BONDOWOSO (ISL News) - PT Pelindo Marine Service (Pelindo Marine) inaugurated the Social and Environmental Responsibility Program (TJSL) assistance in the form of the construction of Healthy Bathing, Washing, and Toilet (MCK) facilities in Krajan Hamlet, Gentong Village, Krocok District, Bondowoso Regency, Thursday (10/15). The program was implemented as an effort to increase access to proper sanitation for communities who still face limited MCK facilities, while also encouraging clean and healthy living behavior.
The head of Krajan Hamlet, Abdul Manab, explained that currently there are around 200 families residing in the hamlet. However, only a small number of residents have adequate Bathing, Washing, and Toilet (MCK) facilities, so some people still use the river for bathing, washing, and defecating due to limited sanitation facilities.
"For years, people have used the river to meet their daily needs due to limited sanitation facilities. The presence of this Healthy MCK is a new hope for residents to live cleaner, healthier, and more dignified lives. We express our gratitude to Pelindo Marine and all parties who have cared for the needs of the Krajan Hamlet community," he said.
Gentong 1 Elementary School teacher Naraji revealed that limited sanitation facilities have been a challenge for students. Students often have to travel considerable distances to access proper toilets and washrooms.
"As a religious teacher, I always teach that cleanliness is part of faith. Therefore, the presence of these healthy toilets not only supports public health but also helps instill clean living habits in children from an early age," he said.
Pelindo Marine's Director of Finance, Human Resources, and Risk Management, Lia Indi Agustiana, explained that the construction of the toilet facilities is part of the company's efforts to support the fulfillment of basic community needs, especially access to safe and proper sanitation. According to Lia, limited sanitation facilities are not only related to environmental cleanliness, but can also affect the health, privacy, and security of the community, especially women, children, and the elderly. "We want this program not to stop at the construction of physical facilities, but also to raise public awareness about the importance of proper sanitation. Access to safe and healthy sanitation facilities is an important part of the community's quality of life," said Lia.
This program was also realized through a collaboration between Pelindo Marine and Baitul Maal Ar-Rahmah, which had previously drilled a well at the location. The availability of clean water sources was then complemented by the construction of sanitation facilities so that the community could utilize them to meet their daily needs more adequately. Ustadz Maimun, a representative of Baitul Maal Ar-Rahmah, stated that the provision of clean water needs to be supported by adequate sanitation facilities so that its benefits can be optimally felt by the community.
"When the well drilling was carried out, we saw that many residents still did not have proper sanitation facilities and still used the river for their daily activities. Therefore, synergy with Pelindo Marine is an important step so that clean water and sanitation facilities can be present simultaneously to improve the welfare of the community," he said.
Lia added that the success of the Community and Sanitation (TJSL) program is not only marked by the construction of buildings, but also by the changes experienced by the community in their daily lives. "When a mother no longer has to worry about privacy, when the elderly have access to safer sanitation, and when children can grow up in a healthier environment, that's where the true benefits come from. We hope this public toilet facility can be used and maintained together so that its benefits can be felt in the long term," she concluded.
(ISL News Editorial Team/Corcom PMS).
