People Skilled in Specific Trades in Metals and Engineering Given Recognition by DOST-MIRDC and Industry Partners
by Faith P. Macatangay
Celebrating the Metals and Engineering (M&E) Week also means celebrating people’s skills and letting them shine in their chosen fields.
On the occasion of the M&E 2023 celebration, the Department of Science and Technology - Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC) recognized the skills and talents of individuals and teams during the 6th M&E Skills Competition Awarding Ceremony, on June 21, 2023, held at the Center’s Titanium Auditorium in Bicutan, Taguig City.
Forging Collaborations
“The 6th M&E Skills Competition is a testament to your hard work, team spirit, and sincere commitment to promoting the advancement of the metals, engineering, and allied industries,” commented DOST-MIRDC Executive Director Robert O. Dizon as he extended his acknowledgment to the partner-industry associations.
The respective partner-industry associations spearheaded the four areas of the trade skills competition. The welding competition led by the Philippine Welding Society (PWS) was held on June 15-16 at the DOST-MIRDC/PWS facilities. A skills competition featuring mechatronics and robotics was held at the Industrial Controls Corporation (ICC)-MTC Bldg. in Quezon City. This was simultaneously held with the competition in CAD using SOLIDWORKS, which took place at the Computrends Systems Technology, Inc. facility in Makati City on June 19, 2023. The former was in partnership with the Mechatronics and Robotics Society of the Philippines (MRSP), the latter with PDMA, Inc.
The following are the winners for each category:
Mechatronics Competition Awardees:
Champion CTU Mechatronics – Cebu Technological University-Main Campus
1st Runner Up NEUST-1 – Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology
2nd Runner Up Saudi Bois – Technological University of the Philippines
Robotics Competition Awardees:
Champion TSR V3 – Tagaytay City Science National High School
1st Runner Up CTU MX – Cebu Technological University
2nd Runner Up CamHi – Camarines Sur National High School
The Mechatronics Competition and Robotics Competition winners with MRSP, MIRDC officials, and training coordinators.
CAD Using Solidworks Competition Awardees:
Champion Ancel Jay D. Curativo – 3dmoto.ph-3D Printing and Prototyping Services
1st Runner Up John Kevin C. Cusi – Batangas State University
2nd Runner Up Martin Ray Sobrino – National University
The CAD Using Solidworks Competition winners with PDMA, Inc. President George Ong, MIRDC officials, and training coordinators.
Welding Competition Awardees:
Category 1: Flux Cord Arc Welding (FCAW) in Carbon Steel (CS) Plate - 2G and 3G Positions
Champion Bernard A. Isiderio
1st Runner Up Noli U. Mata – Power Zaver Techno Services Corporation
2nd Runner Up Red A. Singin – Rizal National High School
Category 2: Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) in Carbon Steel (CS) Pipe - 6G Position
Champion Jamaica C. Francisco – City of Malabon Polytechnic Institute
1st Runner Up Angus Jeff S. Malonzo – TESDA Women Center
2nd Runner Up Ulyssess S. Laynesa
Category 3: Metal Fitting, Metal Fitter’s Tool(s) in Carbon Steel (CS) Plate - Layouting, Cutting (OAC), Finishing
Champion Jason V. Gabay
1st Runner Up Isaiah T. Sadang – TESDA Women Center
2nd Runner Up James B. Serenio – QA/QC Inspection and Consultancy
The winners of FCAW in CS Plate - 2G and 3G positions (top left photo), GMAW in CS Pipe - 6G position (top right photo), and Metal Fitting (bottom photo) categories under the Welding Competition with PWS, MIRDC officials, and training coordinators.
Win to inspire
How does winning make our awardees feel?
Jason Gabay, Champion of the Metal Fitting, Metal Fitter’s Tool(s) in CS Plate stated, “Because of this competition, I gained more knowledge about metal fitting and improve my skills (in) reading blueprint, also my cutting metals skills. This competition helps me a lot to improve myself and use the knowledge in the future.”
“I can use this accomplishment to inspire other students to improve their CAD skills for their own projects…the competition has enhanced my skills, boosted my confidence, and opened doors for future success.” John Kevin Cusi, Batangas State University, 1st Runner Up of the CAD Using Solidworks Competition.
Equal opportunities
This year’s welding skill competition is remarkable as it was the first to be participated in by differently-abled persons from the Tahanan ng Walang Hagdanan, Inc. The group received a cash prize and a welding machine from the officers and a corporate member of PWS.
Ms. Carmencita Crisostomo of Tahanan Walang Hagdan (TWH) said that TWH members who competed were “inspired to compete… and felt that they have the right to participate despite their disability in an environment that is open, inclusive, and accessible without prejudice and provide equal opportunity to everybody without discrimination.”
The participants from TWH receives a cash prize from the officers of PWS.
