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View all search resultsBGN requests an extra Rp 28t budget despite slow rollout
In addition to food provision, BGN is also planning to open more than 8,000 kitchens in remote areas, which would require an extra Rp 14.1 trillion.
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Workers prepare nutritious meals under the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program at the Samarinda Police Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) in Samarinda Ulu, East Kalimantan, on Nov. 4. (Antara/M Risyal Hidayat)
T
he National Nutrition Agency (BGN), the government body responsible for rolling out the free nutritious meals program, has requested an additional budget of Rp 28 trillion (US$1.67 billion) for the remainder of the year, despite having absorbed less than two-thirds of its allocated ceiling so far.
Speaking before House of Representatives Commission IX, which oversees health affairs, BGN head Dadan Hindayana said that “within the upcoming one month and 20 days,” the agency would need the extra funds to support President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship program.
“[Budget] absorption will continue to ramp up because there are still some bills being processed,” Dadan said on Wednesday, as quoted by Tempo.
The program, which aims to provide meals for more than 80 million Indonesians every day, has so far spent Rp 43.47 trillion, or 61.2 percent of its Rp 71 trillion budget, with less than two months left in the calendar year.
Dadan explained that the disbursement of the additional funds would take place in stages: Rp 8.5 trillion by the end of November, Rp 10 trillion by mid-December and Rp 11 trillion by year-end.
Read also: Danantara to pour Rp 20t into poultry farms for free meals program
Of BGN’s total spending, around Rp 36 trillion has been used solely for food procurement, leaving Rp 14.97 trillion remaining. Based on the latest projections, Dadan said the program requires an additional Rp 14.5 trillion for this expense item alone.
