August 26, 2026 | 04:35 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto said the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program plays an important role, especially for people in difficult circumstances.
Prabowo conveyed this in response to the request of Nagekeo Regent Simplisius Donatus for the MBG program to continue in his area, in a coordination meeting for handling the impact of the earthquake at the Headquarters of the Territorial Development Battalion (Yon TP) 834/Wakanga Mere, Tonggurambang Village, Mbay, East Nusa Tenggara, Wednesday.
"For those who can afford it, one portion of food is nothing. But for those in dire straits, and their hardships last for days, it's worth it," Prabowo said in a broadcast by the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday, as quoted by ANTARA.
The President said the benefits of MBG may not be felt as much by those in affluent communities. However, for those in low-income groups, regular provision of nutritious food can have a significant impact.
According to Prabowo, he often heard stories from people who experienced hardship as children. They admitted to going to and from school hungry.
Therefore, Prabowo believes that the MBG plays an important role in helping the current generation, particularly mothers and children. "Thank God he's graduated, but now we're thinking about mothers and children. So MBG plays a role," he said.
Prabowo also believes the program's benefits will be even greater if supported by strengthening the community's economy through the Red and White Village Cooperative and developing fishing villages.
Meanwhile, after seeing the program's positive impact on the community, Nagekeo Regent Simplisius Donatus said his party supports continuing the MBG program.
He said he conducted an informal survey involving teachers at schools receiving the MBG program. The results showed that student attendance at these schools was nearly 100 percent. "I asked them to survey student attendance, and it was almost 100 percent, sir. Students who have MBG quotas have almost 100 percent attendance," said Simplisius.
Simplisius also stated that MBG has an economic impact on beneficiary families. Communities involved in providing MBG earn income, which helps improve household economic conditions. He linked these economic benefits to a decrease in domestic violence (DV) cases in his area.
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