Government Prepares PEN Program for Coral Reef Restoration in Bali
The GOVERNMENT through the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Kemenko Marves), the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) and the Provincial Government of Bali will launch the Labor-Intensive National Economic Recovery (PEN) program through the Indonesian Coral Reef Park (ICRG) on Wednesday (7/10).
This decision was taken at the ICRG Coral Reef Restoration PEN Coordination Meeting which was held virtually on Monday (5/10).
The coordination meeting led by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut B. Pandjaitan said that the five areas where the PEN program was located in Bali were Sanur Beach, Nusa Dua Beach, Pandawa Beach, Serangan Beach, and Buleleng.
"By developing the marine sector, stimulus funds from the government will help people have alternative livelihoods and not only rely on the tourism sector," said Luhut in his official statement.
Luhut said that Bali needs to develop the marine sector so that the economy can still run.
“The governor (Wayan Koster) talked to Udayana University to make a study. What programs can be immediately made and carried out this year so that they can be included in next year's budget," Luhut asked the Governor of Bali who was present at the coordination meeting.
For information, the implementation of the Coral Reef Restoration PEN program is coordinated by the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. Then the organizers of the activities are the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), especially the Director General of Marine Spatial Management.
Then in the implementation in the KKP field, it will be assisted by the Bali Government, LIPI, Bali BKSDA, Universities, and the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC).
“The implementation of this program has been very advanced, and the coordination between the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and the KKP has been going well. Currently the land provided still covers 50 hectares but we have implemented it on time," said Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo.
Responding to the request of the two ministers, the Governor of Bali, I Wayan Koster, admitted that he agreed to develop the fisheries and marine sector in his region.
"So far, people depend on tourism so that income from other sectors is very unequal even though there is potential that can be utilized to improve the community's own economy, such as capture fisheries and ornamental fish cultivation," concluded Wayan. (OL-2)