Jakarta, ThedailyID — The National Nutrition Agency, or BGN, has threatened to cut ties with foundations that collect fees from partners without contributing to the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals, or MBG, program.
BGN Chief Sudaryono said his agency had found problems in relationships between partners and foundations at several MBG locations.
One issue involved foundations allegedly asking partners for payments despite having no role in running the program.
“Those who have no role, do not provide guidance, do not contribute capital, do not get involved and do not supervise, but only demand payments, we will cut them off,” Sudaryono said in an official statement on Friday, October 2.
Sudaryono said BGN had received reports of partners being asked to pay Rp1,500 to Rp2,000 per meal to foundations.
He warned that such deductions could affect the implementation of the MBG program. They could also affect the quality of meals served to beneficiaries.
“There are partners being charged Rp1,500, and some Rp2,000. Because of these deductions, they reduce the quality of the meals. This must not happen anymore,” Sudaryono said.
BGN is now working to improve the program’s governance. The agency is also updating cooperation agreements with partners and kitchens operated by Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units, or SPPGs.
The revisions aim to remove unnecessary deductions. They also seek to prevent foundations from financially harming MBG partners.
“In practice, we found that some partners and foundations have conflicts. The partner is the one who provides the capital, builds the kitchen and covers the costs. Then the foundation is not connected properly with the partner,” Sudaryono said.
BGN is also changing the MBG incentive scheme. The previous incentive stood at Rp6 million per day, while the new scheme uses Rp2,000 per meal.
The agency is also clarifying working hours for kitchen heads. In addition, BGN is providing channels for complaints and reports.
Sudaryono said the changes are part of BGN’s ongoing effort to improve the program’s governance. The agency plans to fix mechanisms that have not worked well while strengthening those that already work.
“We will make what is good even better, and fix what is not good so it becomes better,” Sudaryono said.
He also asked stakeholders to support the reform process. According to Sudaryono, better governance is needed to ensure available resources support the main goals of the MBG program.
