DOST-PTRI OFFERS GEOTEXTILE TESTING SERVICES DURING THE HANDA PILIPINAS: VISAYAS LEG
By: Ceazar Andrei V. Mendoza
Technology Transfer, Information, and Promotion Staff
As part of the 2024 HANDA Pilipinas-Visayas Innovations in Climate and Disaster Resilience Nationwide Exposition, a parallel session focused on “Enhancing Resilience in Visayas through Science, Technology, and Innovation” was presented by representatives from DOST's research and development institutes (RDIs) at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel on 26 July 2024.
During the session, geotextile testing services of the DOST-Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) were presented by Senior Science Research Specialist, Engr. Romeo Cometa, Jr. Videos demonstrating different geotextile tests were shown to help the audience understand and appreciate the process.
As the Philippines' first and only facility for testing geotextiles, companies are encouraged to submit their products for compliance testing, thereby promoting safer civil engineering practices. The Institute's expertise and capabilities in offering a range of testing services that adhere to international standards were also emphasized during the discussion.
Moreover, interested participants from the academe, the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Army, and LGUs visited the DOST-PTRI’s exhibit booth on the last day of the event.
The Closing Ceremony of the Handa Pilipinas: Visayas Leg marked the end of the DRRM exposition, highlighting key insights and accomplishments from the event. The participation of various DOST-attached agencies, local government units, and academe during the three-day exhibitions and parallel sessions was recognized.
DOST Cebu PSTO's Officer-in-Charge, Mr. Adrian Cruz, recapped the activities from the three-day event, outlined the ways forward, and shared immediate actions to initiate DRRM initiatives and sustainable plans for ongoing DRRM efforts.
The program concluded with the closing message given by Dr. Tristan Abando, the Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Science and Technology VII. He provided takeaways to improve disaster resilience in the Visayas region and emphasized the role of the general public in boosting resilience through science, technology, and innovation (STI).
