Margasari Cleaning Task Force Heroic Act to Restore Coastal Condition

On Saturday (7/4) dozens of residents in Margasari, Balikpapan cleaning up garbage which is trapped between the mangroves along the village over the water since the morning. Some residents collect the garbage in a plastic on the vessel, while some others swept the garbage trapped within the mangrove roots. About an hour, one vessel was full with plastic bottles, woodchips and twigs carried by the currents. This activity is the daily routines of Margasari Cleaning Task Force.

One week ago, they did not have routine activities as they are today, but still cleaning coastal areas and support the cleaning of oil spill. 

"Yesterday, we joined Pertamina team to collect oil spill, because it is also our responsibility to maintain the hygine of Kampung Atas Air beach,” said Ride, Chief of Margasari Village.

Their motto is “Together we Protect the Sea from Garbage”. Furthermore, this activity has been conducted for a period of time. According to the Chief of Margasari, Ride, the Cleaning Task Force is part of the community’s routine activity which earn a living as scavengers, as well as to establish awareness of hygiene in Kampung Atas Air.

The collected garbage will be transferred into trash banks, as one of the units of environmental awareness activities of Margasari Community.

"The garbage we collected today, is sufficient to be transferred to the trash bank, because since yesterday the coastal area is clean without any oil spill, " Ride explained. 

Kampung Atas Air which is located in Ring I Refinery Operating Area RU V, Pertamina, Lokasi kampung atas air yang berada di ring I daerah operasi Kilang RU V, Pertamina, was a village which has been supported by Pertamina in developing the independency of the Community.

Region Manager Communication & CSR Kalimantan Yudi Nugraha appreciates the initiative of villagers by involving Pertamina team to join in garbage cleaning activities. Pertamina also support equipment and operations for the cleaning task force that has existed for 3 months.