DOST expert becomes first Filipino honored with ISO excellence award
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Thursday, Feb. 8 said one of its officials was bestowed with an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Award.

DOST Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Director Dr. Rico J. Cabangon was the first Filipino to receive the honor.
The department said it was in line with his work in Bamboo and Rattan (ISO/TC 296) and for leading the group on Bamboo for Furniture (WG 5).
Moreover, he was acknowledged with his contributions to the development of ISO 6128:2023, describing the specifications and testing procedures for bamboo strip laminated items intended for interior furniture use.
"The formulation of ISO 6128:2023 aims to boost the global trade of laminated bamboo and strengthen its value, effectiveness, and competitiveness in the market," said DOST.
It also said the ISO Excellence Award pays tribute to the ventures of ISO's technical professionals, experts, project leaders, or convenors in committee working groups that have notably contributed in “furthering the interests of standardization and related activities.”
Meanwhile, DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr. applauded Dr. Cabangon for the award emphasizing the call to generate more standards and testing facilities specifically for engineered bamboo products "that are economically promising for export."
"The DOST's efforts and contribution to national and international standardization activities are recognized by receiving this international award," said Engr. Ma. Teresita G. Del Rosario of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS) during the awarding ceremony.
"This demonstrates how the Philippines' involvement and contribution to sustainability-driven standardization at the national, regional, and international levels has improved," she added.