Wihaji oversees MBG 3B in West Kalimantan, highlights the role of SPPG

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Population and Family Development / Head of the National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN) Wihaji emphasised the importance of the Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG) in helping to oversee the distribution of Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and non-PAUD toddlers (3B) during his visit to Pontianak, West Kalimantan, on Saturday (7 March).

According to Wihaji, the MBG 3B programme is a strategic government measure to improve the nutrition of vulnerable groups while supporting the growth and development of future generations. The distribution of MBG must be well supervised to ensure it actually reaches beneficiaries.

“What has been implemented must continue to be overseen so that MBG 3B truly reaches pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and non-PAUD toddlers as beneficiaries,” Wihaji said in a statement from Jakarta on Sunday.

Based on data from the West Kalimantan SPPG provincial coordinator, there are currently 60 SPPG kitchens in Pontianak city that have facilitated MBG distribution for the 3B target group, with beneficiaries including 1,910 pregnant women, 3,718 breastfeeding mothers, and 12,808 non-PAUD toddlers.

He also emphasised that the success of MBG implementation requires a strong synergy between the central government and local authorities so that the programme can operate effectively down to the household level.

“The programme requires cooperation between ministries at the centre and local governments. We must support and strengthen each other. The local government is the extension of the central government in the region as mandated by Law No. 23 of 2014,” he said.

Wihaji also urged Indonesians to appreciate the national nutrition quality improvement programme, as MBG for 3B is the only one of its kind in the world.

“After distributing MBG, the hope is that our children will grow better. There are many MBG programmes in the world, but the one that specifically targets 3B is unique to Indonesia,” he added.

Meanwhile, Pontianak Mayor Edi Rusdi Kamtono said that MBG implementation in his area has been going well. Pontianak City currently has 63 kitchens serving nearly 140,000 meals daily.

“Praise be to God, there are now 63 kitchens in Pontianak City serving nearly 140,000 meals per day. This is what we are monitoring; the MBG programme is progressing well,” Edi said.