30/10/2025
𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗘𝗡𝗚 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗠 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗩𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
A proposed ordinance authored by Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President John Rhey Mananeng seeks to establish the Baguio City research Grant Program to support qualified residents in conducting studies that address the city’s urban, environmental, and cultural challenges.
Under the proposed measure, the city government will institutionalize the said program to fund research projects relevant to local development priorities. The program will support studies in areas such as urban planning, climate change adaptation, indigenous knowledge systems, education, health, environmental conservation, tourism, and economic development. Grant amounts will range from P50,000.00 to P200,000.00 per approved proposal, depending on scope, duration, and impact.
A Baguio City Research Grant Committee (BCRGC) will be created to oversee the program. It will be chaired by the City Planning, Development, and Sustainability Coordinator and composed of representatives from the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, Baguio City Council, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the City Budget Office, academic institutions, and civil society organizations (CSOs).
The BCRGC will be responsible for issuing guidelines, evaluating proposals, recommending qualified applicants for funding, monitoring implementation, and submitting annual reports to the city council.
Qualified applicants are bona fide Baguio residents of at least two years who are undergraduate or graduate students, faculty members, affiliated researchers, community-based organizations with research capacity, and independent researchers with published works. Proponents must submit a complete proposal with objectives, methodology, timeline, budget, and relevance to the city’s development.
The program will open calls for proposals twice a year, with the CPDSO facilitating the application process. Approved grantees will sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the city government and must submit periodic progress reports and a final research output. Outstanding research outputs may receive additional recognition, publication opportunities, or consideration for policy integration.
The city will allocate P2 million from the General Fund for the initial implementation of the program. Subsequent funding will be included in the annual budget to ensure the sustainability of the program and continued support for innovation and evidence-based governance.
The proposed ordinance has been approved on first reading by the city council and referred to the Committee on Education, ICT, and Non-IP Culture and Historical Research for review. -Jordan G. Habbiling