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DOST Lab for testing of transport packaging materials for furniture, now a member of PIP
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The Department of Science and Technology-Forest Products Research and Development Institute’s (DOST-FPRDI) Transit Testing Laboratory (TTL) officially became a member of the Packaging Institute of the Philippines (PIP) during the latter’s 2nd General Membership Meeting and Industry Updates.
PIP is a national association that promotes the importance of good packaging in the industry and among consumers. It is comprised of users, makers and suppliers of packaging materials and services.
“DOST is committed to supporting local manufacturers by providing opportunities to improve their product quality and design. DOST-FPRDI’s Transit Testing Laboratory as well as its other ISO-accredited facilities ensure that manufacturers can gain a competitive edge in exporting their products,” said DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr.
DOST-FPRDI’s TTL evaluates the performance of packaging materials used for transporting furniture and other products, adhering to the testing standards of the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The laboratory is equipped with advanced machinery, including a rotary vibration test machine, drop tester, compression test machine, and inclined impact test machine.
These machines simulate the conditions encountered during shipment, making transit testing crucial, especially as many importers require products to undergo transit testing before export.
DOST-FPRDI’s TTL operates under the Institute’s Furniture Testing Center. In addition to its PIP membership, it is also affiliated with the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA), based in Michigan, USA.
“Packaging plays a crucial role in ensuring that products remain safe, secure, and intact during transit. DOST-FPRDI’s Transit Testing Laboratory is well-positioned to share its expertise, promote best practices, and contribute significantly to the furniture industry, paper-based material packaging and other packaging sectors,” explained DOST-FPRDI OIC Director Rico J. Cabangon. 
DOST-FPRDI launches GAD Office
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The DOST- Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) continues to advocate for gender responsiveness through the establishment of its Gender and Development (GAD) Office. The GAD Office was launched last 11 July 2024 in celebration of the Institute’s 67th Anniversary.
The creation of the GAD office supports a safe work environment where the employees will feel included, valued and respected. The office will be used as a meeting room where documents for submission to the DOST-GAD Unit, Philippine Commission on Women, and Commission on Audit will be prepared.
It can also be used for consultations with researchers seeking assistance about their programs, activities and projects. GAD-related flyers, reports, video presentations have been produced for the employees, forest-based clients and communities.
DOST-FPRDI officials and employees attend the blessing and launching of the GAD Office.
DOST-FPRDI moves to boost wood identification in the Philippines
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The Department of Science and Technology-Forest Product Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) is taking significant strides in advancing the accuracy and reliability of identifying Philippine wood species through cutting-edge molecular-level research and development. These efforts will ensure alignment with global benchmarks, promoting transparency and confidence in international trade.
"Our commitment to enhancing Philippine wood identification reflects our dedication to sustainable forestry practices. By capacitating our researchers into integrating state-of-the-art technologies at the molecular level, we are enhancing our capability to accurately classify and certify Philippine wood species,” said DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr.
Wood identification is the scientific process of establishing the identity of a wood specimen based on its anatomical, physical and structural properties. It is used in the country’s anti-illegal logging campaign by providing basis for charges against violators.
“It would help our biodiversity protection efforts if we could employ the same state-of-the-art techniques in wood identification and preservation. Right now, we do our wood identification by examining the wood anatomy. Most countries, however, use more advanced and precise methods such as molecular technique or DNA sequencing, or machine-aided wood identification. We hope to acquire the needed equipment so we can boost the wood identification service we offer, and at the same time give more value to our vast collection of wood specimens,” explained Estudillo, the curator of the Institute’s Herbarium and Xylarium Facility.
It is also important in the realm of culture and local heritage. In the field of archaeology, identity of wood specimens recovered from study sites can be established.
To date, DOST-FPRDI’s Herbarium and Xylarium Facility houses 2,631 herbarium voucher specimens (810 species from 339 genera and 110 families), and the most complete wood collection of 10,983 authentic specimens in the country (2,282 species under 463 genera and 197 families of Philippine tree species). This wood collection represents more than 90% of Philippine tree species and is an important reference for archaeologists, foresters and students.
“This is a very rare and valuable collection since some of the collected species no longer exist in the natural forests. For example, in our collection is katagpo [Psychotria ilocana (Merr.) Merr.] which has been extinct in the wild for more than 100 years already. Thus, we have to protect this collection because it will be difficult to stockpile and impossible to replicate some of them again,” Estudillo said.
DOST-FPRDI experts are digitizing the wood samples to better preserve the wood collection. Information and photos are uploaded and a QR code is assigned to each specimen for indexing and easy access.
