Fablab Caraga

FABLAB Caraga is a technology-driven prototyping space for invention and product innovation to open vast opportunities for makers and technopreneurs. FABLAB Caraga is a platform for skills learning and mentoring through its hands-on training and workshops and nourishing the makers' culture. We aim to develop a pool of regional designers through the Caraga State University (CSU) system who can readily assist Caraganons in product design and development and upgrade the framework conditions or creative work in the region. We endeavor to elevate the local economy by providing better and more competitive products and supporting its long-term viability by providing the necessary tools and equipment for rapid prototyping and modeling. Enhancing the local MSME(micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) ecosystem, encourages start-ups, and develops entrepreneurs who create more jobs. This will also serve as a support facility for the University's research and extension project endeavors.

Bohol Fabrication Laboratory is the first fabrication laboratory established in Philippines through Shared Service Facility (SSF) primarily managed by the Bohol Island State University (BISU). After the benchmarking activity at Bohol Island State University conducted by DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) Caraga and participated by Caraga State University (CSU) last November 16, 2015, it was an eye opener for the group that MSMEs can be globally competitive with the use of state-of-the-art machinery and technology. Most MSMEs in Caraga Region are micro enterprises who need assistance in digital fabrication, packaging and labeling. With the prohibitive cost of printing and limited financial capacity of the MSMEs, the quality and design of their product labels are in most cases compromised. This affects the marketability of their products. Even how good and far better the taste of the food items they produce and even how creative the arts/crafts products are executed but with low quality and unattractive packaging and labeling, selling and expanding markets will be difficult.

Afterward, a partnership project between DTI and Caraga State University was cemented through the establishment of a Shared Service Facility (SSF) named FABLAB Caraga in 2017. FABLAB Caraga was launch last October 30, 2018 and is now currently assisting clients and makers with its modern digital fabrication equipment amounting to 12 million pesos funded by DTI and housed in Mechatronics Building, Caraga State University. In addition to the grant of DTI, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) also augmented fabrication equipment and tools amounting to 1.3 million to further