POLICY IMPLEMENTATION OF POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAM IN PALEMBANG CITY

Abstract

Poverty remains a persistent challenge in Palembang City despite sustained national and local efforts through programs such as Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH), Bantuan Langsung Tunai (BLT), and community empowerment initiatives. This study analyzes the implementation of poverty alleviation policies in Palembang using Van Meter and Van Horn’s (1975) policy implementation model, which identifies six interrelated variables influencing execution: policy standards and objectives, resources, inter-organizational communication, characteristics of implementing agencies, implementers’ dispositions, and the socio-political environment. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and document analysis involving stakeholders from the Dinas Sosial, BAPPEDA, sub-district offices, village leaders, program facilitators, and beneficiaries. Findings reveal that while policy objectives are aligned with national strategies, operational clarity at the grassroots level is insufficient, with vague technical guidelines and delays in information flow. Resource constraints including budget delays, inadequate staffing, and limited digital infrastructure hamper program delivery. Communication among agencies is fragmented, leading to data silos and beneficiary targeting errors. Institutional capacity gaps are evident at the sub-district and village levels, exacerbated by frequent staff rotations and insufficient training. Although implementers display strong commitment, their technical understanding of policy mechanisms varies widely. The socio-political environment marked by political interference, low public awareness, and community distrust further constrains effectiveness. The study concludes that structural, institutional, and contextual barriers collectively undermine the impact of well-formulated poverty reduction policies. Recommendations include clarifying operational guidelines, enhancing capacity-building efforts, integrating data systems, strengthening inter-agency coordination, and fostering participatory community engagement to improve transparency and program legitimacy. The findings contribute both theoretically and practically to understanding policy implementation in urban poverty contexts, offering insights applicable to other Indonesian cities facing similar governance and socio-economic challenges.