The Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) took part in the first leg of DOST-MIMAROPA’s SalikLakbay Solutions Mapping and Immersion, held from October 17 to 18, 2024. The event, in collaboration with the Local Grassroots Technical Evaluation Committee (GITEC), gathered stakeholders from the academe, civil society organizations (CSOs), industry, media, and local government units (LGUs). 

Participants visited the Hanunuo Mangyan communities in Barangay Naibuan, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, and Barangay Panaytayan, Mansalay, as well as the Rural Improvement Club (RIC 4Ms) at the Gabutero Organic Farm Resort and Agricultural Training Institute in Barangay Labonan, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro.  

This initiative is part of the Grassroots Innovation for Inclusive Development (GRIND) Program of DOST, which seeks to identify existing grassroots innovations (GIs) within marginalized communities, particularly Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities.  

Furthermore, the activity aligns with DOST-PTRI’s efforts to strengthen regional textile engagement in the MIMAROPA region through its Creativity and Equity through Accelerated Textile Technology Engagement and Entrepreneurship for Vulnerable Sectors (CREATTEEVS) Project. 

The next leg of the SalikLakbay Solutions Mapping and Immersion is set to take place in Palawan.