VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Regent of Pandeglang, Irna Narulita, ensures that the tsunami striking Pandeglang Regency will not disrupt the government’s plan to establish Pandeglang Regency as one of the National Geopark Tourism Destinations in Indonesia. Irna Narulita in Tanjung Lesung, Banten Province, on Saturday (Jan 12) said that the presence of the National Geopark in Pandeglang Regency would support not only the development of local people’s economy through tourism sector but also the development of science to improve the quality of human resources.

“We are trying to realize the plan. We hope Pandeglang can be one of the National Geopark sites. Pandeglang is selected by the central government as the national geopark tourism and we have arranged the regulations to support its realization to the Tourism Ministry. The destination will not only provide amusement for visitors but also develop their knowledge for example the history of Tsunami in Pandeglang. Our younger generations can also explore about the topographical features that have been formed for many years. Therefore, the local government has been trying to establish Pandeglang as one of the national geopark destinations,” said Irna Narulita.

Irma Narulita hopes that the central government can support the tourism development in Pandeglang. According to her, the tourism potential in Pandeglang can be enjoyed not only by domestic but also foreign tourists. She also hopes that Pandeglang Regency can be one of the special economic zones (KEK). RegentIrma Narulita told that Pandeglang has various potentials that can provide contribution for Indonesia’s economy. (VOI/NDY/Trs: Amanda/AHM)

Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency –BNPB, Doni Monardo said in Sukabumi, West Java on Friday that the people in Indonesia still need comprehensive familiarization regarding disaster preparedness. He argued that the government has prepared the infrastructure needed to anticipate the disaster. However, the government also needs to encourage people to be aware of the dangers of disasters so that they can better prepare themselves if disasters come.

"We have to prepare the infrastructure and things related to the ability of our own community to be more aware that we live in the ring of fire, where some of the volcanoes are active. Then, we are in a volcanic fracture. In our place here includes fracture. And this was just checked by Mr. Vishnu. Here where we are is prone to landslides. So actually, the preparedness of our software is enough to support the provision of information to the public. But maybe familiarization is lacking so many people don't understand," Doni Monardo said.

Doni Monardo further stated that Indonesia is in the ring of fire. Thus, it faces a great risk of disaster. He emphasized that Indonesian people must improve awareness to anticipate and mitigate the disasters. He also encourages the community to enhance knowledge to reduce risk if affected by disasters. Training on disasters needs to be carried out in accordance with the potential for disaster risks that vary across Indonesia. (VOI/Ndy/AF)

Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency -BNPB, Doni Monardo said in Sukabumi, West Java on Friday that BNPB would form an intelligence team to ensure that disaster mitigation measures in Indonesia could be integrated. He believes that this team will carry out integrated research related to disaster anticipation and mitigation. He also said that the anticipation and disaster mitigation measures refer to the input produced by the team.

"So, the team consists of Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Volcanology Body, and Ministry of Marine and Fisheries (KKP) that is part of the tsunami. Then, there is an information and geospatial agency. There are Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) and Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI). So, we want to gather all of them into the National Disaster Mitigation Agency -BNPB. Then every period, maybe it can be every month, they deliver information to the public. Well, I say sorry if this is bitter saying that we have to express. So, the community is ready, instead of being scared. The community is well informed so that our society must be better prepared," said Doni Monardo.

Furthermore, Doni Monardo said that the steps to reduce disaster risk must begin at the lowest level in the community environment. He gave an example of the Rukun Warga level or the smallest resident unit which should also be able to take anticipatory steps considering that the Rukun Warga is the closest level where the community can overcome the possibility of disaster risk. (Ndy)