Malita, Davao Occidental – April 4, 2025 — A team of innovative students from the Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST) brought pride to their institution as their project, “Ecovend: Waste-to-Cash Vending Machine,” clinched 1st Place and was hailed as Best Start-Up during the pitching competition of the IDEAS PLUG IN training program.
The event was conducted by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Region XI, in collaboration with Ideas Davao and the Wadhwani Foundation, and held at the SPAMAST Lecture Hall in Malita, Davao Occidental.
Composed of student innovators Japeth Solutan, Arries Chloide Monquil, Wallin Hocamis, and Nyko Muaña, along with their faculty coach Mr. King Ressurrects Nuevo, the Ecovend team stood out among other participants with their sustainable and tech-driven solution that incentivizes proper waste disposal through an automated vending system.
The team will compete at the Provincial level, aiming to secure a spot for Davao Occidental in the Regional IDEAS PLUG IN Pitching Competition for the Davao Region. As they advance to the next level, the team will undergo further intensive training sessions facilitated by DICT and Ideas Davao to refine their proposal and prepare for a more competitive pitching arena.
This milestone highlights SPAMAST’s growing presence in the innovation and start-up ecosystem and showcases the youth’s potential to bring real-world impact through technology and sustainable solutions.
