JAKARTA - The post-disaster recovery efforts in Batangtoru, South Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra. continues to show progress.
PTPN IV PalmCo President Director Jatmiko K. Santosa said that the construction of permanent housing (huntap) and temporary housing (huntara) which was worked on through collaboration between the South Tapanuli Regency Government and PTPN IV PalmCo not only moved quickly, but was also designed as a long-term solution for residents affected by disasters.
Jatmiko emphasized that the company's commitment did not stop at providing land and houses. According to him, the social and economic recovery of residents is an important part of the post-relocation agenda.
"This huntap and huntara are symbols of a common awakening. After residents occupy new housing, we also prepare empowerment and economic training programs so that the community can become independent and productive again," said Jatmiko in his statement, Friday, January 30.
Jatmiko assessed that the synergy between the local government, SOEs, and civil society elements could give new hope to survivors of the disaster in Batangtoru.
The progress of the construction also received appreciation from BenihBaik.com, a humanitarian collaboration platform. For BenihBaik.com, this kind of collaboration shows that post-disaster recovery can be done more humanely, planned, and sustainable - not just an emergency response, but a social investment for the future of citizens.
Founder of BenihBaik.com, Andi F. Noya, said the approach taken by the local government and PTPN IV is an example of post-disaster handling that goes beyond the conventional pattern of assistance.
"What is being built here is not just a temporary shelter, but the foundation of a dignified life. This can become a new standard for integrated post-disaster handling," said Andi when reviewing the location of the huntap construction in Batangtoru, early last week.
The review was also attended by the Regent of South Tapanuli H. Gus Irawan Pasaribu and the President Director of PTPN IV PalmCo Jatmiko K. Santosa. On that occasion, the entourage saw firsthand the construction of the huntap in the Kebun Hapesong area, a state plantation land allocated by PTPN IV for the relocation of residents.
PTPN IV PalmCo provides a total of around 30 hectares of land in a number of strategic points in Batangtoru to support the construction of huntap and huntara. One of them is in Afdeling II Kebun Hapesong, an area of five hectares, which is currently being built 227 huntap units for residents of Hapesong Baru and Batu Godang Villages. As of the end of January, the progress of the construction of the area has reached around 30 percent.
This residential area is designed as an integrated environment with supporting facilities, such as mosques, village halls, and sports fields. Meanwhile, in Afdeling I Kebun Hapesong, PTPN IV has also prepared five hectares of land as a huntara zone to accommodate residents during the transition period.
Meanwhile, South Tapanuli Regent Gus Irawan Pasaribu said that the provision of land by PTPN IV was a key factor in accelerating the relocation of residents from disaster-prone locations.
"We continue to encourage acceleration so that residents can immediately leave the shelter. PTPN IV's support is very significant, ranging from opening the official residence for early refugees to providing permanent land," said Gus Irawan.
In addition to physical development, the local government also distributes the Waiting for Housing Fund to affected residents every month to ensure basic needs during the construction process.
The target contract for the construction of the huntap itself is scheduled to be completed in April 2026, although the Tapsel Regency Government continues to encourage that the completion can be done faster.
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