PORTALJABAR, DISTRICT. GARUT - After carrying out the simultaneous chili harvest, the group of West Java Governor's Expert Staff for Development Economics (Ekbang) Dodo Suhendar, and the Deputy Regent of Garut Helmi Budiman, also took the time to visit the Cheap Food Festival (GPM) which was present in the Eptilu Education Garden area, Wednesday ( 12/20/2023).

Dodo said that GPM was carried out in collaboration with the Garut Regency Food Security Service (DKP) and the West Java Province Food Security and Livestock Service (DKPP).

Dodo said that the GPM provides several commodities such as rice, oil, onions, including chilies. His party provides subsidies so that the prices sold at GPM are relatively affordable and cheaper than market prices.

"For example, premium rice costs 15,000, but here it is 10,000, so there is 5,000 (subsidy). So the people here are very happy, they get their basic necessities at below market prices, this is what the government wants to convey to the public, so that the people are also psychologically yes, calm down, and of course the prices of basic necessities are affordable," he said.

Head of the DKP Food Distribution and Reserves Division of Garut Regency, Dicky Timor, said that on this occasion his party provided commodity vendors such as Bulog and the Association of Farmers' Groups (Gapoktan), with the aim of bringing the community's food affordability closer to several strategic staple food commodities.

"We are opening up the facilities from this province as widely as possible, especially to the local community and people who already know about the media that we present," he said.

Dicky explained that this activity was carried out not far from residential areas, so that people did not need to pay for transportation, and residents could obtain affordable and cheap food commodities.

"With this GPM, it is hoped that people can get affordable or cheap food." he said.

There are several prices for basic commodities available at GPM, namely:
1. Eggs Rp. 25,000/kg
2. Chili Rp. 15,000/pack
3. Rice Rp. 50,000/5kg
4. Red onions Rp. 18,000/pack
5. Garlic Rp. 6000/pack
6. Oil Rp. 13,000/liter
7. Wheat Flour Rp. 11,000/kg

(Diskominfo Garut/UPI)