The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is being tapped by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to help guarantee the quality of papers to be used in the coming elections on May 12, 2025.

The DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI), thru its Pulp and Paper Testing Laboratory (FPPTL), is the sole certifying body, accredited by the COMELEC. Before private companies can join the bidding process, their paper products must first be tested and certified by the FPPTL to ensure these are of high quality and at par with standards set by the COMELEC. COMELEC has been FPPTL’s client for more than a decade.

The laboratory evaluates the paper quality based on its opacity and brightness, grammage, thickness, stiffness, tear and dimension. Among the paper products tested at FPPTL are multi-copy papers, continuous forms, envelopes, thermal papers, paper seals, vellum papers, newsprints, folders and specialty papers.

DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. has lauded DOST-FPRDI’s advanced testing services that are instrumental in the conduct of national events as important as the elections. "By ensuring that election materials meet quality standards, we contribute to a smooth and reliable voting process. High-quality paper ensures ballots are durable and easily readable, which minimizes the occurrence of errors," he said.

FPPTL is the only pulp and paper testing laboratory in the country. It is one of DOST-FPRDI’s testing facilities certified by the International Organization for Standardization or the ISO thru the Philippine Accreditation Bureau.

Aside from COMELEC, other DOST-FPRDI clients include the Department of Education, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Land Transportation Office, National Printing Office, and the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). “DBM saved millions of pesos by availing of FPPTL services, instead of having their paper products tested and certified abroad,” said FPPTL Technical Manager Aimee Beatrix R. Habon.

The Institute continues to expand its ISO-accredited testing services to address the evolving needs of the forest-based and allied industries. These include the introduction of advanced testing methods and the acquisition of additional machines to create more innovative products.

According to Habon, the laboratory has procured new equipment that test paper’s brightness, opacity and whiteness; smoothness; and porosity and roughness. Also acquired is the double-fold tester for measuring the folding endurance of paper, and burst for tissue to evaluate its strength. This is thru the assistance and funding support from the DOST-PCAARRD and the Smarter OneLab for Industry 4.0.

"Our mission at DOST-FPRDI is to support the forest products industry by providing reliable and cutting-edge testing services. The expansion of our services reaffirms our commitment to help local manufacturers compete in both local and global markets," explained Institute Director Rico J. Cabangon.

“With these advancements, FPPTL strengthens its role in ensuring the quality and integrity of paper products, not just for the elections but for everyday use. By setting high standards for testing, we protect consumers from substandard and overpriced paper products,” Cabangon added. ### (Apple Jean C. Martin- de Leon & Glenn B. Manongsong, 18 March 2025)

Ms. Aimee Beatrix Habon, PPTL Technical Manager and Project Coordinator for DOST-FPRDI’s OneLab, demonstrates how the Burst for Tissue Tester works.