PORTALJABAR, CIAMIS REGENCY - The Ciamis Regency Government is encouraging seniors to remain active and contribute by strengthening the role of the Indonesian Elderly Institution.

Ciamis Regent Herdiat Sunarya conveyed this when opening the 3rd LLI Regional Conference (Musda) of Ciamis Regency (27/8/2026).

The Musda took place in the Linggasari II Restaurant Hall, Pamalayan Village, Cijeungjing District, with the theme of happy and dignified elderly people.

Herdiat appreciated the continuity of LLI, which has entered its third regional conference and elected its management for the 2026-2031 term.

"Thank God, LLI has already held its second Musda, and today marks the third. I hope this Musda isn't just a ceremonial event, but also has a real impact," said Herdiat.

According to Herdiat, LLI can be a place for seniors to work, share experiences, maintain social relationships, and contribute to society.

He also invited LLI to help educate the public about environmental protection, especially in the face of the long drought that is occurring in a number of regions.

"Tens of thousands of hectares of our forests are burning. This is certainly a matter of concern for us all. We must set an example and work together to educate the public not to burn trash carelessly," he stressed.

The long dry season also impacts the availability of clean water, so people are asked to use water wisely according to their needs.

"The dry season in Ciamis has been going on for quite some time. In some other areas, there are even clean water shortages. I urge the public to use water wisely and in moderation," he said.

Herdiat said Ciamis Regency still faces development challenges in the form of stunting, fiscal constraints, and uninhabitable housing.

The stunting rate in Ciamis Regency is still around 24 percent, so each regional apparatus is assigned a designated area to help ensure targeted interventions.

Meanwhile, fiscal constraints limit the government's ability to meet all development needs, including addressing uninhabitable housing.

"We must recognize that our fiscal resources are very limited. Ciamis ranks 24th out of 27 regencies/cities. Meanwhile, in terms of uninhabitable houses (rutilahu), Ciamis has around 13,000 registered houses. This is not a small number," he said.

Herdiat believes that budget constraints have actually encouraged the community to revive mutual cooperation to ensure development continues.

Communities in a number of sub-districts and villages are independently managing waste and building road infrastructure through casting and paving.

"I'm very proud. Even though I'm being criticized, it's okay with me. I'm sure everyone knows the current financial situation, which is a deficit," he said.

According to Herdiat, mutual cooperation proves that development can proceed through community involvement without relying entirely on government budgets.

The 3rd Musda LLI Ciamis Regency elected a new management for the 2026-2031 term to continue the organization's programs for the community.

Herdiat hopes that the elected management will be able to maintain the organization's dignity and develop LLI to be more beneficial for the elderly.

"Whoever is elected and given the mandate, I hope they will be able to uphold the organization's dignity and advance and develop LLI in a better direction," he said.

He also requested that LLI become a social space that allows seniors to share knowledge, experiences, and happiness with the community.

"Make this institution at least a forum or platform for friendship, for sharing knowledge and sharing happiness," he concluded.

The Ciamis Regency Government hopes that LLI will become a development partner and encourage the elderly to remain healthy, active, productive, and dignified.

(Ciamis Regency Communications and Information Service/bhf)