Philippines’ OneLab from the Department of Science and Technology receives accolade at GovMedia Conference & Awards 2024

OneLab will level-up its services to adapt to the region’s economic transition and growth.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), specifically its project lead offices the DOST Regional Office No. IX Zamboanga Peninsula located in Zamboanga City, Mindanao and the DOST Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) located at Taguig City, Metro Manila, clinched the Philippines Governance Project of the Year - Science and Technology category at the esteemed GovMedia Conference & Awards 2024 for the successful upgrade of its Smarter OneLab for Industry 4.0 through Testing and Calibration, Education and Discovery (OneLab for TED).

The initiative aims to upgrade its services to sustain the delivery of analytical testing and calibration services; serve as a research and development and innovation hub; and become training providers to different stakeholders. This is expected to meet the current demands of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSME), local government units, state universities and colleges, and other stakeholders. Due to the archipelagic nature of the Philippines, the DOST one-stop shop laboratory services (OneLab) has created a strong network of testing and calibration laboratories in the whole country, both coming from the government and private sectors, which collaborate to meet the needs of various stakeholders, ensuring the quality and safety of raw materials and products. It has even extended its network by having member laboratories from nearby countries, making technical services available and relevant to current needs and emerging concerns. This is a clear statement of the trust of international laboratories in the strong foundation and commendable innovation in government service delivery of DOST OneLab.

A robust referral system, which is anchored on an information technology (IT) platform, was established and made stronger. It has helped connect in a single touch point stakeholders to the appropriate testing and calibration laboratories which can cater for their laboratory requirements.

The expansion of OneLab’s services is realised and continuously being done through upgrading and provision of new facilities, infrastructures, equipment, and forging of linkages. It has ensured that member laboratories established and maintained laboratory quality management systems based on ISO/IEC 17025:2017, an international standard used in the laboratory accreditation of competent and internationally recognised testing and calibration laboratories. Collaborations are enhanced in the project implementation because of the devolvement and decentralisation of certain services. This involves weaning out common analytical tests and calibration services whilst gradually focusing on unique ones that the member laboratories provide.

As part of this initiative, the project team regularly conducts planning workshops participated by project coordinators and leaders in the DOST system to revisit OneLab’s roadmap, followed by updating of the strategic objectives and key performance indicators based on a predetermined project framework. It is divided into components necessary for the sustained operation of the network alongside its continuous advancement and continual improvements.

With the growing economy of the Philippines as the next big thing in Asia, various concerns emerge and DOST OneLab provides new, unique and/or enhanced testing, calibration and other technical services which benefit the stakeholders with complex requirements, helping them become globally competitive.

“OneLab is an avenue of the DOST member laboratories to support the stakeholders, especially the MSMEs amidst the growing and developing Philippine economy. The [fast-paced] development requires strong support to ensure that a healthy market competition exists and that it is geared towards business sustainability, employment generation, and wealth protection,” the project team said.

The GovMedia Conference & Awards is a prestigious event that spotlights outstanding government projects and initiatives in Asia that contributes to the well-being of the people in the region.

The Gov Media Awards is presented by Gov Media Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2024 awards programme and be recognised for your organisation's government projects and initiatives, please contact Jane Patiag at [email protected].