The Departments of Architecture and Mechanical Engineering of the School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA) at Saint Louis University (SLU) visited St. Joseph Parish in Dalupirip, Itogon, Benguet, on 25 September 2026 for a Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA).
Findings from the 12 February 2026 Community Needs Assessment were presented. With waste management identified as a key concern, the Department of Mechanical Engineering joined the RRA to apply its technical expertise to the project. Ar. Benedict Y. Pagadut Jr. and Architecture faculty presented additional findings on livelihood and skills training, education, health, environment, and infrastructure.
The community named three primary priorities for the extension program. The first is infrastructure, which includes the design of a parish office and rectory, an extension of the sanctuary, the development or improvement of the gimong (small community chapels), and a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), which is the key area that the Department of Mechanical Engineering set out to explore. The second is youth formation, emphasizing youth empowerment, respect for elders, and the promotion of values and catechism. The third is sustainability, covering environmental and water protection, maximizing agricultural crops, and livelihood.
Conserving the Living Heritage of St. Joseph Church, Dalupirip
The Architecture Extension Program centers on St. Joseph Church, a structure with an estimated heritage age of about 116 years. Preserving it, therefore, matters for the structure and for the people who continue to use and value it. The program aims to document, assess, conserve, and appropriately develop the heritage structure and site. It will begin with documenting and creating an inventory of the existing heritage structure and assess its potential for future development. The project will then seek recognition from heritage agencies such as the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) or the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). A design or plan for a small gathering hall will be developed to address the need for an appropriate social space. Finally, it will conduct an impact assessment and present its historical findings, proposed infrastructure solutions, conservation mapping, and impact assessment results to the community.
Exploring a Community-Based Project on Environmental Concerns
Guided by the needs assessment, the Mechanical Engineering Department, led by Engr. Maurice Licdan and Engr. Maureen Abansi, accompanied the Architecture Department to Dalupirip to address the St. Joseph Parish community’s environmental concerns.
A focus group with the parish head and representatives of the gimongs helped identify specific areas for improvement and a discussion on possible extension projects.
The RRA advanced several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Skills training and livelihood support align with SDG 4 (Quality Education), Target 4.4, while converting waste and excess produce into income supports SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), Target 8.3. Documenting and conserving St. Joseph Church safeguards cultural heritage under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), Target 11.4. Waste reduction through recycling, segregation, and composting contributes to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), Target 12.5. Collaboration among university departments, the parish, and the gimongs reflects SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), Target 17.17. (Article and photos by Ar. Benedict Y. Pagadut Jr., Engr. Maureen Abansi)
