EAST KOTAWARINGIN (ISL News) - The prolonged drought and the impact of forest and land fires (Karhutla) in several areas of East Kotawaringin Regency have triggered a clean water crisis and decreased air quality. Responding to this emergency, PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas, through its Bagendang Container Terminal (TPK), moved quickly to distribute 70 clean water tankers and free masks to port workers and the public in Ring 1 of Bagendang Port.
This clean water aid is prioritized for areas with the most severe supply constraints, including Bagendang Hulu Village, Sumber Makmur Village, Bagendang Hilir Village, and the Sabilal Muttaqin Bagendang Islamic Boarding School. Distribution also targets residents near the port to ensure the continued fulfillment of basic daily needs.
To ensure water quality and ensure effective logistics coverage, Pelindo is collaborating with the regionally-owned enterprise (BUMD) Perumdam Dharma Tirta Mentaya in Kotim Regency. Akhmad Fajar, Terminal Head of TPK Bagendang Bumiharjo, emphasized that this step demonstrates the company's Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) in response to the emergency situation that threatens public health.
"In conditions like these, the community's basic needs are a priority. We are working to ensure clean water supplies reach areas in need as quickly as possible. Therefore, we are collaborating with Perumdam Dharma Tirta Mentaya to distribute 70 clean water tankers to the community," said Akhmad Fajar.
In addition to meeting the need for clean water, the Bagendang Port Authority (TPK) also distributed masks to port workers and residents operating around the port area. This measure was taken to help reduce direct exposure to the haze caused by forest and land fires.
"The mask distribution is focused on protecting port workers and the surrounding community from potential respiratory problems. We hope this assistance will help people carry out their daily activities while mitigating the impacts they experience," he said.
Meanwhile, Natalis Daud, a representative of the Dharma Tirta Mentaya Regional Drinking Water Company (Perumdam) in East Kotawaringin Regency, expressed his appreciation for this tactical move. "We are grateful for Pelindo's active participation. This cross-agency synergy is crucial for expediting crisis management and easing the burden on the Bagendang community, which is struggling with drought," said Natalis.
Cross-sector collaboration between state-owned enterprises (BUMN), regionally-owned enterprises (BUMD), local authorities, and the community is key to ensuring effective crisis management. Pelindo Terminal Petikemas (PETI) reaffirmed its commitment to extending its presence beyond port operations to serving as a social safety net when the surrounding community faces a crisis.
(ISL News Editorial Team/Corcom Pelindo TPK).
