GOVPH

"Molding the Future of Metal Industries"

The Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC) through its Technology Information and Promotion Section (TIPS) is currently conducting a survey of metalworking firms engaged in welding and electroplating processes to determine the status of the said sectors. Aside from general information, the study also focuses on industry, market and technical aspects of operation. Through the survey, the electroplating and welding sectors’ production capacity and technical profile will be determined. Pertinent information will be provided to our policy makers, policy implementers and members of the industry to be used for decision-making and formulation of recommendations in terms of facilities upgrading, personnel development and investment incentives.

To do away with time-consuming survey, the staff verified information from previous surveys to update company’s profile. The Center assures the respondent-firms that all information will be treated with utmost confidentiality. Data will be consolidated and analyzed. The initial reports will be subjected to further validation through focus group discussions. The final report will then be published after a series of reviews.

The MIRDC will make the sector report easily accessible to those who need it: the government in the legislative and cabinet level for mapping out more accurate planning strategies; the government in the agency level for addressing the problems of the said sectors; the concerned public and private organizations for developing roadmaps to fulfill and the technology and training requirements of the industry; all firms in the M&E industries for identifying and implementing relevant S & T interventions. Ultimately, the respondent –firms will receive significant benefits from this initiative. The government can generate better programs including training, consultancy and financial assistance in order to boost the industry’s competitiveness. The respondent-firms are given priority to receive these benefits from the program of the government.

"Molding the Future of Metal Industries"

The Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in partnership with Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization
(PhilMech), is initiating a prototype equipment for design and development for the project entitled “Design and Development of Hand Tractor Attachments (Harvester and Transplanter)” are transplanter-attached handtractor and har vester-attached-handtractor. The concept of developing rice transplanting and harvesting implements that can be readily mounted to and dismounted from the hand tractor unit is a relatively new concept. The availability of such implements will significantly increase further the utilization of hand tractor in farm areas. Moreover, it can potentially reduce the cost of farm level mechanization. The target beneficiaries of this project are the farmers, rice field owners and planters, agri-cooperatives and local
fabricator shops. 

Unlike commercially available transplanters and harvesters which are self-propelled and dedicated machines, these mechanisms are integration of a transplanter or harvester to a hand tractor which can be readily disassembled in order for the hand tractor to be usable for other farm operations . The transplanter-attached-handtractor is driven by 7HP diesel engine, with a 6-row planting capacity. Its planting distance is within 20cm to 25cm as required by the Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standards (PAES). Furthermore, it has also adjustable planting depth comparable to commercially available transplanters. The harvester-attached-handtractor is driven by 9HP diesel engine, with target working efficiency of 500m2/hour.

Overall, the transplanter-attached-handtractor and harvester-attached-handtractor offer many operational
and financial benefits. By using these mechanisms, an appropriate, efficient and effective transplanting and harvesting functionalities will be added to plowing, tilling and harrowing, which a hand tractor can perform. This will also address the delayed or longer transplanting and harvesting period and its high labor cost due to lengthy job.

As of December 2013, the transplanter-attached handtractor prototype was completed and field testing wil be conducted in January 2014. The design, prototyping and testing of harvester-attachedhandtractor is also expected to be completed in 2014.

"Molding the Future of Metal Industries"   

 The 2015 Deployment of Plans and Activities of the Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC) held last March 3, 2015 marked the beginning of a more effectivestrategic agenda to help position the agency to function more efficiently as it roots for a more advanced M&E industries.  The plans and activities that were presented to the MIRDC employees constitute the administrative plans and technology initiatives that are essential in achieving the agency’s new vision, mission, strategic objectives/thrusts and core values.

                        Asec. Robert O. Dizon explains the objectives        Division Heads wait for their turn to

 of the 2015 Deployment of Plans and        present their accomplishments,

    and Activities.                                        plans and projects for 2015.

 An important facet of the 2015 Deployment of Plans and Activities is leveraging information to update the MIRDC personnel on how new competencies are well-thought-out to further enhance the performance of the agency. Asec. Robert O. Dizon shared with the employees the outputs of the recently concluded Strategic Planning, particularly the vision, mission, strategic objectives/thrusts and core values that have been revised parallel to the goal of the MIRDC to be more relevant to a competitive M&E industries. The agency’s new mission and vision, duly approved by the Governing Council, are set to get off to a flying start as these are attuned not only to the strengths and weaknesses, but also to the programs and outcomes of the agency. Prior to the aforementioned goal, each division head including the MIRDC Employees Labor Association (SALEM)President, Mr. Galicano Enerlan, were given time to present their accomplishments and plans, in accordance with their respective functions.

   The Vision, Mission, Strategic Thrusts and Core Values approved by the Governing Council were presented by Asec. Dizon during the Deployment of Plans and Activities for 2015.

Secretary Mario G. Montejo surprised the MIRDC employees when he graced the event with his presence. In his message, he shared his observations from his recent visit to Iran and Israel where he witnessed how the government supports technology starting from the development of ideas up to prototyping. In connection to this, he relayed the idea that the MIRDC holds one of the most important tasks when it comes to supporting advancement of technology. His message left everybody inspired and motivated to focus on MIRDC’s function of supporting, empowering and assisting innovations.

  - Secretary Montejo reminds MIRDC employess about the agency's role in promoting and sustaining technological innovation.

 - MIRDC Top Management responds to questions from MIRDC employees.

  The deployment had also been a channel to a more intensified interest especially in the human resources as it sparked off questions from the employees as soon as the floor was opened for discussion. Issues and concerns were raised but were given appropriate response by the Top Management.  At the end of the assembly, Asec. Dizon’s message marked a point that reflects a push among employees. He stated that being informed about the agency’s plans and projects means that employees will essentially know the significance of every task that are assigned to them and could make them proud. Being proud of one’s task, according to Asec. Dizon, is the key to better performance.