Inten seeks hefty hike in budget

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)