Tugon-Pangkalikasan for Community-Led Ecological Care: A Single Case Study of Waste Management in a Fisherfolk Community

Waste management remains a persistent challenge in the fisherfolk community of Lian, Batangas, where recurring waste continues to affect Tayum Bay despite long-standing community initiatives. This study aims to understand how waste acquires existential meaning for community members and how this shapes their ecological awareness, participation, and capacity for action. Using a qualitative single case study design, the research draws on field observations, a semi-structured interview with the association leader, and thematic analysis guided by Deep Ecology and Leopold’s Land Ethics. The analysis generated three themes: Individual Awareness and Transformation, Collective Environmental Engagement, and Recognition of Structural and Institutional Barriers. Findings reflect a progression from personal awakening to shared ecological practice, limited by systemic constraints. While context-specific, the findings suggest that similar communities may experience ecological action as a balance of ethical awareness, collective effort, and structural support. These insights inform the proposed Community Ecological Action Framework, offering guidance for sustainable community-led stewardship and local policy development.