PCO urges North Sumatra to accelerate MBG program

hartono · Jul 31, 2025

Workers at the Serdang Bedagai Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG), North Sumatra, prepare Free Nutritious Meals (MBG), on July 30, 2025. ANTARA/HO-PCO.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Presidential Communication Office (PCO) Head Hasan Nasbi urged North Sumatra to accelerate the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program by establishing more Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG).

Nasbi made the statement while inspecting the SPPG in Cempedak Lobang, Serdang, Bedagai, North Sumatra, on Wednesday.

"The government's current priority is to address the high level of enthusiasm and expectations of those who have not yet received the MBG program, specifically regarding when they will experience its benefits," he noted in a written statement received here on Wednesday.

According to Nasbi, collaboration between the central government, the National Nutrition Agency, and regional heads is essential to ensure schoolchildren receive free nutritious meals immediately.

He also encouraged the regional government to participate in establishing SPPGs in underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) areas.

"This requires significant assistance from regional governments to determine locations and to encourage the development of SPPGs in 3T areas," he stated.

Collaboration with the private sector, which partners in building SPPGs, must also continue.

On the same occasion, North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution expressed optimism that 200 SPPGs would soon be operational in the province.

He explained that the central government's total target for North Sumatra is 1,732 SPPGs. Currently, 77 SPPGs are operational, and that number will continue to grow in the near future.

"In two weeks, the number will reach 89 units, as 12 are ready and just waiting for their virtual accounts. Another 29 will be added in another month," he stated.

He also set a target for each district or city to build at least three SPPGs.

"Those are the ones built by the local government, not including those built by the private sector," Nasution stated.