Tagbilaran City, Bohol — As part of their ongoing Trade Techno Mission – Benchmarking Activity, the Nueva Vizcaya delegation visited the Bohol Island State University (BISU) Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab) on September 8, 2025, gaining first-hand exposure to innovation-driven initiatives that support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
FabLab Bohol Philippines, inaugurated on May 2, 2014, is recognized as the first Fabrication Laboratory in the Philippines. It stands as a flagship model for technological innovation and enterprise development, established through a collaborative project of four partner agencies: the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bohol Island State University (BISU), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The facility provides MSMEs, entrepreneurs, and students access to advanced equipment and digital tools that enable rapid prototyping, product development, and creative problem-solving. Since its inception, FabLab Bohol has become a catalyst for innovation, bridging academic research with enterprise applications.
Notably, FabLab Bohol hosted the inaugural FabLab Asian Network (FAN) Conference in May 2014, gathering participants from eight countries, 14 FabLabs, and over 200 delegates. This historic event positioned the Philippines as a hub for regional collaboration on digital fabrication and innovation. Today, FabLab Bohol is considered the “parent” of the growing FabLab movement in the country, nurturing a nationwide network of makerspaces that empower communities through creativity and technology.
For the Nueva Vizcaya delegation—composed of cooperative leaders, organizational representatives, and higher education officials—the visit underscored the importance of technology integration, innovation hubs, and academic-industry-government collaboration in strengthening MSME ecosystems. By drawing insights from FabLab Bohol’s pioneering role, the delegation aims to identify strategies that could be contextualized in Nueva Vizcaya to enhance entrepreneurship, instruction, and community extension programs.
This engagement also advances the delegation’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The benchmarking visit to BISU FabLab highlights how innovation-driven enterprises and academic collaborations can play a crucial role in fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
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