09/09/2026
๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ง ๐๐๐ฒ๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ฆ๐ฒ ๐๐ง๐ฏ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte โ September 7, 2026.
A stronger convergence among government, academe, research institutions, enterprises, and investors is taking shape as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), DOST Provincial Science and Technology Office (DOST-PSTO) of Southern Leyte, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Local Government Unit of Maasin convened at the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) to coordinate for the proposed EU-Philippines Green Economy Partnership โ Science, Technology and Innovation & Circular Economy Investment Summit 2026.
The initial coordination meeting brought together Ms. Leah Payud, LGU and stakeholder coordinator from the UNDP Office; Engr. Florence Bataluna, OIC-CENR Officer of CENRO Maasin; Mr. Servando Acedo and Mr. Bonifacio Polinar of CENRO Maasin; Dr. Ramil Uy, Provincial Director of DOST-PSTO Southern Leyte; Mr. Emmanuel Lagdamen and Ms. Hazelyn Avila of PSTO Southern Leyte; and Mr. Benjase Lumen, ICO-City ENRM Officer of LGU Maasin.
The proposed summit is envisioned as a province-wide investment and convergence platform that will connect the province's science, technology, innovation, environmental, and economic development priorities with available technologies, research outputs, enterprises, and investment opportunities.
It is expected to bring together all 19 LGUs of Southern Leyte, national government agencies, State Universities and Colleges, DOST research and development institutions, MSMEs, investors, technology generators, and development partners to identify key investment and collaboration opportunities where science and technology can address local needs while creating viable economic ventures.
A key focus of the discussions was how the summit can move STI initiatives beyond technology showcasing and toward technology adoption, commercialization, investment matching, and enterprise development. By connecting technology generators with potential adopters, entrepreneurs, and investors, the initiative seeks to create pathways for promising innovations to be translated into productive and sustainable economic activities.
The summit would highlight circular economy principles that promote more efficient use of resources, waste reduction, reuse and recovery, and the development of sustainable products and enterprises. These approaches can open new opportunities for MSMEs while supporting environmental protection and building more resilient local economies.
PSTO Southern Leyte presented the proposed framework and proposed activities for the summit, including the promotion of at least 10 technologies with commercialization potential, establishment of a Provincial Technology Investment Directory, technology-transfer and investment-matching sessions, and the recognition and promotion of circular economy approaches.
The meeting likewise examined the logistical, financial, management, risk, monitoring, and sustainability considerations necessary to ensure that the initiative generates outcomes that extend beyond the summit itself.
Ultimately, the proposed convergence aims to establish a more coordinated STI investment ecosystem for Southern Leyteโone where LGUs identify development opportunities, government agencies provide enabling support, research institutions and academe contribute technologies and expertise, MSMEs drive application and commercialization, and investors help scale viable innovations.
Through this collaborative approach, Southern Leyte seeks to harness science, technology, and innovation as catalysts for sustainable economic growth, directing partnerships and investments toward technologies and enterprises that can strengthen local industries, improve resource efficiency, strengthen circular economy principles, and generate lasting benefits for communities across the province of Southern Leyte.
