Bogor manages slum along the riverbank Theresia Sufa ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Bogor   |  Thu, 02/19/2009 2:13 PM  |  City The Bogor municipal administration is running a program to manage slums on the Cipakancilan riverbank in Kebon Pedes subdistrict in Tanah Sareal. The program, which started last year, provides residents with infrastructure development and housing renovation, and is aimed at keeping the river clean and preventing it from silting up, said Estiningsih, an Tanah Sareal district official. "The administration plans to run the program in stages over the next five years," she said Tuesday. During the first stage, Estiningsih said, the administration built a dump site and a bridge, restored the communities' drainage system and paved all roads in the subdistrict. "With the new facilities, we hope residents can help the administration preserve the river," she said. The administration also gave poor residents subsidies to renovate their houses. "We have renovated 100 houses. Each house got Rp 3.3 million (US$277.2) in subsidies," she said. Currently, 4,800 families live at Kebon Pedes. Most of the residents work as seasonal workers, ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers, cow breeders or public minivan drivers. Because of their low incomes, the residents have trouble renovating their houses and managing waste. Many poor residents live in bamboo houses and throw their garbage into Cipakancilan River. Concerned about the situation, Estiningsih, former subdistrict head, sent a proposal to the Bogor administration for financial assistance to manage the slum. Ipah, 37, a resident, said she was glad the administration granted her family renovation subsidies. "I lived with 14 relatives in a bamboo hut for years," she said. "Now, seven of my relatives are able to build their own houses." Komarudin, community unit (RW) head, said the new dump site would help stop residents from throwing garbage into the river. "Throwing garbage into the Cipakancilan River has become a habit for residents," he said,  http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/02/19/bogor-manages-slum-along-riverbank.html