President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) took time off from his working visit to Central Java on Wednesday to distribute Village Cash Assistance (BLT) and staple goods to merchants at Gemolong Market in Sragen District, Central Java.
The president’s stopover at Gemolong Market was part of the series of his working visits to several regions in Central Java, such as in Purwodadi District, to review the implementation of vaccination for children aged 6-11 years, Blora, and Semarang City.
Head of Sragen’s Cooperative, MSME, Industry, and Trade Service Cosmos Edwi Yunanto noted that apart from reviewing Gemolong Market, Jokowi also made the visit to distribute BLT and staple goods to local merchants. Each of them received Rp1.2 million in cash.
“Mr President symbolically handed over direct BLT assistance to 20 merchants, while the other 105 merchants were offered the assistance by the presidential staff, with the aid worth Rp1.2 million, thereby bringing the total number of recipient traders to 125,” Yunanto stated.
Meanwhile, 250 food packages were also distributed to merchants at Gemolong Market, Sragen District.
On that occasion, the president advised that the assistance can be used as business capital to support their business amid the economic revival during this pandemic.
Meanwhile, Tugiyem, one of the merchants at Gemolong Market, spoke of having received BLT assistance and staple goods directly from the president.
“I am happy to meet Mr. President in person,” Tugiyem, who sells beverage and fried food at the market for the past three years, stated.
Tugiyem also recalled Jokowi having advised merchants to boost their sales and maintain cleanliness in their stalls and the market.
Earlier, she had received information the night before about Jokowi’s visit. Tugiyem was urged to undergo an antigen swab test before meeting the president.
After visiting Gemolong Market in Sragen District to distribute BLT and staple goods, Jokowi took a car ride to continue his visit to the districts of Grobogan and Blora.
Source: Antara News