PRR Task Force Monitors Budget Distribution for Sumatra Rehabilitation and Reconstruction
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Minister of Home Affairs, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, in his capacity as the Chair of the Sumatra Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Acceleration Task Force, continues to monitor the distribution and accelerated realisation of rehabilitation and reconstruction (rehab-recon) budgets to relevant ministries and agencies.
According to the Minister, most key ministries and agencies have obtained budget approval and have begun implementing programmes in the affected areas. However, several agencies have yet to receive budget approval due to the need for more complete supporting documents and clearer programme details.
“Therefore, for the colleagues in charge (PIC) whose budgets have not yet been approved, your achievement lies in how you can secure these approvals by presenting convincing and complete documentation,” he stated during a meeting of the Sumatra Post-Disaster PRR Task Force regarding the progress of rehabilitation and reconstruction, held at the PRR Task Force Command Post Meeting Room, Jakarta, on Wednesday.
This measure is being taken to ensure that budgets approved by the government can be immediately realised as recovery programmes on the ground. Tito emphasised that accelerating budget distribution is a priority, as the timeframe for programme implementation this year is increasingly limited.
The government has established budget support for the Sumatra post-disaster rehab-recon, which is being implemented in stages involving 33 ministries and agencies.
To accelerate this process, Tito requested that the PRR Task Force Command Post staff, along with the respective agency officials, coordinate intensively with the Ministry of Finance, specifically the Directorate General of Budget. Such coordination is necessary so that any obstacles in the submission process can be resolved promptly.
On the other hand, Tito urged agencies that have already received their budget allocations to commence their programmes immediately.
He added that several rehab-recon programmes are currently underway, covering sectors such as public works, education, health, marine and fisheries, agriculture, the environment, religion, forestry, and the empowerment of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
In addition to overseeing agency budgets, the PRR Task Force will also ensure that budget support provided to local governments is used to address disaster impacts. Affected local governments previously received various additional budget supports, including regional transfers (TKD) amounting to IDR 10.6 trillion.
Tito emphasised that this additional budget must be directed towards meeting needs that cannot be reached by the central government.
“The focus is on disaster-related issues,” said Tito.