House of Representatives Urges Government to Strengthen Volcanic Disaster Mitigation Systems
Commission V of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI) recently issued a stern warning to the government regarding the handling of volcanic disasters in Indonesia. The legislative body assessed that the existing disaster mitigation system needs to be improved immediately to be more effective in protecting communities living in disaster-prone areas.
One of the main points highlighted by the House is the importance of shifting the paradigm in disaster management. So far, inter-agency coordination has been considered suboptimal, often leading to obstacles when emergency situations occur. The House emphasized that there must no longer be any broken links in the mitigation chain during the process of rescuing citizens.
In addition to coordination issues, the House also highlighted weak spatial planning regulations around volcanoes. Many residential areas are located in dangerous zones, yet the supervision and enforcement of spatial planning rules have not been running optimally. This poses a major challenge for the government to reorganize these areas for long-term safety.
The government is expected to immediately conduct a comprehensive evaluation of volcanic disaster mitigation strategies. This step includes improving communication facilities, the readiness of evacuation routes, and more intensive public education. With an integrated system, the risk of casualties during an eruption is expected to be significantly minimized.
In conclusion, the DPR RI is committed to continuously overseeing government policies in this sector. The safety of the people must be the top priority in every development and spatial planning project, especially in regions with high volcanic activity throughout Indonesia.