Garut Regent Highlights SPPG Programme's Reliance on External Raw Materials
A total of 425 Nutritional Service Units (Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi, SPPG) are operating in Garut Regency.
Regent of Garut Abdusy Syakur Amin has highlighted concerns that the national strategic programme must deliver genuine impact not only in terms of child health but also in employment absorption and local economic development.
He stated that the free healthy meals programme (MBG) in Garut has significantly improved nutritional status among young people.
“We are confident that the presence of 425 SPPG units will significantly improve nutritional status for young people and optimise the MBG programme. The presence of this programme should also be capable of optimising local supply chains so there is genuine economic impact for the community,” he said.
Addressing complaints that SPPG raw material procurement still relies on suppliers from outside the region rather than from local farmers or traders, he acknowledged that improvements must be made in the future.
“In my view, SPPG operations are not yet running smoothly. There are still many complaints that SPPG units are sourcing raw materials not from the surrounding community but relying on supplies from elsewhere. I understand there are efficiency considerations—it is easier to source from other places—but this must be addressed immediately and not left unattended, as it could have negative repercussions later,” he stressed.
According to Abdusy, Garut Regency Government will take strategic measures to regulate supply chains so that SPPG units are obligated to prioritise local commodities. The aim is to ensure that the circulation of funds from the national programme is genuinely felt by the people of Garut.
“We have instructed strengthened communication between SPPG Regional Coordinators (Korwil) and relevant departments to ensure nutritional adequacy, food nutrition standards are monitored intensively, waste management is implemented properly, and complaint services are established with a dedicated hotline to facilitate communication and field reporting,” he concluded.