17/09/2026
๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ซ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐๐๐: ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐จ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ ๐๐ ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐จ๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ข๐จ-๐๐ข๐ซ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ฆ๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐
๐จ๐จ๐ ๐๐ง๐ง๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
๐ฆ๐๐ฅ๐๐ก๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ก๐๐ฆ, ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ข ๐ข๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ง๐๐โThe path toward building a sustainable, zero-waste community enterprise while protecting cultural heritage of the Kalsusu Indigenous People (IP) in Barangay Gomtago began in November 2024 with SalikLakbay Solutions Mapping. This initial groundwork was followed in 2025 by a targeted Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) training. This multi-year grassroots engagement aimed to safeguard Nidangโa cherished Blaan cultural heirloom dishโwhile identifying science, technology, and innovation (STI) interventions to upgrade local food processing capabilities.
To build on this developmental journey and as an extension of the 2026 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) in Davao Occidental, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Davao Region through PSTO Davao Occidental conducted a Food Innovation Training for Grassroots Innovators in the Sarangani Islands for the Kalsusu Indigenous People (IP) Association Inc. of Barangay Gomtago, Sarangani Islands.
Led by expert resource speaker ๐ ๐. ๐ฅ๐ผ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐น๐๐ป ๐. ๐ฃ๐๐น๐ถ๐ฑ๐ผ, ๐ฃ๐๐ง, ๐ฅ๐ก๐, Training Section Head of DOST Davao Region, association members engaged in hands-on sessions to master the principles of food innovation and circular processing. Under her technical guidance, participants learned to upcycle grated coconut byproducts which is traditionally leftover from Nidang preparation, into high-value baked goods such as coconut macaroons.
By embedding bio-circular green economy practices into community operations, the initiative converts potential byproducts into marketable food products. This zero-waste approach not only protects local environmental resources but also opens an additional revenue stream for the Kalsusu IP Association, enhancing economic resilience while honoring Blaan cultural traditions.
This milestone highlights how continued STI support can empower indigenous communities to turn cultural heritage into competitive, eco-friendly community enterprises.
๐๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ง๐ช:
The Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Week (RSTW) is an annual celebration that highlights the importance of science, technology, and innovation in regional development with its main theme, "Siyensya, Teknolohiya, at Inobasyon: Kabalikat sa Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na Kinabukasan". This year's celebration of the RSTW in Davao Region highlights the sub-theme: "Science, Technology, and Digital Innovation Driving Food Security, Sustainable Energy, and National Resilience".
๐๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ก๐ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฎ๐บ:
The GRIND Program (Grassroots Innovation for Inclusive Development) is a community-driven initiative by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in the Philippines designed to empower marginalized communities by identifying, funding, and scaling homegrown, local innovations. Its primary purpose is to achieve inclusive growth and reduce poverty by validating the creative, practical solutions that ordinary citizensโsuch as farmers, fishers, and indigenous groupsโhave already built out of necessity to solve their everyday problems, ultimately transforming these grassroots ideas into sustainable livelihoods and commercial products.
#๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ฏ๐๐จ๐จ๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ฅ #๐๐ง๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ #๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฏ๐๐จ #๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ #๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ฆ๐๐๐๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ฆ #๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐จ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ
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