Social Affairs Minister Risma Testifies Tagana's Presence in the Community

  • Social Affairs Minister Risma Testifies Tagana's Presence in the Community
  • WhatsApp Image 2021-03-31 at 11.49.48

Writer :
Alek Triyono (OHH Ditjen Linjamsos)
Editor :
David Myoga
Translator :
Intan Qonita N

PANGANDARAN (April 1, 2021) - Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini was amazed by the existence of Disaster Voluntary Workers (Tagana) because their work was felt by the community without any strings attached.

"I witnessed how Taganas in various areas were the first to come down when a disaster occurred. They worked in silence, no one knew who was working, as if there were none, but Tagana was real deal in the community," said Risma when giving directions on the 17th anniversary of Tagana which was centered on the East Coast of Pangandaran, West Java, Wednesday (31/3).

This former Mayor of Surabaya for two terms admitted that after serving as Minister of Social Affairs, she understood and acknowledge Tagana's presence.

"Frankly, in the past, I didn't really pay much attention to Tagana, who is Tagana, how they perform. However, once I was at the Ministry of Social Affairs, I knew how extraordinary they were. They cooperate with Regional Board for Disaster Management (BPBD) in the local government. They are there even though they are silent and it is not their area. They come to the disaster areas from various cities, without anyone asking, without anyone ordering. That's how extraordinary of Tagana," said the Minister of Social Affairs.

Tagana Indonesia, continued the Minister of Social Affairs, proves that Pancasila exists in the community. "Tagana proves that with mutual cooperation, the resolution of any serious problem can be solved in mutual cooperation," she admitted.

Even so, the Minister did not deny the many questions from the surrounding community to her about the condition of Tagana itself during the disaster. "Often, I'm asked about what they eat and where they sleep," Risma conveying the types of questions she often received from the general public.

The Minister of Social Affairs added that she often saw Tagana working optimally for the evacuees, starting from preparing food, to preparing their beds. "But, then, I asked about where they sleep, which they answered that they don't really know, maybe they will sleep in any place. I also invite them to eat because it's already eleven o'clock at night, but they said that their work has not finished yet," said Risma, touched.

On Tagana's 17th anniversary, Risma expresses her deepest gratitude for all the sacrifices that Tagana has made so far. For this reason, she wants to equip the Tagana with a wide range of knowledge to increase their capacity in the field.

"Looking at the East Coast of Pangandaran, I want Tagana to be trained in swimming and save victims when a disaster occurs in the water. So, please join the training seriously," she asked.

Furthermore, the Minister also encourages local wisdom that is owned by each region to be trained. "The fishermen, who dominate the Pangandaran East Coast area, are currently being trained and alerted if something untoward happens, especially in the water. If we develop local wisdom, as it is today, the fishermen are trained and later must be continued by all residents, meaning that they are ready, on standby, if a disaster occurs," Risma said.

The highlight of the Tagana Anniversary event was attended by the Regent of Pangandaran, Jeje Wiradinata, the former Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, who is now the Chair of the Traditional Fishermen's Union, Susi Pujiastuti, the Governor of West Java, represented by the Head of the Provincial Social Office, Dodo Suhendar, the Director General of Social Protection and Security (Linjamsos), Pepen Nazaruddin, Director General of Poverty Handling, Asep Sasa Purnama, Head of the Agency for Education, Research and Social Counseling (BP3S), Syahabuddin, Secretary of the Directorate General of Social Security, Robben Rico, and Director of Social Protection for Natural Disaster Victims (PSKBA), M. Safii Nasution, as well as officials within the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Inauguration of 1,000 Fishermen

On the same occasion, Risma also confirmed 1,000 Pangandaran fishermen to become Friends of Tagana. One of them is Kasnu (52), who admits that he is happy because he has been in synergy with Tagana so far.

"This was an inauguration of disaster management. We, as fishermen, are happy because the fishermen and Tagana have united to help each other if there is a disaster (at sea). So, we, as fishermen, are also ready to help Tagana," Kasnu said after confirmed by the Minister of Social Affairs.

According to him, fishermen have the knowledge of swimming so that if something happens at sea, they can evacuate to a safer place. "We secure it with improvised tools, using a life vest while swimming. After that, if the victim needs more help, we will provide assistance. Earlier, we also received symbolic assistance in the form of oars for rubber boats, because there are no rubber boats here," said this Pangandaran fisherman.

Meanwhile, in his report, the Director General of Linjamsos, Pepen Nazaruddin, announced the winners of the Tagana skill competition, "This activity is carried out online at their respective places by appointing the Posts, Logistic, Public Kitchens, Psychosocial Support Services (LDP) and Shelters as the theme of the competition," said the Director General.

In addition, Pepen continued, there are other activities that are carried out offline in the Pangandaran Nature Reserve area by involving Tagana Province representatives from all over Indonesia, namely Water Rescue, Vertical Rescue and Emergency First Aid (PPGD).

"The evaluation is based on knowledge and skills," he said.
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