President want people`s empowerment program sped up, expanded

Bogor, West Java (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Aburizal Bakrie to accelerate and expand the coverage of the national program for people`s empowerment (PNPM Mandiri).

Speaking during a visit to Bogor Wednesday to observe implementation of some projects under the program, the President said it was important for all parties to help make the program a success so that the country`s poverty rate would drop and the people`s welfare improve.

"All state officials and local leaders must take part (in the program) and ensure that the program remains on track," he said.

He also asked the relevant cabinet ministers to periodically make field visits to observe the implementation of the program in the regions.

The president launched the PNPM program in April 2007 after considering people`s aspirations.

The President also asked West Java Governor Danny Setiawan to soon disburse PNPM funds totaling Rp720.63 billion that had been allocated for 3,598 villages in 383 sub districts in the province.

"I don`t want to see the funds remaining idle for too long. Everything has to be done fast and meet the targets," he added.

The government would increase the fund allocation for the program to accelerate the achievement of the poverty alleviation target in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2015, he said.

In 2007, the government had appropriated a total Rp3.6 trillion in funds for the PNPM program and the amount would be increased to Rp13 trillion in 2008.

Yudhoyono said, the PNPM program was part of the government`s policy to alleviate poverty. Although all the results of the poverty alleviation program would not be visible in the short term, the poverty rate was already showing a downward trend, he said.

During his visit in West Java, the President also commissioned a flyover in Depok and a complex of flats for low income people in Bogor.

The president was accompanied by a retinue consisting of Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Aburizal Bakrie, Agriculture Minister Anton Apriyantono, Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto, Public Housing Minister Yusuf Asyari, Education Minister Bambang Sudibyo, Environment Minister Rachmat Witoelar and West Java Governor Danny Setiawan.