Lumajang, March 1, 2023 – Through the donation of one elementary school unit in Sumbermujur Village, Candipuro District, Lumajang Regency, East Java on Wednesday (01/03), PT United Tractors Tbk (UT) once again strengthened its commitment to improving the quality of education for the Indonesian people. The handover of this educational facility is part of the company’s post-disaster response and recovery efforts for residents who survived the eruption of Mount Semeru.
Sumbermujur is a village that has been approved by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry as a relocation area for residents affected by the eruption from other villages. A total of more than 2000 heads of families live in this village, especially in the Bumi Semeru Damai (BSD) area. Thousands of these residents were forced to abandon their belongings and other daily necessities that were damaged by the eruption.
Therefore, after going through the emergency response and rehabilitation phase, UT consistently provides contributions to the survivors of the Semeru eruption by handing over one elementary school building to the Lumajang Regency Government. This initiative is also a real manifestation of the company’s implementation of sustainability principles and the application of ESG (Environmental, Social, & Governance) aspects in the field of disasters, namely UTACTION (United Tractors for Emergency Response and Action).
UT Director, Edhie Sarwono, emphasized that the handover of the elementary school building is a real contribution from the company in the rehabilitation phase for residents affected by the volcanic eruption disaster. The main goal is to improve the quality of education and ensure that teaching and learning activities can return to normal. Before the construction of this elementary school was completed, UT had also built a number of emergency schools at several points for residents in the surrounding area.
“We (UT) believe in the importance of adequate educational facilities so that learning activities and the quality of education can be maintained. Therefore, this elementary school assistance is our initial step in helping to maintain the sustainability of the surrounding community, especially in terms of education. Specifically, we want to ensure that the sustainability program for the survivors of the Semeru eruption does not stop halfway,” said Edhie Sarwono.
Later, this elementary school will cover two schools that were previously affected by the disaster, namely SDN Sumberwuluh 02 and SDN Supiturang 03, with a total of 200 students. In addition to school buildings, UT also completes other teaching and learning needs such as textbooks and classroom facilities.
On the other hand, the Regional Secretary of Lumajang Regency, Agus Triyono, expressed his hope that the educational facilities provided will be able to improve and develop the capacity of the community affected by the Mount Semeru Eruption disaster to become more alert, agile, and responsive to disasters.
“We are very grateful for UT’s presence in Lumajang Regency since the emergency response period until now, which has entered the third year, it has consistently provided contributions to the people of Lumajang. We hope that this collaboration will continue in the future for the sustainability of the survivors of the Semeru eruption,” said Agus Triyono.
In addition to handing over educational facilities, UT also distributed assistance to local UMKM in the form of new sewing machines and variable sandpaper polishing machines, in order to boost community businesses to become more optimal. The company also contributes to environmental sustainability by planting trees around the school.
Heavy Equipment Industry Expert, UT Enters the Third Year of Building Lumajang
The construction of the elementary school, which began in July 2022, is located in Bumi Semeru Damai (BSD), an area that carries the theme of a smart village in Sumbermujur Village. BSD is a temporary housing (huntara) complex for survivors of the Semeru eruption, with 100 huntara that have been built by UT and occupied by residents for the past eight months. The location of the elementary school was deliberately chosen close to the settlement because it was considered safe from the threat of the Semeru eruption.
Edhie Sarwono added that the elementary school and Huntara buildings that have been handed over to the residents are the keys to the sustainability of the local community. These two buildings are UT’s contribution in the post-disaster rehabilitation phase of the eruption.
However, long before that, the company had been present in Lumajang Regency since 2021, especially during the emergency response period. As a company with expertise in the heavy equipment industry, UT has deployed 5 (five) heavy equipment units in the form of excavators and drum rollers to clear the eruption-affected land, evacuate victims, and compact materials as road construction.
“We would like to thank all stakeholders, local governments, and parties involved in rebuilding Lumajang. Especially for the residents and all UT volunteers who have been present since 2021,” concluded Edhie Sarwono.
All UT volunteers are at the forefront of the company in distributing other assistance such as public toilets, basic necessities, medicines, health posts, public kitchens, to the installation of early warning systems starting from CCTV, cat-eyes for evacuation routes, windsocks, to warning devices signs of danger for residents.
UT’s presence in the Semeru eruption-affected area for the third year is a form of the company’s consistency in providing positive contributions to the Indonesian people. In the future, UT hopes to be able to provide added value to residents around the company’s operational areas through other sustainable initiatives of the company.
United Tractors’ Overview
PT United Tractors Tbk (UT) is Indonesia’s largest heavy equipment distributor, established in 1972. The Company operates in five business areas: Construction Machinery, Mining Contracting, Mining, Construction Industry, and Energy. Additionally, UT is committed to promoting sustainability and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ESG United Tractors
As a world-class heavy equipment, mining, and energy company, UT has been operating in Indonesia for over 50 years. The company is committed to creating a sustainable future for Indonesia by effectively applying ESG principles. UT aims to pay attention to the environment, positively impact society, and uphold good corporate governance at all levels of its business operations. The company also strives to optimize its competencies, expertise, and strategic assets to bring added value to all stakeholders and the Indonesian people.
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For more information, please contact: Sara K. Loebis Head of Corporate Governance and Sustainability Division PT United Tractors Tbk Email : ir@unitedtractors.com and corcom@unitedtractors.com Address: Jl. Raya Bekasi Km.22 Cakung, Jakarta Timur 13910 Telp. : (62-21) 3511961, Fax : (62-21) 3441413 Medsos : IG (@unitedtractorsofficial & @ceritadi.unitedtractors) Website: www.unitedtractors.com LinkedIn: PT United Tractors Tbk |