The Cordillera State Institute of Technical Education (CSITE) of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority – Cordillera Administrative Region (TESDA-CAR) reinforced its role as the region’s technical higher vocational engine for innovation and emerging skills during the Cordinnovation 2026 Kapihan held on April 29, 2026, in Baguio City, organized by the Department of Science and Technology –CAR. CSITE Executive Director Daisy C. Bungallon was one of the panelists, presenting the institute’s initiatives to develop a skilled and innovation-ready workforce.
During the forum, TESDA-CSITE emphasized its ongoing transition toward developing “new-collar” professionals equipped with advanced technical competencies in design, prototyping, and modern production systems, in line with Industry 4.0 requirements.
Central to this initiative are Philippine Qualifications Framework Level 5 diploma programs, including the Diploma in Mechanical Manufacturing Technology and the Diploma in Electro-Mechanical Manufacturing Technology. These programs integrate mechatronics, industrial automation, and advanced CAD-CAM technologies to prepare graduates for leadership roles in modern production environments.
TESDA-CAR, through CSITE, is also set to conduct a nationwide Training of Trainers on collaborative robotics from May 25 to 28, 2026. The program aims to equip instructors with the capability to deploy and maintain collaborative robotic systems, supporting the integration of automation in the workforce.
CSITE’s Design-Fab Center continues to serve as an operational innovation hub, providing prototyping, fabrication, and technical consultancy services to local industries and entrepreneurs across the Cordillera. While the Regional Technical Innovation Center under the SIPTVETS program is currently in development, the Design-Fab Center already functions as a platform for standardizing innovation processes and strengthening technology transfer mechanisms in the region.
Through collaboration with partner agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Trade and Industry, and Department of Information and Communications Technology, CSITE supports a coordinated innovation ecosystem in the Cordillera.
These efforts aim to accelerate the commercialization of research outputs and deliver technical solutions to key sectors, including advanced manufacturing and high-value agriculture, with a target of expanding innovation-driven support across major industries in the region by 2027.
