Utilizing Supervision Power by the “Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah” in Government Fighting Pandemic Covid-19: A Case Study Blitar Regency

This study aims to explore the role of the Blitar Regency DPRD in improving the succession of handling Covid-19 through supervision. This research uses descriptive research with a qualitative approach. Data collection techniques were done through interviews, observation, and documentation. This study focuses on explaining the role of the Blitar Regency DPRD in supervising over the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. The DPRD’s oversight in handling the COVID-19 pandemic is an important factor to oversee the activities of the Regional Government and to minimize the problems found in handling the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the study showed that the Blitar Regency DPRD in improving the succession of handling the COVID-19 pandemic has carried out toward intense supervision. The supervision was done both directly and indirectly. Covid-19 cases in Blitar Regency continued to experience a significant decline from September to December. Thus, it can be concluded that the Blitar Regency DPRD plays a major role in the successful handling of the pandemic through supervision. This shows that the DPRD as an institution that functions to monitor the public’s activities by the government plays a very important role to apply the policies. Therefore, the DPRD and the Regional Government need to make good synergies and coordination so that the government in Indonesia runs well.


INTRODUCTION
The COVID-19 pandemic has spread to various countries including Indonesia which started from March 2020 until present and this pandemic due to COVID-19 in Indonesia has not ended yet. The outbreak of the Corona Virus  which has infected humans quickly and spread globally has become a health issue that has given rise to worry and chaos. WHO (World Health Organization) on March 11 th , 2020 officially declared that Covid-19 is a pandemic (Amrynudin & Katharina, 2020). Corona viruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from mild to severe symptoms. There are at least two types of coronavirus that are known to cause diseases that can cause severe symptoms, such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new type of disease that has never been previously identified in humans. . The virus that causes COVID-19 is called Sars-CoV-2 (Kemenkes RI, 2022).
Through a previous research conducted by Putri (2020) stated that COVID-19 can be transmitted from human to human through coughing/sneezing (droplets) splashes. People who are most at risk of contracting this disease are people who are in close contact with COVID-19 patients, including those who treat COVID-19 patients (Ministry of Health of Republic of Indoesia, 2020). Common signs and symptoms of COVID-19 infection include symptoms of acute respiratory distress such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The average incubation period is 5 -6 days with an incubation period of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, COVID-19 can cause pneumonia, acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.
A study conducted by Ilpaj & Nurwati (2020) stated that there were 3,512 positive cases, 282 people recovered and 306 people died with the mortality rate is 9.1%. The high death rate in Indonesia is influenced by the presence of comorbidities possessed by positive corona virus patients, vulnerable age, and inadequate health facilities. The magnitude of the death rate day by day does not only cause physical symptoms and diseases, but also has a major impact on the welfare of the Indonesian people, which includes mental health. Besides, by the government policies such as physical distancing and PSBB to deal with COVID-19, for some people it has negative impacts such as anxiety, depression, to stress. By then, the other benefits gained by this scientific article is to further analyze the effects of COVID-19 which not only affects physical health but also the mental health of the wider community and to find out how to reduce the negative impact on it.
Blitar Regency is one of the areas that has a high Covid-19 case, even Blitar Regency is the area with the highest Covid-19 death rate (CFR) in East Java. The Blitar Regency CFR figure on September, 2021 was 15.01 percent or 1,635 deaths from the accumulation of 10 confirmed cases 10.889 (Asip Agus Hasani, 2021a). The high number of deaths in Blitar Regency is because the majority of patients brought to the referral hospital for Covid-19 cases in Blitar Regency are in severe or bad condition. This condition occurs because the Covid-19 patient referral system, especially in Blitar Regency, is considered problematic (Asip Agus Hasani, 2021b).
