City of San Fernando, La Union – The Regional Standards and Testing Laboratory (RSTL) of the Department of Science and Technology Region 1 (DOST-1) elaborates its services on Friday, November 26, 2021 through live streaming from the news and current affairs of Central Luzon in Region 3.
The program hosted by Mrs. Eight/Alma Ochotorena and Mr. Larry Marco was attended by DOST-1 regional director, Dr. Armando Q. Ganal; RSTL laboratory head Ms. Lena C. Rosario, and Regional Metrology Laboratory (RML) technical manager Engr. Bernadine P. Suniega.
The topics outlined the discussion of what RSTL is about, the services it offers to the people of Region 1 and how it collaborates with other government agencies, the four laboratories, functions of RSTL and how it correlates to OneLab Network, procedures in requesting for calibration services and the RSTL’s Accreditation, Certifications and Recognition.
“RSTL is the leading government laboratory in Region 1 that provides analytical testing and calibration services to all stakeholders including the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Local Government Units (LGUs), Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) communities, researchers, and other academic institutions. It accepts water samples and food samples for safety, quality, and basic nutrients testing, even household water like deep well and/or groundwater is included and wastewater samples,” as Ms. Rosario discussed.
Furthermore, she elaborates the function of the four laboratories: Chemical, Microbiological, and Shelf-Life and sensory evaluation laboratories and the main objective of how OneLab network operates. The four laboratories play a major role in the safety and quality of the samples (food and water).
On the other hand, Engr. Suniega tackled the calibration services and products offered by the laboratory and explained the procedures in requesting. “Calibration covers everything on our day-to-day living and is not only limited to businesses and commerce. Also, two of the most important services offered by Regional Metrology Laboratory (RML) of RSTL are the tankers and weighing scales” he stated. He enumerated all the equipment that needed calibration services to minimize the risk of misinformation.
Additionally, the laboratory accreditation, certification, and recognition were presented by Ms. Rosario. RSTL is an International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC) 17025:2017 accredited testing laboratory, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recognized environmental laboratory, FDA accredited laboratory and DOH accredited water testing laboratory. It has also secured its Certificate of Authority to Operate Chemical laboratories under Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), and permits for Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for the controlled chemicals.
Dr. Ganal also promotes other activities and programs of the DOST which are the Innovation for Filipinos working distantly from the Philippines pertaining to help them financially amidst the pandemic; and the Innovation Science Technology for Accelerating regional-based development (iSTART) program which extends support for the experts to render service to the Universities here in the Philippines.
The achievements of the department are everyone’s [DOST staff] achievement for the effort put forth towards science and technology for the people.
https://region1.dost.gov.ph/8-article1/693-central-luzon-balita-dost-1-discusses-the-rstl-services-and-functions-with-the-theme-bridging-point-connecting-people-to-the-world