatively difficult to earn.

“We are very grateful for this assistance because food prices are rising and income is hard to come by,” Hilda said when met at the Bajo Village Office on Friday.

She said the rice aid was intended for residents up to Hamlet 4 and served as a form of support in meeting household food needs.

According to Hilda, the rice received by residents was assistance provided through Bulog’s food security programme.

Another recipient, Nila Borman, said the economic conditions of coastal communities were also affected by the weather, which had limited fishing activities.

“Fish prices have fallen and income is low, yet the weather is in the wave season. It is difficult to go to sea, and all prices have risen,” she said.

She said the reduction in fishing activity had a direct impact on the incomes of residents, some of whom depend on their catch for daily needs.

Amid these conditions, the rice aid was considered helpful in reducing part of household spending on staple food needs.

Nila expressed hope that food assistance could continue to be provided to communities in need, especially when weather conditions hamper fishing activities and affect daily incomes.

The distribution of rice aid is one effort to help maintain the fulfilment of food needs while easing the economic burden on the residents of Bajo Village.