DOST SOCCSKSARGEN Engages Cotabato Vice Governor on Project SARAI for Smart Agriculture

by Info @Brand Zone | January 21, 2026

𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐬, 𝐊𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 | The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) SOCCSKSARGEN Project SARAi team, paid a courtesy visit to the Office of Vice Governor Rochella Marie Ella Taliño Taray, on January 12, 2026, at Amas, Kidapawan City. This is part of its continuing engagement with provincial and local leaders to strengthen science- and technology-driven agriculture in North Cotabato.

The discussion highlighted how Project SARAi—Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines—can support evidence-based planning and policy formulation for the province’s agricultural sector. The team shared how climate, crop, and data analytics generated by SARAi can be translated into practical tools that guide farmers and local decision-makers in improving productivity and climate resilience.

Vice Governor Taliño-Taray welcomed the initiative and stressed the importance of integrating smart agriculture solutions into provincial development programs, noting that access to timely and science-backed information is crucial in empowering farmers and safeguarding livelihoods amid changing climate conditions.

The meeting also opened discussions on the Knowledge, Innovation, Science and Technology (KIST) Park/Ecozone Program, emphasizing its potential role as a hub for agri-innovation, research collaboration, and technology commercialization in the province. North Cotabato’s participation in the KIST Park/Ecozone orientation held in June 2025 was cited as an initial step toward fostering an enabling environment for innovation-led growth.

The courtesy visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of DOST SOCCSKSARGEN, led by Regional Director Engr. Sammy P. Malawan, and the Provincial Government of Cotabato, headed by Governor Emmylou Lala Taliño-Mendoza, to advance sustainable agriculture and innovation through strategic partnerships and science-based solutions

DOST boosts capacity to turn research and data into bankable projects and national policies

by Joy Calvar @DOST Gates Program | January 9, 2026

By Joy Calvar, DOST Gates Program - Representatives from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) gathered from December 2 to 4, 2025, for the “Collaborate, Translate, Transform” seminar-writeshop to strengthen the department’s capacity to turn research and data into bankable project proposals and evidence-informed policies. Conducted in collaboration with UNDP Philippines, UP-NCPAG, and NRCP, the initiative aims to harness DOST’s wealth of information for strategic actions that contribute to national development. (Photo by John Kenneth Fraga, DOST Gates Program)

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is taking significant strides toward strengthening its capacity to transform technical data and research insights into bankable project proposals and evidence-informed policies that drive national development.

The initiative was led by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Development Cooperation and the Geospatial Analytics and Technology Solutions (GATES) Program, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines, experts from the University of the Philippines - National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP NCPAG), and the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP).

A Vision for Data-Driven Governance

In his speech, DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. emphasized that the department's goal is to evolve into an agile, data-driven, and future-ready organization that transforms information into national value. He underscored that decisions must be firmly grounded in evidence to ensure they align with global cooperation priorities and national development goals.

"Data must be connected. It must speak a common language. It must move from information to insight to action," Secretary Solidum stated. "As the Department that leads innovation, we must also lead in harmonization, integration, and translation".

Strengthening Proposal Development for Global Competitiveness

In collaboration with the UNDP Philippines, the first two days of the series focused on developing high-impact project proposals.

Experts guided participants through problem framing and stakeholder mapping to create a pipeline of project concept notes addressing three strategic areas: human capital development, innovation and economic development, and climate change and disaster risk reduction.

UNDP Resident Representative Knut Ostby noted that improving the ability to leverage Official Development Assistance (ODA) and external financing positions science and technology initiatives as catalysts for private-sector engagement and domestic investment.

“This is about scaling innovations where they are needed most,” Otsby said.

DOST Assistant Secretary for Development Mr. Rodolfo J. Calzado, Jr. also encouraged participants to further develop their group outputs into full draft concept notes, as these will serve as a preparatory step for the proposed one-on-one coaching sessions with the UNDP team scheduled to begin in the early months of 2026, refining the outputs into investment-ready project concept notes.

Bridging Research to Policy and Open Data

The final day of the series, conducted with experts from the UP-NCPAG, focused on the research-to-policy landscape.

Participants explored pathways to translate technical findings into actionable insights for national and sectoral policies while discussing the institutionalization of open data to advance good governance and transparency

Asec. Calzado, Jr. concluded that while the DOST system generates a wealth of geospatial data and technical knowledge annually, impact only occurs when that data is translated into strategic, people-centered action.

By maximizing the use of its organizational data through the GATES Program, DOST continues to reinforce its commitment to a data-driven government that provides solutions and opportunities for all Filipinos.

Through the "Collaborate, Translate, Transform: Seminar and Writeshop Series on Partnership and Proposal Development, Research Translation, and Policy Development," held from December 2 to 4, 2025, the Department gathered representatives from its Central Office and attached agencies to bridge the gap between information generation and actionable results.

GATES Program is one of the eight banner research and development programs of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aimed at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions and Opportunities for All. For more information, visit www.dost.gov.ph.

Weavers Manifesto cries for respect, support for Philippine weaves, denounces machine replicas, printed substitutes

by Info @Brand Zone | December 11, 2025

The growing popularity of traditional handloom-woven textiles has placed Filipino weavers at a critical crossroads. Their designs, heritage, and livelihoods are increasingly threatened not only by printed and machine-made replicas but also by unfair market access, lack of intellectual property protection, and limited recognition of their rights as artists, cultural bearers, and workers. While counterfeit fabrics dilute authenticity and deceive consumers, deeper challenges persist. Weavers struggle to reach inclusive markets, secure fair compensation, and pass down their craft to future generations. These shared concerns have prompted weaving communities across the country to unite and assert their rights to livelihood, cultural identity, and a rightful place in the nation’s textile value chain.

