DOST XII - Sultan Kudarat Provincial Office

16/10/2026

We’re live at the Function Hall 3 SMX Convention Center in Davao City for the Media Kickoff of the 2026 National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (NSTW)!

Let’s hear from the officials of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as they share what’s in store for the five-day S&T celebration in General Santos City!

15/10/2026

📲 Ready ka na ba sa 2026 National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (NSTW)?

Huwag magpahuli sa mga exciting na ganap! 🎉 I-download ang official 2026 NSTW App para updated ka sa event schedules, activities, at iba pang happenings sa pinakamalaking celebration ng science, technology, and innovation sa bansa!

📍 Kita-kits sa General Santos City sa November 25–29, 2026!

Save the date, download the app, at sama-sama nating tuklasin ang mga bagong kaalaman at inobasyon!

14/10/2026

𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐂𝐒𝐊𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐍-𝐏𝐒𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐀𝐍 𝐊𝐔𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐓𝐒 𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐇𝐍𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐘 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐂 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐈-𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐓𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆!

𝐸𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑎𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑛𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑖ℎ𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛!

The 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 (𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓) 𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐂𝐒𝐊𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐍, through its 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭 (𝐏𝐒𝐓𝐎-𝐒𝐊), conducted a technology training and demonstration on turmeric processing and calamansi-based product development for farmers from Lambayong on October 13, 2026, at the NIA Farmers’ Training Center, LAMRIS Office Compound, Barangay EJC Montilla, Tacurong City.

Under the leadership of 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐫. 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐲 𝐏. 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧, 𝐏𝐡𝐃, and through PSTO-SK, headed by 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐬. 𝐙𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝐃. 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐨, the activity strengthened the collaboration between DOST SOCCSKSARGEN and the 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐍𝐈𝐀) 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭, headed by 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐫. 𝐆𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐋. 𝐋𝐨𝐳𝐚𝐧𝐨. The initiative aims to equip farmers with practical food processing skills and introduce alternative livelihood opportunities to help diversify their sources of income.

The training featured two sessions: turmeric processing and calamansi concentrate and ready-to-drink (RTD) juice production.

For the first session, 𝐌𝐬. 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐲𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐳𝐚𝐫, 𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐓𝐑 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 and a successful beneficiary of DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), served as the resource speaker and demonstrated the turmeric processing procedures. As an established turmeric producer in Sultan Kudarat, with products displayed at Tacurong Fitmart, Salazar shared practical insights from her experience, illustrating how science, technology, and innovation can help improve local food processing enterprises.

The second session focused on calamansi concentrate and RTD juice production, facilitated by 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐫. 𝐒𝐳𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐡 𝐒. 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐨, 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭. She discussed and demonstrated the proper processing procedures, emphasizing food safety, sanitation, and the importance of wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to maintain hygiene and ensure product quality.

Participants actively engaged in the demonstrations and took part in the open forum, where the resource speakers addressed their questions and provided additional guidance on the processing techniques presented.

Engr. Lozano expressed her appreciation to DOST for providing the training, highlighting its potential to help farmers prepare for the anticipated El Niño phenomenon in 2027. Since many farmers in Lambayong primarily depend on rice farming, she emphasized the importance of exploring alternative livelihood opportunities and value-added agricultural products to help diversify their income sources during challenging agricultural conditions. She also expressed hope that 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑝 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑁𝐼𝐴 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐷𝑂𝑆𝑇 𝑆𝑂𝐶𝐶𝑆𝐾𝑆𝐴𝑅𝐺𝐸𝑁.

Meanwhile, PD Guiano reaffirmed DOST’s commitment to making science, technology, and innovation accessible to communities, particularly those in underserved and marginalized sectors. She encouraged farmers and other interested individuals to visit the DOST office and explore the agency’s available technologies, programs, and services that can support enterprise development and community livelihood initiatives.

Reiterating her service-oriented commitment, PD Guiano emphasized her mantra, “𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧,” underscoring the office’s openness to receiving inquiries and helping communities access appropriate DOST assistance.

Through this initiative, DOST SOCCSKSARGEN continues to promote technology transfer and practical innovation, empowering farmers to explore value-adding opportunities, strengthen livelihood resilience, and discover new possibilities beyond traditional farming.

DOST Philippines
DOST - Regional Operations
DOST XII - Department of Science and Technology - Region XII

13/10/2026

12/10/2026

𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐂𝐒𝐊𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐍 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐢 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐀𝐍 𝐊𝐔𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐆𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐋𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐖𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐍 𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍!

