Batam City Government Prepares 2026 Disaster Management Plan to Address Risks
Secretary of Batam City, Firmansyah, opened the Socialisation for the Preparation of the Regional Disaster Management Plan (RPBD) at the Mayor’s Office on Tuesday, 5 May 2026. In his address, Firmansyah stated that Batam, based on the 2025 Disaster Risk Assessment, is one of the areas in the Riau Islands Province with various disaster potentials.
The disaster potentials faced include floods, extreme weather, extreme waves and abrasion, forest and land fires, drought, and landslides.
According to him, Batam’s strategic geographical position on international trade routes has a positive impact on economic growth. However, on the other hand, disaster potentials, both natural and non-natural, can become factors hindering community economic activities.
“To address the high disaster risk, Batam needs a comprehensive Regional Disaster Management Plan (RPBD) document. Its preparation must involve all stakeholders and be integrated with the Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD),” said Firmansyah.
He stated that the preparation of the RPBD aims to ensure that the document becomes part of integrated and coordinated regional development planning. Thus, the RPBD can serve as a basis for improving inter-agency performance and strengthening the disaster management system in the region.
Firmansyah explained that the RPBD must be able to address various issues in every phase of disaster management, while also summarising the perspectives of all involved regional apparatus. Its preparation must also refer to the National Development Planning System (SPPN).
“The RPBD must include vision, mission, policies, programmes, and regional priority focuses in disaster management. All of these are established together as a form of regional commitment,” he said. Therefore, the involvement of regional apparatus organisations (OPD) is a primary requirement in the document preparation process.
He also emphasised the importance of a clear legal basis so that the RPBD has strength in its implementation as the main disaster management plan for the next five years. In addition to executing this plan, the Batam City Government certainly requires cross-sectoral collaboration in disaster management.
“Disasters do not recognise administrative boundaries or agency authorities. I ask all OPDs to present accurate data and substantive input,” he said.
He also added that the preparation of the RPBD must be able to accommodate developments in information technology and local wisdom, especially in early warning systems and disaster mitigation.
This socialisation was attended by around 80 participants from DPRD elements, government, academics, business, journalists, and community institutions. The event featured speakers including BNPB’s Mid-Level Policy Analyst Novi Kumalasari, representative from Bogor Agricultural Institute Sumardani Kusmajaya, and Masudi.