Grassroots Communities in NCR Receive STI Tools from UNDP Philippines

The DOST-NCR and DOST-XI presided the turnover of equipment and materials that were funded by the United Nations Development Programme in the Philippines (UNDP Philippines) for the grassroots communities in Metro Manila last February 23, 2024 at the DOST Executive Lounge in Bicutan, City of Taguig.

The collaboration between DOST-NCR, DOST-XI, and various local organizations marks a significant milestone in DOST’s Grassroots Innovation for Inclusive Development (GRIND) Program. Through the support of the UNDP Philippines, S&T interventions were undertaken to address the unique needs and challenges of individual communities that have been identified during the GRIND SalikLakbay Solutions Mapping Initiative.

During the SalikLakbay, DOST-NCR and its partners from the Rizal Technological University, Virlanie Foundation, Inc., and the Public Employment Services Offices of Local Government Units were able to map out and identify Grassroots Innovations (GIs) from Pasig such as the Improvised Mushroom Bagging Machine, Mushroom Pasteurization Drum, Buggy and Dustpan ni Maria, and the Stainless Inoculating Rod, and from Quezon City such as the Floating Storage and the 3-in-1 Refurbishers.

The GRIND Program demonstrates a commitment to fostering inclusive growth and empowerment at the grassroots level. The procurement and turnover of equipment aims to scale up these grassroots innovations so that more will be able to use these innovations which they developed from the ground.

Through this initiative, communities in Quezon City and Pasig City manifest how they own their story of development and innovation. By scaling up their GIs, more will be able to use their homegrown developed tools and resources to address pressing challenges experience by them firsthand, in a way that is innovative, and at the same time, easy and practical.

By: Michaela Adrienne B. Canicula