The Grassroots Innovation for Inclusive Development (GRIND) Program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region XI, through its PSTC Davao Occidental successfully conducted its first SalikLakbay Solutions Mapping Adventure in Davao Occidental in a Tagakaulo Community in Datu Danwata, Municipality of Malita on May 27, 2021.

A total of 24 participants, composed of stakeholders from academe, Tagakaulo community partners, and government sectors in the province, were able to discuss problems and solutions related to heirloom foods, ethnobotanicals and indigenous crafts, among others. During the engagement, the solutions mappers conducted a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) in which the participants gave their insights for the possible interventions to the identified grassroots innovations to address problems in the community.

One of the grassroots innovations discovered during the SalikLakbay is the “karang”, a wooden frame or prototype used by women in beads and necklace-making. Other innovations found were the different indigenous crafts such as the baskets made from “tungkayan”, a type of bamboo used as a raw material to create products such as baskets which comes in various designs crafted by women. The process involved dyeing of baskets that make these products unique. 

There were also ethnobotanicals found during the activity namely “takas”, and wild spinach or “sangig/bawing” among others. "Takas” is a plant of which roots are boiled and taken by people used to ease stomachache, gas spasm, and used for pregnant women. Women believes that “takas” can be the cure for the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, “sangig/bawing” is a type of plant widely used as a spice in soup and other viands. This plant gives off a soothing aroma which makes it a good agent for mint and can be dried. In Datu Danwata, these are used as cure to diseases such as headache and stomachache. These plants have addressed problems of the indigenous people in the community particularly health related illnesses. The unique potential of these plants can be analyzed in the laboratory to determine its medicinal value.

“Lolot”, a bamboo-cooked food of the natives, was also found during the SalikLakbay. The shelf life of this heirloom recipe and its ingredients can be tested through the GRIND Program.

On the same day, the cutting of ribbon for the Datu Danwata Women’s Association’s (DDWA) –Training Center was also held, headed by its President, Mrs. Jean Seekins Bautista. The said training center was eyed to be the Community-Led Innovation Center (CLIC) in Davao Occidental under the GRIND Program. The CLIC will serve as the center for research and development activities to develop the capacity of the people in the community.

DOST XI S&T Promotion