Conversion Packages Distributed to Fishermen and Farmers in Bone
MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES
REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA
PRESS RELEASE
NUMBER: 319.Pers/04/SJI/2020
Date: 27 October 2020
Conversion Packages Distributed to Fishermen and Farmers in Bone
A total of 1,797 fishermen and farmers in Bone Regency, South Sulawesi Province, received starter packages for the Oil Fuels to Gas Fuel Conversion Program of 2020 on Tuesday (27/10). The distribution was warmly welcomed by the communities and local government.
"These packages for the Oil Fuels to Gas Fuel conversion are a form of government's attention to fishermen and farmers so as to improve their welfare. We would like to thank Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and Commission VII of DPR RI (the House of Representatives). Hopefully, this synergy can improve the economy of fishermen and farmers," said Deputy Regent of Bone, Ambo Dalle, representing Bone communities at the symbolic handover ceremony.
He continued by saying that this is the third year Bone fishermen have received starter packages. Back in 2018, 947 packages were distributed, while another 175 packages were distributed in 2019. As for farmers, the year 2020 is the first time they have received starter packages.
On this occasion, Deputy Regent of Bone also asked recipients of the starter packages to use the aid well so as to help their economy during the pandemic.
Director of Oil and Gas Infrastructure Planning and Development Alimuddin Baso in his written remarks which was cited by Commitment-Making Officer of the Oil Fuels to Gas Fuel Conversion Program for Fishermen, Irine Yulianingsih, said that the budget for the conversion program was initially removed and shifted for the handling of the Covid-19. However, Commission VII of DPR RI re-proposed the budget because the program directly impacts fishing communites. Budget refocusing was then carried out at Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
Commitment-Making Officer of the Oil Fuels to Gas Fuel Conversion Program for Farmers, Safriyanto, added that the Covid-19 pandemic had also created its own challenges for starter packages distribution. To prevent the virus from spreading, health protocols have been applied during distribution, for example requiring every one present to wear face masks, maintain physical distance, and have their body temperature taken, especially for the recipients.
Meanwhile, a member of Commission VII of DPR RI, Andi Yuliani Paris, said at the event that only eligible fishermen and farmers could receive the starter packages. "Only those who actually work as fishermen and farmers can receive these packages," she said.
Fishermen who can receive a conversion package must meet a number of requirements, namely they own a boat with boat volume less than 5 GT; the boat is fueled by gasoline with an engine power of 13 HP; they use environmentally friendly fishing gear, have never received similar aid, and have a KuSUKA ID card.
For farmers, they too must meet several requirements, namely they own farmland with a maximum size of 0.5 hectares. For transmigrants, they must own farmland with a maximum size of 2 hectares as shown with land certificate of title. Next, these farmers must have a farmer identity recommendation issued by head of the village/subdistrict and legalized by the regent and/or head of agriculture service office, a KTP (citizen ID card), KK (Family Card) and Farmer's Card, a water pump with an engine power less than 6.5 HP, and a gasoline-powered water pump. Finally, they have never received similar aid (a water pump machine). (IY)
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