𝐴𝑑𝑣𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒-𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑎𝑔𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑠𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑡𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑛𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑦, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑜𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛.

𝐈𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐍, 𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐀𝐍 𝐊𝐔𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓 | 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟐, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 — The Department of Science and Technology - SOCCSKSARGEN, through the Provincial Science and Technology Office of Sultan Kudarat (PSTO-SK), introduced the 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 (𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐢) 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 during the 59th Regular Session of the 17th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Sultan Kudarat, held at the SP Hall, Capitol Grounds, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

Under the leadership of 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐫. 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐲 𝐏. 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧, 𝐏𝐡𝐃, and through Provincial Science and Technology Office of Sultan Kudarat headed by 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐬. 𝐙𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝐃. 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐨, along with SARAi Project Regional Focal 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐫. 𝐀𝐛𝐝𝐮𝐥 𝐉𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐥 𝐃. 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧. The presentation aimed to familiarize provincial legislators with the project's objectives and explore potential collaboration with the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) led by the 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫, 𝐇𝐨𝐧. 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐮 𝐏𝐚𝐱 𝐀𝐥𝐢 𝐒. 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐮, particularly in securing funding support to expand its implementation across the province.

The session was called to order by 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐧. 𝐉𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐄. 𝐃𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐝𝐫𝐨 and proceeded with the consent of the members of the provincial board. Following the approval to present the project, Guiano introduced SARAi and discussed its relevance to the agricultural sector of Sultan Kudarat, particularly in helping local farmers access science-based information and technologies.

“𝑊𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑠𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑒𝑡𝑠 𝑔𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑡𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑛𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑦 𝑚𝑒𝑒𝑡𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑜𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑤𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑎 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟, 𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑟, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑔𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟,” PD Guiano emphasized.

Following the introduction, 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐫. 𝐑𝐚𝐲 𝐈𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐫, SARAi Project Technical Specialist, presented an overview of the project, while 𝐌𝐫. 𝐀𝐛𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐫𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧 discussed its key components, applications, and potential benefits for local agricultural stakeholders.

The SARAi Project promotes the application of science, technology, and innovation in agriculture by providing science-based information and decision-support tools to help farmers, agricultural stakeholders, and local government units make informed decisions on crop production and farm management. Through the use of climate and crop-related data, the project seeks to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen resilience to climate variability, and encourage sustainable farming practices.

Designed for a three-year implementation period, the project will initially cover only three municipalities in Sultan Kudarat during its first year. In view of this limited initial coverage, the presentation also sought to explore possible funding assistance and partnership with the PLGU to expand the project's reach to additional municipalities in the succeeding years.

The proposed collaboration underscores the importance of convergence between national government agencies and local government units in maximizing the reach and impact of science-based agricultural interventions. Through shared resources and complementary support, the partnership could enable more farming communities to benefit from climate-smart technologies and data-driven agricultural solutions.

The presentation to the provincial legislative body marks an initial step toward strengthening institutional partnerships for technology-driven agricultural development in Sultan Kudarat. Through continued coordination with the PLGU and other stakeholders, DOST XII and PSTO-SK aim to help build a more productive, climate-resilient, and sustainable agricultural sector in the province.

𝐊𝐚𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐬𝐲𝐨, 𝐀𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝐧𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐦𝐝𝐚𝐦 𝐬𝐚 𝐋𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐤𝐭𝐨𝐫.

DOST Philippines
DOST - Regional Operations
DOST XII - Department of Science and Technology - Region XII
Project SARAI Soccsksargen

08/10/2026

𝐏𝐒𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐱𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐒 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐍𝐀!

𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐀𝐍 𝐊𝐔𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓 — 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 — Maximizing field engagements to bring science, technology, and innovation services closer to communities, the Provincial Science and Technology Office–Sultan Kudarat (PSTO-SK) conducted two service activities in a single field visit—an orientation on DOST STARBOOKS at Esperanza National High School and a Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) for an agricultural machinery enterprise in Isulan.

Under the leadership of DOST SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Director 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐫. 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐲 𝐏. 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧, 𝐏𝐡𝐃, through PSTO-SK Provincial Director 𝐌𝐬. 𝐙𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝐃. 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐨, the PSTO-SK team first proceeded to Esperanza National High School for an orientation on the use of the DOST STARBOOKS.

𝐄𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐳𝐚 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐩𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭. The upgraded version provides learners and educators with enhanced access to science and technology information and educational resources through its offline digital library platform.

