Central Jakarta Mayor Arifin, together with Deputy for Capacity Empowerment and Access provision at the National Poverty Allevation Acceleration Agency (BP Taskin), Novrizal Tahar, inaugurated the operational of new toilet and septic tank facilities in RT 03/03, Kampung Bali, Tanah Abang, on Friday (10/10).

Before the inauguration, a tree-planting activity was held along Jalan Jati Baru Raya, Kampung Bali.

The newly inaugurated toilet and septic tank were built at a mosque within a densely populated residential area.

This facility is expected to serve local residents and enhance sanitation and environmental health in the neighborhood.

Central Jakarta Mayor Arifin stated that his side places serious attention on addressing sanitation issues.

"So far, six out of 44 urban villages in Central Jakarta have been declared free of open defecation . We continue intervening," he noted, on Friday (10/10).

He expressed gratitude to BP Taskin for distributing 100 toilet and septic tank units to be installed in 38 urban villages across 7 of 8 sub-districts in Central Jakarta.

"We are optimistic that open defecation among Jakarta residents can soon be eliminated with help of BP Taskin program. We also call on CSR to join this program," he asserted.

According to him, open defecation is highly correlated with stunting, since environmental cleanliness affects children's growth and development.

Meanwhile, Deputy for Capacity Empowerment and Access provision at BP Taskin, Novrizal Tahar, explained that the construction of toilets and septic tanks aligns with President Prabowo Subianto's directive to expedite poverty alleviation by improving the quality of life for underprivileged families, particularly through sanitation and healthy environments.

"Our goal is to guarantee that all citizens have access to clean and safe sanitation. This partnership demonstrates that poverty reduction can align with sustainable social infrastructure development," he stated.

He added that BP Taskin encourages all parties to join in promoting toilet and septic tank construction as one of the concrete indicators in solving poverty.

"With proper and decent sanitation, communities become healthier, enabling them to work better and achieve well-being," he asserted.