To minimize the problems that exist in handling the COVID-19 pandemic, the supervisory function of the DPRD is very necessary. The implementation of the DPRD's supervisory function is very important to ensure that local governments run in accordance with the plans and provisions of applicable laws and regulations, including policies and programs run by local governments (Halwa, 2016). In its implementation, the supervisory function needs to be regulated as well as possible, so as not to cause excessive access to the implementation of executive policies, and later it will make policies not run effectively. Mechanisms and forms of supervision must present a dynamic atmosphere in joint partnerships as local government administrators (Holqiah et al., 2020).
As a political institution, the Regional People's Representative Assembly Council (DPRD) which is formed in every province and district/city is generally understood as an institution that exercises legislative power (Chantika Sari Dilapanga, Alden Laloma, 2020). The DPRD in principle has 3 functions, iinamely the budget function, the legislative function and the supervisory function. Supervision is the fourth management function after planning, organizing and directing (Hestanto, 2018). Supervision is very important because supervision is an effort to ensure whether what is carried out has been as planned. Supervision means determining what is being carried out, meaning evaluating work performance and if necessary implementing corrective actions so that the work results are in accordance with the plan (Sari, 2021).
Supervision can be interpreted as a process of determining the measures performance and a process of taking actions that can support the achievement of the expected results in accordance with the predetermined performance. As explained by Irham Fahmi (2014:138), supervision in general can be defined as a way for an organization to achieve effective and efficient performance, and further support the realization of the vision and mission of an organization. Based on the definition of supervision, a concept of understanding is obtained that it is necessary to apply a supervision which is done routinely or periodically by the leader or person who has the authority to monitor, inspect, assess and improve the institution so that there are no deviations in achieving a goal that is effective and efficient and in accordance with established procedure.
The supervisory function by the DPRD is the authority of the parliamentary institution to control over the implementation of policies and performance of local governments, including in terms of public services. Parliamentary institutions as a function of checks and balances are expected to be able to encourage the executive to improve the quality of public services in more responsive regions.
In carrying out its supervisory function, DPRD is given the task and authority to carry out supervision over the implementation of regional regulations, regional revenue and expenditure budgets. This authority is also complemented by the DPRD's right to submit interpellation rights, inquiry rights and the right to express opinions. With supervision, it is possible to ensure that all public policies related to the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic are carried out in accordance with applicable laws and regulations (Dilapanga & Laloma, 2020).
As an effort to deal with Covid-19 pandemic, Indonesian government is required to quickly establish policies as an initial step to prevent and handle the spread of the virus (Rahman & Satria Utama, 2020). The implementation of government policies as regulated in Law no. 4 of 1984 concerning Outbreaks of Communicable Diseases, requires active community involvement, such as: people obeying the advice to stay at home, participating in activities to prevent spread in their respective environments and participating in material and volunteer contributions. Without community participation, the objectives of implementing the policy will not be achieved properly (Mulyadi, 2020). When viewed in general, the determination of a policy is considered as an effort used to achieve certain goals and also as an effort to solve problems by using certain means within a certain period of time (Triana et al., 2021).
To support the implementation of the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Blitar Regency DPRD promotes the re-allocation of the budget for handling the COVID-19 pandemic. The reallocation of the APBD is focused on handling the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the socio-economic impacts that have occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, in dealing with the covid-19 pandemic, the Blitar Regency DPRD asked the Village and Sub-district to take part in providing input and taking action in eradicating COVID-19 and providing guidance to the public about recommendations from the government, namely for social distancing and maintaining physical health (DPRD Kabupaten Blitar, 2021).
Research conducted by (Karyono et al., 2020) explains that in carrying out the handling of the covid-19 pandemic various regulations have been issued to prevent the spread of Covid-19 but the reality shows that there has been no significant change in the handling the Covid 19 cases in Indonesia. In Indonesia, the number of patients is increasing, the death rate is increasing, the existing regulations will not be effective if they are not supported by more assertive but polite efforts in community, the existence and extra attention of all related parties is very urgent to provide public understanding about the spread dangers of the virus.
By the existence of problems in handling the Covid-19 pandemic that has not been completed yet, the DPRD's supervisory function, especially regarding the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, must be implemented and strengthened in order to reduce problems and deviations that exist in the field, so that the policies for handling the COVID-19 pandemic in Blitar Regency can run well and in accordance with the existing goals and regulations. It is done to expect that the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Blitar Regency can achieve successfully.

