An estimated 13.8-million-peso Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab), financed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its shared service facility (SSF) initiative, was inaugurated at the said laboratory’s opening program held at Pangasinan State University – Urdaneta City Campus (PSU-UC), on Thursday, October 27.
By paving a way to the development of public innovation through advanced technologies and facilities in the Ilocos Region, Advanced Digital Manufacturing, Technology and Innovation Center (ADMATIC) and Co-working Space Innovation Laboratory (InnoLab), it will not only benefit the students of the university but also the Micro Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) of the province and nearby provinces.
During the program, Rufino Ronaldo San Juan, the city’s economic enterprise manager, on behalf of Urdaneta City Mayor Julio F. Parayno III gave a welcome address. Ceremonial ribbon cutting and blessing of the facility then proceeded right after San Juan’s remarks to officially open the laboratory.
Nathalia B. Dalaten, DTI Pangasinan Provincial Director, then discussed the overview of the agency’s SSF project. She stated that the DTI initiated the project to further boost the MSMEs’ competitiveness by improving productivity and efficiency. Dalaten further noted that the DTI regards MSMEs as the backbone of the country’s economy.
The brief background of ADMATIC and InnoLab was also elaborated by the PSU-UC FabLab Manager, Engr. Rex B. Basuel, to fully understand the components of the facility.
Throughout the event, prominent people in the field also shared their messages on the inauguration of the FabLab at the campus, which is the first of its sort in the whole province of Pangasinan. These people include Dr. Paulo Cenas, VP for Research, Extension, and Innovation, Emely Q. Tesoro, TESDA Provincial Director, Grace Falgui-Baluyan, Regional Director for DTI Region 1, and Usec. Blesila A. Lantayona of Regional Operations Group. Awarding of certificates then followed right after giving messages of support.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Dexter R. Buted, the university’s president, formally acknowledged the SSF FabLab project and emphasized that the establishment of the facility entails the rapid adaptation of education with technology. He then gave his sincerest gratitude to everyone who participated in the said program.
Editor | Vanessa Sido, News Editor and Jayson Nathaniel Tan, Editor-in-Chief
Consultant | Mr. Emil Isaac Conde, Adviser
Photo by | Lilac Colleen, Photojournalist and Jayson Nathaniel Tan, Editor-in-Chief
Creative Works | Tricia Austine, Layout Artist
