In a powerful demonstration of civic-academic synergy, Saint Louis University (SLU) representatives joined Baguio City Local Government leaders, academic staff, and eco-entrepreneurs for a high-stakes alignment meeting on business incubation. Held on 11 June 2026 at the Baguio City Local Government Multi-Purpose Hall, the two-hour summit marked a decisive step toward transforming local research into actionable, real-world solutions for the Summer Capital.
The SLU delegation included SLU Research, Innovation, and Sustainable Extension (RISE) Center Director Richel Lamadrid, PhD, Innovation Technology Transfer Officer (RISE Center) Engr. Melissa May Boado, School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA) Faculty member Engr. Maria Corazon Ocampo who are all key figures in the university’s business incubation efforts.
The afternoon commenced with a compelling opening address by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who challenged the attendees to bridge the distance between academic theory and urban practice. “We must harness innovation to address our most pressing, immediate challenges and directly elevate the quality of life for every resident in Baguio,” Magalong urged.
The Mayor specifically highlighted critical environmental pain points that demand creative technological interventions, such as:
- Solid Waste Management: Overcoming the logistical and ecological burdens of urban waste.
- Arbor Vitality: Preserving and monitoring the health of the city’s iconic, aging pine trees.
- River Rehabilitation: Engineering smart solutions to clear and revive Baguio’s vital waterways.
Providing the structural backbone for this vision, former City Councilor Honorable Levy Lloyd Orcales presented Ordinance No. 063-2023. This landmark legislation officially establishes the Baguio City Research & Innovation Alliance, affectionately dubbed “Incubator Baguio.” Orcales walked the delegation through the ordinance’s core mandate: creating a collaborative ecosystem in which academia, the private sector, and local government co-develop solutions, ensuring that local startups receive the regulatory and structural support needed to thrive.
The highlight of the event was a showcase of five trailblazing startups nurtured by the UP SILBI (Social Innovation Laboratory and Business Incubator) program. Mayor Magalong personally interviewed the founders, diving deep into their business models and operational roadblocks:
Startup & Core Focus & Innovation
- Ausculcate- Proudly representing SLU, specializing in tech-driven medical/diagnostic innovations.
- Grounded- Developing sustainable agricultural or eco-focused community solutions.
- EcoVerde- Engineering green technologies specifically targeting waste and sustainability.
- Tasarap- Innovating within the local food technology or sustainable agribusiness sector.
- AI Core- Utilizing artificial intelligence to optimize urban systems and data management.
While the showcase highlighted immense potential, Architect Donna Tabangin, the City Planning Development and Sustainable Coordinator, provided a realistic look at the road ahead. Tabangin candidly outlined the systemic gaps currently hindering local innovators, emphasizing the urgent need for robust Intellectual Property (IP) protection and accessible seed funding to help startups survive the volatile early stages of development.
These targeted interventions in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), these are not isolated projects; they are foundational pillars of Baguio 2043—the City’s long-term master plan to evolve into a thoroughly liveable, inclusive, and creative smart city. By alignment initiatives like this, Baguio City and institutions like SLU are ensuring the future of the mountain metropolis is not just imagined, but actively built. (Article and Photos by the SLU RISE Center)
