Tito Karnavian, Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) says that regional administrations (Pemda) are expected to help the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program by donating around Rp5 trillion (US$305.7 million) for the construction of Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG).
“Next September, after the inauguration of the regional heads, there will be changes and shifts in the regional budget (APBD),” Tito said on Friday, January 17, 2025.
Tito said further that regional administrations’ involvement in the MBG program would be adjusted to the budget capacity of each region.The Rp5 trillion is a combination of the regional budget of the regencyt/city and province.
He cited Badung Regency in Bali with its APBD consisting of 90 percent from local revenue (PAD) and 10 percent from regional transfer allocations (TKD) is capable of meeting all free meal needs for 72 thousand elementary school students in the regency.
However, for areas with low PAD, such as in the Eastern Indonesia region, Tito emphasized that the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) will take over the remaining needs.
Dadan Hindayana, Head of BGN, said that the additional budget of up to Rp100 trillion is very important to distribute MBG to 82.9 million recipients.
Currently, the budget is only set at Rp71 and the program coverage is only able to reach 15 million to 17.5 million recipients.
“If the additional budget is distributed in September, the Rp 100 trillion budget will be enough to feed all 82.9 million recipients,” Dadan said.