The activity was attended by faculty department heads, ICT coordinators, and school administrators. School Principal 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐞 𝐎. 𝐎𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐨, 𝐏𝐡𝐃, 𝐂𝐄𝐒 was represented by Assistant School Principal for JHS Academics 𝐌𝐫. 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐓. 𝐈𝐛𝐚ñ𝐞𝐳, with school librarian 𝐌𝐬. 𝐑𝐞𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐲𝐧 𝐅. 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐨𝐜𝐨 also participating in the activity.

PSTO-SK personnel provided hands-on guidance on navigating and accessing STARBOOKS, including its offline collection of science and technology resources covering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as livelihood and entrepreneurship materials.

𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐒, 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜- 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡-𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐲-𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐊𝐢𝐨𝐬𝐤 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, is a digital library initiative of the DOST–Science and Technology Information Institute (STII) designed to provide communities, particularly schools, with access to science and technology information even without an internet connection.

Following the STARBOOKS orientation, the team proceeded to Isulan for a 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 (𝐓𝐍𝐀) at 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐬 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠, owned by 𝐌𝐫. 𝐑𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐨 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐬.

The TNA serves as a preliminary step in the application for DOST’s 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐔𝐩𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 (𝐒𝐄𝐓𝐔𝐏). Through the assessment, the team identifies the enterprise’s technology gaps, operational requirements, and potential areas for technology upgrading to help improve productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness.

The back-to-back activities reflect PSTO-SK’s approach of maximizing field engagements to reach more stakeholders and deliver appropriate DOST services based on their respective needs—whether in education, information access, or enterprise technology upgrading.

𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒅 𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒕, 𝒕𝒘𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔—𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑫𝑶𝑺𝑻 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒂𝒏 𝑲𝒖𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒕.

DOST Philippines
DOST - Regional Operations
DOST XII - Department of Science and Technology - Region XII

23/09/2026

𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐗𝐈𝐈 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓-𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐂𝐒𝐊𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐍 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞!

“𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐷𝑎𝑡𝑎 𝑡𝑜 𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛: 𝐵𝑢𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑀𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝐿𝐺𝑈𝑠.”

𝐈𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐍, 𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐀𝐍 𝐊𝐔𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓 — The Department of Science and Technology SOCCSKSARGEN under the exemplary leadership of the 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐫. 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐲 𝐏. 𝐌𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧, 𝐏𝐡𝐃, through the Provincial Science and Technology Office of Sultan Kudarat (PSTO-SK) led by the 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐬. 𝐙𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝐃. 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐨, conducted a two-day 𝐔𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐔𝐀𝐓) for the 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓-𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐂𝐒𝐊𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐍 project on September 22–23, 2026, at the SP Hall, Provincial Capitol, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓-𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐂𝐒𝐊𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐍, 𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐂𝐒𝐊𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐍, is a DOST-supported project implemented in partnership with the University of the Philippines (UP) and local government units in the region. It adopts the 𝐋𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐒𝐎𝐃 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 to strengthen emergency reporting and response, incident management, public safety, data-driven decision-making, and digital public service delivery. The project covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani, as well as General Santos City.

The project combines digital systems, geospatial data, and capacity-building to help local governments improve coordination, respond to incidents more efficiently, and make informed decisions based on available data.

The two-day UAT was facilitated by 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 (𝐔𝐏), who guided participants through the system’s features, functions, and hands-on testing activities.The participants included representatives from the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) offices, Information Technology (IT) units, Municipal Health Offices (MHO), and Municipal Tourism Offices of different municipalities in the Province of Sultan Kudarat. Their participation provided sector-specific perspectives in testing the platform and identifying system requirements relevant to emergency response, information management, public health, tourism, and other local government services.

The activity opened with 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐨𝐧. 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐮 𝐏𝐚𝐱 𝐀𝐥𝐢 𝐒. 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐮, 𝐃𝐏𝐀, 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭 represented by the 𝐎𝐈𝐂 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐫. 𝐉𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐲 𝐂. 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠, who delivered the opening remarks and the full support to the program, followed by a message from PD Guiano. An introduction to LUNGSOD and the Connect-Command System followed.

On the first day, participants underwent 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭-𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 covering authentication, home, accounts, alerts, hotlines, RAI, emergency response (ER), and maps. The sessions also included workshops on accounts, hotlines, RAI, ER, maps, and the Learn More feature.

The second day focused on further 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭-𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬-𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬, covering link-ups, Citizen’s Charter, news and announcements, provincial profile, Contact Us, Learn More, Accounts Manager, Office Manager, and personalization.