RESEARCH METHOD
This study uses a descriptive research method with a qualitative approach by describing the facts about the problem being investigated as they are, accompanied by a strong interpretation (Nawawi, 1998:64). Sources of data obtained are primary and secondary data. Primary data was obtained by conducting direct research which was produced through interviews with informants, in this case the chairman of Commission IV DPRD Blitar Regency, Mr. Sugeng Suroso. While secondary data was obtained from a literature study by looking for various literature related to efforts to successfully handle the covid-19 pandemic through the supervision of the DPRD and handling the covid-19 pandemic in Blitar Regency, official documents related to handling the covid-19 pandemic, as well as laws that related to the supervisory function of the DPRD.
Data collection techniques used in this study were interviews, observation, and documentation. While the data analysis technique used in this study uses qualitative data analysis. Following the concept given by Miles and Huberman (2002) which consists of, data collection, data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION
The DPRD of Blitar Regency takes part in monitoring the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. This monitoring was very necessary to minimize problems that occured in the field. The DPRD implements both direct and indirect to supervise the handling of Covid-19 pandemic in Blitar Regency.

Direct Supervision
Direct supervision is carried out by visiting and conducting on-the-spot inspections. The Blitar Regency DPRD, especially Commission IV, monitoring directly in the Covid-19 referral hospital, the COVID-19 task force, self-isolation houses in Blitar Regency, and the distribution of social assistance to communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The supervision done by the Blitar Regency DPRD on Covid-19 referral hospitals is to ensure the readiness of medical personnel in handling communities affected by Covid-19, starting from the availability of preparations for medicines, inpatient rooms, and the availability of oxygen. The Blitar Regency DPRD will continue to ensure that the Ngudi Waluyo Wlingi Hospital and Srengat Hospital as a special reference place for handling COVID-19 are truly ready. Both in terms of medical personnel, medical equipment, and drugs. As a Covid-19 referral point, Ngudi Waluyo Wlingi Hospital has prepared 25 isolation rooms and prepared a special medical team for 24 hours.
To anticipate the higher increment of Covid-19 cases in Blitar Regency, Ngudi Waluyo Wlingi Hospital is also trying to make quick actions to handle the Covid-19 pandemic, one of which is by adding isolation beds and installing emergency tents from BPBD in the hospital yard. Besides, it also maintains the availability of logistics such as PPE, medicines and oxygen (Rumasakit Ngudi Waluyo, 2021). In addition to the Ngudi Waluyo Regional Hospital, the Srengat Hospital is also prepared to be a special Covid-19 referral hospital to help the Ngudi Waluyo Wlingi Hospital which is always full even though there has been an increase in bed capacity. Covid-19 patients with mild symptoms will be placed in the Srengat Hospital and Covid-19 patients with severe symptoms will be placed in Ngudi Waluyo Wlingi Hospital (Mayangkara News, 2021).
Direct supervision of the Covid-19 Task Force is also monitored by members of the Blitar Regency DPRD. Supervision of the Covid-19 Task Force has the aim of increasing regional resilience, accelerating the handling of Covid-19 through synergies between regional apparatus and stakeholders, increasing anticipation of the escalation of the spread of Covid-19, increasing synergy in operational policy making, increasing preparedness and ability to prevent, detect, and respond the Covid-19. In carrying out their duties, the Task Force is assisted by a secretariat based in the Blitar Regency Health Office and the Blitar Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (Handayani et al., 2020). In this case, the supervision carried out by the Blitar Regency DPRD is to see what activities are done by the Lala Amelinda Fatin, Asep Nurjaman, Utilizing Supervision Power by the "Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah" in Government Fighting Pandemic Covid-19: A Case Study Blitar Regency. JSSP, Vol. 6, No. 1, June 30, 2022 Covid-19 task force in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, and ensure that the activities of the Covid-19 task force run well and in accordance with budget that has been set.
