2026 High-Performing Local Government Appreciation Batch II Regional Java–Bali: Indonesia Ministry of Home Affairs Grants Performance Incentives and Promotes Inter-Regional Solidarity

The Ministry of Home Affairs, through the Agency for Home Affairs Policy Strategy (BSKDN) in collaboration with Tempo Media Group, successfully organized the award ceremony for the 2026 High-Performing Local Government Appreciation Batch II Regional Java and Bali. The peak awarding event took place on Friday evening, August 28, 2026, at the Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC), Badung Regency, Bali Province, honoring local governments for their performance achievements in governance and public services that directly impact the community.

The organization of this award event was supervised directly by the leadership of BSKDN Ministry of Home Affairs, under the oversight and supervision of the Head of the Center for Regional Policy Strategy, Population, and Public Services of BSKDN, Dr. T.R. Fahsul Falah, S.Sos., M.Si., and fully supported by the BSKDN team and Ministry of Home Affairs protocol personnel.

Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian explained that this event was designed as a tangible form of appreciation and a motivational driver for local government officials to continuously improve performance. The event proved that many regional leaders possess high intelligence, innovation, and commitment to realizing national priority programs in their respective regions.

Four Main Categories and Forms of Appreciation

The awards for Batch II Regional Java-Bali focused on four basic public service sectors:

- Implementation of the 3 Million Houses Program Category: In collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas, this category evaluates local government commitment to providing decent housing, accelerating housing development, managing sustainable settlements, and driving regional innovation. Winners received incentives in the form of additional quotas for the Self-Help Housing Stimulant Assistance (BSPS) or home renovation program valued at IDR 20 million per unit, with allocations of 300 units for Best I, 250 units for Best II, and 200 units for Best III.

- Access to and Quality of Health Services Category: The evaluation measured compliance with Minimum Service Standards (SPM), improvement of community health center (puskesmas) and hospital facilities, as well as support for free health screening programs. This initiative aims to detect community health issues early so that appropriate intervention strategies can be implemented.

- Population Access to Education Services Category: This category assesses the presence of the state in providing access to quality education as a fundamental requirement determining human resource quality and the future of the nation.

- Waste Management and Green Environment Category: This category evaluates local government strategies in addressing waste management in an integrated manner, from upstream/household waste reduction to downstream processing (including incinerator utilization for electricity generation) to generate economic value and preserve the environment.

Winners in the Health Services, Education Services, and Waste Management categories were entitled to receive fiscal incentives of IDR 2 billion for Best I, IDR 1.5 billion for Best II, and IDR 1 billion for Best III. The adjustment of fiscal incentive values in this batch was aligned with efficiency schemes from the Ministry of Finance.

Beyond encouraging performance achievements, Minister Tito Karnavian underscored the vital role of local governments in fostering social care and inter-regional solidarity. When facing natural disaster situations that can occur at any time across various parts of Indonesia, local governments are expected not only to pursue performance assessment scores but also to prioritize the spirit of mutual cooperation (gotong royong) to assist neighboring regions affected by disasters.

The Minister appreciated the togetherness of regions that collaborated to channel budget and logistical support during disasters, such as emergency response efforts in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), which involved support from other regions including Bali, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Central Java, West Java, Jakarta, and East Kalimantan. Cross-regional assistance is vital given that not all local governments possess adequate fiscal capacity when facing sudden surges in emergency response needs.

Amid various regional challenges such as post-disaster recovery, forest and land fires, traditional village fires, and clean water crises, local governments are required to be present and decisive. The good practices and governance successes achieved by local governments across Java and Bali through this award event are expected to gain wider recognition and serve as an inspiring reference for other regions nationwide.

