Optimize the Utilization of Village Funds to Keep the Village Economy Running

Optimize the Utilization of Village Funds to Keep the Village Economy Running

West Papua Governor Dominggus Mandacan reminded all village officials in the province to optimize the utilization of village funds so that people remain productive in the midst of the new corona virus or Covid-19 pandemic.

It was noted that the Ministry of Villages and Disadvantaged Regions had issued instructions relating to the use of village funds. One of the instructions of the minister of the village budget budget should be directed to handling the impact of Covid-19.

"According to the direction of the Ministry of Villages, the village budget can be used for the BLT (direct cash assistance) program for communities that are affected by COVID-19. It will be received for three months with the amount of Rp. 600 thousand per head of family, "Mandacan said, Sunday, (6/28/2020).

According to Mandacan, besides BLT, village funds can also be used for labor-intensive activities. The program aims to keep the economy in each village stable during the corona pandemic.

"For this labor-intensive program, it must optimize the potential that exists in the village, both natural resources and human resources so that the money does not go anywhere, enough to revolve there so that the village economy continues to run," he said.

According to him currently the West Papua Provincial Government is waiting for funds to be transferred from the central government, including the special autonomy fund (Otsus). A portion of the funds will be used to shape community food security through a strategic village development program (Prospek).

He ensured that each village would receive Rp. 225 million in assistance. The funds will be focused on realizing the resilience of rural communities through the agriculture and plantation sectors.

"In West Papua, there are a total of 1,743 villages. Each will receive Rp.225 million in the Prospect of Special Autonomy funds. This has to be really for the food security program, "Mandacan said.

He hopes that the potential of agriculture and plantations in each village is optimized so that the food needs of the community are maintained despite the corona virus outbreak.