Governor Khofifah distributes social assistance and aid in Banyuwangi
Banyuwangi — Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa of East Java distributed various forms of social assistance and aid to residents of Banyuwangi Regency, with total assistance reaching approximately IDR 5.26 billion on Saturday.
The assistance included Social Assistance for Persons with Disabilities (ASPD) for 65 individuals, conditional cash transfer plus (PKH Plus) for 866 recipients, and productive zakat for 50 small business operators. Additional support encompassed aid to Disaster Alert Youth and Tagana organisations, village-owned enterprise (BUMDes) empowerment programmes, Prosperous Villages initiatives, the East Java Puspa Programme, and Village Financial Assistance.
“The assistance distributed by the East Java Provincial Government serves as a boost of encouragement and a social safety net for vulnerable populations. For social assistance for persons with disabilities and the elderly, the nature is that of a social safety net,” Governor Khofifah said during a symbolic handover to representatives of recipients at the Glenmore District Office in Banyuwangi on Saturday.
Meanwhile, assistance such as productive zakat, she continued, is provided to ultramicro business operators to protect them from loan shark practices and illegal online lending.
According to her, the programme represents a form of synergy between central government, regency government, and provincial government. “We share roles; within the provincial government itself, we take turns, and this applies across all 38 regencies and cities,” said Governor Khofifah.
Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani stated that assistance from the East Java Provincial Government further strengthens poverty reduction programmes in Banyuwangi.
“Poverty is one of our priorities, and we do not rely solely on social assistance, but also prepare various safety nets through the Civil Servants Sharing and Banyuwangi Sharing programmes,” she said.
Ipuk explained that the Civil Servants Sharing programme is a participatory initiative by civil servants, distributed to poor residents on a monthly basis.
Meanwhile, the Banyuwangi Sharing programme involves pentahelix elements to support disadvantaged populations, such as through home repair and healthcare service programmes.
“Thank you, Madam Governor, for the assistance given to Banyuwangi residents, and this brings special happiness to our people, especially coinciding with Ramadan,” she said.