Cotabato City, BARMM — The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and Department of Science and Technology (DOST) launched the latter’s Grassroots Innovation for Inclusive Development (GRIND) Program in the Bangsamoro region on February 13-14, 2023, at Mall of Alnor Convention Center in this city.
The GRIND is a pioneering program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) that aims to empower marginalized communities by developing and strengthening its existing Grassroots Innovations (GIs) and establishing the program.
Present in the activity were MOST Minister Engr. Aida Silongan, DOST XI Regional Director Dr. Anthony Sales, DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Sancho Mabborang, DOST XII Regional Director Engr. Sammy Malawan, Grind Ambassador Kyle Douglas “Kulas” Jennermann, National Innovation Council Secretariat – NEDA Executive Director Diane Gail Maharjan, Deputy Minister Edsel Mohammad Jilhano, Bangsamoro Director-General Engr. Abdulrakman Asim, MOST Research and Development Services Director Nasrodin A. Buisan, Chief Science Research Specialist Engr. Jandatu Salik and other personnel from DOST and MOST.
In the opening activity, Minister Silongan welcomed the participants and said that this endeavor of collaborative efforts between stakeholders would identify the needs, issues, and opportunities of innovators in the grassroots communities by looking for solutions and possible S & T interventions.
“We are also excited to welcome all the participants of the SalikLakbay Solutions Mapping Trainer’sTrainer’s Training and Immersion in Cotabato City, for this will be a collaborative journey where participants will identify needs, issues, and opportunities by looking for solutions developed by the people,” Minister said.
She also added that the tripartite agreement of this program between the Department of Science and Technology would bring S & T closer to the margins, support the communities’ innovative ideas, and provide communities with the tools they need to achieve economic stability and growth.
“These efforts aim to support Indigenous Peoples and their communities, women, out-of-school youth, and common individuals at the community level such as farmers, fisherfolks, artisans, and others who lack experience in working in organized sectors or receiving formal sector assistance, but who have the potential to showcase their creativity and ingenuity in solving problems in their communities and making a positive impact on society as a whole,” Minister added.
On Day 1, the rationale of the activity, GRIND program orientation, use of the SalikLakbay Mobile Application, and presentation of the GRIND implementation framework and guidelines were presented and discussed.
The two-day SalikLakbay Solutions Mapping Trainer’s Training and Immersion were steered to identify GIs in the region. The Lakbayer, or solutions mapper, embarks on the journey of solutions mapping in grassroots communities around the country to identify the needs, issues, and opportunities by looking for solutions developed by the people and assess innovations for possible S & T interventions.
On the second day, the DOST and the MOST team went to communities in Maguindanao, specifically at Brgy. Bugawas, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte to conduct the SalikLakbay Solutions Mapping Immersion and create focus group discussion to identify needs and assessment for interventions.
The activity ended with an assessment from solutions mappers of the identified grassroots innovation in DOS, Maguindanao. DOST-XI shared that they will provide the summary of shortlisted innovations and turn-over to MOST-BARMM for possible S & T interventions, acquiring the DOST Grind Program.
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