Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre (2nd from left) during the unveiling of the Regional Standards and Testing Laboratory (RSTL) in Eastern Visayas (Rep. Acidre's Office)

As part of the “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) initiative of bringing government services closer to Filipinos, Tingog Party-list has unveiled a modernized Regional Standards and Testing Laboratory (RSTL) in Eastern Visayas.

Tingog Party-list, represented in the House by Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez, and Jude Acidre, appropriated P42 million for the construction of the new state-of-the-art facility.

Acidre, a House deputy majority leader, said the laboratory marks an important milestone in Leyte’s pursuit of quality assurance, which is aimed at improving progress throughout Eastern Visayas.

“The unveiling of our modernized RSTL marks a pivotal moment in our journey towards excellence. This state-of-the-art facility is not just an achievement for Tingog Party-list, but a beacon of progress and innovation for all of Eastern Visayas,” the lawmaker said in a statement.

“This project is a testament to Tingog’s commitment to an inclusive social development, underscoring the importance of empowerment of regional offices to make services more accessible to Filipinos as part of our Bagong Pilipinas,” he added.

The RSTL has three laboratories catering to different services composed of qualified professionals.

First is the Microbiology Laboratory, which is utilized for the testing of water, wastewater, and food/food products.

The Physico-chemical Laboratory likewise offers analytical tests of water, wastewater, and food/food products.

Meanwhile, the Metrology and Calibration Laboratory provides on-site testing calibration services upon request of different agencies across Eastern Visayas. It offers small volume, big volume, mass pressure, thermometry, and length calibrations.

Originally established in 1998, the RSTL in Region 8 has provided testing and calibration services to industries, researchers, students, and other customers.