R&D and Innovation Capacity of Region III to be Enhanced by DOST through Metals and Engineering Innovation Center (MEIC)
By: Ella Vanesa L. Lopez
Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija - “Kaya po kami nandito ngayon para malaman namin kung ano pa ang mga kailangan namin gawin para sa industry,” said Ms. Stephanie Ann B. David, Science Research Specialist II of the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD).Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija - “Kaya po kami nandito ngayon para malaman namin kung ano pa ang mga kailangan namin gawin para sa industry,” said Ms. Stephanie Ann B. David, Science Research Specialist II of the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD).DOST-PCIEERD, in cooperation with DOST Regional Office No. III, conducted an industry consultation with the local metals and engineering (M&E) industry to assess the industry’s needs last December 7, 2022, at the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) Sumacab, Campus.
Attendees of the M&E Sector Industry Consultation in Region III
Present at the event are personnel from PCIEERD, DOST-Regional Office No. III, DOST-Provincial Science and Technology Offices (PSTO), DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC), members of the academe, and various M&E industry key players and stakeholders.Present at the event are personnel from PCIEERD, DOST-Regional Office No. III, DOST-Provincial Science and Technology Offices (PSTO), DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC), members of the academe, and various M&E industry key players and stakeholders.Ms. David gave a rundown of the recent DOST initiatives aimed to further develop the R&D and innovation capabilities of the country. Among them are the DOST-MIRDC’s Metals andEngineering Innovation Centers (MEICs), as well as the Universal Mount for Heavy Barrel Automated Weapon Integration, or BUHAWI project. She explained that the Council is nowreviewing its priority programs, which is why they have been holding these industry consultations.
Engr. Ma. Girlie M. Millo, Supervising Science Research Specialist of DOST-MIRDC, alsopresented the capabilities of the MEIC being established in NEUST. The MEIC is envisioned tobe a venue for the conduct of more R&D project collaborations among the industry, the academe,and government agencies in the regions. For batch 2 of the project, Engr. Millo also mentioned that there will be additional 10 MEICs to be set up in the remaining regions of the country.
Engr. Millo presenting the MEIC project
“The metalworking industry will have access to advance machinery and equipment to help them“The metalworking industry will have access to advance machinery and equipment to help themdeliver their products and services as well as to produce food processing equipment andtechnologies developed by other research and development institutes (RDIs) through the MEICs,”assured Engr. Millo. She added, “the trained faculties and researchers of NEUST may be tappedas consultants by the industry, para hindi nyo na kailangan pa pumunta ng Manila or MIRDC forassistance.”
The DOST encouraged the industry to avail the services of the MEIC and to adopt theThe DOST encouraged the industry to avail the services of the MEIC and to adopt thetechnologies that are currently being developed by NEUST once they are complete. “Kung meronpa po kayong mga equipment and machines na gusto ninyong madevelop, pwede kayo makipagcollaborate sa NEUST-MEIC, MIRDC, and DOST-ROs,” said Mr. Mark John Ratio,Science Research Specialist II of DOST-PCIEERD.
Mr. Emmanuel S. Umali of Izzo Industrial Supply-Pampanga spoke on behalf of the industry andMr. Emmanuel S. Umali of Izzo Industrial Supply-Pampanga spoke on behalf of the industry andlisted its three main issues. The first issue is the scarcity of qualified machinists in the field.“Useless ang napakaraming makina kung wala namang operator,” Umali said. He added “yungiilan na graduate ay nagpupunta pa sa ibang bansa… walang laban ang mga local machine shopssa pa-sweldo ng abroad.”
The second issue he raised is that CNC machines are not currently practical in regional settingsThe second issue he raised is that CNC machines are not currently practical in regional settingsbecause of their high operational expenses. He suggested an alternative, such as a retrofitted orsemi-CNC machine.
Finally, he emphasized that one of the factors contributing to the low commercialization ofFinally, he emphasized that one of the factors contributing to the low commercialization ofdeveloped R&D innovations is the royalty fees. He stated “lagi kaming natatalo sa bidding dahilsa royalty fee, baka pwede naman ma-amend na kapag government project ay 1% nalang tomake it cost competitive.”
The process of conceptualizing for technology innovation is one of the primary struggles for smallThe process of conceptualizing for technology innovation is one of the primary struggles for smallbusinesses, according to Mr. Dennis Ruiz of PDMR Stainless Fabrication andGeneral Merchandise-Bulacan.
“…Nauubos din kasi ang oras namin sa pag-iisip palang, kaya di na namin naeentertain ang pag-“…Nauubos din kasi ang oras namin sa pag-iisip palang, kaya di na namin naeentertain ang pag-R&D dahil mas maghahabol nalang kami ng trabaho para makapag-generate ng income,” sharedby Mr. Ruiz.
Engr. Millo reminded the industry not to be intimidated to venture into research and development. She emphasized that an improvement to a single component or process may already qualify asan innovation. In this aspect, Engr. Millo stressed that the industry may collaborate with the MEICsand partner with other institutions to develop these ideas and concepts into new technologies.
The results of this consultation are anticipated to yield program developments that contribute to improving the M&E industry not only in Region III but across the country as well. The MEICs,along with other DOST initiatives, are intended to support the growth of innovation in the country.
