Pelindo Educates 555 Children on Port Roles and Safety

PT Pelindo Terminal Petikemas (Pelindo TPK) has created an engaging learning space for children through its Portground Vol. 1 initiative. Collaborating with the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) and the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Surabaya City, the event held at PT Terminal Petikemas Surabaya introduced the role of ports, safety, and the dangers of narcotics. A total of 555 elementary and junior high school students from across East Java registered for the activity. Pelindo TPK Corporate Secretary Widyaswendra stated that Portground is the company’s effort to build early awareness of the strategic role of ports. “Building awareness from an early age is a long-term investment. Through Portground, we want to invite children to see port activities firsthand, understand how the goods they use daily reach various regions, and foster their curiosity about the port world. We hope this activity becomes a memorable experience for the participants,” Widyaswendra said in a statement on Monday (6/7/2026). In addition to learning about ports, participants received education on the dangers of narcotics in line with the National Anti-Narcotics Movement programme, ‘Clean Narcotics Starts with Children’ (ANANDA BERSINAR). Head of BNN Surabaya City, Heru Prasetyo, assessed that the dangers of narcotics need to be introduced from an early age. “Children are the next generation who need to be equipped with an understanding of the importance of maintaining health, choosing a good social environment, and being brave enough to reject negative things. Through activities like Portground, health education can be delivered in a lighter, more enjoyable, and easily accepted manner,” said Heru. From the emergency preparedness side, the BPBD Surabaya City Prevention and Preparedness Team, represented by Nadya Sukma Batubara, also provided safety education. “Safety is basic knowledge that is important for every child to have. Through this activity, we want to introduce simple steps regarding preparedness, what to do during an emergency, and the importance of not panicking and following the officers’ directions,” Nadya explained. The activity was enthusiastically received by the participants, including Raff Yehezkiel Hutapea, a student from Bunga Bangsa Elementary School Surabaya. “I am happy to see the port up close. I now know that the container terminal is very big and many goods are sent by ship,” Raff said. A positive impression was also conveyed by one of the parents, Lysa Octaviani, who considered Portground a productive holiday activity. “This activity is a good experience for filling the children’s holiday productively. The children not only play but also learn new things about ports, the dangers of narcotics, and safety. Hopefully, in the future, activities like this can continue so that more children have the opportunity to get to know the port world,” concluded Lysa.