Several Strategic Facilities in East Manggarai Declared Unsafe Following Earthquake
Several strategic facilities in East Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), have been declared unsafe for use, or placed in the ‘red zone’, following recent earthquake activity. These facilities include government offices, banks, and healthcare centres.
One such facility is the East Manggarai Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) office. The plenary meeting hall has been categorised as red following a rapid assessment of building safety.
The inspection was conducted by the Ministry of Public Works through the Technical Team of the Directorate General of Cipta Karya, alongside the Technical Team of the Public Works and Spatial Planning Office (PUPR), supported by construction expert volunteers from Gadjah Mada University (UGM).
“Regarding the results for the East Manggarai DPRD office, the main meeting hall is in the red status,” said the Head of the East Manggarai Public Works and Spatial Planning Office, Ferdinandus Mbembok, on Thursday (10/09/2026).
In addition to the DPRD office, other facilities in the red zone include the Office of Trade, Industry, Cooperatives and SMEs, the NTT Bank Branch Office, the Bank Lugao Ganda Office, the Environmental Office, and the Livestock Office.
“There are also healthcare facilities, several lighting facilities, and several market stalls in the Borong Market,” Ferdinandus added.
Several community health centres (Puskesmas) have also entered the red zone, whereas the Borong Regional General Hospital (RSUD) is largely in the green zone, meaning most of its buildings are safe to use.
Ferdinandus explained that the red-status facilities have suffered heavy damage to most major structural and non-structural components, such as columns, beams, and walls. This condition poses a high risk of collapse in the event of aftershocks.
“The structural load-bearing capacity has decreased drastically, posing a high risk of collapse during aftershocks,” said Ferdinandus.
In a separate development, 13,656 houses in West Manggarai Regency, NTT, have been reported damaged due to the magnitude 7.7 earthquake and its aftershocks. However, 7,901 of these houses will not receive financial assistance from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).
These houses are ineligible for aid because their damage levels are below 20 per cent, or they do not meet the required classification following field verification and validation. Houses with damage levels of 20 per cent and above are categorised as lightly, moderately, or heavily damaged, making them eligible for BNPB assistance, totalling 5,749 units.
“Based on the regulations, the BNPB will not distribute aid for the 7,901 houses with damage levels below 20 per cent,” said the Head of the West Manggarai Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Oktavianus Andi Bona Adu, on Thursday (10/09/2026).
“Houses with less than 20 per cent damage are not recorded; they are considered non-applicable,” added Ovan Adu.
Nevertheless, the West Manggarai Regency Government is considering alternative aid for residents whose homes sustained less than 20 per cent damage.
“The government is still considering what form of assistance will be provided. The local government is formulating how to assist those affected whose damage levels are below 20 per cent,” explained Ovan Adu.
“Together with the DPRD, we will formulate the type of assistance so that they can still receive help,” he added.
For now, the government is prioritising the handling of heavily and lightly damaged houses.
“The priority right now is to manage the severely and lightly damaged properties,” concluded Ovan Adu.
This data was released in a Circular Letter (SE) from the Regent of West Manggarai, Edistasius Endi, dated 9 September 2026, regarding the publication of verification and validation results for houses affected by the magnitude 7.7 earthquake in West Manggarai Regency.
Verification and validation were conducted between 28 August and 9 September 2026, based on reports from Village/Sub-district Governments. The standard follows the Regulation of the Head of BNPB Number 5 of 2017 regarding the Preparation of Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Plans.
Of the 13,656 houses verified, 357 were heavily damaged, 1,400 moderately damaged, 3,892 lightly damaged, 7,851 did not meet the classification with damage levels between 1-19 per cent, and 56 had 0 per cent damage.
The West Manggarai Regency Government has provided a three-day appeal period, from 10-12 September 2026, via the West Manggarai Disaster Post application.