List of Award Recipients for High-Performing Local Governments 2026 Batch II Regional Java–Bali:

Implementation of the 3 Million Houses Program:

Provinces:

1. West Java,
2. Banten

Cities:

1. Bogor,
2. Surabaya,
3. Cilegon

Regencies:

1. Banyuwangi,
2. Kuningan,
3. Madiun

Access to and Quality of Health Services:

Provinces:

1. Bali,
2. D.K.I. Jakarta

Cities:

1. Mojokerto,
2. Tegal,
3. Surabaya

Regencies:

1. Rembang,
2. Bantul,
3. Klungkung

Population Access to Education Services:

Provinces:

1. D.I. Yogyakarta,
2. Bali

Cities:

1. Salatiga,
2. Blitar,
3. Madiun

Regencies:

1. Ponorogo,
2. Kulon Progo,
3. Magetan

Waste Management and Green Environment:

Provinces:

1. East Java,
2. Central Java

Cities:

1. Malang,
2. Blitar,
3. Surabaya

Regencies:

1. Wonosobo,
2. Sidoarjo,
3. Ciamis

Cebuana Lhuillier MoneyXchange Empowers Filipinos to Make Better Financial Decisions

  

Financial planning is no longer simply about saving, budgeting, and investing. As Filipinos increasingly earn, send, receive, and spend money across borders, understanding foreign exchange is becoming an important part of making smarter financial decisions. For Filipinos navigating these cross-border financial needs, Cebuana Lhuillier MoneyXchange provides access to foreign currencies and competitive exchange rates.

This is particularly relevant to millions of Filipino families whose finances are connected to overseas work. The Department of Migrant Workers recorded 1.58 million overseas Filipino workers and seafarers deployed as of June 2025, underscoring the scale of Filipinos whose livelihoods extend beyond the country.

For these families, managing money does not end when an OFW earns abroad. The value of that income can also depend on how it is converted into pesos and how much reaches the household. Changes in exchange rates can affect the amount received, making foreign exchange a practical consideration alongside saving, budgeting, and remittances.

Being financially prepared means understanding not only how much money is coming in and going out, but also how its value can change between currencies. For OFWs and their families, knowing how exchange rates work and making informed decisions about when and where to convert currency can help them get more value from money they have worked hard to earn.

“Financial empowerment means giving Filipinos the knowledge and the right financial solutions to make better decisions at every stage of their financial journey. As more Filipinos earn and transact across borders, foreign exchange should become part of the conversation around managing money because it directly affects the value of their money,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.

Making those decisions is not always straightforward. Exchange rates move, currency needs differ, and the right choice can depend on whether money is being sent home, set aside for a trip, or used for an international transaction. This is where a trusted foreign exchange provider can make a difference.

As Xchange Xperts, Cebuana Lhuillier MoneyXchange offers access to foreign currencies, competitive exchange rates, and a nationwide network, making foreign exchange more accessible to Filipinos looking to make informed decisions about their money.

Adding to this convenience is Click & Collect, which allows customers to reserve their preferred foreign currency online and pick it up at a selected Cebuana Lhuillier branch. The service combines digital convenience with in-branch access, helping customers prepare their currency needs in advance.

The need extends beyond remittances. Filipinos traveling overseas also need to consider how much to convert, when to exchange pesos, and how currency movements can affect spending power. With 29.1 million international passengers passing through Philippine airports in 2025, foreign currency is becoming a familiar part of preparing for expenses abroad.

“Foreign exchange can seem like a simple transaction, but for many Filipinos, it is connected to something much bigger, their livelihood, their family’s financial needs, their business, or their plans abroad. Our role is to make that decision easier to understand and more accessible so Filipinos can approach every currency exchange with greater confidence,” said Philippe Andre Lhuillier, Senior Executive Vice President of Cebuana Lhuillier.

The bigger shift is in how Filipinos think about financial preparedness. Saving, budgeting, and investing remain essential. But for people whose financial lives increasingly cross borders, understanding the value of money in different currencies belongs in the same conversation.

