DTI empowers student innovators to become tomorrow’s market leaders
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Surigao del Norte remains a proud partner of Surigao del Norte State University (SNSU) in turning today’s innovative students into tomorrow’s market leaders, during the highly anticipated WAVES Startup Challenge 4 (WSC4) Pitching Competition.
The event was a key highlight of the 1st LINGAS Summit 2026, capturing the vibrant energy of youth-led enterprise in the province. It also served as a steadfast commitment to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s mandate to foster local innovation and fuel grassroots entrepreneurship.
To ensure rigorous evaluation and provide valuable industry mentorship, DTI-Surigao del Norte’s very own Maria Malen C Galela served as a member of the esteemed panel of judges. The judging panel represented a powerful synergy between government, academia, and international industry leaders, featuring experts from DTI-Surigao del Norte (economic and business development perspective), DOST Surigao del Norte (Technical and technological viability validation), and APAC of GroupXS Solutions GmbH (Global market insights and scalability).
DTI Provincial Director Arnold Faelnar said this collaborative ecosystem underscores the shared mission of public and private sectors to nurture, mentor, and elevate the next generation of Surigaonon entrepreneurs.
He said the WSC4 Pitching Competition was more than just a contest; it was a showcase of evidence-based startup pitches, designed by students who dared to view local resources and community pain points through a commercial lens.
“By merging creativity with discipline, these student innovators presented forward-thinking business ventures that carry the potential to generate quality employment and sustainable jobs within the province, strengthen local industries by enhancing the value chains of agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing, and promote sustainable development aligning business goals with ecological and community longevity.” Dir. Faelnar said.
Out of the exceptional pool of brilliant minds, three startup concepts rose to the top for their remarkable ingenuity and market readiness, to name:
Champion: FERMENDY- Mainit Campus
1st Place: GreenFiber Park Siargao- Del Campus
2nd Place: Eco- Blend Innovation- Main Campus
Zion Alarca, one of the participants, thanked DTI-Surigao del Norte, the WAVES organisers, and SNSU mentors for believing in student innovators and giving them a platform to catch their own “wave.”
“DTI didn’t just judge our ideas; they genuinely empowered us. They made us feel like our voices and innovations actually matter in shaping the economic and technological future of our province,” Alarca said.
The students’ remarkable ideas, bold innovation, and tireless dedication truly stood out. They have proven that youth is no barrier to impact if they keep pushing boundaries, refining their models, and transforming these concepts into thriving, impactful ventures for the province.
DTI-Surigao del Norte extended its heartfelt congratulations to Surigao del Norte State University (SNSU), under the visionary leadership of University President Rowena A. Plando, for the stellar execution of the 1st LINGAS Summit.
This milestone event highlighted SNSU’s pivotal role as an incubator for future leaders and a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the region.
Meanwhile, SNSU takes LINGAS to mean: L for lifelong learning; I for impactful research and innovation; N for networking and nurtured community engagement; G for global engagement; A stands for academic and administrative excellence; and S for shared governance and student success. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte with a report from DTI-SDN)
