The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Caraga Region, through the Provincial Fisheries Office in the Province of Dinagat islands recently conducted Project Orientation and Community Organization for the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) in the municipalities of Dinagat, Tubajon and Libjo last March 15, 16 and 23, respectively.

The activity aims to help the participant understand what is SAAD Program and its mandate, the roles of the beneficiary, LGU and BFAR and other relevant information that concerns the implementation of the project.

Moreover, PFO PDI facilitated the community organizing activities for areas that do not have existing, accredited fisherfolk associations. Dinagat Islands Municipal Fishers Association (DIMUFA) and Asosasyon sa Mag-uuma ug Mananagat sa Sitio Katipunan (AMMSK) were formed in the municipalities of Dinagat and Libjo, respectively.


These two newly organized fisherfolk associations will be assisted by PFO PDI SAAD personnel, Zosimo Saluta in their compliance to the documentary requirements set for the associations accreditation in the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). For the municipality of Tubajon which already has an existing accredited association, PFO PDI targets to strengthen the group and capacitate them to become resilient and productive fishing communities.

SAAD Regional Coordinator Edgardo P. Balambao of BFAR Caraga, graced the similar activity conducted on Thursday, March 23, 2023 in Brgy. San Antonio, Libjo, PDI. Balambao, in his message, emphasized that the SAAD Program is not just a promise to be fulfilled but a program which aims to help and uplift the living conditions of the fishing communities. The SAAD regional coordinator also stressed that the fisherfolk associations having less number of members but actively supports their association, is way better than those having more members but less engagement.

Provincial Fishery Officer Bernard Z. Baclayo assured that the office will serve as a constant partner of the people’s organization in helping them attain necessary trainings and other technical support for the organization’s empowerment. Likewise, Baclayo also commended the efforts of the partner local government units in the realization of SAAD-related activities.

Aquaculturist I Necodaisy Alimento, an experienced community facilitator, of PFO PDI also gave a lecture on the basic facilitation training for the people’s organization to give additional knowledge for the officers and members of the group on how they can smoothly run with their meetings and their association in general.