Rp 5b earmarked for toilet program

TANGERANG: In a bid to familiarize its residents with proper hygiene, the Tangerang municipality is allocating Rp 5 billion to build public toilets in four districts along the northern coast.

"We are also campaigning for the use of the toilets so they will discontinue the practice of excreting in open areas, a practice that spreads many types of diseases," Tangerang first assistant Benjamin Davnie said on Monday.

He explained that most residents along the northern coast did not have toilets even though they had built permanent houses, and thus were prone to diseases.

Last month, Tangerang municipality reported 1,247 residents who had extreme diarrhea, 19 of whom died. Most of the cases were blamed on poor sanitation. -- Antara