PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Bandung City Government is currently aggressively encouraging an increase in Regional Original Income (PAD) through various resource optimization strategies.

This was stated by the Acting Mayor of Bandung, A. Koswara at the Entry Meeting of the Audit Board of the Republic of Indonesia (BPK) of the West Java Representative regarding the fulfillment of PAD management until the third quarter of 2024 at the Bandung City Hall (26/9/2024).

Koswara said, the importance of utilizing space as one of the main PAD sources for Bandung City. According to him, Bandung City does not have abundant natural resources, so space resources are an irreplaceable asset.

"This space is utilized for various activities that can generate revenue for PAD. Therefore, we must maintain the carrying capacity of the space so that it can be sustainable," he said.

He mentioned a number of strategic priorities to increase PAD, including optimizing the use of regional taxes and levies. Koswara also underlined the importance of regulations governing incentives and disincentives related to space management.

In addition to maximizing regional taxes and levies, the City of Bandung is also focusing on optimizing Regionally-Owned Enterprises (BUMD) as one of the main sources of PAD which is considered not to have been utilized optimally.

Koswara added that the potential PAD from BUMD needs to be increased so that its contribution to regional income becomes more significant.

"With the existing potential, Bandung City can possibly increase (PAD)," he said.

He hopes that the presence of the BPK in this evaluation can be a guide for the Bandung City Government to continue to improve PAD governance.

"Hopefully the results from the BPK will provide constructive input, and all regional apparatus must make it a priority for our future good," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the West Java Province BPK Representative Office, Widhi Widhayat, is optimistic about the potential for increasing PAD in Bandung City.

According to him, currently PAD only contributes 50 percent of the total regional income of IDR 7.4 trillion, with PAD of IDR 3.4 trillion.

"Bandung City has a great opportunity to optimize its PAD, and the inspection we conducted aims to find solutions for better PAD management," said Widhi.

Widhi also added that the inspection, which will last for 25 working days, will identify problems in PAD management, including issuing relevant permits and legal umbrellas.

"We will review all regulations, ensuring that PAD components, especially levies and BUMD, can be more optimal," he said.

Widhi hopes that good collaboration between the Bandung City Government and the BPK will expedite the audit process, so that the results can provide the best solution for increasing the PAD of Bandung City. (Bandung City Communication and Information Service/Fauziah)