The Department of Science and Technology-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOS-MIRDC) sparked inspiration in San Fernando, La Union on October 25-27, 2017 during the conduct of its activity entitled, ‘MIRDC Goes to the Municipality.’ This is an upshot of the successful conduct of the first ever MIRDC Goes to the Municipality, held in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, on March 14-16, 2017. This initiative is one of the Center’s strategies to actively support the metals, engineering, and allied industries by bringing to the countryside its services, particularly training, consultancy, technology information dissemination and promotion, and skills competition. The activity was held in collaboration with the DOST Regional Office I, the Philippine Welding Society (PWS), and the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU).
The Team MIRDC, along with the PWS personnel, was warmly greeted by the DMMMSU officials and personnel and by the townsfolk of La Union on the first day of the event. The audience gathered at the DMMMSU Covered Court for the Opening Ceremonies of the program entitled, ‘S&T Caravan for Metals and Engineering Industry in La Union,’ themed, ‘Strengthening the Metals and Engineering Industry through Excellence in Technological Innovations.’
Here are the highlights of the Opening Ceremonies:
Fig 1. Ms. Racquel M. Espiritu, Provincial S&T Director, DOST La Union acknowledges the key personalities in the conduct of the MIRDC Goes to the Municipality activity (L to R): Dr. Victorio Palabay, Dean, College of Technology; Engr. Reynaldo L. dela Cruz, Jr., Chief, Industrial Training Section, DOST-MIRDC; Dr. Paulito C. Nisperos, Chancelllor, DMMMSU MLUC; representative of Hon. Francisco Emmanuel R. Ortega III, Provincial Governor of the Province of La Union; Dr. Paulina P. Nebrida, Assistant Regional Director, Technical Operations, DOST-I; and Dr. Benjamin P. Sapitula, President of DMMMSU, and welcomes all guests and participants to the three-day activity.
Figure 2. The guests and participants of the S&T Caravan for Metals and Engineering Industry in La Union.
Figure 3. The ribbon-cutting ceremonies marks the start of the three-day exhibits and consultancy.
Figure 4. Guests inquire about the MIRDC technologies featured during the MIRDC Goes to the Municipality.
Figure 5. Engr. Reynaldo L. dela Cruz, Jr. sits among the speakers during the Press Conference.
Figure 6. DOST-MIRDC’s very own Engr. Reynaldo L. dela Cruz, Jr. is the Resource Speaker for the training on Welding Processes.
Figure 7. Ms. Alma C. Dupagan is the Resource Speaker for the seminar on Productivity Improvement through 5S Practice.
Figure 8. Mr. Leandro B. Olesco Jr. handles the Occupational Safety Seminar.
Figure 9. Dr. Concesa T. Cortez gives an Awareness Seminar on ISO 9001:2015
It was an eventful day. The well-attended activities were signs that the MIRDC Goes to the Municipality is truly able to hit its target: bring appropriate technologies to the countryside in order to make a significant difference not only to the businesses, but to the lives of the stakeholders of the metals, engineering, and allied industries. The DOST-MIRDC shares this success to its collaborators and ever-supportive partners.
