"Marching on to a New Beginning" is the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) theme for its 42nd anniversary to be celebrated on February 25, 2009 at the PTRI office in Bicutan, Taguig City.

The theme marks PTRI's stronger commitment and resolve to continue to serve the science and technological needs of its clientele and constituent stakeholders despite the reduction in manpower complement brought about by the approval of its rationalization program.

Spearheaded by PTRI Director Dr. Carlos C. Tomboc, the activities lined up for the celebration include the soft launching of PTRI's upgraded facilities; awarding of ISO/IEC 17025:2005 Certificate of Accreditation to the PTRI testing laboratory covering the expansion of scope in the fileds of mechanical and chemical testing; MOA signing with the Bureau of Research and Standards (BRS), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on geotextile testing; launching of PTRI's latest publications consisting of the books Gampol Volume 2, Kalamata Volume 2, Techno Products Catalogue, and Moritech; and ribbon cutting of the poster and products display area to be capped by a tour of PTRI facilities.

Included in the soft launching of PTRI's facilities is the recently acquired Zwick/Roell Universal Testing Machine, which is used in determining the tensile properties of geotextiles. The BRS-DPWH does not have the technical capability to conduct tests on geosynthetics/geotextiles and recognizes the capability of PTRI-DOST to conduct local testing for quality assurance of geosynthetics/geotextiles for Philippine construction utilization. In recognition of such, BRS-DPWH is entering intoi a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with PTRI designating it as its official testing laboratory for breaking load, mass per unit area, tearing strength, tensile strength and thickness og geosynthetics/geotextiles. BRS Director Antonio V. Molano will represent DPWH in the MOA signing.

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro, Ms. Cirila S. Botor of the Philippine Accreditation Office, Department of Trade and Industry and other stakeholders from the academe, government and private sector will also grace the occassion.

PTRI, a line agency of the DOST, was created in 1964 by virtue of R.A. 4086 and was established as an agency on January 3, 1967. Its present office was completed in 1970 and in 1971 its physical and chemical testing laboratories were fully operational with the installation of primary testing equipment.

In 1974, by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 1 PTRI became a regular agency of the National Science Development Board. On June 26, 1981, however, PTRI was transferred to the Ministry of Trade and Industry for purposes of program and policy coordination. Finally, on January 30, 1987, EO 128 reorganized the NSTA (former NSDB) and provided among others, the return of PTRI from the Ministry of Trade and Industry to the NSTA no the DOST.