Malang, en.SERU.co.id – East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa has reaffirmed her commitment to keeping the province’s elderly population healthy, active, independent, and productive as the region marks National Elderly Day (HLUN) 2026.
Through a significant social welfare push, the East Java provincial government has allocated Rp108 billion this year to support 54,000 elderly beneficiaries, ensuring they can live with dignity.
Khofifah said the provincial administration runs various social protection programs for both vulnerable and active seniors, alongside economic empowerment initiatives designed to help them stay productive.
“This HLUN commemoration is a moment to ensure that our elderly in East Java remain healthy, active, independent, and happy in their golden years,” Khofifah said during the event at the UPT Rehabilitasi Sosial Bina Netra (RSBN) in Malang on Friday (29/5/2026).
“I feel moved and inspired seeing their struggle and resilience at this stage of life,” she added.
During the event, Khofifah personally greeted elderly traders and handed out productive zakat assistance. She emphasized that seniors still possess valuable energy and potential to contribute to society.
“Elderly people must continue to be given space to be empowered. Their experience and spirit are important strengths in our community,” she said.
As part of the support, the provincial government distributed Rp500,000 in productive zakat to 100 elderly traders and micro, small, and medium enterprise (UMKM) actors. Additionally, 250 elderly residents received food packages and sacrificial meat.
Read Also:
MUI Defends Prabowo’s Rp100 Billion State Funded Sacrificial Cow Program
Strong Budget Commitment
Head of the East Java Social Agency (Dinsos), Restu Novi, explained that the government’s attention to the elderly is backed by substantial funding. The Rp108 billion allocation is channeled through the PKH Plus program, providing social security for elderly beneficiaries.
“Each recipient receives Rp2 million per year,” Restu said.
The province has also allocated Rp450 million to support meal programs for elderly residents living in social welfare institutions (LKSLU) across East Java.
According to Restu, the government divides its support into two categories: elderly who are no longer able (not berdaya) and those who are still active and empowered (berdaya).
For the vulnerable group, the focus is on basic living assistance. For active seniors, the government provides economic stimulus to help them remain independent. Currently, there are 950 elderly outside the PKH Plus quota who fall into the vulnerable category.
The 2026 HLUN celebration, themed “Lansia Tangguh, Indonesia Tumbuh” (Resilient Elderly, Growing Indonesia), serves as a platform to strengthen protection for seniors while encouraging their continued contribution to social and economic life. (bas/ono)
