The University of Batangas Lipa City (UBLC) College of Engineering and Architecture proudly secured 2nd Place in the “Hack the Future: Smart Batangas Province Hackathon Challenge” held at the Philippine Innovation Conference 2025. The competition, which took place at the University of Batangas on November 21 and 22, 2025, gathered the brightest minds from across the province to develop innovative solutions addressing local community challenges.
The winning project, Tugon Lipa, is an AI-powered smart community platform designed to empower Lipa City residents by integrating real-time reporting, updates, and barangay social feeds into a single accessible interface. The platform allows citizens to REPORT, RESOLVE, and REBUILD, providing a seamless way to address community concerns and strengthen local governance. Beyond technological innovation, Tugon Lipa embodies the students’ commitment to societal advancement and community service, reflecting their vision of using technology to positively impact lives.
The project was developed by students Tristhan D. Cabrera, Paulo T. Fesalbon, Lorence B. Ojales, Athelstan O. Bundalian, and Dale Vincent S. Dimaano, under the mentorship of Engr. Oscar Bryan Magtibay. Their participation in the hackathon not only advanced their technical skills and problem-solving abilities but also nurtured leadership, teamwork, and a strong sense of social responsibility.
The hackathon challenged participants to create solutions that leverage technology for societal impact, and Tugon Lipa stood out for its practical application, user-friendly interface, and AI-driven reporting system. By integrating real-time updates and community feeds, the platform addresses critical gaps in communication and responsiveness at the barangay level, demonstrating the students’ ideology of serving and uplifting their community through innovation.
UBLC continues to nurture future-ready professionals who excel across disciplines, embrace societal responsibility, and adapt to emerging industry needs. The achievement of the College of Engineering and Architecture team at a prestigious provincial hackathon reflects the University’s unwavering commitment to fostering innovation, social engagement, and active community participation, guided by its core value of Service to Fellowmen, while also aligning its initiatives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) specifically, Quality Education (SDG 4) by advancing students’ skills and knowledge, Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9) through cutting-edge technological solutions, Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11) by promoting responsive and resilient local governance, and Climate Action (SDG 13) by integrating environmentally-conscious practices in community development. This recognition underscores UBLC’s dedication to cultivating socially responsible innovators whose work advances professional excellence and meaningfully contributes to sustainable development and societal well-being.