BANTUL - As many as 32 young graduates who joined program of Youth Graduates Development Mover in Rural Areas (PSP-3) were symbolically released by BPO Head of Youth and Sport Agency of Yogyakarta Teguh Raharjo and witnessed by Community Services Manager of LPPM, Adi Wibowo, S.T, M.M., and expert staff of Bantul Regent in economics and finance, Sulistyanto, in the office of Bantul Regent, Wednesday (19/10). According to the plan, the youth who are from outside Yogyakarta will be assigned for 2 years in eight underprivileged villages in Bantul Regency. The villages include Blawuran, Pleret, Segoroyoso, Wonolelo, Jatimulyo, Mangunan, Munthuk and Terong.
The Manager, Adi Wibowo, S.T, M.M., in his briefing stated that the PSP-3 program is the result of cooperation between Ministry of Youth and Sports and LPPM. The program is expected to encourage rural development to improve the local community’s welfare. Although running for 20 years, what distinguishes the program this time is the involvement of youths from outside the regions. "They are assigned to be pioneer, motivator in alleviating underprivileged villages through various development programs in rural areas," he said.
Adi hoped all could support this program in order to provide direct benefits to the youth and people’s economy, especially in Dlingo and Pleret Sub-Districts, Bantul. He said that the 32 youths are averagely 23-30 years old and graduates of state and private universities from their hometowns such as Jakarta, Banten, Central Java, East Java, West Java and West Kalimantan.
Teguh Raharjo said that PSP-3 program is a national excellent program of Ministry of Youth and Sports. It is performed simultaneously in 33 provinces, involving 33 local colleges. "The cooperation with 33 universities is expected to improve the quality of the PSP-3. In Yogyakarta, we cooperate with UGM," he said.
He explained, this program for the first time involves youths from outside the region. Previously, the program has involved the local youth. In carrying out its activities, the young graduates receive cost of living up to 2.5 million rupiah per month.
The expert staff, Sulistyanto, said that there are 16 underprivileged villages in Bantul out of 75 villages. Therefore, through this program he hoped the villages can be free from poverty immediately. "The government cannot do much, because of limited budget, which is only 25 percent while the rest is for personnel expenditure. The Regency only gives stimulants. So, we need more self-independence and empowerment," he concluded.