The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-7 has turned over the proposed priority programs and projects of Brgy. Bitoon, Kinatarcan Island under the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP).

DILG Undersecretary Marjorie Jalosjos, Regional Director Leocadio Trovela, Cebu Provincial Director Jhoaden Lucero and Municipal Mayor Ithamar Espinosa led the turnover ceremony during the Dagyawan sa Barangay on Friday, March 5, 2021, in Santa Fe, Bantayan Island.
 
DILG-7 and LGU Santa Fe held the turnover ceremony on the pristine beach of Santa Fe, making it the very first Dagyawan sa Barangay on an island, which is located 45 minutes away from the mainland.
 
Usec. Jalosjos announced that the Regional Development Council-7 has already endorsed over P1.98 billion worth of proposed ELCAC priority programs, activities, and projects for inclusion in the FY 2020 budget for Central Visayas. This includes the project of the Municipality of Santa Fe.
 
“With this, we congratulate the LGU of Santa Fe for the successful holding of the solution-seeking discussion. The DILG-7 team is documenting this activity for replication to other LGUs in the region,” Usec. Jalosjos said in her speech.
 
At least P20 million worth of proposed projects of Kinatarcan Island have been included in the submission for funding from the national government thru bottom-up planning and budgeting.
 
Dir. Trovela urged the people of Santa Fe to believe in the process of RCSP.
 
“Sana hindi matapos ang ating ginagawa sa ganito na ceremony. Gusto naming e-emphasize na ang mamamayan ang nakaka-alam sa solusyon sa kanilang community at ang aksyon ay nasa pamahalaan,” he said.
 
Provincial Dir. Lucero, on the other hand, emphasized that the Dagyawan sa Barangay is about engaging local communities to be participative, looking into their needs and bringing them closer to the fold of the government.
 
“We’re putting an avenue where people can voice out their concerns. Our intention is to help and assist the LGUs and forward the projects to the local or national government,” she said.
 
Mayor Ithamar P. Espinosa recognized the efforts of the DILG and NGAs implementing the RCSP.
 
“On behalf of the people of Santa Fe, who are indeed the ultimate recipients of this magnanimous gesture. I express our commitment and unwavering support of the RCSP team and core team. And, with grateful appreciation I convey our sincerest thanks to the people behind the crafting of this invaluable and noble initiative a reality,” expressed Espinosa.
 
Bitoon Punong Barangay Marcos Gilbuena said that with this program they felt that the government didn’t take them for granted.
 
“Atong gibuhat karon nagpasabot nga ang goberno wala magpasagad o ako mismo wala magpasagad sa akong barangay,” Gilbuena said.
Also present in the program were Col. Jerry Borja, the Commander of Task Group Cebu-Bohol-Siquijor; and PLTCol Nasruddin Tayuan, the deputy provincial director for operations of Cebu Provincial Police Office, who represented PBGen Ronnie Montejo, PRO-7 Regional Director.
 
“Our presence today indicated that we are united on one goal which is peace and development,” said Borja.
 
Dir. Trovela appreciated LGU Santa Fe for showcasing its brand—beach and tradition–during the turnover ceremony.
 
Dagyawan sa Barangay, which started in Negros Oriental in 2019, is a Hiligaynon term to mean “bayanihan” or “togetherness.” Last year, DILG-7 hosted Dagyawan sa Barangay in six targeted areas in Dumanjug, Cebu Province.