One of the activities carried out by the Covid-19 task force in handling the Covid-19 pandemic in Blitar Regency is doing a judicial OPS to enforce health protocols, which was held at Alon-alon Sutojayan. The judicial operation was held in order to support the government's program in accelerating the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Yustisi operation was carried out by joint personnel from the East Lodoyo Police, Satpol PP, Blitar Regency Transportation Agency, Blitar POM, and Blitar Regency BPBD. The existence of this judicial operation is expected to make the public aware of the importance of implementing health protocols and maintaining body health during the current Covid-19 pandemic (Pemerintah Kabupaten Blitar, 2020).
The Blitar Regency DPRD also carries out direct supervision of the self-isolation house located in Garum Village. The Blitar Regency Government has prepared an isolation house for the people of Blitar Regency who have contracted Covid-19 without symptoms. The Blitar Regency Government has changed the LEC (local education center) building as a place for self-isolation for Covid-19 patients without symptoms or (OTG). In providing comfort to people who are isolating in the LEC building, the DPRD of Blitar Regency conducts supervision to ensure that people who are doing selfisolation get good facilities such as getting proper beds, nutritious food, vitamins and medicines. As well as ensuring that people who are in isolation get comfort while doing isolation.
The capacity of the LEC Garum self-isolation house reaches 76 rooms. Although the number of Covid-19 cases in Blitar Regency is increasing every day, the capacity of the Garum LEC selfisolation place is never full and is still sufficient. This is because asymptomatic Covid-19 patients, if possible, can self-isolate in their respective villages or sub-districts. In addition to the LEC Garum self-isolation house, the Blitar Regency government has also prepared self-isolation houses in each sub-district. With adequate facilities, it is hoped that the Covid-19 case in Blitar Regency will be suppressed and people who have been confirmed to have Covid-19 will recover soon.
The high number of Covid-19 cases in Blitar Regency has also resulted in the economic downturn experienced by the community. In alleviating community economic problems during the Covid-19 pandemic, the government has rolled out a number of social assistance (bansos) both regular and non-regular. During the PPKM emergency period, the Blitar Regency government has distributed social assistance to the people of Blitar Regency in the form of 1 ton of rice and 200 packages of basic necessities. In addition, the Blitar Regency Government also distributed BLT (Direct Cash Assistance) to the people of Blitar Regency whose economy was slumped due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Considering that the social assistance distributed must be right on target, the Blitar Regency DPRD ensures that it will oversee the distribution of the social assistance (DPRD Kabupaten Blitar, 2020). The supervision carried out by the Blitar Regency DPRD in the distribution of social assistance is to see how the distribution system is implemented, in what form the assistance is distributed, and ensure that this social assistance is in accordance with the set budget, as well as right on target by name by address.

Indirect Supervision through Coordination Meetings Hearings
Knowing that the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Blitar Regency has not been maximized, the Blitar Regency DPRD also carries out indirect supervision. Indirect supervision was conducted by the Blitar Regency DPRD in handling the Covid-19 pandemic, namely through coordination meetings and hearings. This coordination meeting aims to find out information in the field and the obstacles faced by OPDs in the field, in addition to evaluating work programs that have been, are being and will be implemented by all OPDs. In addition to the coordination meeting, the hearing also aims to find out public opinion regarding the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in Blitar Regency. The hearing can also assist the DPRD in listening to the community's proposals and problems or irregularities faced by the community so that the Blitar Regency DPRD together with the OPD from the relevant Office can correct or explain to the community the obstacles that have been conveyed by the community through hearings.
