PDIP asks the government to anticipate the volcanic activity of Mount Lokon Sulut

Mount Lokon activity in Tomohon City, North Sulawesi (ANTARA)

Member of Commission VIII of the DPR from the PDIP Faction Matindas J Rumambi, highlighted the serious increase in volcanic activity of Mount Lokon in Tomohon City, North Sulawesi (North Sulawesi). He emphasized that the local government must immediately strengthen the anticipation steps to ensure the safety and security of the community.

"As a working partner of the government in disaster affairs, Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives emphasizes that policies in the pre-disaster phase are crucial steps," Matindas told reporters, Thursday, February 19.

Currently, the Geological Agency has set the status of the volcano at Level II or Alert due to the potential danger lurking. The threats to be wary of include the emission of toxic gases and the possibility of an eruption that can occur suddenly without strong initial symptoms.

The legislator from Central Sulawesi said that the policy in the pre-disaster phase was a step that should not be ignored. According to Law Number 24 of 2007, according to Matindas, the local government is fully responsible for carrying out prevention, mitigation, and preparedness in its area.

He also urged the North Sulawesi Provincial Government to ensure that the early warning system (EWS) functions in real-time and is integrated with sirens to SMS blasts.

"Preparedness before disasters is a form of constitutional protection for the safety of citizens," he said.

Apart from technology, Matindas also emphasized the importance of public understanding regarding evacuation routes and assembly points that have been set.

He also asked for coordination between the Regional Government, TNI, Polri, and disaster volunteers to be strengthened to ensure maximum security in vulnerable areas.

"Community safety should not depend on an incidental response when the status increases, therefore a risk-based approach becomes the foundation of policy in disaster management in the region," he said.

Matindas emphasized that Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives is committed to overseeing that this disaster management is carried out quickly and measured in order to minimize the risk of human casualties.

"We don't want many casualties when the current condition has become a serious alarm," he concluded.