Among the active participants was 𝐂𝐨𝐥. 𝐀𝐛𝐞 𝐆. 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚, 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐈𝐕 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫’𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 (𝐏𝐆𝐎), who raised questions and clarifications regarding SMART-ER SOCCSKSARGEN and the data provided by the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat prior to the UAT. His queries and suggestions were addressed by the training providers, while relevant inputs were documented for consideration in the succeeding stages of the project.

The UAT provided users with an opportunity to test the system based on actual operational requirements, identify areas for improvement, and provide feedback on its functionality and usability. Inputs gathered during the activity will contribute to the refinement and customization of the system prior to deployment. Similar UAT activities form part of the project’s continuing validation process across participating local government units.

The activity concluded with a discussion on data requests, preparations for deployment and turnover, and succeeding training activities.

𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐒𝐎𝐃 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦, 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐗𝐈𝐈 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦, 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐲 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐈𝐂 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫, 𝐌𝐫. 𝐉𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐲 𝐂. 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠, 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓-𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐂𝐒𝐊𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐍 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦. The visit underscored the importance of continued collaboration among the project partners and the PLGU in advancing digitalization and technology-enabled governance in the province.

The two-day activity marks another step toward the operationalization of SMART-ER SOCCSKSARGEN, as DOST, UP, and participating LGUs work together to ensure that the system is responsive to actual local government requirements and can support more coordinated and technology-enabled public service delivery.

Through SMART-ER SOCCSKSARGEN, DOST SOCCSKSARGEN and its partner institutions continue to support local governments in strengthening digital systems and data-driven approaches for more coordinated emergency management and responsive public service delivery across the region.

DOST Philippines
DOST - Regional Operations
DOST XII - Department of Science and Technology - Region XII

21/09/2026

𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐂𝐒𝐊𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐍 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐇𝐲𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐧!

𝐈𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐍, 𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐀𝐍 𝐊𝐔𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓 | 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 — The 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 - 𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐂𝐒𝐊𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐍, under the leadership of 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐫. 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐲 𝐏. 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧, 𝐏𝐡𝐃, through the 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭 (𝐏𝐒𝐓𝐎-𝐒𝐊) headed by 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐬. 𝐙𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝐃. 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐨, conducts 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐇𝐲𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 for Sari-sari Store vendors and NegoKart beneficiaries in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

The activity was held at the 𝐈𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐲𝐦𝐧𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐦 as part of the implementation of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed in 2025 between the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Isulan, DOST, and partner agencies.

More than hundred participants attended the training, with 𝟔𝟔 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐢-𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐬 participating in the morning session and 𝟔𝟒 𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 in the afternoon session. Both groups are beneficiaries of livelihood initiatives implemented by the LGU of Isulan under the leadership of 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐢 𝐑𝐢𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐌. 𝐒𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧.

The training focused on basic food hygiene practices applicable to food vending, including proper food handling, sanitation, and measures to help ensure the safety and quality of food products.

PD Guiano personally facilitated the lectures and emphasized the importance of observing proper hygiene and food safety practices in the preparation, handling, and selling of food.

The participants actively engaged in the discussions and activities, raising questions and sharing experiences related to their day-to-day food vending operations.

The training forms part of the continuing collaboration among DOST SOCCSKSARGEN, LGU Isulan, and partner agencies in providing technical assistance and capacity-building activities for local livelihood beneficiaries, particularly those engaged in food-related enterprises.

DOST Philippines
DOST - Regional Operations
DOST XII - Department of Science and Technology - Region XII

17/09/2026

𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐗𝐈𝐈 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐄𝐒 𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐢 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓-𝐅𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝟏𝟏 𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐏𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐀𝐍 𝐊𝐔𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓!

𝐴𝑑𝑣𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒-𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑎𝑔𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑠𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑡𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑛𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑦, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑜𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

𝐓𝐀𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘, 𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐀𝐍 𝐊𝐔𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐓 | 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 — The Department of Science and Technology-SOCCSKSARGEN, under the leadership of 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐫. 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐲 𝐏. 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧, 𝐏𝐡𝐃, through the Provincial Science and Technology Office of Sultan Kudarat (PSTO-SK) led by 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐬. 𝐙𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝐃. 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐨,, introduced the 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 (𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐢) 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 to 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟏𝟏 𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭 during an orientation held at Molave Events Place, Kalandagan, Tacurong City.

