Thu, 14 Sep 1995

Inten seeks hefty hike in budget

JAKARTA (JP): The Ministry of Social Services has proposed a hefty increase in its 1996/1997 budget to take into account the growing demand for services on child and teenage guidance.

During a hearing with the House of Representatives on Tuesday evening, Minister Inten Soeweno said her department will need Rp 221 billion (US$97.3 million) in routine spending and Rp 141 billion ($62.1 million) in development spending in the fiscal year which begins next April 1.

The figures represent a 79.8 percent and 51.68 percent increase respectively over those budgeted for the current year.

The biggest increase, as much as 639.42 percent which amounts to Rp 2.5 billion (US$1.1 million), is required for the program of child and teenage guidance.

The next biggest increases are for social research and development, and housing and resettlement rehabilitation.

An increase for other programs -- such as aid for victims of natural disasters, training for ministry's officials and rehabilitation -- range from 14 to 60 percent.

The program for child and teenage guidance all over the country will be focused on children under five years of age whose mothers undertake outdoor employment.

The 1995/1996 budget for such a program was used only for the training of child care instructors.

For the next fiscal year, funds will be provided for an improved program and facilities of child care centers and more qualified instructors.

Despite the high increase in the next budget demand, the minister acknowledged that spending in the current fiscal year has been below target due to a lack of public participation in enhancing the social welfare programs.

"Public participation in social welfare has been very limited both in quality and quantity," Inten told the 40 legislators of Commission VIII, which oversees social welfare, on Tuesday. (03)