BATAM (August 5, 2021) - To improve the feasibility of housing for habitation, the Directorate General of Poverty Handling (PFM) through the Directorate of Poverty Handling Region I reviewed the location of the proposed assistance program for the Social Rehabilitation of Uninhabitable Houses (RS-RTLH) in the Bertam Island Sea Tribe, Batam City, Riau islands.

 

Together with the Secretary of the Batam City Social Service, Leo Putra, the Head of Sub-Directorate for Assistance and Empowerment of the Region I PFM Directorate, Agus Elia Gunawan, the Sub-District Head of Kota Panjang, Batam City, Yudi Admajianto, and the Head of Kaso Sub District, Ikhtiar Budi conducted a survey on the island.

 

When conducting a review, there are walled buildings in several houses that look fragile on some sides. For bathing, washing, and latrines in every house looks far from feasible. This is because there is no latrine space except for a makeshift hole that functions as a latrine.

 

In addition to expecting social rehabilitation of houses through the RTLH Social Rehabilitation Program, the Bertam Island Sea Tribe also wants the pile foundation which currently uses wood to be replaced with concrete cement. Replacement is needed to make the piles more sturdy so as not to harm the residents, because it will be dangerous if the condition of the wood is already in a porous condition and big waves occur during high tide.

 

The Bertam Island Sea Tribe currently consists of 53 (fifty-three) heads of families with the majority of their livelihoods being fishermen. When visited, they hope that this plan can be realized soon so that they can use their social functions and have a better chance of living, especially with healthier and cleaner toilets, kitchens and rooms.

 

The RS-RTLH program, which is a program of the Ministry of Social Affairs, has an assistance value of at least Rp. 15 million per house. The RS-RTLH program aims to rehabilitate the homes of the poor in a collaborative manner to create decent housing for occupancy with roofs, floors, and walls as a priority as well as bathing, washing, and latrine facilities.

 

After conducting a review of the Bertam Island Sea Tribe, the Head of Sub-Directorate for Assistance and Empowerment of the Region I PFM Directorate, Agus Elia Gunawan said he would immediately report the conditions in the field to the leadership regarding the proposed RS-RTLH assistance.