Call for upskilling
Engr. Jonathan Q. Puerto, Deputy Executive Director for Technical Services and Chairman of the M&E Week 2023 Committee, emphasized that this annual competition is a platform for skilled participants to enhance their capabilities and technological know-how on in-demand metals and engineering skills.
According to Mr. Isiderio, Champion of the FCAW in CS Plate competition, “Sa lahat ng mga katulad ko na nangarap na maabot ang pangarap, ‘wag lang tayo mawalan ng pag-asa hangga’t maabot natin ang ating mga pangarap sa buhay. Nandiyan palagi ang MIRDC na gumagabay sa atin, at PWS para madagdagan ang ating kaalaman sa larangan ng pag-wewelding, maraming maraming salamat sa MIRDC at sa PWS na nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon na makasali sa competition.”
M&E Week is celebrated annually every third week of June. By virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 144 issued in 2011, the entire country recognizes the vital role of industry in nation-building.
It was a successful M&E Week 2023 celebration. The involvement of partner industry associations, the academe, media, and other relevant government agencies helped achieve the goals of the event – to raise the public’s awareness and appreciation of the significant role of the M&E allied industries in making the economy competitive and sustainable.
DOST-MIRDC’s Initiative to Boost Capabilities of the Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Industry in Full Swing
By: Dr. Anthony Greg F. Alonzo, LPT
June 9, 2023
The series of consultative meetings with the shipbuilding and ship repair (SBSR) industry players continues as the industry study team of the Department of Science and Technology – Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC) will convene with the shipyards of the NCR on June 15, 2023, in Navotas.
In its continued pursuit to uplift the country’s metals, engineering, and allied industries, the DOST-MIRDC is conducting a study focused on the SBSR industry.
The first engagement of the team was with the SBSR industry players and stakeholders in Cebu in April. This was followed by a consultative meeting with the Zamboanga SBSR industry held on May 17, 2023, at the Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic University (ZPPSU).
Below are the highlights of the meeting with the Zamboanga SBSR players:
Mr. Kenji T. Olaso of Aleson Shipping said, “Zamboanga has a weaker SBSR industry compared to Cebu with regard to ship design.” Naval Architect Dan Bolanos of Frabelle Shipyard Corporation added, “Only licensed naval architects are allowed to design ships and there are only about 1,037 naval architects in the Philippines as of 2021, and many local shipyards in the Philippines rely only on AutoCAD for their design work.”
MIRDC delegates with SBSR players, academe officials, and government representatives during the SBSR Industry Dialogue held at the Dental Conference Room, ZPPSU
Engr. Jerry C. Cacacha did not agree with the statement that Zamboanga shipyards are weak, but rather “SBSR should know the basic principles of building ships and that workers are less exposed to SBSR industry trends.” He likewise shared that Filipinos lack ship design skills and students taking ship-related courses like welding will have better chances of improving their skills if they are given opportunities to experience on-the-job training in shipyards.
Moreover, he highlighted the need to determine and set standards for the metal composition of materials that will be most suitable for maritime use. According to him, this can be done through the collaboration of researchers, metal companies, and the government. This suggested R&D activity can potentially lead to the development and, ultimately, the availability of a highly rust-resistant metal despite constant exposure to seawater.
He also underlined the issue of the absence of a local steel mill, which will help meet the demands of the SBSR industry.
Dr. Josephine L. Sulasula, Vice President of Administration and Finance, mentioned that the current initiative that MIRDC is doing is very timely. She said, “We are planning to revive shipbuilding and ship repair courses in ZPPSU to produce a pool of workforce that will serve the SBSR industry.”
The active participation of the industry in the consultive meeting in Zamboanga mirrors how actively it is willing to support the DOST-MIRDC as the DOST-SBSR industry engagement continues to unfold.
Ships docked for scheduled repair and maintenance in Zamboanga City Daap Shipyard Incorporated
Presently, the DOST-MIRDC is in close coordination with the DOST-NCR, NCR shipyards, and the MARINA in preparation for the dialogue to be held in Navotas.
Looking ahead, the industry study team will visit more SBSR industry players in Regions III, VI, and XII. The Center is gearing up to determine the most appropriate science, technology, and innovation-based interventions for the SBSR industry through the consultative meetings and surveys that the industry study team is conducting at present.
Watch out for developments and updates about the industry study focusing on the SBSR industry by regularly visiting the DOST-MIRDC’s official website and fb page.
Title: Technical Drawing
Date: June 5-9, 2023
Time: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Reservation Link: https://bit.ly/Res_Tech_Draw_B2_June5-9
Title: Plastic Injection Molding Machine Operation
Date: June 13-15, 2023
Time: 8:00am to 5:00pm
Reservation Link: https://bit.ly/Res_Plast_Inj_Mold_Mach_June13-15_8-5pm
Title: Plastic Injection Mold Assembly
Date: May 22-24, 2023
Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Reservation Link: https://bit.ly/Res_Plas_injt_Mold_Assembly_May22-24_9-4pm