Activities carried out by the Blitar Regency DPRD, especially Commission IV, are under indirect supervision through coordination meetings, namely holding coordination meetings with the task force for the acceleration of handling the Covid-19 pandemic. In this coordination meeting, the Blitar Regency DPRD asked for an explanation regarding the activities carried out by the task force for the acceleration of handling the Covid-19 pandemic, especially regarding the target receipt of social assistance (bansos) (Sekilasmedia, n.d.). The Regional Government has provided social assistance for people whose economy has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. One of the social assistances from the Regional Government for people affected by Covid-19 is in the form of basic necessities worth Rp. 200,000 which was given for three consecutive months starting from April to with the month of June. In the distribution of social assistance in April, it is considered that there are still problems related to the data on recipients, where those who should receive social assistance are not recorded and those who should not receive are recorded. The existence of this problem, the DPRD of Blitar Regency held a coordination meeting to find out how the data collection was taken by the Regional Government so that in the future there would be no mistakes in recording people who needed social assistance.
A coordination meeting was also held by the Blitar Regency DPRD with the Health Service and Ngudi Waluyo Wlingi Hospital. The coordination meeting activity carried out by the Blitar Regency DPRD and the Health Service and Ngudi Waluyo Wlingi Hospital discussed the handling of Covid-19 which had been carried out by the task force for the acceleration of handling the Covid-19 pandemic. In this meeting the DPRD of Blitar Regency gave advice to the Health Office to notify the Village Head or Lurah to pay more attention to and supervise residents who will or have traveled out of town, especially those traveling in red zone areas. In addition, the Blitar Regency DPRD also asked the Health Office to pay attention to the midwives and nurses at the Puskesmas, by providing medical equipment and PPE in accordance with health protocols.
The Blitar Regency DPRD also held a hearing meeting with the Provincial Village and Community Empowerment Service (DPMD) and the People's Empowerment and Advocacy Agency (el-BARA). In a hearing meeting, the Institute for People's Empowerment and Advocacy (el-BARA) questioned whether the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in Blitar Regency was in accordance with the SOP and what was the budget for funerals. In response to this question, the Head of the Empowerment and Community Service explained that the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in Blitar Regency was in accordance with SOPs, the Blitar Regency Government had its own SOPs such as spraying in Blitar Regency areas, and inviting people to adopt a healthy life and comply with health protocols, restore the national economy to Village Fund Direct Assistance (BLT-DD), and have formed a village task force.
The Head of the Health Services Division of the Blitar District Health Office also responded to the issue regarding the funeral budget for patients who died due to exposure to Covid-19. In this case, the Head of Health Services at the Blitar District Health Office explained that according to the Regent's Regulation, people who died due to exposure to Covid 19 received assistance for funeral costs of 1,800,000 which included burial of corpses, body bags, coffins, plastic tightly, body disinfectant, hearse transport and hearse disinfectant. The most important claim for burial and burial is having a Blitar ID card. The funeral process also applies a strict Health Protocol using PPE and that is standard from the government (DPRD Kabupaten Blitar, n.d.).
The Blitar Regency DPRD concluded that mutual cooperation and collaboration have always been the key to Indonesia's success through difficult times during a pandemic like this. This strategy is an effort to get through the pandemic. By this, the Blitar Regency DPRD asks the People's Empowerment and Advocacy Agency (el-BARA) to help disseminate information to the public to comply with applicable regulations, implement health protocols and educate about the importance of following the vaccine. The Blitar Regency DPRD also emphasized to the Health Office to continue in paying attention to the needs of the community infected with Covid-19, so that the transmission rate of the Covid-19 pandemic in Blitar Regency could decrease. In addition, the Blitar Regency DPRD also asked the Health Office to pay attention to people who are not infected with Covid-19 by provide vitamins so that the immune system increases and it is difficult to get infected.
The existence of coordination meetings and hearings held by the DPRD of Blitar Regency is held as an effort to maintain the performance of the Office in Blitar Regency, especially performance in improving the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Blitar Regency.

Constraints of DPRD in Supervision of Handling Covid-19 in Blitar Regency
In conducting supervision over the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, the DPRD of Blitar Regency has no obstacles. Supervision of the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic is going well. However, in increasing public awareness of the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in Blitar Regency, there are still many obstacles. Constraints in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic in Blitar Regency is the lackness of public awareness of Covid-19. Many people still underestimate the existence of this pandemic so there are still many people who do crowds, do not apply 3M and do not care about their health. If they experience illness, many people are still afraid to come to the hospital or health center for fear of being diagnosed with Covid-19 so many people do not receive proper service. In addition, many people do not follow the vaccine because of excessive fear about the dangers of vaccination.

