MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM – Medan Mayor Rico Tri Putra Bayu Waas has urged community-based and family-oriented organizations to embrace technological advancement as a means of strengthening cultural values and kinship ties. He conveyed the message during the opening of the National Working Meeting (Rakernas) of Persadaan Siboro Dohot Boruna (Parsibo), held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the Grand Mercure Medan.
During the event, Mayor Rico Waas placed strong emphasis on the ongoing digitalization of the Tarombo (genealogy) system developed by Parsibo. He described the initiative as a strategic step aligned with current developments and a potential model for other kinship-based organizations across Indonesia.
He noted that digital transformation has reshaped nearly all aspects of society, including culturally rooted organizations based on marga traditions. According to him, adaptation is essential to maintain relevance in a rapidly changing world.
Technology, he stressed, should not be viewed as a threat to cultural preservation, but rather as a tool to strengthen identity and expand community benefits. The digital Tarombo allows family members to access genealogical information more quickly, accurately, and without limitations of distance or time.
PRESERVING CULTURAL TRADITIONS: Mayor Rico Waas highlights that the digitalization of Tarombo serves as a tool for preserving cultural values and strengthening connectivity within the Parsibo community. (PHOTO: Doc. Medan City Communication and Informatics Office)
Strengthening Family Bonds in a Mobile SocietyRico Waas highlighted that modern mobility has created new challenges for maintaining family connections, with members often living in different regions or abroad. This reality makes genealogical tracking—an essential element of Batak culture—more difficult.
Through an integrated digital system, family lineages can be traced more clearly, enabling dispersed relatives to reconnect. The platform also provides easier access for younger generations who prefer fast and practical digital solutions, transforming Tarombo into a modern genealogical database.
He further emphasized that digitalization plays a key role in intergenerational knowledge transfer, ensuring that family history and cultural values are sustainably documented and preserved.
UTILIZING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY: Rico Waas emphasizes the role of digital technology in cultural education and strengthening identity among the younger generation. (PHOTO: Doc. Medan City Communication and Informatics Office)
Expanding Social and Economic OpportunitiesBeyond cultural preservation, the mayor encouraged Parsibo to expand the project into a broader family-based data ecosystem that supports social and economic networking.
Structured family data, he said, could open opportunities for collaboration by mapping education, professions, skills, and entrepreneurial activities within the community. This integration could support access to education, career development, and targeted empowerment programs.
He also called for deeper technical discussions during the Rakernas to ensure the success of the initiative, stressing that data quality would determine the system's effectiveness.
Culture as a Shield for the Younger GenerationRico Waas also underlined the importance of digital cultural engagement for younger generations. With youth deeply connected to digital platforms, cultural content must be presented in modern and accessible formats.
He said that a strong cultural identity within families can help guide young people and protect them from negative influences in the digital space, offering stability in an increasingly complex society.
He concluded his remarks by expressing hope that Parsibo's Rakernas would produce programs that integrate technological innovation with cultural preservation, strengthening identity and collective progress. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Teguh Panjaitan | EDITOR: Fik Sagala