ILIGAN CITY--The Department of Science and Technology-Lanao del Norte (DOST-LDN) and the Innovation thru Leveraging Industry, Government, Academe Networks and inclusive Community Engagements (ILIGANiCE) team conducted a site inspection at Sikyop, Sitio Lawlawon, Barangay Rogongon, this city, on January 14, 2022, to identify possible science and technology (Sci-Tech) interventions for the development of the area.

Barangay Rogongon is the largest hinterland barangay of the City in land area and serves as a border between Lanao del Norte and its neighboring provinces namely Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, and Lanao del Sur. It is an identified Convergence Areas for Peace and Development (CAPDev) area due to the insurgent activities of the New Peoples Army (NPA) that hindered peace and poverty alleviation among the Higaonon Tribe and other Indigenous People. The barangay is also a Geographically-Isolated and Disadvantaged Area (GIDA) being at least 40 kilometers from the city proper.

The team for ILIGANiCE, a program funded by DOST Region 10 and implemented by Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, initiated the planning meeting and site inspection with Sikyop Agriculture Cooperative to explore options for collaboration and initially assess the technology needs of the community.

Arising from the meeting, the identified potential areas for innovation include the Tanglad Juice Production and Taro Processing of Sikyop Agriculture Cooperative, the Bamboo Handicrafts of NPA surrenderers, and the Agricultural Tourism within site.

All parties involved in the project will conduct further planning activities and technology-needs assessments to refine the Sci-Tech interventions for the barangay. (DOST-Lanao del Norte)