PORTALJABAR, CIAMIS REGENCY - Minister of Population and Family Development (Mendukbangga) Dr. H. Wihaji met thousands of Family Assistance Team (TPK) cadres in the TPK MBG 3B Ciamis Regency activity at the KH Irfan Hielmy Building, Tuesday (29/9/2026).

The visit was welcomed by Ciamis Regent Herdiat Sunarya and members of the Ciamis Regency Forkopimda (Regional Leadership Communication Forum). Several heads of regional apparatus organizations (OPDs) and other invited guests were also present.

On that occasion, Wihaji not only provided guidance but also interacted and had direct discussions with the TPK cadres. He explored their various experiences in carrying out family support duties in the field.

Wihaji called TPK cadres "family heroes." He believes these cadres hold a crucial position because they are in direct contact with the community, especially families at the lowest level.

"TPK are family heroes. They understand the inner workings of the grassroots. They have experienced both joy and sorrow in carrying out their duties," said Wihaji.

He explained that one of the purposes of his visit to Ciamis was to see firsthand the extent to which the government's priority programs were being implemented in the region, particularly those related to stunting reduction.

Wihaji hopes that TPK cadres can carry out their duties optimally so that the problem of stunting in the community can continue to be suppressed.

"I hope the TPK can work well so that none of the community suffers from stunting," he said.

During the meeting, Wihaji also explained the TPK's duties, functions, and objectives in the field. The cadres are expected to act as a bridge between government programs and the real needs of families at the village level.

Meanwhile, Ciamis Regent Herdiat Sunarya in his remarks said that a number of the President's priority programs, including Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) and the Red and White Village Cooperative (KDMP), have been running in Ciamis Regency.

However, Herdiat also highlighted the issue of stunting data, which he said still shows quite significant differences between central government data and the results of data collection conducted directly in the regions.

Based on data from the Indonesian Nutritional Status Survey (SSGI), which serves as a reference for the central government, the stunting rate in Ciamis Regency was recorded at 20.23 percent. Meanwhile, based on direct inspections and data collection conducted in the region, the stunting rate in Ciamis is reported to be around 4.4 percent.

Data collection in the area was carried out through the involvement of OPDs who provided guidance in each village, including by utilizing Posyandu data.

Herdiat hopes that these discrepancies in figures can be quickly resolved and synchronized so that the government has a common database for determining stunting management policies.

According to him, the differences between survey results and census or direct data collection in the field require attention because they can produce different pictures of stunting conditions.

"We hope this significant discrepancy in the data can be resolved soon, as the survey results will differ from the actual census results," Herdiat said.

After attending the activity with the TPK cadres, Minister of Education and Culture Wihaji continued the agenda of the working visit by handing over Uninhabitable Houses (Rutilahu) assistance directly to beneficiaries in two locations in Cijeungjing District, Ciamis Regency.

The visit was part of the government's efforts to strengthen coordination with regional governments and ensure that family development and stunting reduction programs are implemented at the grassroots level. (PROKOPIM CIAMIS/rka)