Conserving Mangroves, Pertamina Balongan Refinery Becomes The Benchmark for Cilacap Regional Government

BALONGAN -- The success of PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional (KPI) Refinery Unit (RU) Balongan in carrying out the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) program in conserving mangrove forests in Karangsong Village to becoming ecotourism and even the Thematic Curriculum in Elementary Schools has attracted the attention of the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda) of Cilacap Regency.

The Regent of Cilacap Tatto Suwarto Pamuji and Consultative Leadership Board (Muspida) representatives attended in Balongan. They were accompanied by the term interim acting (Acting) General Manager of Pertamina RU Balongan Cilacap, Arief Budiyanto, and members of RU Balongan Fostered Partner that were warmly welcomed by the Regent of Indramayu, Nina Agustina, and GM of PT KPI Refinery Unit Balongan Diandoro Arifian.

The activity started in Indramayu by a casual meeting at the Indramayu Hall to meet the Regent, Nina Agustina on Monday (31/1/2022).

In the visit to the Mangrove Karangsong, GM of GM of PT KPI Refinery Unit Balongan, Diandoro Arifian, said that Pertamina had a long journey in supporting the Karangsong area to become a habitat for various animals and a mangrove centre in western Indonesia by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia in 2015.

He explained that in the process of planting mangroves, Pertamina was assisted by the Pantai Lestari group, while the development of processed products made from mangroves was carried out with the Jaka Kencana group.

“Alhamdulillah, the Mangrove Ecotourism and its derivative processed products help to improve the community's economy," said Diandoro.

In addition, Pertamina is also trying to make the younger generation to be more concerned about the environment through the implementation of the Mangrove Thematic Environmental Education (PLH) curriculum at the Elementary Schools.

"This is the only Mangrove Thematic education curriculum in Indonesia and has been listed in the Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI)," said Diandoro.

This effort is Pertamina's commitment to implementing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) aspects and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's) program No. 4 on Quality Education, No. 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth, No. 14 on Life below Water, and No. 15 on Life on Land, as targeted by the government.

Cilacap Regent, Tatto Suwarto Pamuji, during the visit said he was impressed with the Mangrove Thematic School which is part of the Pertamina RU Balongan ESG program. According to Tatto, students should be taught from an early age about the types of mangroves, how to plant them, and how to conserve them so that later they will realize the great benefits of mangroves for nature conservation.

"We want to adopt everything here to be remade in Cilacap," Tatto told the media.

Meanwhile, the Regent of Indramayu, Nina Agustina, said that the visit of the Regent of Cilacap to Indramayu was a form of synergy between the regional government and Pertamina to increase the potential of natural resources and education.

“Insyaallah, our meeting can provide great benefits for the Cilacap Regional Government, Pertamina, and the Indramayu Regional Government," Nina concluded. *SHR&P BALONGAN