Strengthening Collaboration, Cirebon City Government Supports MBG for Fulfillment of Nutrition and Economic Turnaround

Bandung, Konntroversinews, Com. – The Cirebon City Government supports the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) as a strategic effort to improve the quality of health and nutritional fulfillment of the community. This program is seen as one of the main priorities for the region, especially in ensuring the growth and development of school children as well as nutritional protection for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and toddlers.

This commitment was demonstrated through the presence of the Deputy Mayor of Cirebon, Siti Farida Rosmawati, at the Coordination Meeting for the Implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) at the West Java Provincial Level which was held at Gedung Sate, Bandung City, Wednesday (17/12/2025). This forum is a space for synchronizing policies between the central, provincial and district/city governments in strengthening the governance of the MBG Program in the regions.

The coordination meeting was attended by the Coordinating Minister for Food of the Republic of Indonesia, Zulkifli Hasan, the Head of the National Nutrition Agency of the Republic of Indonesia, Dadan Hindayana, the Governor of West Java, Dedi Mulyadi, as well as all regional heads and regional secretaries of districts/cities throughout West Java.

This activity also serves as an opportunity to socialize the management of the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal Program for school children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. The forum also explained the nutritional standards that must be met according to the mandate of Presidential Regulation Number 115 of 2025, including aspects of food safety and service quality.

Apart from focusing on nutritional fulfillment, this coordination meeting emphasized the importance of involving local MSMEs as suppliers and partners of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG). It is hoped that this partnership scheme will be able to encourage regional economic growth, while still prioritizing nutrition and food safety standards that have been set by the government.

The Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan, said that the implementation of the MBG Program was designed not only to improve the quality of public health, but also to stimulate the people’s economy through the use of local commodities. Vegetables, fish and chicken from the region are expected to become the main part of the program’s supply chain, with government assistance down to the village level.

“This forum emphasizes that the MBG Program is a national priority that requires cross-sector collaboration. The National Nutrition Agency plays a role as the main implementer, while regional governments are the driving force for implementation in the field,” said Zulkifli Hasan in his direction.

The Coordinating Minister for Food also emphasized the importance of consistent implementation of SPPG standards so that food services for school children and groups of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and toddlers remain safe and have high nutritional value.

“The sustainability of SPPG services, including facility readiness and production capacity, must be a serious concern,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi emphasized that the MBG Program must be able to increase regional competitiveness, improve the quality of public health, and provide a sense of social justice.

“There are three important points of emphasis in implementing the MBG Program which we convey in this activity,” he said.

He explained that the circulation of funds for the MBG Program in West Java is estimated at IDR 54 trillion. Therefore, banking sector support is urgently needed, especially through low-interest financing schemes. In addition, this program is expected to become an economic cycle that involves local farmers and livestock breeders as the main suppliers of MBG’s food needs.

“MBG must become a direct market for farmers and livestock breeders. With a shorter distribution chain, prices become more competitive and profitable for all parties,” stressed the Governor.

He also encourages school involvement through educational activities such as raising chickens, growing vegetables, rice and bananas as part of practice-based learning.

“If this works, then the money circulating in the MBG program will circulate from hand to hand, from pocket to pocket of the community. So it will create a supporting capacity and driving force for West Java’s economic growth,” he said.

On this occasion, the Deputy Mayor of Cirebon, Siti Farida Rosmawati, explained the readiness of the City of Cirebon to support the MBG Program. To date, the City of Cirebon is planning 40 SPPGs, with 30 SPPGs already built, 10 other SPPGs currently in the construction stage. A total of 17 of them have Sanitation Hygiene Eligibility Certificates (SLHS), and 13 are still in process.

The target beneficiaries of the MBG Program in Cirebon City who have been served include 65,121 school children from kindergarten/PAUD to SMA/MA/equivalent levels, as well as 2,369 pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and toddlers. The total number of beneficiaries who have received MBG services has reached 67,490 people.

“The Cirebon City Government fully supports the implementation of the MBG Program because public health and nutrition is a top priority. Utilizing local MSMEs as partners is also a positive step to drive the regional economy, and we will continue to evaluate and develop this in the future,” concluded the Deputy Mayor.