CSR-based free nutritious meal programme in Tangerang set as national benchmark

Tangerang Regency (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Financial Transactions Reporting and Analysis Centre (PPATK) has assessed that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme implemented with support from private corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds at State Special School (SKhN) 1 in Tangerang Regency, Banten, provides a good benchmark for national implementation.

“This Free Nutritious Meals programme is funded purely by corporate CSR, not from the state budget. We hope collaboration models like this can become a national benchmark in supporting the implementation of the MBG programme,” said PPATK head Ivan Yustiavandana in Tangerang on Thursday.

According to him, the MBG programme at SKhN 1 Tangerang Regency sets a good example because it is fully supported by private corporate CSR funds through a collaboration between Grab, OVO and the Pelita Bangsa Inclusion Foundation, without using the state revenue and expenditure budget (APBN).

He added that this initiative and collaboration forms part of efforts to reduce dependence on APBN financing for the development of the MBG programme in areas that need it most.

“We must honour our extraordinary brothers and sisters. They have abilities and potential that we must continue to support,” he said.

Ivan added that the MBG programme, as a means of honouring children with special needs, is a tangible form of devotion to the nation as well as part of efforts to build a more inclusive Indonesia.

“PPATK stands ready to continue working in synergy with the Tangerang Regency Government and all partners to expand this movement of care,” he said.

Cahaya Mantovani, chair of the Pelita Bangsa Inclusion Foundation, expressed appreciation to PPATK, the donors and all partners who have supported the MBG programme for children with special needs.

According to her, every child has different potential and ways of learning, so it is a shared responsibility to create an inclusive environment and give them equal opportunities.

“We are committed to running this programme sustainably as support for President Prabowo Subianto’s priority programme,” she said.

She hoped that more parties would become involved in building an inclusive ecosystem, so that negative stigma towards children with special needs would no longer exist and all Indonesian children would have the same opportunities to live, learn, create and achieve a better future.

“This CSR-based MBG programme is a form of compassion as well as an investment in the future for children with special needs,” she added.