In response to this growing concern, the Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST PTRI), consolidated the weavers’ insights and thoughts through the Weavers Manifesto during the 1st Philippine Handloom Weaving Festival held at Robinsons Ilocos in Ilocos Norte on 22 November 2025 as part of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Week. The signing was led by Dr. Julius Leaño Jr., Director of DOST PTRI, and the delegation of more than 120 weavers from over 40 weaving communities across the country. It was witnessed by DOST Ilocos Region Director, Dr. Tereista Tabaog and Assistant Secretary Anna Carmela V. Remigio, Presidential Assistant for Northern Luzon.

The DOST–PTRI and the weavers initially conducted a focused group discussion (FGD) that raised the concerns and needs of weaving communities across the country. The resulting Weavers’ Manifesto captured the 8 main and critical issues raised during the FGD. The signatories call for the following:

• Opposition to the widespread use of counterfeit handwoven textiles and machine-made woven replicas as substitutes for the authentic handwoven fabrics of the Philippines. (Pagtutol sa malawakang paggamit ng mga pekeng hinabing tela at mga hinabing replika na gawa ng mga makina bilang panghalip sa mga tunay na habing-kamay ng Pilipinas.)

• Use of handwoven textiles for the uniforms and attire of government employees and students. (Paggamit sa mga hinabing tela para sa uniporme at kasuotan ng mga kawani ng pamahalaan at mga mag-aaral.)

• Strong opposition to the use of woven textile designs in sublimation printing and in printed fabrics being sold as if they were handloom woven. (Mariing pagtutol sa paggamit ng mga disenyo ng hinabing tela bilang disenyo sa sublimation printing at sa mga printed na tela binebenta bilang hinahabing tela.)

• Expanded access for weavers to cotton and natural textile fiber-based yarns. (Mas pinalawak na akses ng mga manghahabi sa cotton at natural textile fiber-based yarns.)

• Broader access to training programs to prepare the next generations of weavers and to promote knowledge about the art and science of weaving, especially among the youth. (Pinalawak na akses sa mga programa sa pagsasanay upang maihanda ang mga sumusunod na henerasyon ng mga manghahabi at pagpapalaganap ng kaalaman ukol sa sining at agham ng paghahabi lalo na sa mga kabataan.)

• Unification of all weavers across the Philippines into an organized group. (Pagbubuklod ng lahat ng mga manghahabi sa buong pilipinas bilang isang organisadong grupo.)

• Strengthening policies for the development of the weaving sector and for the protection of intellectual property and the creations of weavers and their respective communities. (Pagpapaigting ng mga polisiya para sa pagpapaunlad ng larangan at pagprotekta sa yamang-isip at mga likha ng manghahabi at ng kanilang grupong kinabibilangan.)

• Respect for the rights and recognition of weavers, especially women whose livelihoods depend on this craft. (Paggalang sa mga karapatan at pagpapahalaga sa mga manghahabi lalo na ang mga kababaihang nakabatay ang kabuhayan sa larangang ito.)

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As the Weavers’ Manifesto underlines the importance of keeping weaving traditions alive for cultural and economic advancement of weavers, a testimony came from Marlyn Muyana of the Baraclayan Weavers Association of Iloilo who shared how their community’s weaving center contributes to their community advancement, “Before the weaving center was established, our barangay was considered one of the poorest in the municipality. Many families struggled to meet daily needs, and sending children to school felt like an impossible dream. But through hard work, unity, and commitment, the weaving center became our turning point. Today, we are proud to say that we have no out-of-school youth in our community. Almost all our students now have the chance to pursue higher education in colleges and universities.”

The said Manifesto is also in line with the advocacy raised by Dr. Leaño, Jr., during the opening ceremony of the festival, when for the first time he publicly called on the public and said, “Sana po ‘wag na kayong bumili ng fake handloom woven fabrics…because you are not just depriving them of their livelihood. You are depriving them of their culture. You are depriving them of their identity. And most importantly, you are depriving them of their future.”

The Philippine Handloom Weaving Festival generated over ₱2 million in gross sales of handloom woven products from over 120 participating weavers from more than 40 weaving communities representing various regions across the country. A total of 600 kilograms of cotton yarns was also distributed to the weavers as part of the CottonPH Weaving Movement, a program that aims to boost local handloom weaving, reduce dependency on imported yarns, and promote sustainability by providing weavers with locally spun quality yarns. This is the first massive distribution of yarns that awaits feedback on the weavibility and the overall transitioning journey that the weavers will undergo in weaving Philippine cotton yarns. Ilocos Norte will also be able to spin and produce cotton yarns for Northern Luzon after the inauguration of the facility last 20 November in Vintar, Ilocos Norte, during the duration of the festival.

The four-day festival attracted over 1,000 participants in all its activities. The 1st Philippine Handloom Weaving Festival is a collaboration of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Norte Tourism, Cebu Pacific Air, Robinsons Ilocos, and the Local Government of Taguig City, which is the host city of the Philippine Handloom Weaving Center