The Bitaugan West Fisherfolks Association (BWFA) and Aras-asan Coastal Fisherfolks Association (ACFA), play an important role in mangrove rehabilitation and conservation in Cagwait, Surigao del Sur.

Oceanus Conservation, with the support of Blue Marine Foundation, a UK-charity foundation, conducted series of trainings to enhance the leadership and organizational capacities of two local community associations. The team focused on critical skills for effective community governance and financial management as this will prepare them for the livelihood program to be conducted by the first quarter of 2025.

The Leadership and Governance Training aims to equip participants with essential leadership skills, conflict resolution strategies, and governance principles. This is to help strengthen their associations’ organizational structure as part of continuous community development in the area.

Joie M. Lajo facilitated the two-day session in Bitaugan West, Cagwait, which began with interactive activities to foster openness and camaraderie. Participants engaged in discussions and role-playing exercises to address key leadership and governance challenges, including financial mismanagement, communication breakdowns, and conflict resolution. The training emphasized leadership qualities and styles, transparent financial practices, effective decision-making and conflict mediation, inclusivity, and gender-sensitive leadership. By the end of the training, participants developed clearer goals and action plans for strengthening their associations.

The ACFA training mirrored the BWFA session’s structure and objectives. It focused on inclusivity, particularly for women, senior citizens, and PWDs. Through role-playing activities, participants tackled internal challenges and emphasized the importance of clear task delegation and structured decision-making processes. The session concluded by helping the participants develop shared visions and actionable strategies for their organizations. Furthermore, it also helped renew their sense of purpose and collaboration.

The second training was a two-day Financial Management and Basic Bookkeeping training. Warlito Tagalog of Oceanus Conservation facilitated the training. This equips ACFA and BWFA officers and members with essential financial literacy skills tailored to their community-based organizations.

The training introduced participants to essential financial management concepts, including budgeting, income tracking, and expense categorization. Emphasizing accurate record-keeping practices and financial literacy. Participants gained hands-on experience with the accounting cycle, from identifying and analyzing financial transactions to recording them in journals and ledgers. Additionally, they learned how to prepare key financial statements, such as the Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statement. Practical exercises ensured that participants could confidently apply these skills in managing their association’s finances, promoting transparency, accountability, and long-term financial sustainability.

Completing these training sessions marks an important milestone for BWFA and ACFA. Participants are now better equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to lead their associations with integrity. They can carefully manage resources responsibly and address challenges collaboratively. Moving forward, these empowered leaders and members are expected to implement their learnings, continue to drive positive change within their communities, and advocate for sustainable practices in coastal resource management.

Oceanus Conservation and the Blue Marine Foundation remain committed to supporting these associations on their journey towards resilience, self-sufficiency, and long-term environmental stewardship. Together, we are building a future where empowered communities and thriving ecosystems go hand in hand.

Words by Emmanuel Cababarros. Photo by Jim Gasta.