SPPG Heads Complain About Lack of Rest Areas in MBG Kitchens
The atmosphere at the Coordination Meeting of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) across the Solo area suddenly became lively when the Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, asked about the availability of rest areas for those in charge of the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) kitchens.
This question immediately sparked a series of responses from participants, including SPPG Heads, Nutrition Supervisors, and Financial Supervisors from the cities of Surakarta, Boyolali, Sragen, and Karanganyar.
“Which SPPGs still haven’t provided facilities for you to rest?” Nanik asked during the question-and-answer session at the Coordination Meeting with SPPG Heads, Financial Supervisors, and Nutrition Supervisors from the cities of Surakarta, Boyolali, Sragen, and Karanganyar, in Solo, Tuesday (February 24) evening.
“Me, Ma’am… me, Ma’am!” said an SPPG Head wearing a black hijab, raising her hand high. “In our place, there isn’t one yet, Ma’am!” said an SPPG Head from Sragen from the back. “Our SPPG has one, but it’s only one and it’s not adequate!” said another SPPG Head from Sragen. “We buy our own mattresses, Ma’am!” said a Nutrition Supervisor. “Those who don’t have a rest area, or whose rest area is not adequate, please stand up!” Nanik said.
About 30 SPPG heads from three regencies and one municipality in Central Java then stood up and raised their hands. Nanik then instructed the Regional Coordinators (Korwil) of the SPPG in each regency and city to record all SPPGs whose partners had not provided rest areas for the SPPG Heads, Nutrition Supervisors, or Financial Supervisors. “Record everything, and report it to me immediately!” said the former Senior Journalist.
An SPPG Head from Boyolali then explained that she had asked her partner to immediately provide a rest area. Because, even though their SPPG has been operating for 6 months, there is still no rest area for them. So far, the partner has only made promises without taking action. The answer came from one of the partner’s employees. “It takes a lot of money… is it your grandmother’s money?” he said, imitating the partner’s employee.
Therefore, not only did Nanik instruct the Korwil to record, but she also asked the SPPG Heads to explain this to their partners. “Tell your respective partners to provide a decent rest area for the SPPG Heads, Nutrition Supervisors, and Financial Supervisors. Because, you are obliged to monitor the MBG kitchen every night. If they don’t immediately provide a rest area, I will suspend their SPPG!” she said firmly.
Not only about the availability of rest areas, Nanik also asked about the availability of kitchen equipment in each SPPG. “Are there any of you whose equipment is not up to standard? Are there any partners who provide used freezers or chillers?” she asked on stage.
An SPPG Head from Karanganyar explained that in his SPPG, much of the equipment was still not up to standard. “In our SPPG, the tables are not yet stainless steel, Ma’am…” he said. “In our SPPG, the partner only provides used freezers and chillers. We have asked for new ones to be purchased, but it has not been done yet,” said the SPPG Head from Surakarta.
Nanik then instructed the Korwil to record all SPPGs whose equipment was not up to standard and even used used equipment. “Have the SPPG Heads stand up again. Korwil, record everything. The Korwil must also diligently go around to the SPPGs to monitor the kitchens to see if they are in accordance with the SOP and guidelines. Don’t just take care of potential kitchen locations!” she said.
The Daily Chair of the Coordinating Team of 17 Ministries and Agencies for the Implementation of the MBG Program emphasized that partners are obliged to provide new and standard equipment.
“That’s ridiculous! They already get 6 million per day, why use used equipment? Tell the partners that if the equipment is still not up to standard, and even used, I will suspend them! Whoever they are,” she said.