ANALISIS NATURE OF SOCIAL PROVISION DALAM PROGRAM SEMBAKO DI KECAMATAN BEKASI TIMUR - Anggian, Richard; Rachim, Hadiyanto Abdul (Focus : Jurnal Pekerjaan Sosial, 2025)
Penelitian ini mengkaji the nature of social provision dalam kebijakan sosial Program Sembako di Kecamatan Bekasi Timur, Kota Bekasi. Program Sembako bertujuan meningkatkan ketahanan pangan keluarga penerima manfaat (KPM) melalui subsidi bahan pangan. Penelitian ini bertujuan mendeskripsikan jenis manfaat yang diterima KPM dari kebijakan tersebut dengan metode kualitatif deskriptif melalui wawancara mendalam, observasi non-partisipatif, dan analisis data sekunder. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan adanya perubahan bentuk manfaat yang diterima KPM. Sebelumnya, bantuan hanya bisa dibelanjakan di e-waroeng atau agen resmi. Namun, kini bantuan dicairkan dalam bentuk uang tunai sebesar Rp200.000 per bulan melalui ATM atau Kantor Pos. Perubahan ini dipicu oleh keluhan masyarakat terkait harga tinggi dan kualitas rendah di e-waroeng dibanding pasar tradisional. Meskipun skema tunai memberikan keleluasaan, bantuan tersebut belum memadai untuk wilayah dengan biaya hidup tinggi seperti Bekasi Timur. Selain itu, perubahan ini menimbulkan tantangan baru dalam pengawasan penggunaan dana. Oleh karena itu, disarankan agar nominal bantuan disesuaikan dengan kondisi lokal dan skema in-kind dapat dipertimbangkan kembali, disertai pengawasan ketat terhadap e-waroeng agar manfaat program lebih tepat sasaran dan berkelanjutan. This study explores the nature of social provision in the Sembako Program, a social welfare policy implemented in East Bekasi District, Bekasi City. The program aims to improve food security among beneficiary families (KPM) through a subsidized food assistance scheme. This research specifically describes the types of benefits received by KPM under the policy. A qualitative descriptive approach was used, employing in-depth interviews, non-participant observation, and secondary data analysis. The findings show a transformation in the benefit delivery mechanism. Initially, KPM could only use the assistance at designated e-warung (government-appointed vendors). However, the current scheme allows cash withdrawals of IDR 200,000 per month through ATMs or post offices. This change was made in response to public complaints about higher prices and lower quality goods at e-warung compared to traditional markets. While the cash-based model offers greater flexibility for beneficiaries, it is still considered insufficient in regions with a high cost of living, such as East Bekasi. Furthermore, the transition poses new challenges in monitoring how the funds are used. The study recommends adjusting the amount of assistance based on local economic conditions and reconsidering the in-kind approach with stricter regulations for e-warung to ensure the program’s accuracy, sustainability, and effectiveness.