Tirilolo village community vulnerability and perceptions of the cement industry planning in Baucau District, Timor Leste

Abstract

The cement industry investment in Baucau Regency is agreed to be the key to economic growth, creating new jobs, and reducing poverty. To support this investment in the cement industry sector, the government of Timor Leste issued Government Resolution no. 14/2016 regarding the Special Investment Agreement submitted by the Company TL Cement, Lda. Baucau Regency area has a good stretch of karst for the supply of the main raw material for cement production, thus chosen as an investment location. Tirilolo village as well as the surrounding community, where they plan to establish a limestone factory and mine is planned – will receive both benefits and risks from the investment planning. This study uses a mixed-method with a survey approach, interviews, and questionnaires, with socio-economic risk assessment at the local level in the cement industry investment plan sector. This study uses secondary data analysis and field observations. The data obtained will be analyzed descriptively and using a scoring technique on each indicator. Some of the research results obtained indicate a basic vulnerability, that the population density in Tirilolo Village is 52 people/ha, with female household heads 5%, people with disabilities 7%, vulnerable age population 26%. In the education sector, 68.75% of the population did not go to school, while only 17% graduated from elementary school, 5.2% graduated from junior high school, and 8.3% graduated from high school. The average community income is less than $100 per month. The results of structured interviews and focus group discussions show that even though factories and mines carry risks, people look forward to jobs that will emerge to make changes in their lives.