In the coastal barangay of Badiang in Anda, Bohol, a group of fishermen organized themselves and formed the Badiang Fishermen’s Association (BAFIAS), which has become a model of grassroots organization of sustainable fisheries, environmental stewardship, and community empowerment.

The organization, originally formed to address the challenges faced by local fishermen, later became part of the frontline of volunteers who made empowerment and change possible through the KALAHI-CIDSS program.

For years, Badiang fisherfolk faced dwindling fish stocks, outdated fishing gear, and limited market access. Illegal fishing practices and environmental degradation further threatened their way of life. Many families struggled to make ends meet, and the younger generation began to look elsewhere for opportunity.

To address the situation, a group of local fishermen came together in 2020 to form BAFIAS. With support from the local government and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the members began organizing themselves into a formal association. BAFIAS aims to protect their marine resources, improve their livelihoods, and uplift their community.

The first wave of assistance and development for BAFIAS was when it received 5,000 bangus (milkfish) fingerlings and 120 bags of fish feed through the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program. This support enabled them to launch a marine floating fish cage project in Sitio Big-ot, Barangay Badiang.

“We didn’t just receive fingerlings—we received hope,” said one member. “It was something bigger than ourselves.”

The association didn’t stop at aquaculture. They implemented a rotational monitoring system where members took shifts guarding the fish cages to prevent theft and ensure proper care.

They even built a makeshift shelter near the cages to house the volunteers on duty.

This sense of shared responsibility became the backbone of BAFIAS. Members were trained in fish cage management, financial literacy, and environmental conservation.

They also began exploring eco-tourism opportunities. BAFIAS offers guided tours to nearby cultural and ecological sites, like Lamanok Point, where prehistoric rock art and burial sites tell the ancient civilization’s story.

From struggle to sustainability

In just a few years, BAFIAS achieved remarkable milestones. Its members increased their income from bangus harvests, with projected revenues of P130,000 per cycle; reduced illegal fishing; initiated mangrove planting and coastal cleanups, and established stronger community ties with women and youth who were actively involved in livelihood and conservation efforts.

BAFIAS grew in strength and solidarity. The members realized that true progress meant going beyond their own needs.

So, when the KALAHI-CIDSS program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas arrived in Badiang, calling for community volunteers to lead sub-projects, the group did not hesitate. BAFIAS stepped forward, not just as beneficiaries but as partners in progress.

Members of BAFIAS took on key roles in the Community Empowerment Activity Cycle (CEAC), the heart of the KALAHI-CIDSS approach.

They served as members of the project implementation team, procurement and finance team, monitoring and evaluation team, and barangay development council-technical working group representatives.

To help ensure the successful implementation of KALAHI-CIDSS sub-projects, they attended training sessions, learned about budgeting, procurement, and project management, and applied these skills to real-world challenges.

“We used to wait for help. Now, we help ourselves—and each other,” said one BAFIAS volunteer.

BAFIAS ultimately became a model for how volunteerism and livelihood can go hand in hand, demonstrating that community-driven development is not merely a program but a mindset.

Placing community residents at the forefront of the KALAHI-CIDSS project fostered transparency and trust within the community. As neighbors led the initiative, volunteer skills and confidence flourished.

“We are no longer just fishermen,” says their current president. “We are protectors of the sea, providers for our families, and partners in progress.” ###