PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The Bandung City Government (Pemkot) is emphasizing its focus on community resilience-based development by transforming the "Citizens Guard Citizens" program into the "Disaster Alert Neighborhood Watch" (Siskamling Siaga Bencana). This program is a strategic step that positions residents as the frontline in preventing environmental risks.

This program is a concrete manifestation of the achievements of Bandung Utama's one year, development that is not only physical, but also strengthens social readiness to face the threat of disaster.

This transformation emerged from a field evaluation following a series of government visits to 30 sub-districts throughout August 2025.

From this, it can be seen that environmental security issues cannot be separated from preparedness for floods, landslides, fires, and sanitation issues that have the potential to become a public health crisis.

Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan said the new approach is designed to shift the management pattern from reactive to preventive, ensuring risks are identified and addressed before they develop into disasters.

"I will be visiting 151 sub-districts to ensure community preparedness for the rainy season. We will take every possible preventative measure before a disaster occurs," he said in September 2025.

According to him, the Disaster Alert Siskamling (Satkamling) is more than just a traditional security patrol. This system works as a community-based early detection mechanism that is active around the clock.

In the morning, residents and officers checked environmental conditions such as drainage, infrastructure, and potential damage to public facilities.

At night, security surveillance functions continue to operate to maintain environmental stability.

"If we wait for formalities, many things will go unaddressed. So we're making a breakthrough by involving all residents," said Farhan.

By February 2026, this program had reached 82 of the 151 sub-districts in Bandung City.

This coverage forms the foundation for sharper and more measurable risk mapping, because each region has different threat characteristics.

Some areas face flooding risks due to sedimentation and narrowing of drainage channels. Other areas are prone to landslides due to the terrain.

In densely populated areas, the risk of fire and the spread of disease is a major concern.

This data-driven approach allows for more targeted interventions, not uniform policies, but solutions tailored to local needs.

Furthermore, the mapping process doesn't stop at disaster potential. The government is also inventorying social and environmental issues that increase residents' vulnerability, including:
* Environmental sanitation and drainage quality
* Illegal buildings that obstruct water flow
* Uninhabitable houses and dense settlements
* Risk of diseases such as tuberculosis and dengue fever
* Data collection on poverty levels and health insurance participation
* Public street and environmental lighting
* Access to clean water

This approach makes the Disaster Preparedness Neighborhood System an integrated instrument linking disaster mitigation with social, health, and infrastructure policies.

The program's primary advantage lies in its rapid follow-up mechanism. During each visit, the mayor is accompanied by members of the Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) and technical officials to ensure that residents' complaints can be addressed promptly.

Minor problems such as clogged drains or dead street lights are resolved the same day.

Issues requiring immediate administrative processing are scheduled for the next execution.

This working model cuts the long bureaucratic chain and speeds up public services.

The government is promoting a culture of rapid, collaborative, and field-based response, an approach that represents a shift in the way city government operates.

The Disaster Preparedness Neighborhood Security System marks a paradigm shift in urban development: residents are no longer merely recipients of services, but active partners in maintaining environmental safety.

When communities understand the risks in their area, have reporting mechanisms in place, and receive a rapid response from the government, urban resilience is built from the ground up.

Within the framework of one year of Bandung Utama, this program demonstrates that development is not only measured by physical projects, but also by the city's ability to build a culture of collective preparedness.

Strong social resilience is the foundation for facing every threat with readiness, coordination, and community solidarity.

The Disaster Preparedness Neighborhood Security System (Siskamling) is ultimately not just a program, but a collective movement to ensure Bandung grows into a more resilient, adaptive, and prepared city to face future risks. (Bandung City Communications and Information Office/rka)