CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Central Luzon turned over Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab) equipment to the Philippine Science High School Central Luzon Campus in support of the goal to help in the research and development of innovative products.
The event was held in ceremonies the other day at the PSHS-CLC grounds.
The DTI said, in a statement sent to this paper, that the equipment was given as part of the Shared Service Facility (SSF) program of DTI with PSHS-CLC as its cooperator. PSHS is a secondary school under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Present in the turnover ceremonies and signing of the Memorandum of Agreement were Honorable Mario Montejo, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of PSHS, DOST Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara, Atty. Arnel Casanova, Chairman of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), DTI Assistant Secretary Blesila Lantayona, DTT Regional Director Judith Angeles, DTI Pampanga OIC Provincial Director Elenita R. Ordonio, DOST -3 Regional Director Julius Cesar Sicat, PSHS Board Director Alan Ortiz, PSHS-CLC Director Lilia Habcon, members of the PSHS Executive Committee and other officers of DOST and DTI.
The equipment provided by DTI is composed of a laser cutting machine worth P2.095 million and a bench milling mac\hine worth P798,000. The equipment enables the improvement of computer generated designs and modern technology in the precision cutting of wood, plastic and other products that are used as prototypes.
Sample products designed and made by PSHS-CLC students like laser-cut wooden ID cards, cup holders and emblems were shown to guests at the FabLab. The event was also part of the Science Nation Tour of DOST to support its objective of putting science and technology as a key ingredient in each of the government’s sustainable development programs.
During the program, Secretary Montejo pushed for the application of science and technology in solving local problems while having a global mindset with innovative equipment as an example.
He also enumerated the key programs of his department which introduced science and research based solutions for problems like flooding and road transport congestion. He also expressed his gratitude to the support of other agencies like DTI and BCDA for supporting PSHS.
BCDA Chairman Arnel Casanova mentioned that their support to Philippine Science High School through the donation of a five (5) hectare lot at the Clark Green City and another 500 square meters for the Fabrication Laboratory is not just a token but a ‘seed’ that will help research and development that will be needed by future industries at the Clark Green City.
Assistant Secretary Blesila A. Lantayona of DTI said that the establishment of FabLabs is currently being rolled out throughout the country. For the province, another set of FabLab equipment is intended for the Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University.