Govt Groups Poverty Alleviation Programes Under Four Clusters

Jakarta, Aug 16 (ANTARA) - The Government of Indonesia has implemented various programmes, grouped under four clusters, in its effort to alleviate poverty, according to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. "The four clusters are expected to improve the quality and livelihood of the people of Indonesia in a fair and equitable manner," the President said in his state of the nation address during a plenary session at the House of Representatives here on Thursday. "In a bid to alleviate poverty, the government has implemented various programmes through the four clusters," Yudhoyono stated, a day before the country`s 67th anniversary of independence. He noted that the first cluster involved Direct Assistance of Rice for Poor Families (Raskin), School Operation Assistance Funds (BOS), and Family-Based Poverty Alleviation programmes. According to the head of state, the second cluster deals with the implementation of National Programme for Independent People`s Empowerment (PNPM Mandiri), while the third cluster includes development of micro, small and medium enterprises through People Business Credit (KUR) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). President Yudhoyono said the fourth cluster comprised "inexpensive housing programme, provision of inexpensive public transportation facilities, equitable distribution of clean water and electricity, the welfare of fishermen, as well as of poor people in urban areas". "The government also continues to strive for improving the welfare of workers by developing the business environment," he added. "Therefore, tripartite cooperation and integrity should be encouraged and revived," the President pointed out. Besides, the head of state added, Indonesia was committed to reducing greenhouse gas emission by 26 percent in 2020. "Based on the commitment, the government has implemented the National Plan of Action for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emission (RAN-GRK) in five sectors, namely forestry and peat land, agriculture, energy and transportation, industry, and waste," Yudhoyono stated. He added that the government would plant one billion trees every year in its effort to protect the environment.