BLITAR – Blitar leadership performance under Mayor Syauqul Muhibbin and Deputy Mayor Elim Tyu Samba has delivered 70 awards across governance, human development, economic growth, and community empowerment in their first year in office. The achievements include 23 national honors and 47 provincial recognitions across East Java.
Macro indicators also show stable progress. Blitar’s Human Development Index reached 82.03 in 2025, while the Gini ratio stood at 0.340. Meanwhile, open unemployment fell to 4.28 percent, poverty measured 6.6 percent, and the city’s economic growth rate reached 5.33 percent.
In education, the administration funded scholarships for 60 university students and expanded regional school operational grants to private institutions from kindergarten to junior high level. At the same time, the city financed national health insurance contributions for 68,939 residents, achieving full universal health coverage with 95.14 percent active participation. Consequently, Blitar received national recognition from the health ministry.
Emergency health services also expanded. The PSC 119 response unit handled 461 cases ranging from accidents and patient transport to free funeral services. In governance, Blitar secured its 16th consecutive unqualified audit opinion from the state audit board and gained designation as a national anti corruption pilot city. The public service ombudsman likewise awarded the city its highest service quality rating.
Administrative performance scores rose to 81.19 in 2025 from 80.06 a year earlier based on national bureaucracy reform assessments. In addition, the civil registry office earned integrity zone status as a corruption free institution.
Local revenue reforms also advanced. Blitar ranked first in the Mataraman region for digitalization of local revenue systems under central bank evaluation. Moreover, the city expanded interregional cooperation with municipalities including Bekasi, Depok, Palangkaraya, and Surakarta as well as Jakarta province and Bondowoso regency.
Economic indicators strengthened alongside governance gains. Investment reached 223.59 billion rupiah across 16 business sectors, led by wholesale and retail trade at 117 billion rupiah. Export value totaled 3.47 billion rupiah, driven mainly by batik shipments to Pakistan.
Social protection programs widened coverage for vulnerable workers. The city funded employment insurance for 2,323 informal workers such as pedicab drivers, laborers, waste handlers, farmers, and street vendors. Additionally, 5,929 community service workers joined the same scheme.
Community empowerment programs also expanded housing support. The administration renovated or built 140 homes for low income residents, including new units, electrical connections, and structural repairs. Notably, community self funding contributed 1.17 billion rupiah, or about 58 percent of the total assistance.
Further support reached neighborhood leaders, religious teachers, health volunteers, disaster response cadres, social workers, and traditional community figures. Overall, the administration said its first year has focused on balanced development across sectors while strengthening social protection and public services.