National Development Minister and NTT Provincial Government Draft Recovery Plan for Seven Flores Regencies Post-Earthquake
The Ministry of National Development Planning (PPN)/Bappenas, in collaboration with the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Provincial Government, is drafting a master plan for rehabilitation and reconstruction for the seven regencies affected by the Flores earthquake. The development of this plan is intended to accelerate the recovery and rebuilding process in the impacted areas.
The agreement was discussed during a meeting between the Minister of PPN/Head of Bappreg Rachmat Pambudy and the Governor of NTT, Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, in Kupang on Monday (14/09/2026). Rachmat visited NTT as part of a working visit to ensure the accelerated recovery of the earthquake-affected regions in Flores.
“Our visit is to see NTT, which recently experienced a disaster. We at Bappenas are obligated to support regional development, especially when facing such calamities,” said Rachmat Pambudy in Kupang following the meeting.
Rachmat emphasised that Bappenas will prepare a master plan alongside the local government to ensure the reconstruction process of the seven regencies in the Flores region is maximised post-earthquake.
“So that the reconstruction process—the rehabilitation and reconstruction plans—runs as well as possible. Bappenas will prepare the master plan, rehabilitation, and reconstruction plans together with the local government,” he said.
He noted that the working visit also aimed to facilitate direct discussions with the Governor of NTT to obtain a detailed overview of the conditions on the ground following the Flores earthquake.
“I am consulting with the Governor regarding what has occurred here. Although we are aware, we want to hear directly from him to obtain the best possible explanation,” he added.
Bappenas, he stated, is committed to overseeing the planning process from start to finish to ensure compliance with regulations.
“We will ensure that the planning carried out by the Governor complies with existing regulations, so that reconstruction can be faster and even better,” he asserted.
Rachmat explained that President Prabowo Subianto has instructed all ministries and agencies to focus on recovering NTT after the earthquake.
“The central government has already been present, and even the President has been present. He has instructed all Ministries and Agencies to concentrate on recovering from the disaster in NTT. To that end, we are working together,” he explained.
He added that Bappens will continue to work alongside the NTT local government in restructuring the development plans for the seven regencies in Flores post-earthquake.
“At Bappenas, we can be there from the first step to the last. We will continue to work alongside the Governor, because planning spans from the beginning to the end,” he added.
NTT Governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena welcomed the support from Bappenas. He noted that the presence of the Head of Bappenas is crucial in determining the regional development design following the disaster.
“Today we receive a visit from one of the important figures in this country. Mr Rachmat, as the Head of Bappenas, is a decider of the republic’s development design. And for us, who are currently experiencing the earthquake disaster in seven regencies in Flores,” Laka Lena explained.
He emphasised that Bappenas’s support is expected to assist in the recovery of the seven regencies affected by the Flores earthquake.
“With his support, we hope all economic recovery plans for NTT, specifically in these seven regencies in Flores, can be implemented effectively,” he said.
Laka Lena stated that he would continue to consult with Bappenas to ensure the Flores post-earthquake recovery plan can be executed.
“We will continue to consult with him and his team to ensure that what has been discussed can truly be implemented,” he concluded.
For context, the earthquake in the Flores region impacted seven regencies, including Ende, Sikka, Nagekeo, Ngada, East Manggarai, Manggarai, and West Manggarai.