Smart Agri Solutions Reaches Carmen, Cotabato Through DOST SOCCSKSARGEN’s Project SARAi

Bicutan, Taguig City — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in partnership with key leaders in the Philippine esports and digital innovation sectors, has officially announced a major expansion of ENTER BATTLE ZONE 2026, introducing SALPAKAN (Games of the General) and Vi the Game alongside its flagship Mobile Legends National Tournament – Road to the World Cup.

The announcement was made during a high-level meeting at DOST Bicutan led by DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang, with participation from Chairman Francisco “Popoy” Pagayon (FISMPC–CINCO), Chairman Reynaldo Sanches (ESWF–CINCO), ESWF President Arniel Guttierez, and Henry V. Bayubay, President and CEO of BB 88 Advertising and Digital Solutions Inc. Officers from DOST–CINCO and the Vi the Game Group were also present.

Building a Broader, Homegrown Esports Ecosystem

The inclusion of SALPAKAN, a strategy- and leadership-driven competition, and Vi the Game, an emerging digital platform designed for competitive and educational engagement, transforms ENTER BATTLE ZONE 2026 into a multi-genre national esports movement.

This expansion highlights the shared commitment of organizers and DOST to support both globally recognized esports titles and Filipino-developed game concepts, strengthening local innovation while sustaining international competitiveness.

“Esports is no longer limited to a single title. By integrating SALPAKAN and Vi the Game, we are building a uniquely Filipino esports ecosystem that values strategy, leadership, innovation, and inclusivity,” organizers said.

Three Competitive Pillars

Presented by BB 88 Advertising and Digital Solutions Inc., produced by CINCO Digital Inc. and the E-Sports World Federation (ESWF), and supported by DOST, ENTER BATTLE ZONE 2026 will feature three major competition pillars:

• Mobile Legends – Official pathway to the World Cup
• SALPAKAN (Games of the General) – Strategy, leadership, and tactical competition
• Vi the Game – Digital innovation, emerging gameplay, and youth engagement

Inclusive, Nationwide, and Innovation-Driven

ENTER BATTLE ZONE 2026 is inclusive by design, offering competition categories for Men, Women, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). With FREE entry, the tournament ensures nationwide accessibility and participation.

The event targets the mobilization of 1,200 teams across the Philippines, featuring three months of regional qualifiers leading to live national finals in March 2026.

Aligning Esports with DOST’s Digital Development Agenda

The expanded tournament supports DOST’s mandate to advance digital transformation, creative industries, and youth-led innovation. SALPAKAN and Vi the Game are recognized for promoting critical thinking, leadership, STEM-aligned competencies, and responsible digital engagement, helping prepare Filipino youth for the future workforce.

Beyond Competition: A National Digital Movement

With projected online viewership ranging from 1 to 5 million, ENTER BATTLE ZONE 2026 is positioned as a major national platform for esports and digital culture, generating:

• New digital and creative industry jobs
• Opportunities for Filipino game developers
• Youth leadership and skills development
• Strong national pride through global and homegrown competition

A Unified Vision for Philippine Esports

Stakeholders reaffirmed their shared commitment to building a sustainable, ethical, and globally competitive Philippine esports ecosystem, where international titles and Filipino-developed games coexist and thrive.

ENTER BATTLE ZONE 2026 is more than a tournament—it is a national movement that brings together technology, talent, culture, and innovation to propel the Philippines onto the global esports stage.

“ENTER BATTLE ZONE 2026 – Where the Philippines Enters the Global Arena”(NPO News Team)

With great pride, we congratulate Rigel R. Gomez, President of BauerTek Farmaceutical Technologies Corporation, on his recognition as a 2025 Asia’s Most Admirable Young Leaders Winner by the ACES Awards. This prestigious honor reflects his visionary leadership, passion for innovation, and significant impact on the pharmaceutical and scientific community.

Under his leadership, BauerTek has become a world-class research, development, and manufacturing facility in Bulacan, Philippines, recognized globally for excellence. Rigel is also one of the inventors of PiCur, the world’s most powerful anti-cancer supplement, awarded a Gold Medal at the ENNOVATE International Innovation and Invention Summit.

