Indonesian social services address changes in welfare desil rankings

Local social services in Tanjungpinang and Majalengka are addressing public concerns regarding changes in 'desil' status within the National Socio-Economic Single Data (DTSEN). This status determines the welfare ranking of households for social assistance eligibility.

In Tanjungpinang, approximately 6,000 households have seen their status shift from Desil 1-5 to Desil 6-10. Officials clarified that these rankings are determined by national statistical modeling rather than local government decisions. The updates are based on various household variables, including housing conditions, sanitation, water sources, and family assets. The Social Affairs Office is facilitating a process for citizens to report discrepancies or propose updates based on real conditions, such as changes in employment or disability status.

Similarly, in Majalengka, authorities emphasized that local governments and Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH) facilitators do not have the authority to set desil rankings. Officials explained that local offices are responsible for submitting field data, which is then processed by Statistics Indonesia (BPS) and the Ministry of Social Affairs' data center to establish the final rankings.