A contribution to Meranti Pandak villagers
A contribution to Meranti Pandak villagers
"I'm very grateful for the loan from Caltex to renovate my
house. Frankly, without such assistance, it would have been
impossible for me to rebuild my house," villager Sobirin said.
Aisyah, a mother of four, shared similar joy: "Thank God I
received the loan to renovate the house left by my late husband.
Now I can live more peacefully," she said.
The two are among 19 senior residents of the village of
Meranti Pandak in Riau, who had received low-interest rate loans
from the company through the CPI Employees Contribution
Foundation (YDBKC). CPI, or Caltex Pacific Indonesia, is a U.S.-
based oil company that operates in Indonesia under the
production-sharing agreement scheme with state oil firm
Pertamina.
Once an unhealthy and densely-packed slum at Siak River,
Meranti Pandak covering 6.9 hectares, it is categorized by the
Pekanbaru city authorities as an under-developed village. Some of
the inhabitants occupied the coastal area of Siak River by
building homes under the Persahabatan (friendship) bridge that
was constructed by CPI 28 years ago.
Various attempts have been made by the local government to
move the houses to a healthier location. However, since the
village is strategically located - close to the downtown area -
its residents have been reluctant to go, even though they run the
risk of flooding, due to the overflowing of Siak River. Most of
the rooms at the houses have been traditionally used by their
owners for rent, which has been their main source of income.
In light of this situation, Caltex took the initiative to
assist the local government in overcoming the problem. Here the
CPI Employees Contribution Foundation (YDBKC) played a major
role. In cooperation with a private consultant from Bandung and
the participation of university students and graduates, the
project was soon in place.
A rolling loan system, with a total fund of Rp 190 million,
was made available by the foundation. Every owner of the housing
unit to be renovated gets a loan of Rp 13.5 million repayable in
15 years at Rp 125,000 per month. The specifications of the
construction are made to fit the flood-prone area, while strictly
adhering to the government housing regulations.
Throughout the implementation of the program, the YDBKC's
sincere efforts have received full support, obviously not only
from related residents, but also from Pekanbaru City
Administration, as well as the Paguyuban Warga (Community
Association), which comprises the village chief, officials,
religious leaders and other respected figures in the community.
Today, the local recipients can look with pride at their
renovated houses. Apart from being filled with pride, the owners
are also currently generating extra financial income as they have
hiked the rental room rates of their properties.
Having a vision, mission and values statement is one thing.
Carrying it out in the real world is another daring challenge.
However, CPI continuously strives to implement each and every one
of its values. The rejuvenating of Meranti Pandak Village is one
small example among other numerous Community Development projects
that illustrates the "Protect the environment and support the
community" mission in action.
Since their earliest days, more than 50 years ago, this
commitment has touched and benefited almost every resident of
Riau province in some way. Without going into details, the
extremely long list includes among other things: the construction
of roads and bridges, building schools from elementary to senior
high and donating land and equipment for universities, building
houses of worship, sports fields, village and connector roads,
drilling clean water wells, providing health care through mobile
health units etc.
On many occasions, CPI's approach is more participatory, being
an active partner rather than merely giving or donating. In all
its community development work, CPI's aim is to assist with
useful, self-sustaining projects that can be taken over, nurtured
and made to grow by the local people.
This socially responsible corporate culture seems to be
positively contagious with CPI's employees as well, as reflected
in their willingness to set aside a portion of their income and
entrust it to the CPI Employees Contribution Foundation, or
Yayasan Dharma Bhakti Karyawan Caltex (YDBKC).
Among the foundation's numerous social activities, besides
aiding victims of natural disasters, providing scholarships for
high-school and university students, donating to National Foster
Parent Movement, its current focus is on the Rejuvenate Meranti
Pandak Village project.
Today, with an initial number of 19 renovated houses in
Meranti Pandak village, the ongoing rejuvenation has actually
infused new life into its residents - one that's healthier and
generates more income. Soon there will be even more glowing,
thankful smiles on the residents' elated faces, as more houses
will be touched by the earnest helping hands of the employees of
Caltex Pacific Indonesia.
And to them, this reward from their fellow countrymen is far
more valuable than any other credit.