Muara Badak – PT Pertamina Hulu Sanga Sanga (PHSS), in collaboration with the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), hosted a diving certification event for members of the Bina Lestari Community Surveillance Group/ Kelompok Masyarakat Pengawas (Pokmaswas) at Pulau Beras Basah, Bontang City, East Kalimantan, from July 26-31, 2024. The certification aims to empower the local communities by enhancing the competence and credibility of divers in underwater ecosystem recovery and eco-tourism development in Muara Badak.

The certification event included four Pokmaswas Bina Lestari members and one Pokdarwis Pesona Pangempang member. Over six days, participants received course material, equipment introductions in the pool and the sea, and day and night diving practice.

One participant, Nurul Fatihah, noted that direct guidance from competent instructors provided a safe and educational experience. “PHSS and the NAUI instructors taught every stage of diving safely. We hope this support and certification can help us promote underwater tourism in Muara Badak and attract local and international tourists,” said Nurul.

Pokmaswas Bina Lestari is a partner of PHSS in the Coastal Guard Program/ Jaga Pesisir Kita (Japes), focusing on eco-tourism, coral reef rehabilitation due to illegal fishing, and fisheries. Through this certification, their divers gain greater competence and credibility in underwater activities and tourism support.

Manager of Communication Relations & CID, Dony Indrawan, at PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI), stated that the training and certification are expected to support efforts in underwater ecosystem recovery and eco-tourism development, promoting economic progress in the surrounding community. “PHI continues to invest in innovative and sustainable CSR programs in line with the direction and policies of PT Pertamina Hulu Energi (PHE) as Subholding Upstream and PT Pertamina (Persero) in supporting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 14 (Life Below Water), Goal 15 (Life on Land), and Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).”

He added that the Japes Program supports the company’s commitment to environmentally friendly oil and gas operations, focusing on revitalizing underwater life, initiated in 2019. “In this program, we carry out several activities, including diving certification and coral reef transplantation for fish habitats; mangrove rehabilitation and strengthening coastal and underwater tourism promotion; strengthening Baywatch; endemic greening along the coastline, capacity building in tourism management such as lifeguard and tourism management, SME development, and Mangrove Seedling Business with plans to finalize the Panrita Lopi Dock rehabilitation in 2024,” explained Dony.

Dony also noted that the Japes Program has been successfully replicated in Muara Badak Ulu Village. According to the sustainability compass, the program has achieved several milestones, including the rehabilitation of 1 hectare of damaged area due to destructive fishing with coral reef transplantation, certification of 13 beach managers as lifeguards from Divers Alert Network (DAN) and NAUI, generating IDR 6 million per month per person from beach tourism accommodations, fishing, diving activities, and tourism, providing benefits to 30 people directly and 16,881 people indirectly.

“We believe that the success of the company’s CSR programs in supporting environmental sustainability and community independence is a result of our collaboration with all stakeholders, including local governments, NGOs, and the community,” he concluded.

PT Pertamina Hulu Sanga Sanga (PHSS) is a subsidiary of PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI) managing upstream oil and gas operations in the Sanga Sanga Working Area in East Kalimantan, following Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) principles. Through cooperation with SKK Migas, PHSS, along with other PHI subsidiaries and affiliates, runs innovative Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs in the areas of Economy, Education, Health, Environment, Infrastructure, and Disaster Response to support sustainable community empowerment and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PHI is headquartered in Jakarta. More information about PHI is available at https://phi.pertamina.com.