Ultimately, smarter money management means seeing the full picture and understanding what can influence money’s value. For Filipinos earning overseas, supporting families through remittances, or preparing for a trip abroad, foreign exchange is another financial consideration to navigate wisely, with the right knowledge and an Xchange Xpert by their side.

Bescost Printing Invests in Year-Long Employee Development Program

 

Now on Day 14, the year-long training reflects Bescost’s commitment to continuous employee development as the company strengthens both its production capabilities and the customer experience behind every project.

Bescost Printing & Signage is investing in its workforce through a year-long VAST training program designed to develop practical skills that employees can apply to customer interactions, sales conversations, and everyday workplace challenges.

The initiative reflects the company’s focus on developing its people alongside its printing and signage capabilities. Rather than treating employee training as a one-time activity, Bescost is undertaking a continuous development program intended to strengthen how its team communicates, approaches problems, and serves customers.

Training completed so far has included lessons on understanding the customer journey and adjusting communication based on a customer’s level of readiness. Employees are taught to guide inquiries toward informed buying decisions while providing value throughout the conversation.

The program has also covered the importance of customer experience beyond the initial purchase. Training materials emphasize that long-term sales success includes providing an experience that can encourage repeat business and referrals. Employees are also encouraged to make customer conversations more natural and personalized rather than relying solely on scripted responses.

Other lessons completed during the program have focused on professional communication, customer response handling, brand consistency, and maintaining a warm but professional approach when communicating with customers. The training also emphasizes aligning the tone, language, and messaging of customer conversations with the company’s brand identity.

On Day 14, the program explored the theme “Welcome the Unexpected,” encouraging employees to approach challenges from different perspectives and recognize creativity as a practical problem-solving skill. The session encouraged the team to explore possibilities, consider unexpected ideas, and think beyond familiar approaches when addressing workplace challenges.For Bescost, the year-long initiative represents an investment not only in individual employee skills but also in the quality and consistency of the customer experience as the company continues to serve businesses requiring printing, signage, and visual branding solutions.

Previous training lessons have reinforced the importance of honesty and integrity in customer conversations, with an emphasis on building long-term trust rather than making promises simply to secure a sale. Employees are also trained to offer alternative solutions when a customer’s original request cannot be accommodated.

Through the ongoing VAST program, Bescost aims to build a team that can combine technical service knowledge with stronger communication, customer handling, and workplace problem-solving skills.

World Council Excellence Awards Ministry Inc. Honors PR1ME Z Leaders with Multiple Distinctions

  

PR1ME Z Entrepreneurs Inc. marks another significant milestone as two of its leaders receive multiple recognitions from the World Council Excellence Awards Ministry Inc.

President & CEO Zack Lopez was recognized as Asia Pacific Entrepreneur and received the Dangal ng Bayan Negosyante distinction.

Vice President Mhai Bantados was likewise honored as a Women of the World – Certified Member Business Advocate and received the Dangal ng Bayan Kababaihan Negosyante recognition.

The recognitions highlight the achievements of two Filipino business leaders whose respective journeys reflect the growing participation of Filipino entrepreneurs in leadership and business advocacy.

Lopez’s Asia Pacific Entrepreneur and Dangal ng Bayan Negosyante distinctions add another milestone to his continuing journey in entrepreneurship and organizational leadership, while Bantados’ Women of the World – Certified Member Business Advocate and Dangal ng Bayan Kababaihan Negosyante recognitions underscore her growing role as a woman leader and advocate in the business community.

The recognition of both PR1ME Z leaders represents a proud moment for the organization and its growing community of entrepreneurs.

More than the titles themselves, the occasion serves as a reminder of the importance of leadership, perseverance, and the continued pursuit of excellence.

Two PR1ME Z leaders. Four distinctions. One milestone in Filipino entrepreneurship.

About PR1ME Z Entrepreneurs Inc.

PR1ME Z Entrepreneurs Inc. is a Filipino-owned health and wellness direct-selling company committed to providing quality wellness products while creating meaningful business opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.