20/10/2026
๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐-๐๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ข๐๐๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐จ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฌ
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) introduced the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-funded Student-Based Incubation Program (SIBOL) at the Mid La Union Campus (MLUC) in the City of San Fernando, La Union, on September 29, 2026, to help students turn innovative ideas into technology-based startups.
The program, formally known as the Student-Based Incubation Program: Bridging Technology and Entrepreneurship by Optimizing Ideas to Leverage Start-up Development, provides students with access to mentorship, technical expertise, incubation facilities, prototyping support, intellectual property protection, and business development services.
CHED Regional Office I Director Dr. Cherrie Melanie Ancheta-Diego described SIBOL as an opportunity for students to demonstrate their creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills. She encouraged participants to use their experiences in the program to develop their capabilities and pursue ideas that could benefit society.
Vice President for Research, Extension, Commercialization and Innovation Dr. Angelina T. Gonzales, in her welcome address, emphasized the importance of providing students with the resources and guidance necessary to develop their ideas.
Using the growth of a seed as an analogy, Gonzales explained that potential alone cannot produce results without a suitable environment, proper care, and timely support.
MLUC Chancellor Dr. Alvin C. Malicdem, who represented University President Dr. Jaime I. Manuel Jr., likewise called for sustained institutional support for student innovators. He encouraged the university community to provide students with opportunities to explore ideas and develop practical solutions.
Meanwhile, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region I Assistant Regional Director Libunao, representing Regional Director Dr. Teresita P. Tabaog, emphasized the need to assess the value, benefits, and long-term usefulness of proposed technologies. The official encouraged students to consider these factors in developing solutions to identified needs.
SIBOL Project Leader Prof. Victoria N. Malaya presented the program's background and objectives, particularly its role in connecting technology development with entrepreneurship.
Project Manager Ms. Eden P. Borce led the symbolic launching ceremony, which used a growing tree to illustrate the program's innovation framework. The seeds represented student ideas; the roots, institutional resources and guidance; the trunk, SIBOL's support system; the branches, partnerships and opportunities; and the leaves, student innovators and emerging startups. The tree symbolized the university's envisioned innovation ecosystem.
During the afternoon orientation, Prof. Malaya discussed the program's incubation services, recruitment procedures, startup proposal screening and selection, mentorship, prototyping, intellectual property assistance, and business development opportunities.
Student participants also shared their proposed innovations and joined an open forum with prospective mentors to clarify the program's services and implementation.
Through SIBOL, DMMMSU aims to provide students with a pathway from conceptualization to startup development, with support for transforming promising ideas into technologies, products, and enterprises that address community needs. (By IML)
