Mariano Marcos
State University

MMSU secures endorsement for KIST Park, awaits Presidential approval

​By Ian Paul Villanueva

The dream of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) to host Northern Luzon’s first-ever Knowledge, Innovation, Science, and Technology (KIST) Park moves closer to reality, after the university secured an endorsement from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) technical working group on September 21. It is now for approval by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

​A KIST Park operates as a special economic zone dedicated to connecting a university’s research, technology, and business capacities with startups, industry partners, the government, and other stakeholders.

Now only short of Presidential approval, the major development follows the successful third round of evaluation by the KIST Evaluation Committee (KEC), where an MMSU delegation, led by University President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., presented the MMSU’s upgraded proposal to develop and operate a KIST Park.

The presentation incorporated the university's responses to recommendations made during the KEC’s on-site assessment in March 2026. The meeting also included technical discussions that ironed out specific matters raised in the university’s presentation.

Over the years, MMSU’s pursuit of the KIST Park has steadily evolved over three major phases. It was originally conceived in 2019, under the leadership of then University President and now Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis, as one of MMSU’s three special economic-zone initiatives in coordination with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).

​Between 2022 and 2024, the concept matured into a university flagship development, supervised by then MMSU Vice President for Planning and Strategic Foresight Dr. Manzano. MMSU began positioning the park as a central innovation hub, highlighted by discussions with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Its foundation as a driver for regional development was further solidified by active engagement with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and vital endorsements from the Regional Development Council 1 (RDC-1), the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, and the Batac City government, which approved the 7.5-hectare site concept.

​Now in its most developed iteration, the 2026 DOST KIST evaluation has thoroughly examined not just the proposed park, but MMSU’s readiness to host it.

​During earlier on-site visits, the KEC assessed the university's existing innovation ecosystem, which will serve as the backbone of the KIST Park. These assets include the university's Science and Technology Park, Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator, Garlic Research Center, Functional & Nutraceutical Research Center, NBERIC, Food Processing & Innovation Center, Coastal Engineering Research Center, and various medical research facilities.

​Once realized, the park will position MMSU as a premier regional science and technology hub, bridging the gap between academe and industry to deliver programs that benefit both Northern Luzon and the nation.