Keeping Safe: Forum on Public-Private Partnership on Geosynthetics Testing

BICUTAN, TAGUIG CITY – The Philippine Textile Research Institute (​DOST-​PTRI) of the Department of Science and Technology conducted the virtual Forum on Public-Private Partnership on Geosynthetics Testing to highlight the DOST-PTRI’s GeoTextile testing services.

Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peῆa welcomed the participants to the Forum held on May 27, 2021. He zeroed in the contribution of the DOST-PTRI Geosynthetics Testing Services to the current administration's infrastructure development plan known as the Build, Build, Build Program as the services provide quality testing and assurance in government and private infrastructure projects.

Shown below are the maps of the regional distributions of DOST-PTRI geosynthetic testing services rendered for infrastructure projects on rehabilitation/construction of roads, bridges, and ports for the years 2020 and 2021.

Geotextile is a class of textile materials that provides permeability as it is used to improve the characteristics of the soil on which it is applied. It can separate, filter, reinforce, protect and drain when used in association with soils. To date, geotextiles comprise about 34% of revenues and about 40% of the client base of the Institute’s Testing Laboratories.

There are geosynthetics that help form the ground such as 1) Geonets from China used for construction of missing links and new roads in Pangasinan and Nueva Vizcaya, 2) Nonwoven textile from India used for C5 segment, and 3) Geotextile from Japan used for roadworks in Quezon. They can also formulate the ground on which we will all move if we make sure we build them right.

Under the “Revitalization of the Philippine Textile and Garment Industry through Science and Technology Program”, the “Modernization of the PTRI Geosynthetic Testing Services” expanded DOST-PTRI’s test offering for geosynthetics from five (5) tests in 2009 to 10 test capabilities to date. It led to a 300% increase in the number of transactions, indicating industry activities for the construction sector.

The DOST-PTRI is the only third-party geosynthetics testing laboratory in the country. It has been in partnership with the DPWH-Bureau of Research Standards, and the Philippine Ports Authority, as both government agencies have recognized the expertise and capabilities of the PTRI Testing Laboratories for geosynthetics. The Institute hopes that the forum will encourage geosynthetics companies to submit their products for compliance testing and bid for government and private construction projects for safer civil engineering works.

To this end, Secretary de la Peῆa called for stronger partnerships and collaborations in pursuing our common goals to create a great impact towards addressing national concerns and achieving socio-economic development for a better Philippines through Science, Technology, and Innovation.

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