Japanese First Secretary Isowa Koji recently attended the PinaSIKLab (Pilipinas Social Innovation for Kabataan Lab) Baguio 2026: Local Youth Innovation Challenge alongside Baguio City Councilor Vladimir ‘Tangguyob’ Diamsay Cayabas and University of the Cordilleras Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Institutional Planning Dr. Thelma D. Palaoag in Baguio City.
Organized by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and supported by the Japan-UNDP Partnership Fund, PinaSIKLab is a collaborative social innovation challenge that empowers young people to identify local development issues and co-create sustainable, community-driven solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
During the event, about 160 partipating youth from the BLISTT (Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay) area were divided into 30 teams to develop innovative, inclusive, and technology-enabled solutions to priority challenges identified in the Baguio City Research and Innovation Agenda.
Isowa described the youth as “crucial changemakers of today, with the creativity and leadership needed to tackle complex development challenges.”
“As we celebrate 70 years of Japan-Philippines relations, we hope that the bonds forged here will spark a lifetime of innovation and friendship,” he added.
While in Baguio, Isowa also visited the SIGLAT (Synergize, Innovation, and Gravitate Leadership Towards Adaptive Technologies)-Baguio Youth Innovation Hub , a safe, inclusive, and collaborative space operated by the City Planning, Development and Sustainability Office (CPDSO) of the Baguio City Government. He was introduced to advanced initiatives aimed at promoting innovation in Baguio City.Â
