The name, Dalan Ni Taltallak, conjoins three local terms in the Cordillera region: “Dalan,” “Ni,” and “Taltallak.” As a verb, “Dalan” means traveling on foot or walking. It is an Ifugao and Ilokano phrase for “way or trail” “Taltallak” is an Ifugao and Kankanaey phrase that refers to the wooden bicycles developed by indigenous peoples in the Ifugao Province as a mode of access or transportation within the community. “Ni” is an Ibaloi term that translates to the English preposition “of.” It represents low-carbon transportation that was built and operated with the use of both indigenous and scientific knowledge. As a result, “Dalan Ni Taltallak” can be translated as “developing access to or paving the way for low carbon transportation.”
As member universities of Dalan Ni Taltallak, the Baguio Consortium for Low Carbon Transportation research and innovation, Saint Louis University, University of Baguio, and University of the Cordilleras signed a Memorandum of Agreement on November 25, 2022 for environmental protection and transportation research with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the City Government of Baguio, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The MOA signing was conducted at Gevers Hall, Saint Louis University.
The agreement was signed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong, the Local Government of Baguio; Secretary Jaime Bautista of the Department of Transportation (DOTr); SLU President Rev. Fr. Gilbert Sales represented by Executive Assistant to the SLU President Dr. Joselito Gutierrez; University of Baguio President Engr. Javier Herminio Bautista; University of the Cordilleras President Dr. Nancy M. Flores represented by the Executive Director of the Research Services Office Engr. Nathaniel Vincent A. Lubrica. Deputy Resident Representative Mr. Edwine Carrie represented the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Other agencies represented in the ceremonial signing include Department of Energy, the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Transportation-CAR, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-CAR, Benguet Electric Cooperative, CHED-CAR, DOST-CAR, NEDA-CAR, and Baguio Federation of Transport Cooperatives.
SLU as Consortium Member of Dalan ni Taltallak: Committed to Low-Carbon Transport Research and Innovation
According to DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista, the MOA aims to promote low-carbon transport research and innovation in the Philippines.“The DOTr is pursuing research-based solutions, evidence-based policies, and continuous improvement of the department’s monitoring schemes to improve projects,” Secretary Bautista said. He further noted that the agreement “shall become a proof-of-concept collaboration between(the) national government agency, local government unit, and the academe.”
The MOA calls for the coordination of research and innovation projects between the DOTr and Baguio City that may be adopted on a national level. More specifically, it aims to facilitate research and development of low-carbon mode of transportation to mitigate the environmental impacts of greenhouse gas and work towards finding data-based solutions for lowering emissions.
In keeping with the goals of this envisioned Centre of Excellence for the Low Carbon Urban Transport Systems in the Philippines (LCT) Project, Dalan Ni Taltallak was born in Baguio City. The Dalan Ni Taltallak is a consortium for low-carbon transportation research and innovation by three major universities in the city: Saint Louis University, the University of Baguio, and the University of the Cordilleras.
These universities have existing research and innovation hubs under their respective Schools of Engineering and Architecture. These research and innovation hubs are supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The research and innovation hubs are mainly focused on producing proto-type engineering products for small and medium business enterprises.
LOOK: MOA Signing and Dalan Ni Taltallak Launching Highlights captured by Mr. Josef Lopez
