Social Affairs Ministry Delivers Rp1 Billion in ATENSI Aid to Pringsewu Residents

Vice Minister for Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono handed over Social Rehabilitation Assistance worth Rp1,036,411,418 to residents of Pringsewu Regency today. The aid targets various vulnerable groups, including the elderly, children, people with disabilities, and families requiring social support and economic empowerment. The distribution was conducted as part of a social service event commemorating National Elderly Day 2026, organised by the ministry through Sentra Handayani in collaboration with the Pringsewu Regency Government. In his remarks, Agus stressed the importance of the government’s presence among the community, particularly for vulnerable groups needing social support and services. “In the era of Mr Prabowo, leaders must not distance themselves from the people. We must understand the living conditions of the community and ensure they receive proper attention,” said Agus in his statement on Thursday. He also underscored the importance of collaboration between central and regional governments in implementing social welfare programmes. “This is a form of collaboration between the central government and regional governments to work together to honour our vulnerable and underprivileged brothers and sisters so that they can smile and live more prosperously,” said Agus. Meanwhile, Pringsewu Regent Riyanto Pamungkas expressed appreciation for the ministry’s support in executing social welfare programmes in his region. Riyanto assessed that various social assistance and economic empowerment programmes have contributed to the reduction of the poverty rate in Pringsewu Regency. Based on data he presented, the poverty rate fell from 8.32 percent in 2024 to 7.6 percent in 2025. He also stated the Pringsewu Regency Government’s support for various national priority programmes, including the development of ‘Sekolah Rakyat’ (People’s Schools). “We hope that the cooperation between the Pringsewu Regency Government and the Ministry of Social Affairs can continue to support the improvement of community welfare,” Riyanto explained. One resident of Way Ngison Village, Dewi Harnum, 36, admitted to feeling the benefits of a programme processing cassava into MOCAF. “Alhamdulillah, thank you, because this empowerment helps increase the family’s daily income,” said Dewi. Another beneficiary, Suripto, 52, a disabled trader selling coffee and grilled corn from Sidoharjo Village, expressed gratitude for the three-wheeled motorcycle he received. According to him, the aid will ease his business activities as he previously had to transport trade equipment using a two-wheeled motorcycle. “Alhamdulillah, this assistance greatly lightens my work. Thank you to the Ministry of Social Affairs and all parties who have helped,” said Suripto. In addition to the ATENSI aid delivery, the activities included providing adequate living needs, entrepreneurial assistance, school supplies, accessibility aids for the disabled, cataract surgery services, health services, marriage legalisation facilitation, and mass circumcisions. The event was also attended by Pringsewu Vice Regent Umi Laila, Head of Sentra Handayani Hisam Kholil, members of the Pringsewu Regency Forkopimda, regional apparatus ranks, social pillars, and the beneficiaries of the ATENSI programme.