The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) inaugurated on Tuesday, Nov. 9, the country’s first Metrology in Chemistry (MiC) Laboratory.
DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña led the opening of the four-story MiC lab, which is located in the Science Complex in Bicutan, Taguig City, four years after its groundbreaking in 2018.
“From producing traceable reference materials or RMs for drinking water analysis, the MiC Laboratory has, since then, been making reference materials for other matrices such as fruits, vegetables, and seafood,” de la Peña said in his speech.
“These RMs are distributed free of charge nationwide to different public and private chemical testing laboratories for measurement and quality control schemes and proficiency testing programs,” he added.
The DOST’s Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) said the laboratory was established to help local testing laboratories comply with traceable chemical measurements by producing RMs and conducting accuracy-based Proficiency Testing (PT) schemes.
“What makes RMs valuable is how it supports the results of measurement laboratories to ensure that commodities can pass stringent international trade standards on food quality and control. MiC thus aims to reduce the detention and recall of Philippine products for export,” it said.
Through the new laboratory, highly characterized, authenticated control materials, such as RMs are readily available for food testing.
“We can never overemphasize the importance of accurate and reliable chemical measurements, especially today as we collectively recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” de la Peña said.
“With this, our Department is committed to assisting our local industry sectors in ensuring that the goods and services they deliver to consumers are of the highest quality,” he added.
According to the DOST chief, most food manufacturers in the country currently rely on RMs purchased overseas, adding that one material per food product may cost from P15,000 to P30,000.
“Thus, by establishing the MiC Laboratory, we tell the international export community that Philippine products are as good as any of its European, American, British, Chinese, or Thai counterparts,” he said.