USTP Claveria leads Academe-Industry partnership to boost S&T park Agropolis growth
By Mary Loren J. Cloma, RAgr, Admin. Aide III, OVCSAS/StratComm and Geradine M Tagalog, Instructor 1, USTP Claveria
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In attaining a strategic future on the establishment of the USTP Science and Technology Parks (S&T Park), the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines in Claveria, Misamis Oriental (USTP Claveria) held the Showing Futures: A Roadmap for Sustainable Innovation in Agropolis on August 19–20, 2025, at the Administration Building Function Hall, USTP Claveria. The event brought together stakeholders, government agencies, industry partners, faculty, students, and community representatives to collaboratively shape the future of the S&T Park Agropolis.
The Showing Futures: A Roadmap for Sustainable Innovation in Agropolis consists of discussions, workshops, hackathons, and pitching competitions, which are crucial in advancing the plans to establish the S&T Park Agropolis formally.
Engr. Reuel C. Pallugna, General Manager of the Science and Technology (S&T) Park, officially opened the workshop, expressing gratitude to the stakeholders and participants for their commitment to collaborating on the plans for the S&T Park.
Meanwhile, Mr. Clint Django G. Pacana, S&T Park Manager, provided key updates, highlighting Claveria’s significance as the “food basket” of Misamis Oriental. He emphasized the importance of integrated development planning and discussed the Agila–Agropolis–Villanueva Innovation Triangle, as well as the need for collaborations with government agencies. Additionally, he raised the importance of renewable energy initiatives and encouraged USTP Claveria to solidify its contributions to the success of Agropolis.
Day 1: Master Planning Workshop
Ar. Mark Rollan Decastro, President of ENPRAXIS and the Data Center Association of the Philippines (DCAP), led a workshop on the first day. The workshop featured presentations and group activities, dividing participants into four sectors: Agricultural Research & Extension, Agro-Tourism & Cultural Heritage, Energy, Water & Climate, and Tech Integration (including Smart Farming, IoT, and R&D Hubs).
During the sessions, participants reflected on the reasons why many initiatives fail. They identified issues such as cultural mindsets, lack of empathy, poor implementation, and disconnection between planners and communities. Ar. Decastro stressed the importance of foresight, collaboration, and empathy as crucial foundations for achieving long-term innovation.
Using Agenda, Crisis, and Commitment Mapping, each group identified challenges and proposed future-oriented solutions. The sessions also included Futures Thinking and Vision Alignment, where participants envisioned headlines for the year 2040. Additionally, the Assets and Constraints Mapping activity highlighted barriers such as funding limitations, market instability, and gaps between producers and markets.
The first day also includes student engagement through a series of pitching presentations wherein student leaders and Bachelor of Science in Architecture (BSA) majors joined the sessions, adding new perspectives. Notably, USTP student innovators shared a Blue Light Trapper technology for pest management, though funding and stakeholder support remain barriers.
Among the proposed solutions were:
- A one-stop hub for student research and expert consultations.
- Policies bridging farmers and government support.
- An Agropolis community model addressing housing, transport, market stability, and connectivity.
- Networked Urban Agro-Aquatic Systems, featuring aquaponics, greenhouse innovations, IoT integration, and a digital “bagsakan” market.
Day 2: Hackathon and Pitching Session
Ar. Castro continued to lead the second day of the hackathon and pitching sessions, during which two groups of aspiring young innovators presented their ideas. Team Agri-Innovators, comprised of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture students, showcased their concept. Team Iragitech, made up of students from the College of Engineering and Technology, presented their proposal, which sparked a discussion about implementation strategies.
Mr. Stanley Caballero expressed his gratitude during his message. He reminded the students that a strong vision must be accompanied by decisive action and a sense of urgency. He encouraged them to seize opportunities as they arise. In his closing remarks, he emphasized that Agropolis’s vision requires collective responsibility, collaboration, and active participation from stakeholders, faculty, and students to turn plans into tangible outcomes.
The two-day program showcased USTP’s dedication to establishing Claveria as a center for sustainable innovation and food security. By incorporating research, technology, cultural heritage, renewable energy, and youth engagement, Agropolis is actively building a resilient and future-ready agricultural ecosystem.
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