A Department of Science and Technology (DOST) official is the first Filipino expert to receive the coveted International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Award.
The recognition is bestowed to Dr. Rico J. Cabangon–the DOST Forest Products Research and Development Institute Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Director, for his work in Bamboo and Rattan (ISO/TC 296), and his leadership in the working group on Bamboo for Furniture (WG 5). He is also cited for his contributions to the development of ISO 6128:2023, which outlines the requirements and test methods on laminated products made of bamboo strips for indoor furniture purposes.
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.
The ISO Excellence Award recognizes the endeavors of ISO’s technical professionals, experts, project leaders, or convenors in committee working groups that have significantly helped in “furthering the interests of standardization and related activities.”
DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr. congratulated Dr. Cabangon for this recognition and underscored the need to create more standards and testing facilities particularly for engineered bamboo products that are economically promising for export. This includes e-bamboo as structural material for trusses and columns.
“We are very pleased to announce that Dr. Cabangon is the first Philippine expert to receive this special award from ISO. PNS 2099:2015 Engineered Bamboo for general purpose – Specification is also the first Philippine National Standard (PNS) approved/translated into an International Standard, ISO 6128:2023,” 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 at the DOST last 22 January 2024.
Del Rosario added, “The DOST’s efforts and contribution to national and international standardization activities are recognized by receiving this international award. This demonstrates how the Philippines’ involvement and contribution to sustainability-driven standardization at the national, regional, and international levels has improved.”
Cabangon also chairs the DTI-BPS’ Technical Committee on Bamboo and Rattan. (Maybell Mariella A. Palaypayon and Kathleen Joy B. Bitao)