Bali – Daily Chair of the 10th WWF National Organizing Committee and Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono said the Indonesian government introduced the Community-Based Drinking Water and Sanitation Program (Pamsimas) at the 10th World Water Forum (WWF) in Nusa Two Balis. The Pamsimas program was exhibited at the 10th WWF as one of the good practices for water management in Indonesia that the government has implemented since 15 years ago.
This was conveyed by the Daily Chair of the 10th WWF National Organizing Committee who also serves as Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono when met by media crew in Nusa Dua Bali.
According to him, this program was considered very relevant to be appointed at the 10th WWF in Bali. Pamsimas is implemented entirely by the community, starting from the planning, implementation, to management of built facilities by prioritizing local wisdom in each region.
Pamsimas is also a program that has militancy. “The main target is in areas that don’t have water, so if it is placed in an area with lots of water it won’t be on target,” said Basuki.
The Pamsimas program is a real example of community empowerment in the procurement, management and maintenance of clean water collectively with the full support of the central government in infrastructure development and funding, he explained.
Meanwhile, the Director General of Human Settlements of the PUPR Ministry, Diana Kusumastuti, explained that Pamsimas is a form of central and regional collaboration. “To make efforts to provide adequate clean water a success while also addressing the challenge of stunting in villages that are difficult to reach,” said Diana.
Indonesia is committed to encouraging the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One of the efforts made is to create safe and sustainable access to drinking water and sanitation for all. To realize this target, the government is aligning the SDGs targets with the National Medium Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2020-2024, he stressed.
This target mandates the realization of 90 percent access to proper sanitation, including 15 percent of households having access to safe sanitation, as well as reducing the number of open defecation (BABS) to 0 percent by the end of 2024, he added.
“The 10th WWF is expected to be a place to exchange strategies and best practices between Indonesia and other countries as well as an opportunity to update the steps taken to achieve the targets that have been set,” said Diana.
This largest water forum can produce cooperation between countries regarding efforts to fulfill access to drinking water and sanitation. “This forum will coordinate various efforts for real solutions through prioritized political and regional policies to achieve the goals and big theme of the 10th WWF event, namely water for shared prosperity,” concluded Diana.