GRIND program takes spotlight in Davao Sur college roadshow

THE DEPARTMENT of Science and Technology XI neering program that aims to empower marginalized communities by developing and strengthening its existing Grassroots Innovations through a series of S&T interventions.

Davao del Sur and the Davao del Sur State College (DSSC), hosted a roadshow to showcase the Grassroots Innovation for Inclusive Development (GRIND) program last February 14, 2023.

The roadshow kicked regional director Noel Ajoc provided in-depth inforprogram and shared success stories of Mindanao’s grassroots innovators.

The roadshow also exhibited interactive displays showcasing grassroots in- novations such as tribal dresses and beadworks from tribal communities in

In a statement, PSTOlie Cancio emphasized the importance of the roadshow program to inspire and encourage more communities to take advantage of the opportunities available to them through their communityled innovations.

She also expressed gratitude for the support from various institutions and agencies and the participation of grassroots also hopes to build on this momentum to promote inclusive development for all through Science and Technology. through a project entitled "Mainstreaming the Sur State College."

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday welcomed the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), citing its importance in fending off cyber attacks on energy infrastructure.

Monday’s signing is a continuing effort of the country to protect itself against any cyber attacks, Marcos said in his speech during the event held at Malacañan Palace.

Since the NGCP is in charge of a very critical aspect of the daily lives of Filipinos, Marcos said when it comes to war strategy, “we do – we conduct our wars in the same manner that we conduct our business.”

The President raised the parallelism between the previous global wars and industrial development at the time with the current advancements in business through cyberspace.

“And that is why we are continuing to shore up our defenses when it comes to cybersecurity,” Marcos said.

“And since NGCP is a critical part of our security, of our ability to continue to function as a society, then this is an important day because now we have made more robust the defenses against any possible attacks on our power systems,” he added.

Marcos said the MOU signing is a very good step as the country develops its cyber systems to secure collected data and information and prevent external actors from using them against the Philippines.

Under the MOU, NICA is tasked with integrating collected intelligence informa- tion from various government instrumentalities, making an analysis, assessing the data and recommending actions in safeguarding NGCP’s transmission assets.

Conversely, the NGCP can share vital information on energy-related security issues and provide technical advice to the NICA.

Through the MOU, NICA commits to supply the NGCP with intelligence information to support the protection of power transmission assets that NGCP operates and maintains across the country. In contrast, it commits to provide technical assistance to NICA to support and strengthen its cyber security capability.

The NGCP forged the MOU with NICA to effectively deal with attacks from lawless elements after experiencing sabotage and bombing incidents that injured its personnel and military escorts patrolling the transmission operator’s area of jurisdiction.

The NGCP is a privately owned corporation operating, maintaining, and developing the country's state-owned power grid. This interconnected system transmits gigawatts of power in thousands of volts from generators to consumers.

On the other hand, NICA is the primary intelligence gathering and analysis arm of the government, carrying out overt, covert, and clandestine intelligence activities.

NICA directs, coordinates, and integrates all government activities involving national intelligence and serves as the focal point for the preparation of intelligence data of local and foreign situations which serve as inputs and guides to the day-to-day decision and policy-making functions of the President as other entities. (PNA)