PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan revived the Disaster Alert Neighborhood Watch program in Sekejati Village, Bandung City as a step to increase public awareness of potential environmental disasters (08/04/2026).

This activity was the 88th implementation and also strengthened the role of the community in maintaining environmental security at the Residents' Association level.

Muhammad Farhan said that neighborhood watch (siskamling) not only functions to maintain environmental security, but also serves as an early detection system for potential disasters.

"From the start, we designed this neighborhood watch system as a disaster preparedness measure. We've experienced firsthand how extreme weather in recent times has caused trees to fall, disrupting residents' activities," said Muhammad Farhan.

Farhan gave the example of extreme weather events in the last few days which caused large trees to fall in several areas of Bandung City.

The city government ensures that the handling of fallen trees and the impact of extreme weather will be carried out quickly so that residents' activities can return to normal.

"Bandung City is recovering relatively quickly. However, we must remain vigilant, as the potential for extreme weather remains," said Farhan.

Farhan believes that the involvement of Rukun Warga residents is important for directly identifying environmental problems.

Regional data collected through the Community Units (Laci Rukun Warga) is the basis for the city government to determine policies for handling environmental problems.

"Now, our development direction is data-driven. We don't want to standardize everything, because each region has its own characteristics and unique issues," said Farhan.

Residents in the neighborhood watch forum conveyed various problems such as flooding due to overflowing rivers, damaged roads, drainage, and public street lighting.

Farhan confirmed that regional officials would conduct field surveys to follow up on public reports according to handling priorities.

"We'll map them one by one. Everything will be surveyed and followed up according to priority," said Farhan.

Farhan invited the community to strengthen the culture of mutual cooperation and deliberation to protect the environment and prevent the risk of disaster.

"Siskamling (Neighborhood Watch) isn't just about patrolling, but also about how we work together to protect the environment and anticipate risks early," said Farhan.

(Bandung City Communications and Information Service/bhf)