December 20–22, 2025 | Brgy. Bugas, Badian, Cebu
The Coastal Conservation and Education Foundation (CCEF), with generous support from the Unico Conservation Foundation under the Promoting Community-based Ecotourism in Marine Protected Areas and Mangrove Areas (ProComTour) Project, organized a Product Development and Business Planning Training and Workshop at the Dapdap Floating Cottages in Brgy. Bugas, Badian, Cebu.
The sessions were conducted by CCEF Enterprise Development Officer, Mr. Reaan Gerald Osmond Catitig, and Ms. Franchesca Marie M. Hortel, ProComTour Project Assistant, with ecotourism consultant Mr. Joselito “Boboi” Costas of Grassroots Travel Consulting, widely recognized as a key figure in promoting and developing the award‑winning sustainable ecotourism program at Bojo River in Aloguinsan, Cebu. His expertise provided a comparative lens for guiding BUFFALOO (Bugas Farmers Fishermen and Livestock Owners Organization) and representatives from the Municipal Agriculture Office of Badian in strengthening their enterprise.
Since reopening in late November 2025, the Dapdap Floating Cottages faced low visitor turnout due to limited promotion, ongoing repairs, and competition from newer enterprises such as the Lutaw Floating Cottages in Malhiao. These challenges underscored the need for product diversification, stronger organizational systems, and clearer governance.
Guided by Mr. Costas, participants engaged in lectures, participatory mapping, and site validation to identify ecological and cultural assets that could enrich the visitor experience. The proposed tour package includes:
- Palina (smoke purification ritual)
- Dramatization of the historic Battle of Bugas
- Mangrove tours via kayak and a petting zoo with local livestock
- Traditional weaving demonstrations of nipa palm leaves
- Musical and dance performances of Visayan songs
Guests will be welcomed with iced coconut drinks, while walk-in visitors will receive orientation on mangrove etiquette and guided interpretation en route to the floating cottages. These potential inclusions diversify the experience while highlighting both the ecological importance of mangroves and the cultural heritage of Bugas.
The workshop also addressed governance issues, including integrating supplier and landowner agreements into BUFFALOO’s Constitution and By-Laws, and resolving potential conflicts of interest related to land use for historical and ecological sites. Structured pricing was finalized for groups of five and ten, with student-friendly options, while supplemental income streams such as mangrove nurseries and nipa-based products (vinegar, wine) were explored to stabilize revenue.
The training revealed that the viability of community-based ecotourism in Bugas, Badian depends less on physical infrastructure alone and more on how cultural heritage, ecological education, and organizational governance are embedded into the enterprise. BUFFALOO’s capacity to diversify visitor experiences, through rituals, historical dramatizations, mangrove interpretation, and traditional skills, directly addresses gaps in the current model while structured pricing and supplemental livelihood streams point toward financial stability.
When viewed against the experience of Bojo River in Aloguinsan, where community discipline, cultural immersion, and ecological stewardship transformed a local initiative into an award‑winning ecotourism program, the parallels are instructive. The Dapdap Floating Cottages now stand at a similar juncture: with sustained support and adaptive management, they can evolve into a replicable model of community-based ecotourism in Southwest Cebu, balancing biodiversity conservation with socio-economic resilience.
The workshop concluded with a roadmap that includes:
- Finalizing BUFFALOO’s business plan
- Strengthening its People’s Organization management framework
- Reviewing and ratifying its Constitution and By-Laws
- Conducting financial management training
- Undertaking habitat mapping in Bugas
These actions will ensure that the enterprise is competitive, resilient, and firmly aligned with the conservation objectives of the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape, where the Dapdap Floating Cottages are located. By situating ecotourism within this nationally significant marine corridor, BUFFALOO’s efforts contribute directly to reducing fishing pressure while safeguarding biodiversity and cultural heritage.
