ILIGAN CITY (PIA) — Northern Mindanao held its fourth annual National Innovation Day celebration, known as the Northern Mindanao Regional Innovation Program and Exhibit (NorMinRIPE) 2025, on April 21–22 at Robinsons Iligan Atrium. This marks the first time the event was held outside Cagayan de Oro City.
With the theme “From Ideas to Impact: Empowering Filipinnovators for National Development,” the event brought together stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and the private sector to promote innovation in the region. The program was also streamed live on Facebook.
Iligan City Mayor and Regional Development Council Economic Development Committee Chairperson Frederick W. Siao emphasized the role of grassroots innovation in his opening remarks, noting the potential of micro-entrepreneurs when supported with resources and training.
“I believe that innovation should not be limited to big corporations or large industries. Innovation can start in small sari-sari stores, in kitchens, and in small tailoring shops. It can begin with you, our micro-entrepreneurs. Kita, mga gagmay nga mga negosyante… And with the right support, your ideas can truly create impact,” Siao remarked.
The event featured the inaugural Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE) Forum, led by the Iligan LGU, Department of Trade and Industry-Iligan, and Iligan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The forum covered BMBE registration, qualifications, and available incentives to support micro-business formalization and access to government assistance.
It also included the launch of three new facilities: the DTI Shared Service Facility for the Digital Creatives Innovation Hub, the Iligan Investment Incentives and Promotions Center Office, and the DOST-Assisted SMART Cities ILIGAN Command Center. These spaces served as vital hubs for innovation and growth, empowering the local creative industry, strengthening investor confidence, and advancing smart governance in the years to come.
Innovation Insight Sessions addressed topics such as innovation financing, and venture development, and featured the Filipinnovation Awards 2025 Mindanao Sub-National Competition. Presentations included projects such as the Earth Board, a coir-reinforced bio-based composite for structural use.
Local government units with innovative governance approaches based on the Innovation Pillar of the 2024 Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index were also recognized during the event’s Amihanang Mindanao Breakthrough Innovations and Technologies Awards. The awardees included Cagayan de Oro City as Most Innovative Highly Urbanized City; El Salvador City as Most Innovative Component City; Maramag, Bukidnon as Most Innovative 1st Class Municipality; Balingasag, Misamis Oriental as 2nd Class Municipality; Mambajao, Camiguin as 3rd Class Municipality; Salay, Misamis Oriental as 4th Class Municipality; Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte as 5th Class Municipality; and Del Monte Philippines, Inc. for the Innovation Investment Award.
As with previous Innovation Day celebrations, this year’s event included exhibits of products and technologies from various sectors, including government, startups, academic institutions, and private firms.
Iligan Chamber of Commerce President Reggie Punongbayan encouraged continued collaboration and innovation across communities and institutions. “As we close, let us not simply end an event, but ignite a movement. Let us carry this spirit of collaboration and innovation forward in our cities, schools, startups, and communities,” she said.
NorMinRIPE 2025 was organized by a technical working group composed of regional government agencies, private organizations, and academic institutions. Convenors included NEDA-X, DOST-10, DTI-10, DICT-X, LGU Iligan, and the Iligan and Cagayan de Oro Chambers of Commerce and Industry, with support from sponsors and exhibitors. (NEDA-10/PIA-10)