Recognized by Philippine government agencies and the Office of the President, BauerTek proudly represents Filipino innovation on the global stage. We are incredibly proud of you, Rigel!

Previous winners from the Philippines include Kelvin Lee, SEC commissioner, and Avin Ong, CEO of Fredley group of companies.

In its continuing efforts to promote smart and climate-resilient agricultural solutions, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) SOCCSKSARGEN, through Project SARAi (Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines), conducted an orientation for LGU Carmen Cotabato. The activity was graced by Honorable Mayor Rogelio Taliño, key LGU officials, and technical staff involved in agricultural planning and development.

Under the guidance of Regional Director Engr. Sammy P. Malawan, the Project SARAi team presented the project’s objectives, key features, and implementation mechanisms. The team also emphasized the project’s capacity-building component, which includes trainings, technical assistance, and continuous support for LGUs and other stakeholders.

DOST XII reaffirmed its commitment to expanding the implementation of Project SARAi across local government units in the region, noting the strong support of the Provincial Government of Cotabato under the leadership of Governor Emmylou Lala Taliño-Mendoza.

In addition to the SARAi orientation, the meeting also discussed the ongoing efforts to establish a Philippine Science High School (PSHS) campus in the Municipality of Carmen. The proposed establishment highlights the shared commitment of DOST and the LGU to advance science, technology, and innovation through quality science education, further supporting long-term human capital development in the area.

Amas, Kidapawan City / The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) SOCCSKSARGEN Project SARAi team, paid a courtesy visit to the Office of Vice Governor Rochella Marie Ella Taliño Taray, on January 12, 2026, at Amas, Kidapawan City. This is part of its continuing engagement with provincial and local leaders to strengthen science- and technology-driven agriculture in North Cotabato.

The discussion highlighted how Project SARAi—Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines—can support evidence-based planning and policy formulation for the province’s agricultural sector. The team shared how climate, crop, and data analytics generated by SARAi can be translated into practical tools that guide farmers and local decision-makers in improving productivity and climate resilience.

Vice Governor Taliño-Taray welcomed the initiative and stressed the importance of integrating smart agriculture solutions into provincial development programs, noting that access to timely and science-backed information is crucial in empowering farmers and safeguarding livelihoods amid changing climate conditions.

The meeting also opened discussions on the Knowledge, Innovation, Science and Technology (KIST) Park/Ecozone Program, emphasizing its potential role as a hub for agri-innovation, research collaboration, and technology commercialization in the province. North Cotabato’s participation in the KIST Park/Ecozone orientation held in June 2025 was cited as an initial step toward fostering an enabling environment for innovation-led growth.

The courtesy visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of DOST SOCCSKSARGEN, led by Regional Director Engr. Sammy P. Malawan, and the Provincial Government of Cotabato, headed by Governor Emmylou Lala Taliño-Mendoza, to advance sustainable agriculture and innovation through strategic partnerships and science-based solutions.

Continuing the momentum of the 2025 National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (NSTW) held in Laoag City, the Department of Science and Technology–Ilocos Region (DOST–Ilocos), in partnership with the Department of Education Region I, brought the MAGHANDA for Kids program to the 3rd Mangidaulo Rehiyon Uno: Regional Learners’ Convergence in Bolinao, Pangasinan. The program aimed to strengthen disaster risk reduction (DRR) awareness among young learners through age-appropriate, science-based discussions and hands-on activities.

During the morning sessions, experts from DOST–PAGASA engaged students in interactive lectures and workshops. Ms. Sharon Juliet M. Arruejo, Assistant Weather Specialist, led the session “Understanding Clouds: The Science Behind Fluffy Skies,” guiding learners through cloud formation and hands-on experiments that demonstrated how clouds are formed. She also facilitated “Storm Chaser 101: Unraveling the Secrets of Tropical Cyclones,” where students practiced basic typhoon tracking and learned how meteorologists monitor tropical storms.

