Cagayan de Oro City — A big step forward for local silk innovation: during the recently held Philippine Silk Industry Summit, ASSCAT was announced as the future home of a Silk Innovation Hub, set to rise by 2025.

College President Dr. Joy C. Capistrano took part in the summit as a panelist during the stakeholders’ forum, where she was joined by Dr. Ferdinand Dumalagan, ASSCAT’s Director for Innovation Development. Together, they highlighted the need for stronger collaboration across sectors to improve silk production, research, and tech adoption—especially in the countryside.

The event, hosted by DOST–Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI), gathered an exciting mix of voices: fashion designers, cocoon farmers, weavers, mulberry growers, industry partners like Bayo and Onesimus, and advocates from the academe. Senator Nancy Binay gave the keynote speech, reaffirming support for local textiles, while Cong. Bambie Emano welcomed delegates to the region.

For ASSCAT, the upcoming Silk Innovation Hub isn’t just about research—it’s about empowering communities, celebrating local heritage, and threading innovation into the future of Philippine silk.