The activity, conducted in collaboration with the SARAi team headed by 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐫. 𝐀𝐛𝐝𝐮𝐥 𝐉𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐥 𝐃. 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧, brought together municipal agriculturists and information technology (IT) personnel to explore how science-based tools and digital technologies can support agricultural planning, crop management, and climate-risk preparedness.

The event was attended by 𝐈𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞-𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐧. 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐲. 𝐀𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐚 and 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐬. 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐚 𝐆. 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐝𝐨,alongside representatives from the participating municipalities.

The program commenced with opening remarks from PD Guiano, followed by an inspirational message from RD Malawan, delivered by Supervising Science Research Specialist 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐫. 𝐒𝐳𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐡 𝐒. 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐨.

𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐫. 𝐑𝐚𝐲 𝐈𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐫, Project team leader, presented an overview of the SARAi Project, while 𝐌𝐫. 𝐀𝐛𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐫𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧 provided an in-depth discussion of its key components, applications, and potential benefits for local agricultural stakeholders.

SARAi is a smart-farming initiative supported by DOST and led by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) in partnership with the DOST Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD). The project aims to help farmers and agricultural stakeholders manage climate-related risks and improve crop productivity through localized weather information, crop monitoring, and site-specific agricultural advisories.

Among the technologies and tools discussed were weather monitoring systems that utilize local weather stations and satellite data; CL-SEAMS, a mapping tool for assessing crop conditions and health; and SPIDTECH, a mobile application designed to assist in identifying plant diseases and insect pests through smartphone-based image analysis. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐬, 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐧, 𝐜𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐭, 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐚, 𝐜𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞, 𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐨, 𝐬𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐞, 𝐬𝐨𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐨.

Following the technical presentations, an open forum and discussion allowed participants to raise questions, clarify project components, and explore possible applications within their respective municipalities. The active participation of the attendees contributed to a deeper understanding of how SARAi technologies can complement existing agricultural programs and services.

The SARAi Project is set to run for four years, with participating municipalities scheduled for project implementation during designated years.

The activity concluded with a shared understanding of the importance of integrating science, technology, and innovation into local agricultural initiatives. Through SARAi, DOST XII and its partners continue to promote technology-driven approaches that can help strengthen agricultural resilience, support informed decision-making, and advance the modernization of farming in Sultan Kudarat.

𝐊𝐚𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐬𝐲𝐨, 𝐀𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝐧𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐦𝐝𝐚𝐦 𝐬𝐚 𝐋𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐤𝐭𝐨𝐫.

DOST Philippines
DOST - Regional Operations
DOST XII - Department of Science and Technology - Region
Project SARAI Soccsksargen

10/09/2026

𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐄𝐓𝐔𝐏 𝐏𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐒𝐊𝐂𝐕𝐈’𝐒 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐏 𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐈-𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐇𝐍𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐘!

On its 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓–𝐒𝐄𝐓𝐔𝐏 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦, 𝐒𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬, 𝐈𝐧𝐜. (𝐒𝐊𝐂𝐕𝐈) received a total assistance of ₱𝟐,𝟗𝟔𝟖,𝟎𝟎𝟎.𝟎𝟎 for the acquisition of an 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞—an advanced technology equipped with high-resolution cameras, sensors, and artificial intelligence that automatically detects and removes defective, discolored, insect-damaged, and foreign materials from coffee beans.

With a sorting capacity of 𝟑𝟎𝟎 𝐭𝐨 𝟔𝟎𝟎 𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫, the machine significantly enhances SKCVI’s processing efficiency while ensuring more consistent quality and reducing post-harvest losses.

This milestone makes SKCVI the 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐲 𝐀𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠-𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲, marking a significant step in strengthening the local coffee industry. The innovation is expected to improve product quality and consistency while enabling the enterprise to meet the demands of both local and international markets.

More than an investment in equipment, the assistance represents DOST XII’s continuing commitment to 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨, 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 (𝐌𝐒𝐌𝐄𝐬) 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐒𝐓𝐈)— helping local businesses improve productivity, create opportunities, and achieve sustainable growth.

Under the leadership of the 𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐗𝐈𝐈’𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐫. 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐲 𝐏. 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧, 𝐏𝐡𝐃, through the PSTO Sultan Kudarat led by the 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐬. 𝐙𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝐃. 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐨, the Department remains a steadfast partner of local enterprises in turning technology into tangible gains for businesses and communities—𝐀𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐦 𝐧𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐦𝐝𝐚𝐦.

DOST Philippines
DOST - Regional Operations
DOST XII - Department of Science and Technology - Region XII