Ministry of Social Affairs Reviews Increase in Incentives for 26,000 Tagana Personnel

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) is currently conducting simulations and reviews to enhance support for 26,000 Taruna Siaga Bencana (Tagana) personnel, including the potential increase in their monthly incentives as volunteers.

“So far, we want to provide more support to our Tagana friends, but we are still continuing simulations to increase the budget in line with the state’s financial capacity,” said Social Minister (Mensos) Saifullah Yusuf after the ceremony commemorating the 22nd anniversary of Tagana in Jakarta on Thursday afternoon.

The Minister explained that the Tagana personnel hold the status of social pillar volunteers with support in the form of a Rp250,000 monthly incentive.

According to the Minister, the incentives for Tagana personnel deserve consideration given their dedication over 22 years in assisting humanitarian tasks, from evacuations, logistics preparation, setting up public kitchens, to providing psychosocial assistance during emergencies and post-disaster rehabilitation.

“Tagana is part of the pillars of the Ministry of Social Affairs that always present in disaster situations. They work in collaboration with the TNI, Polri, local governments, and other volunteers,” said Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf.

As at the central level, said the Minister, Tagana personnel are continuously encouraged to actively participate in disaster education and simulations with various agencies such as Basarnas, TNI, Polri, and communities, including in schools located in disaster-prone areas.