The Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT) is taking a bold step to transform Caraga into a future hub for silk and textile innovation after strengthening ties with the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI). 

Led by College President Dr. Joy Capistrano, the ASSCAT delegation’s visit to PTRI signals more than academic collaboration—it is a push to create new livelihood opportunities for Caraga farmers through sericulture, empower local weaving communities with value-adding technologies, and open doors for the region’s silk to compete in the global textile market. 

With PTRI’s cutting-edge research and facilities showcasing world-class fabrics and sustainable fiber technologies, the partnership underscores how science and culture can merge to drive inclusive growth, turning Caraga’s raw resources into industries that uplift communities, generate jobs, and place the region on the map of Philippine textile innovation.