26/05/2026
๐๐ญ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฌ, ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ง๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง: ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐โ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ค ๐๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐
๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐
The Department of Science and Technology โ SOCCSKSARGEN Region (DOST XII) through its Provincial Science and Technology Office โ South Cotabato headed by Provincial Director Giselle Eve O. Siladan, formally entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Project Likhaan in a significant step toward advancing innovation, creativity, and science-driven development in the region.
The partnership was established in collaboration with Ms. Isis Umali, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Likhaan, with Dr. Sammy P. Malawan serving as the official signatory for DOST XII and Provincial Director Giselle Eve O. Siladan as witness to the agreement. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to empowering Filipino creators through technology, innovation, and inclusive digital transformation initiatives.
At the center of the partnership is the project entitled, โLikhaan 18-82-1: Digital Transformation and Market Validation of Likhaan: A Comprehensive Platform for Empowering Filipino Creators.โ Supported under the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) Startup Grant Fund (SGF) Program, the initiative aims to establish a unified digital platform that connects Filipino creators from all regions and provinces, enabling them to showcase their products, expand market access, and strengthen the visibility of Philippine culture, creativity, and craftsmanship.
The project serves as a bold and innovative step toward bridging traditional artistry with modern digital opportunities. Through the platform, local creators and cultural communities will gain access to wider audiences, enhanced market opportunities, and tools that support sustainable creative enterprises in the digital economy.
To bring the initiative into action, pilot implementation sites have been identified in Quezon City, Marikina, Baguio, Cebu, and Lake Sebu. These communities will serve as dynamic hubs for testing and validating the platformโs impact, strengthening market readiness, and fostering deeper community engagement among local creators and stakeholders.
Among the pilot sites, Lake Sebu was intentionally chosen because of its rich cultural heritage and strong tradition of indigenous artistry, particularly the internationally recognized Tโnalak weaving of the Tโboli people. Known for its intricate, dream-inspired patterns and deep cultural symbolism, Tโnalak represents the richness of Filipino identity and creativity that Likhaan seeks to celebrate and elevate.
By including Lake Sebu in the initiative, the project highlights the importance of preserving indigenous knowledge systems and traditional craftsmanship while embracing technological advancement. The partnership demonstrates how culture and innovation can work hand in hand, ensuring that Filipino heritage continues to thrive and evolve in the modern digital landscape.