Social Assistance Distribution Continues, No Impact from Budget Efficiency Policy
Jakarta – The government ensures that the distribution of social assistance (bansos) continues as it should even though it is implementing a budget efficiency policy.
Deputy Minister of Social Affairs, Agus Jabo said that social assistance, including the Family Hope Program (PKH), will not be affected by the efficiency measures being implemented.
“What is important is that social assistance and PKH assistance will not be affected by this efficiency,” said Agus Jabo.
The budget efficiency measures implemented by the government cover various aspects of operational spending, such as office stationery, FGD activities, comparative studies, and official travel. However, the Ministry of Social Affairs has ensured that the distribution of social assistance continues without any obstacles.
The implementation of this efficiency is part of Presidential Instruction (Inpres) Number 1 of 2025, which asks the ranks of ministries and institutions to make savings in the 2025 state budget of IDR 306.6 trillion. This efficiency includes cutting the budget of ministries/institutions by IDR 256.1 trillion and efficiency in the budget transfer to regions by IDR 50.5 trillion.
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani followed up on the instruction by issuing letter S-37/MK.02/2025, which regulates the efficiency of ministry and agency spending for the 2025 budget year. In the letter, 16 spending items were cut by varying percentages, from 10 percent to 90 percent.
Some budget savings include cutting the office stationery budget by 90 percent, ceremonial activities by 56.9 percent, meetings and seminars by 45 percent, and business travel by 53.9 percent. However, the Ministry of Social Affairs has anticipated that this efficiency will not have an impact on social assistance programs.
In addition, even though efficiency is applied to operational spending, community welfare programs still receive a sufficient portion of the budget.
Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo added that his party is currently making adjustments in the distribution of social assistance so that it is not disrupted by the budget efficiency policy. “It is being adjusted so that the distribution process is not disrupted,” he said.
One of the strategies implemented is optimizing the data collection and distribution process to be more efficient, so that it can reduce operational costs without sacrificing the rights of social assistance recipients. Digitalization and utilization of information technology are the main solutions in ensuring that social assistance continues to be distributed properly.
In the midst of these budget savings efforts, the public is expected to continue to receive certainty that the social assistance program will not stop. The government remains committed to providing social protection guarantees for people in need.
Supervision of the distribution of social assistance has also been tightened to prevent misuse and ensure that assistance is right on target. Collaboration between the central government, regional governments, and various related parties is increasingly being strengthened to ensure the effectiveness of social assistance distribution.
Social assistance programs such as PKH and Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT) remain the main instruments in the government’s efforts to reduce poverty. Therefore, even though budget efficiency is implemented, this program remains a priority.
The sustainability of social assistance is clear evidence that the government continues to pay attention to the interests of the common people despite pressure to implement budget efficiency. Thus, the public can feel calm because social assistance continues to run. The efficiency steps taken will also not affect the number of social assistance recipients. The government maintains the number of beneficiaries according to previously verified data.
Support from various parties, including social institutions and community organizations, is also an important factor in the sustainability of the social assistance program. This collaboration ensures that no party is left behind in getting their rights.
Thus, the distribution of social assistance that continues despite budget efficiency reflects the government’s strong commitment to maintaining public welfare. With various strategic steps and strict supervision, it is hoped that the social assistance program can continue to run optimally in order to improve people’s welfare.
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