BPS Cirebon strengthens Desa Cantik programme to support village development
Cirebon (ANTARA) - The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of Cirebon Regency, West Java, is launching the 2026 Desa Cinta Statistik (Desa Cantik) programme to strengthen village data governance as the foundation for community needs-based development in the local area.
Head of BPS Cirebon Regency, Januari Wibowo, in Cirebon on Wednesday, stated that the Desa Cantik programme is a national initiative focused on enhancing the capacity of village officials in compiling and managing statistical data.
“Now, villages are no longer objects, but subjects,” he said.
He mentioned that in 2026, three villages in Cirebon Regency will join the Desa Cantik programme and will be mentored to participate in provincial and national level assessments.
According to him, Cirebon Regency previously achieved success through Desa Karangwangi, which won first place in the West Java Desa Cantik competition last year.
“Last year, one village in Cirebon Regency, Karangwangi, took first place across West Java,” he said.
Januari assessed that the presence of statistical data at the village level will make policy-making processes more effective, as all village needs and potentials can be mapped in detail.
He explained that data collection in the Desa Cantik programme covers various aspects, from decent sanitation, community nutrition conditions, access to drinking water, to village infrastructure through the Village Potential (Podes) programme.
BPS Cirebon Regency is also encouraging the synchronisation of village data with other programmes such as tourism villages and community economic empowerment, so that village development runs more integrated.
In addition, they provide strategic inputs to the local government based on field survey results, one of which relates to the need for chicken eggs for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, which is still largely supplied from outside the region.
Meanwhile, Regent of Cirebon, Imron, stated that valid data is an important foundation in preparing development programmes so that government policies can be on target.
“Because we build based on valid data. If the data is not valid, the programme will not be on target,” said Imron.