On 13 February 2025, the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) successfully spearheaded the second FMDS Market Day as part of the previously conducted Project LAKBAY (Learning Actively through Knowledge-Based Appreciation for Youth), at the Multipurpose Hall, UPOU Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna. This event is a vibrant celebration of showcasing the UPOU’s growing movement of sustainable approaches, through an onboarding session to the digital Alitaptap Community Currency (CC) using an online application named Alitaptap Cyclos.

Dr. Joane V. Serrano, former Dean of FMDS and the newly appointed UPOU Chancellor, graced the opening remarks and laid out the rationale behind the event, followed by an onboarding session on the e-Ali (pronounced as “Ellie”) passbook led by Assistant Professor Ferdinand “Max” C. Maquito from the College of Public Affairs and Development (CPAf) at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).

With the current practice of CC in the University including the exchange of goods and services without the immediate monetary transactions, Give-and-Take relationship promoting Bayanihan spirit, and diversified transactional activities, this initiative has the potential for local communities’ adaptation forwarding to the International University Social Responsibility (IUSR) initiatives. Registered users are encouraged to conduct an actual transaction to pay a fellow member for a good, service, or time provided on a voluntary basis. 

The success of its pilot run on 16 November 2024 paved the way for a significant increase in the number of concessionaires during this event. Encouraged by the positive reception and smooth operations of the initial market day, more sellers joined the initiative, further enriching the variety of goods available. Participating stalls included FMDS Perma G.A.R.D.E.N. (Growing Appreciation towards Resilience, Development, Entrepreneurship, and Nutrition), San Antonio Women’s Brigade, CHEFerd’s Farm, as well as faculty members and staff who accepted payments through full Alitaptap CC or a combination of cash and CC. Among the diverse products showcased were pre-loved clothes, local delicacies such as kakanin (traditional sticky rice-based treats), freshly harvested vegetables, seedlings, and refreshments crafted from ingredients available at the FMDS Perma G.A.R.D.E.N.

These growing numbers highlight the positive impact of the initiative, reinforcing its role as a platform for sustainable trade and community engagement.

Twenty Taiwanese and four Filipino Project LAKBAY delegates, 15 UPOU Earth Ambassadors (EA) from The Learning Place (TLP), and UPOU faculty and staff participated in the whole-day event.

Community market days go beyond simple trade as they are a lively reflection of the community’s spirit, with each stall and product sharing its own unique story. While addressing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 13 (Climate Action), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), interested participants eager to join the Alitaptap CC community would not only gain a platform to showcase their products and services but also contribute to a thriving and interconnected community marketplace that fosters financial inclusion and resilience.

Written by: Raizza Anna M. Alforja • Edited by: Larry N. Cruz

Sustainable Development Goals

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