PTK Marks National Children's Day 2026 with Coastal Sustainability Education in Bitung

The laughter and enthusiasm of hundreds of primary school students broke the silence of Tangkoko Beach in Bitung, North Sulawesi. With bright eyes, the children listened to stories about coral reefs and eagerly competed to answer questions about marine life, guided by volunteers from Pertamina Trans Kontinental (PTK) and the Pertamina Group. This moment formed the heart of ‘Coastal Education 2026’, an educational platform for primary school pupils on the importance of maritime sustainability. On Saturday, 18 July 2026, children from coastal communities gathered with PTK and Pertamina Group volunteers to learn about maintaining the cleanliness of the beach environment. One participant, Noelia, a student from SD Inpres 482 Batu Putih, Bitung, expressed her joy at learning while helping to protect the environment and her coastline. ‘I was taught how to respect living creatures, keep the environment clean, and care for the marine ecosystem. It was really fun! I hope PTK can come here again to hold events like this,’ she said cheerfully. The educational play activities were also held to enliven National Children’s Day on Thursday, 23 July 2026. The participants’ enthusiasm also ignited the spirit of the volunteers accompanying the event. Juno, a PTK officer, expressed his happiness in interacting with the students. ‘Today’s event was very exciting. I saw how high the children’s spirits were in participating in every activity. The hope is that this programme can be consistently implemented to build and foster awareness in creating a safe and comfortable space for marine biota,’ Juno stated. The coastal area of Tangkoko Beach holds high ecological value as part of the Coral Triangle, the world’s centre of marine biodiversity recognised by the Seascapes Working Group of the CTI-CFF. Beyond education, PTK also organised a ‘Coastal Clean Up’ action in collaboration with the Bitung City Environmental Agency, the Education and Culture Agency, the Bitung Harbourmaster and Port Authority Office, local village heads, and community driving groups such as the Family Welfare and Empowerment organisation. Seeing the positive impact on children and the environment, PTK’s Acting President Director, Eko Cahyadi, affirmed the company’s long-term commitment to the sustainability of this coastal region. ‘Through this educational movement and beach clean-up action, PTK plays a role in ensuring sustainability is not just a concept on paper, but a real action on the ground. Collaboration with the community and schools is key to preserving Indonesia’s coastal wealth for future generations,’ Eko Cahyadi said. In agreement, PTK’s Fleet Director, Dewi Susanti, stressed the importance of building awareness from an early age. ‘Maritime education for children is a long-term investment. When they understand how precious our seas are, they will grow up to be the front line in protecting coastal ecosystems,’ Dewi Susanti emphasised. Through this collaborative activity, PTK continues to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 13 (Climate Action), and Goal 14 (Life Below Water). Great hopes are now planted at Tangkoko Beach, with the expectation that coastal preservation will not only protect nature but also enhance its status as a premier tourist destination capable of boosting local revenue and community welfare.