DPR, DPD, and Bapanas Collaborate on Low-Cost Food Programme in Tasikmalaya

The National Food Agency (Bapanas) has synergised with a member of the House of Representatives (DPR) from the NasDem Party representing West Java XI electoral district, the Regional Representative Council (DPD), and the Tasikmalaya City Government to hold a Low-Cost Food Programme (GPM). This collaborative effort aims to maintain supply stability and ensure staple food prices remain affordable for the public. Lola Nelria Oktavia, a member of Commission 3 of the DPR from the NasDem Party, explained that the activity, centred in the Tamansari District Office courtyard, represents a tangible form of the government and legislature’s alignment with the people. Through this programme, residents can obtain food commodities at below-market prices. ‘We welcome this low-cost food programme because it genuinely provides direct benefits in alleviating the community’s economic burden. This collaborative effort is just the beginning, and we will carry out further impactful initiatives for residents in the future,’ Lola Nelria Oktavia stated on Wednesday (29/7). During the event, organisers provided various staple goods including rice, MinyakKita cooking oil, red chillies, shallots, garlic, eggs, vegetables, and subsidised 3 kg LPG canisters. To further ease the burden on residents, the committee distributed free discount coupons worth Rp5,000. Lola added that her team had prepared a budget of Rp50 million specifically for subsidising these discount coupons. ‘This programme is a joint initiative with Tasikmalaya Deputy Mayor Diky Candranegara and DPD member Alfiansyah Bustomi, also known as Komeng. In addition to affordable food, we are also distributing clean water to residents affected by drought,’ she added. Meanwhile, DPD member Alfiansyah Bustomi, popularly known as Komeng, stated that the DPD’s role in this activity is to act as an inter-institutional liaison or a ‘mouthpiece’ for regional aspirations to the central and executive levels. ‘The DPD’s job is to connect, like a ’welder’ in colloquial terms. Here we have the DPR as the legislative body, Bapanas, and Bulog providing the food. However, in this programme, Mrs Lola’s role is very significant, especially in helping procure discount coupons for the community,’ said Komeng. The event was also attended by Bapanas Director of Food Supply and Price Stabilisation, Maino Dwi Hartono, along with Tasikmalaya city government officials. This cross-sector collaboration is expected to become an effective instrument for controlling regional inflation and maintaining the purchasing power of the people in Tasikmalaya City.