JAKARTA (March 7, 2020) - Minister of Social Affairs Juliari P. Batubara lead a disaster management evaluation meeting that occurred in Jabodetabek (Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi) region which was attended by 250 volunteers of Disaster Response Team (Tagana) Banten, DKI Jakarta and West Java, Saturday (7/2).
 
In his remarks, Juliari expressed his appreciation to Tagana for their dedication in handling disasters.
 
"I said that if there is no tagana at the Ministry of Social Affairs, we don't know what to do. That's the sincerest greeting and it's an award that cannot be valued in money, "said the Minister.
 
Tagana as The Ministry of Social Affair Assets, he continued, is the most valuable thing during the disaster. There is nothing more valuable than Tagana for the Ministry of Social Affairs especially when a disaster strike.

"Therefore, this morning I represent the Ministry of Social Affairs, allow me to express my highest appreciation to all of Tagana's friends. Because without you, the Minister of Social Affairs could not have done anything at the time of the disaster, "said Juliari.
 
During his four months as a minister, he said, several times he went down to see the location of the disaster and Tagana was already at there. All in a state of alert and intense activity.
  
Juliari said that the disaster in our country is permanent so there can't be no disaster. "Whether it is floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, then in addition to natural disasters, social disasters we must also remain vigilant and be on alert," he said.
 
Therefore, it is very appropriate if Tagana's presence can alleviate or minimize the burden or increase of casualties when a disaster occurs. Because tagana was born and comes from the community so it called as community-based disaster management.
 
The disaster management evaluation meeting involving 250 Tagana was also attended by Secretary General Hartono Laras, Director General of Social Protection and Security Harry Hikmat, Director General of Social Empowerment Pepen Nazaruddin, Director General of Social Rehabilitation Edi Suharto, Head of the Social Research and Counseling Agency (BPP3S) Syahabuddin.
 
Furthermore, Ari emphasize that in the future not only the number of Tagana that are taken care of, but also how to continue to improve the quality and professionalism.
 
The number of Main Tagana should increase. “The stage and tracking of the Tagana Pratama to Tagana Madya then becomes Tagana Utama. This is the gap that needs to be strengthened,” said the the Minister.
 
Bureau of Public Relations
Ministry of Social Affairs