Tangerang's municipal administration is set to build 21 public toilets in Batu Ceper, Benda and Karang Tengah districts this year for residents with no access to sanitation facilities, the mayor said Saturday.

"The construction of the public toilets is one of three main developmental programs we have been focusing on since 2005," Tangerang Mayor Wahidin Halim told reporters.

"We have allocated Rp 1.8 billion from (this year's) budget to build public toilets, which is part of a poverty alleviation program across the three districts," he said.

Wahidin said many residents of the districts were too poor to afford their own bathrooms and toilets and were forced to use public land as a substitute.

Wahidin said each public toilet would be equipped with a water closet, a 'bak mandi (water tub) and a laundry area capable of serving at least 50 families.

"We will also provide the residents with clean water via the municipal tap water company," he said.

Seven public toilets were set to be built early this month in Poris Gaga subdistrict in Batu Ceper, nine in Pedurenan subdistrict, Karang Tengah, and five in Belendung subdistrict, an area close to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

The mayor has also ordered the municipal's Building and Resettlement Agency to collect data on residents still living without proper sanitation.

"It's unthinkable that there are still many residents without toilets and bathrooms who still have to go and find vacant land and rivers," he said.

The administration also allocated Rp 6.5 billion from this year's budget to support Tri Bina-concept empowerment programs for poor residents.

The Tri Bina concept helps provide poor residents with free basic needs, including health, education, social services, sanitation facilities and micro-credit, Wahidin said.

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