DPRD's Efforts in Supervising the Handling of Covid-19 in Blitar Regency
The Blitar Regency DPRD efforts in handling the Covid-19 pandemic in Blitar Regency are supporting activities planned by all offices in Blitar Regency and providing the budget needed by the relevant agencies, especially the Health Service and RSUD so that activities in handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in Blitar Regency can run properly according to its objectives. In addition, in handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in Blitar Regency, members of the Blitar Regency DPRD also continue to socialize to the public about the vaccine program being held in Blitar Regency, and provide knowledge about the importance of vaccines so that people are not afraid to take part in the vaccine program. By conducting socialization about this vaccine program, it is expected that the public will understand that by vaccinating it can prevent severe symptoms of Covid-19, can protect others, stop the spread of Lala Amelinda Fatin, Asep Nurjaman, Utilizing Supervision Power by the "Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah" in Government Fighting Pandemic Covid-19: A Case Study Blitar Regency. JSSP, Vol. 6, No. 1, June 30, 2022 62 Covid-19, and help protect the next generation.
The Blitar Regency DPRD also asked for community contributions, both from the private sector, SMEs, organizations, communities, and even individuals to help each other in helping the community or people around them in dealing with the pandemic, especially during the Enforcement of Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM). It is hoped that this collaboration can be continued and strengthened. With the spirit of mutual cooperation and collaboration, we can ease the burden of others in facing the pandemic (Hendik, 2021).

Chart 1. Development of Covid-19 of 2021 in Blitar Regency
Source: (Pemerintah Kabupaten Blitar, n.d.) From September to December, Covid-19 cases in Blitar Regency began to experience a drastic decline. This decline occurred because the public had begun to become aware of implementing health protocols. The application of health protocols in the community is an appeal from the Blitar Regency government to all sub-districts in each sub-district, to socialize and supervise the activities of the surrounding community, so that socialization and supervision are more targeted (Radite Wanudya Apsari et al., 1970).

CONCLUSION
The role of the DPRD to attempt in improving the success of handling COVID-19 through supervision is the main function of the DPRD, where the DPRD has the main function as a supervisor to monitor of every regional regulation, as well as the use of the budget. In this study, the supervisory function of the Blitar Regency DPRD in handling the Covid-19 pandemic went well. Supervision is done by using both direct and indirect methods. Direct supervision is in the form of going to the field and indirect supervision is carried out by means of coordination meetings and hearings. In carrying out its supervisory function on the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Blitar Regency DPRD does not work alone but collaborates with the agencies that handle the Covid-19 pandemic. Even though the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in Blitar Regency has been going well, the data on Covid-19 in Blitar Regency in 2021 is still not stable. It has decreased, this is due to the Covid-19 variant that continues to mutate in Indonesia, causing the Covid-19 pandemic to still occur and yet resolved. In dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, the Blitar Regency DPRD always synergizes the policies that have been made by the government, prevents errors from occurring, and always listens to the aspirations of the community, because in implementing the function in their views, the DPRD of Blitar Regency really needs the active role of the community as its constituents to provide an assessment of the implementation of government policies. This study shows that the supervisory function of the Blitar Regency DPRD for handling the Covid-19 pandemic is highly recommended to imitate. Supervision of the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic needs to be done properly so that the implementation of government activities is in accordance with pre-determined policies and plans, as well as ensuring that government goals can be achieved effectively and efficiently. Although there are still many obstacles in the field that must be faced, the Blitar Regency DPRD still continues to help resolving the existing problems in the field so that the number of Covid-19 cases in Blitar Regency can decrease and the community can continue their activities to improve the economy that had declined due to the Covid-19 pandemic.