DAVAO CITY—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) XI has successfully completed the much-awaited linkage between the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and two innovation hubs in the city.It is worth noting that DTI XI has advocated innovation as shown by its various initiatives. Hence, it helped pave the way for the BARMM to also cement its own roadmap on innovative strategies.
As part of DTI XI’s continued commitment to promote innovation, it marked the celebration of the Innovation Day in Davao Region with two academe linkages and future partnerships on innovation for the BARMM. These are seen to support the establishment of its Inclusive Innovation Center.
“As the Innovation through Science, Technology and Risk-resilient based Initiatives towards Knowledge Economy (iSTRIKE) Davao Regional Inclusive Innovation Center (RIIC) secretariat and lead convenor, we recognize the vital role of innovation centers in fostering economic development, competitiveness, and sustainability. As such, we are in support to BARMM’s vision of establishing an RIIC in its region. With this, we are open to be its partner, particularly in the aspect of knowledge sharing, technical assistance, and mentorship,” DTI-11 Regional Director Romeo L. Castañaga said during its hosting and facilitation of the focus group discussion and benchmarking activity for the BARMM’s visit in Davao City.
University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) – Knowledge and Technology Transfer Division’s Amiel Marata, who serves as the Digihub Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab) focal person, also conveyed his commitment to link the BARMM team with the national FabLabs network.
In the meantime, the team also left Ateneo de Davao University Ventures (ADDVentures) Innovation Center, after its onsite visit, on a positive note that the said Innovation Center will soon serve as one of BARMM’s partners in establishing and strengthening the innovation and start-up ecosystem of the Bangsamoro Region.
“Listening to the sharing of the iSTRIKE Davao RIIC, and visiting the various innovation centers in Davao City, we came to realize that the only way forward is innovation in our region. We need to keep pace with the fast changes that happen around us every day to stay competitive. We look forward to these linkages and partnerships, established with the academe and iSTRIKE Davao RIIC through the DTI XI, which will help us realize our intent to foster inclusive innovation in our region,” director general Rosslaini Alonto-Sinarimbo conveyed during the Digihub FabLab visit.
The iSTRIKE Davao RIIC to date has already provided access to government and academe services for innovation to 201 MSMEs, and developed 116 innovative products, concepts, and prototypes. Moreover, 100 collaborative commercial research outputs were produced, and three international papers were published by the iSTRIKE members, thus contributing to the region’s goal of fostering research and development and innovation in Davao Region.
Aligned to this year’s National Innovation Day celebration with the theme, “Forging Leaders on Innovation in the Philippines,” the hosting and facilitation of the Focus Group Discussion cum Benchmarking Activity on Innovation which resulted in fruitful offshoots, assimilating the essence of the Innovation Day theme. DTI XI
