Tabalong, South Kalimantan – To support the empowerment of MSMEs and reduce textile waste in the Company's operational area, PT Pertamina EP (PEP) Tanjung Field held a sewing training using patchwork and slashing methods for the community in Masukau Village, Murung Pudak District, Tabalong Regency, South Kalimantan.

The four-day sewing training, attended by the Screen Printing and Sewing Group (Cetak Saring dan Jahit's Group /CETAR), aimed to empower the Madani MSME group fostered by PEP Tanjung Field by teaching them the skills to process used fabric scraps and coveralls into useful and economically valuable products, such as bags, pillowcases, and artistic home decor. The training took place from July 8 to 11, 2025, at the Menjahit Building, RT 06, Masukau Village.

PEP Tanjung Field Field Manager, Charlie Parmonangan Nainggolan, stated that the Company believes that business sustainability must be in harmony with the growth of community independence and environmental sustainability wherever the Company operates. "We are committed to implementing our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to support community development and environmental preservation, in line with efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," Charlie explained. This sewing skills training aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 8, namely Decent Work and Economic Growth.

According to Charlie, through the CETAR CSR program that oversees this training, the Company strives to encourage community independence by developing necessary skills and identifying opportunities to preserve the environment by reducing waste generated by the Company's operations.

For this training, PEP Tanjung Field also provided training materials in the form of unused company coveralls to support sewing practices during the training. This demonstrates the Company's commitment to developing the soft skills and competitiveness of local MSMEs.

The Chairperson of the CETAR Group, Lina Wati, expressed her appreciation for the support. "Thank you to PEP Tanjung Field for facilitating the training and providing materials for this sewing workshop. This activity is very beneficial for our community and environment. We hope this program can serve as an example for the wider community in utilizing used fabric and encourage a movement to manage rags in Murung Pudak District," he said.

Meanwhile, Dony Indrawan, Manager of Communication Relations & CID at                                  PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia, emphasized the Company's belief that an empowered and independent community, along with a sustainable environment, will ensure the sustainability of the Company's upstream oil and gas operations and business for decades to come. "This training is part of the Company's ongoing strategy to address the real needs of the community based on the social mapping conducted. We hope that the increased skills acquired by the participants will support increased productivity, business opportunities, and income," he said.

Furthermore, Dony added that the Company's strategy to continue promoting environmental conservation through waste reduction aligns with Pertamina's sustainability policy. Reusing rags and unused coveralls is a creative and environmentally friendly approach to reducing textile waste. Through patchwork and slashing sewing techniques taught by Yuyun, a teacher from SMK Negeri 1 Tanjung, participants gained an understanding and the skills to combine fabric scraps into new products using patchwork and slashing methods. Beyond the technical aspects, this activity also strengthened teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills within groups.

The CETAR CSR program and sewing training reflect our commitment to continuously encouraging community economic development through the utilization of regional and local potential. "Through this training, the CETAR group participants are expected to not only gain improved skills but also create new business opportunities that are independent, productive, and competitive," she concluded.

PT Pertamina EP (PEP) Tanjung Field is part of Zona 9 Subholding Upstream Regional 3 Kalimantan, which is managed by PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia. Through collaboration with SKK Migas, PEP Tanjung Field implements innovative Social and Environmental Responsibility programs in the areas of Economics, Education, Health, Environment, Infrastructure, and Disaster Response to support sustainable community empowerment and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PHI is headquartered in Jakarta. Further information about PHI-Regional 3 Kalimantan is available at https://phi.pertamina.com.