The iron and steel industry will be at the center stage of research and development as these “comprise the bulk of materials needed for economic development,” said Dr. Renato Solidum Jr., secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
“Given the vastness of our natural resources, especially in mineral reserves and iron ore, support must be given to our local companies,” said Solidum, a geologist.
“With the income potential of the steel industry, the DOST has invested in testing facilities with the objective of helping small companies become more competitive, more productive, and capable of exporting their products,” he added.
There are over 1.08 million establishments in the country, of which about 977,670 or 90.5 percent are micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), the latest count of the Philippine Statistics Authority for 2021 shows.
Solidum pointed to the Analysis and Testing Division and Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMCen) of DOST’s Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC) which provides scientific and technical services for the metals, engineering and allied industries.
Companies can save as much as 50 percent through the services and technologies of AMCen, he said. However, the investments are not enough, he said, adding that the testing capacities at MIRDC will be expanded with more laboratories to be deployed.
As early as 2012,Solidum said, DOST introduced OneLab to provide a unified network of laboratories that conducts various tests in chemical, microbiology, food, cosmetics, metals, adhesives, pesticides, furniture, cement, construction, dried raw seaweeds, halal products and more.
OneLab services have tapped both local and international laboratories in Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and Australia to complement its services at DOST. “As the network expands, more services shall be added,” he said.
To support the steel industry, manufacturing and other large industries, the DOST created the Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory (ADMATEL), DOST’s national testing facility that houses sophisticated and advanced analytical instruments for failure analysis and materials characterization, Solidum said.
ADMATEL helps multinational companies in developing and designing new products and address product recall issues.
“This year, we will bring the solutions from R&D to our most productive sectors,” he said, underscoring the role of innovation in generating wealth, achieving prosperity and ensuring the security of the Filipino.
Wealth is associated with proper management of assets and liabilities and the need to focus on the importance of assets generating a return to cover the investment cost, he continued.
Solidum pointed out that in 2020 and 2021, DOST unveiled 41 innovative technologies. At the forefront were those that support MSMEs as well as health innovations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
DOST’s Tuklas Lunas program, for example, funds R&D in drug discovery and development. It increased funding and support and partnered with 28 institutions in various stages of drug discovery and development.
Solidum highlighted programs, projects and researches that contribute to wealth creation: health; disaster risk resilience and climate change adaptation; information, communications and education; agriculture, aquatic and natural resources; and industry, energy and emerging technology.
To achieve prosperity and wealth creation through R&D, Solidum said the DOST will continue R&D for food security, health, nutrition and lifestyle improvement, sustainable transport, development of clean energy resources, digital infrastructure, and creation of quality jobs.
“The mantra is science for the people,” Solidum said.
