Regent Romanus Optimistic PON XX on schedule

The XX Papua National Sports Week (PON) will take place from 2-15 October 2021 on Cenderawasih Earth.

Although cases of the spread of Covid-19 continue to increase from day to day, the Regent of Merauke Regency, Drs. Romanus Mbaraka, MT is optimistic that the PON event will continue as scheduled.

This is in accordance with the Instruction of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ir. H. Joko Widodo. Remembering, the performance of PON is the national identity. In particular, PON XX Papua 2021 is the identity of the Papuan people and must continue to be carried out, despite any obstacles.

“The PON must be carried out according to President Jokowi's instructions that whatever the way, PON in Papua must be implemented. This is for sure. We together with the PON clusters in three (3) regencies and one (1) city as well as the Provincial PB PON and Sub-PB PON in the Regency, have basically committed that PON must go on," said Regent Mbaraka in front of the media crew after giving briefings to the media. Sub PB PON Merauke Committee at GOR Hiad Sai Jl. Soldier, Monday (5/7).

The Regent of Mbaraka said that the agreement on the budget or financing had been completed, although there was a difference of understanding between PB PON and Sub PB PON. It becomes part of the ongoing process.

“For Merauke itself, after our communication has been completed. The Merauke cluster received a disbursement of Rp 60 billion, excluding consumption, accommodation and human resources for the recruitment of PON volunteers tomorrow. This is also working. Then there is assistance from several departments, including from Kominfo, for Videotron for the public, this has also been implemented.

“Today my meeting with the management of Sub PB PON and the heads of fields, members, sports and so on. My instructions are clear because the activity plan is final according to the report of the Deputy Chairperson of the PON Sub PB Daily, Antonius Kaize. Because the countdown is only 89 days, I want them to immediately disburse the funds, so that PON activities can start immediately. I am waiting for the report from the committee tomorrow whether they have processed the disbursement of the funds,” explained the Regent of Mbaraka as the General Chair of the Merauke Regency PON PB Sub-District.

Regarding the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in Merauke Regency, the Regent of Mbaraka admitted that the Covid-19 issue had indeed been discussed in a meeting with the PON Sub-PB.

"Covid is one of the weaknesses of us Merauke people. As soon as I and Mr. Wabup H Riduwan instructed health workers to be budgetary, orderly management to orderly control the cause of Covid in Merauke, thank God, at that time it was zero because the average death per day was also zero. On average, one or two patients live per day, finally only one patient is exposed.

“But because the people of Merauke are starting to get out of control and they don't want to obey health protocols, everyone wants to go as they please. So, we have increased from one person to 336 today. After our meeting earlier, we identified the cause. Apparently, the cause was the perpetrators who entered from outside the area, because too many fleets came here. Including our visits, both private and TNI/Polri, have increased to Merauke. The reason is the travel agents and local variants that already exist,” he explained.

After identifying the increasing causes of Covid-19, he continued, a new plan of action was drawn up, including circulars on restrictions on community activities, reduced flight and passenger frequency (only twice a week and 50 passengers).

“Passengers who come are required to show proof of PCR, a legal antigen swab from the hospital. Because there is an incident in Jakarta, there is a lot of evidence that swabs and PCR can be shot or bought. We are reducing the number of airplane passengers, which are filled with only 50 people, but not for goods so that the economy continues to run," he concluded.

SOURCE: https://www.pasificpos.com/bupati-romanus-optimis-pon-xx-according to the schedule/