DAGOHOY, DANAO, Bohol — The Dagohoy Association for Progress (DAP) in Danao, Bohol, strengthened its livelihood enterprise through a Marketing Assistance and Enterprise Development (MAED) Roll-out and Market Survey. The activity was part of the continuing support provided by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)through the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Phase II Program.
The initiative aimed to help fisherfolk organizations improve business management, strengthen financial practices and identify better market opportunities for their products.
Training Focused on Business and Financial Management
The activity opened with a welcome message from Municipal Agriculturist Geoffrey G. Cepedoza, DVM, with representatives from the Local Government Unit of Danao also participating. The MAED Roll-out was facilitated by John Andrew D. Panadero and Jeselle M. Jabines, while Aize P. Escobidofacilitated the market survey.
To encourage active participation, DAP members were divided into two groups for the training and market activities. One group focused on business planning and financial assessment at the training venue. The members reviewed the association's 2023–2025 production records and estimated production for 2026–2028. They also identified the association's counterpart contribution, prepared cash flow projections and assessed the profitability of the livelihood enterprise.
Association Reviewed Financial Records
The members also reviewed and validated DAP's financial records from 2023 to the present. Expenses and other financial transactions were examined to ensure that the information used to evaluate the enterprise was accurate and reliable. The process helped the association gain a clearer understanding of its financial condition and overall business performance.
Market Survey Conducted in Danao
While one group worked on business planning, the second group conducted a market survey and benchmarking activity at the Danao Public Market. Participants gathered information about current market conditions, potential buyers, competitors and other factors that could help DAP improve the way it sells and promotes its products. The market information was later presented and discussed alongside the results of the financial and production assessment.
Tilapia Enterprise Showed Growth Potential
Based on the validated financial records and production estimates, the association showed positive enterprise performance and sound financial management. The assessment also found that DAP could potentially operate and sustain its livelihood enterprise independently if it consistently maintained two tilapia production cycles each year. The findings provided the association with a clearer direction for improving its production and business operations.
BFAR SAAD Supports Long-Term Livelihood
The activity concluded with recommendations focused on improving DAP's business operations, financial management, production practices and marketing strategies. Through continued technical assistance, mentoring and capacity-building activities under the BFAR-7 SAAD Phase II Program, the Dagohoy Association for Progress was expected to further strengthen its livelihood enterprise. The support also aimed to help the association increase profitability and work toward the long-term sustainability of its tilapia livelihood project.
