The Badan Gizi Nasional (BGN) is revising its budget for the Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) program, reducing the projected allocation from Rp 268 trillion to approximately Rp 229 trillion for 2026. According to BGN Deputy Head Agustina Arumsari, the adjustment is part of a broader effort to improve program governance, data accuracy, and fiscal accountability.
Did You Know? The BGN reported instances where a single school was being served by two different Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG), a redundancy that prompted the agency to re-evaluate its operational data and funding efficiency.
Governance Reform and Budget Efficiency
The decision to lower the budget estimate follows a mandate from President Prabowo, who has directed the BGN to prioritize program quality over the volume of beneficiaries. Agustina noted that the current figure of Rp 229 trillion remains subject to further adjustments as the agency continues to refine its administrative processes. The BGN has been granted a one-month deadline by the President to finalize these governance improvements.
The agency is currently cross-referencing its list of millions of potential beneficiaries with official school data, known as Dapodik. By streamlining these records, the BGN aims to eliminate inefficiencies and ensure that funds are not misallocated. Agustina stated that if scientific studies and updated data suggest further adjustments are necessary, the budget will be modified automatically to reflect those findings.
Shifting Focus: Quality Over Quantity
Under the new directives, the BGN is moving away from chasing specific numerical targets for beneficiaries. The focus has shifted toward ensuring that the program is accurately targeted and that the nutritional services provided meet established quality standards. This shift is intended to prevent the waste of state funds that occurred when administrative oversight led to overlapping services.
What Happens Next
Stakeholders can anticipate a potential further recalibration of the 2026 budget once the agency concludes its review of the beneficiary list. If the “cleansing” of this data reveals significant discrepancies between the current target and actual school enrollment, the program’s total funding requirements may be adjusted again to align with the finalized figures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the BGN reducing the budget for the Makan Bergizi Gratis program?
The reduction from Rp 268 trillion to Rp 229 trillion is intended to improve governance, transparency, and accountability, ensuring the program is accurately targeted rather than just scaled by volume.
What is the deadline for these governance improvements?
President Prabowo has given the BGN a one-month period to sharpen the program’s management and data accuracy.
How is the BGN identifying inefficiencies in the program?
The agency is conducting a review of its data, including identifying schools that were previously serviced by multiple nutrition units (SPPG) and correcting beneficiary counts against Dapodik records.
How do you think prioritizing nutritional quality over beneficiary volume will impact the long-term success of the program?
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