The Department of Science and Technology-(DOST) MIMAROPA opened its innovation laboratory (InnoLab) in Western Palawan University (WPU) to support the local artists and designers, and spur the local creative industry to make Palawan’s souvenir manufacturers globally competitive using the latest technologies.
The InnoLab opened last week, which is managed by the WPU in Puerto Princesa City, where local designers, hobbyists, engineers, researchers and students can access the facility.
The DOST said that a prototyping facility, InnoLab will give local souvenir producers and manufacturers access to computer-based technologies in designing and fabricating competitive products.
It currently houses computer-numerical-controlled (CNC) milling machine used for engraving, facing, drilling, and cutting such materials as metal, wood, and plastic and other hard materials except fragile materials like glass; an industrial 3D printer for large 3D items; and, a general purpose 3D printer for small 3D items.
The DOST’s intervention to Palawan’s artists and designers is needed for them to produce good quality souvenirs, arts and crafts.
“Dubbed as one of the best islands in the world, Palawan mainly thrives on catering to tourists. A growing tourist number incites more demand for souvenirs—which the locals could have enjoyed but, unfortunately, not every product that can be bought in the island is locally made. Foreign-made products dominate the Palawan souvenir scene since buying these products in wholesale is relatively cheaper and easier than producing local products,” wrote Phyllicia Anne M. Baguyo, DOST Provincial Science and Technology Center-Palawan and Charlotte F. Pizarras, DOST-MIMAROPA Regional Office.
The DOST said that the high cost of production stems from the lack of a facility that can assist manufacturers in product design and development as well as streamlining the production process.
According to the Pearl and Souvenir Shops Association of Puerto Princesa City and Palawan (PASSAPPP), executing their design ideas is time-consuming and there’s no guarantee of a proper execution as they mostly do everything, from sketching to prototype conversion, by hand.
Thus, DOST-MIMAROPA partnered with WPU to establish the InnoLab that will serve as the avenue for Palawan souvenir manufacturers to compete globally.
“The technologies inside the facility will aid them in designing and creating prototype and scale models, utilizing local materials and mass-production of products. With this in place, it will also ensure the marketability of the souvenir products by supporting short-run production for market validation,” the DOST said in a statement.
For an effective operation and management, the assigned InnoLab’s manager and other stakeholders learned best practices from operational laboratories in other provinces and the importance of proper networking and linkages with existing and future innovators in Palawan.