Meanwhile, Engr. Richard C. Orendain, Weather Facilities Specialist III, conducted engaging lecture-workshops on flood dynamics and the water cycle. These included practical activities such as river transect walks, which illustrated how rainfall and river systems contribute to flooding. The exercises allowed students to apply scientific principles to real-world scenarios, deepening their understanding of hydrometeorological hazards.

Through these discussions and hands-on activities, student learners from Region I gained practical knowledge on disaster preparedness, climate science, and weather monitoring—equipping them with essential skills to better respond to natural hazards in their communities.(Lemuel Castigo)

La Carlota City, Philippines — The Hacienda Esperanza Communal Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association (HECARBA), Alter Trade Foundation Inc. (ATFI), and Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) entered into an agreement on Jan. 16, 2026,  to work together to operationalize a distributive renewable energy (RE) microsystems in their community in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental. The system is envisioned as a value chain to build a climate-resilient local economy.

“If we want a climate-resilient economy in the future, we must pursue a just transition to clean renewables. The rapid scaling up of renewable energy must redound to sustainable, resilient economic development. To get into this tract, value chains on clean, renewable, and sustainable local production and economy are very important drivers. This is happening now in Negros Occidental. The transition is not just to RE, but also to a society that protects and sustains both people and the planet,” said Ian Rivera, PMCJ national coordinator.

The Distributive RE Microsystems towards Community Empowerment through Resiliency Building Sustainable Production and Area Development Enterprise (DREM2CERSPADE) program will be realized and coursed through HECARBA farmers’ muscovado plant production. PMCJ and ATFI will help farmers secure funding and acquire the necessary technology for the project.

“Through a solar photovoltaic (PV) setup, HECARBA farmers will develop a democratically-owned, operated, and managed distributive RE microsystems in their muscovado plant. This off-grid system will be integrated into the community’s muscovado production, which has already been successful for decades in increasing the community’s incomes. However, livelihoods and incomes have been severely affected at the onset of the climate crisis. In our collective study, integrating clean energy and sustainable agricultural practices with the community’s existing economic enterprise is what DREM2CERSPADE is all about. This is integrating a new value chain to already successful practices of the farmers’ cooperative,” said Edwin Tesaluna, PMCJ senior RE officer.

In November 2025, Typhoon Tino ravaged the Visayas region and left 44 dead in Negros Occidental alone. More than 48 thousand houses were damaged in the province as well. 

“Thousands of families are still living in evacuation centers due to the June 2025 Kanlaon eruption and Typhoon Tino’s devastation. Now that we are experiencing rains from Typhoon Ada, our fear for the worst rises. Our community is aware of the exacerbating climate crisis as we experience livelihood loss, displacement, and other grim effects first-hand. As we learned how we can make a difference by improving our enterprise and empowering our farming community, we couldn’t be more thankful or determined. Let us work together for our common goal to fight for climate justice,” said Ka Lito Estama, HECARBA chairperson.

“ATFI and HECARBA have already demonstrated the success of the organic muscovado production in turning around the hapless socio-economic condition of the community due to the hacienda system of production. ATFI has developed a value chain for community empowerment through resilient, sustainable economic production and area development. This community-owned and managed socio-economic business model will integrate with a sustainable public-interest financial system to sustain DREM2CERSPADE and replicate it across more than 1,000 farmers’ cooperatives in Negros Occidental. The interesting point here is that the benefits of a public interest financial system owned by the community will help realize the agro-ecology of the area,” stressed Ted Lopez, ATFI executive director.

PMCJ and ATFI, with HECARBA, want to promote the project as a community-based RE and just transition model for grassroots resilience, to be replicated in many vulnerable rural communities across the country.

“We have started a partnership with local governments through a subnational strategy in shifting energy systems to clean renewables, and we are being confronted with the situation that there are thousands of marginalized communities in the Philippines, such as in the Bicol region, which are in the same situation as that in Negros Occidental. In partnership with these LGUs, we can hasten the transition of these communities. We are grateful to HECARBA for serving as the pilot area for popularizing this just transition program in the Negros Island region. We can’t wait to see this unfold,” said Rivera.