Jakarta Prioritizes Public Safety and Economic Recovery in 2021 APBD

The spike in Covid-19 cases and the number of funerals under health protocols did not dampen Jakarta administration's commitment to optimally serve its residents. Therefore, according to the Home Ministry's Instruction number 14/2021 dated June 21, they have implemented the tighter micro-scale public activity restrictions (PPKM Mikro).

They also allocated this year's BTT budget by Rp 2,133 trillion

Jakarta Financial Management Body (BPKD) Head, Edi Sumantri explained the administration had allocated a budget fo r handling Covid-19. However, there were budget differences in 2020 and 2021. In 2020, it was disbursed through Unexpected Expenditures (BTT) amounting to Rp 5.5 trillion. Then in 2021, it was compliance with Article 5 of the Home Ministry Regulation number 64/2020, which mandates local governments to allocate budgets for handling the pandemic, is accommodated in each regional apparatus budget.

He mentioned the difference was seen, as this year all the needs for handling Covid-19 and social safety nets had been included in the budget of each regional apparatus. Thus it was no longer centralized on BTT.

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"So, the administration has allocated a budget for handling the pandemic into the regional apparatus DPA, starting from Health Agency, Social Agency, BPBD, Satpol PP, etc. They also allocated this year's BTT budget by Rp 2,133 trillion. Of this amount, as much as Rp 1.946 trillion has been allocated for handling Covid-19. So, besides from the regional apparatus budget, the case handling in Jakarta is also through the BTT budget," he expressed, at Jakarta City Hall, Friday (6/25), as quoted by Jakarta PPID's press release.

Its allocation was used for things including incentives for health workers, vaccination workers, food subsidies, other supporting personnel, including lodging for medical staff, feeding for OTG Covid-19, until the coffin purchase. "Thus, the remaining BTT budget is currently Rp 186 billion and will be allocated for other unexpected needs," he added.

Jakarta Bappeda Head, Nasrudin Djoko Surjono asserted that the focus of budget implementation in the 2021 APBD was related to the handling of Covid-19 and the achievement of the RPJMD targets. Then related with the implementation of other activities could be done efficiently and effectively.

"I emphasize that in accordance with the Governor's direction, the Jakarta's main priority is safety, security, and safety. Thus, in this year's budget, we focus on handling Covid-19," he asserted

He added they also put forward the implementation of activities through a collaboration scheme with all elements of society and related stakeholders through the Large-Scale Social Collaboration (KSBB), which in the pandemic situation continues to be conducted and developed in various sectors.

"They also maintain social aid for the community and vulnerable groups as an effort to meet their basic needs," he uttered.