City Continues to Work on Addressing Jakarta's Air Pollution

The Jakarta Provincial Government has continued to take concrete steps to accelerate the handling of air pollution since August 21, 2023. To synergize these acceleration efforts, they decided to form an Air Pollution Control Task Force.

Several private buildings have also installed water mist

Jakarta Health Agency (Dinkes) Acting Head, Ani Ruspitawati who is also Secretary of Jakarta Air Pollution Control Task Force appreciated the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Regional Police, and various other agencies who have provided full support to accelerate efforts to combat air pollution.

She explained several action plans in the form of activities and regulations had been made in the form of short-term, medium-term, and long-term efforts.

Fauzi Bowo Appreciates City's Efforts to Improve Jakarta Air Quality

Several pollution prevention efforts that had been made included investigations and action in three stockpile coal industries, the closure of the charcoal industry in Lubang Buaya which was carried out persuasively, and the closure of the batching plant location.

"The suspension imposed is temporary until the company can comply with environmental management regulations," she explained, at Jakarta City Hall, Friday (9/8).

Aside that, the use of the water mist has been installed in Jakarta Provincial Government buildings, starting from the Mayor's office and City Hall. Similar action would also be carried out on several other government buildings.

"Several private buildings have also installed water mist, including PT UT, PT Pama Persada, and PT Soho Global Health. According to the Acting Governor's mandate, other tall buildings are expected to also soon be equipped with water mist installations," she added.

In the emissions testing campaign, 1,022,622 four-wheeled vehicles and 101,660 two-wheeled vehicles had undergone emissions tests. Meanwhile, places to hold emission tests are available in 333 workshops for four-wheeled vehicles and 107 workshops for two-wheeled vehicles.

She went on to say that PT Astra Internasional Tbk had become a government partner by preparing free emission test locations from September 4 to December 2023. Hopefully, the public could use this good opportunity, as one of our joint efforts to improve Jakarta's air quality.

"Law enforcement for emission test obligations in the form of fines has been ongoing since September 1 in collaboration with Polda Metro Jaya," she continued.

To realize 'Green Jakarta', efforts have been made to plant trees and plants for structuring and afforestation in Jakarta. As for the progress of planting trees and plants that have been carried out from October 2022 to August 2023, as many as 224,758 trees and 5,683,835 plants had been planted.

"While the mangrove planting program from January 2023 to August 2023 has planted 94,027 mangroves," she added.

She also conveyed other efforts to accelerate air pollution control such as the number of Transjakarta electric buses which have reached 52 units to date and will soon be adding 22 more units.

Then the activation of the Bundaran HI fountain, Bank Indonesia, and Patung Pemuda (Youth Statue) at 6 AM, 11 AM to 12 PM, and 4 PM to 10.30 PM. In addition, the WFH system in government offices reached 22.43 percent. Then WFH in private offices is applied to 168 offices with the percentage of WFH employees in the range of 20 to 100 percent.

As for the readiness of health facilities for health services to the community is carried out at 44 community health centers at the sub-district level, 284 community health centers in sub-districts, and 31 regional hospitals belonging to the Jakarta Government which serve 24 hours.

She assessed the trend of ISPA cases in community health centers was still increasing. It was probably due to increasing public awareness to immediately come for a check-up at a health facility when experiencing mild symptoms.

"And at the health center, we set up a pollution corner, to provide education about pollution. For vulnerable groups such as the elderly, infants, toddlers, people with comorbidities, and pregnant women should limit outdoor activities, especially in places with high pollution levels, or wear masks," she closed.