Poverty eradication programs are improving: SBY

Desy Nurhayati ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jambi   |  Mon, 06/30/2008 10:49 AM  |  Headlines

The government has continually improved its programs to reduce the number of underprivileged people in the country, the President said Sunday during his two-day visit to Jambi province.

In Kota Baru, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono held a discussion with four village heads from different regencies to discuss the government's past efforts.

Abdul Haris from Muara Jambi regency told the President he was frustrated with the inaccurate data in his village concerning the recipients of the government's direct cash aid program.

"We were overwhelmed during the disbursement of the aid because the government only provided us with 2005 data, while the number of poor people in our village has changed," he said.

"Poor villagers who were not included in the data filed complaints to us. We want the government to find solutions to this problem."

Anhar from Kerinci regency suggested the government modify the National Program of Community Empowerment (PNPM) to include legal assistance to settle disputes.

Launched in November last year, the PNPM grants each district Rp 3 billion (US$324,000) for community empowerment programs.

"The government continually tries to make improvements in our poverty eradication programs. We always evaluate to find the most suitable scheme for the people in order to improve their welfare," Yudhoyono said.

He said the government had never abandoned some 36 million poor people across the country and all the six presidents had done their best to address poverty issues during their tenures.

"Unfortunately, we were hit hard by the economic crisis 10 years ago that later drove up the number of poor people and unemployment, as well as the government's foreign debts," Yudhoyono said.

"But we have been trying to waken from the crisis and develop this country during the years following."

The state budget's allocation for poverty eradication programs has increased every year, he said. This year's allocation is Rp 58 trillion, up from last year's Rp 51 trillion and 2006's Rp 41 trillion.

Yudhoyono also attended a National Family Day commemoration at Paduka Berhala sport stadium in East Tanjung Jabung regency.

"Our goal is for every family to achieve happiness and prosperity; and I hope we can achieve it through the family planning program. If we can have good families, we can establish good society and be a prosperous nation," he said in his speech.

In the ceremony, the head of the National Family Planning Board Sugiri Syarief presented several awards, including to the Bengkulu governor, Tanah Datar regent and Denpasar mayor.

Yudhoyono also handed over PNPM aid of Rp 123.04 billion to Jambi Governor Zulkifli Nurdin and 3,000 packages of staple foods to community representatives.

The ceremony also included the disbursement of Rp 85.8 billion in loans to 9,995 micro and small enterprises by state banks BNI, BRI and Bank Mandiri.

The President also inaugurated the sports stadium and the Berbak bridge in East Tanjung Jabung regency.

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