The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to unveil the P11.8-million Ilocos Innovation Center Fabrication Laboratory and Co-Working Space at the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) campus in San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur, on Thursday.
The Ilocos fab lab is part of the Shared Service Facility (SSF) project of the DTI. The fab lab is also the highest-funded SSF project of the department in the region. The Ilocos Sur fab lab, the DTI said, has a total of 70 advanced machines, including laser cutting machines, 3D printer, benchtop milling and embroidery machines, among others.
Fab labs help grassroots communities translate their design ideas into physical forms through advanced technology.
The DTI said providing this kind of facility for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide will allow them to access prototyping technologies and software in designing and manufacturing, which will help them be more competitive in the market.
Students of Ilocos PSHS will also have access to these technologies that will help them enhance their technical know-how.
Prior to Ilocos Sur, the DTI has provided a fab lab for MSMEs in Bohol —the country’s first fab lab facility.
The Bohol fab lab, worth P9.5 million, is in partnership with Japan International Cooperation Agency, Bohol Island State University, and the Department of Science and Technology.