Innovation for the community: DOST launches SSCP in Balawag, Tabuk; locally made products showcased

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Smart and Sustainable Communities Program (SSCP) of the Department of Science and Technology was launched on March 25, 2026, in Barangay Balawag, highlighting local innovation and sustainable community development with a range of locally developed products showcased.

The SSCP is a flagship initiative of the , designed to transform Philippine local government units (LGUs) into resilient, technologically advanced, and inclusive communities. It focuses on deploying Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) solutions to improve local governance, sustainability, and quality of life.

During the launching event, some of the locally made products presented included Ground Robusta Coffee, Bugnay fruit wine, Bayas sugarcane wine, and Camote bread.

DOST-Kalinga Provincial Director Jasmin L. Donaal, in her talk, explained that the SSCP is a nationwide initiative of the DOST, implemented in collaboration with local government units and partner agencies.

Donaal added that Tabuk City was identified as the beneficiary of the SSCP in the province, noting that Barangays Balawag, Suyang, and Amlao were recently included as beneficiaries under the program.

“So daytuy launch tayo daytuy SSCP, maysa daytuy nga banner program ti DOST, so bale intero nga Pilipinas mai concduct daytoy, ngem kada probinsiya maysa lang nga municipality. So ditu Kalinga daytuy ngay ket dituy Tabuk City,” said Donaal.

Donaal also explained that each agency involved in the project has its own mandated roles and corresponding contributions. She emphasized that while DOST cannot provide infrastructure projects, it will support the initiative through equipment, training, and laboratory analysis.

“for DOST, ti mabalin nga itulong mi ket dagiyay equipments, jay laboratory analysis. Isu nga adda ti alcohol content dagiyay wine tayo…dagijay design and packaging, dagijay apo ti mabalin mai paay ti DOST, so haan po nga maited met ti DOST ti infra, haan kami maka ited ti buildings or lugan ngem isu met suposupan dagituy other agencies,” she added.

Meanwhile, the event gathered various stakeholders, including DOST-Kalinga Provincial Director Jasmin L. Donaal and Supervising Science Research Specialist Dexy M. Catacutan, Department of Trade and Industry Provincial Director Renie Ramos, Barangay Captain Jerry G. Donga, representatives from the Tabuk City LGU, the Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk, Caritas Philippines, and Caritas Spain.