To drive regional industrialization and inclusive innovation: DOST opens its 7th advanced manufacturing center in Laguna

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The country's push for industrialization has prompted the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through DOST-CALABARZON, to open its seventh Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMCEN) on September 1, 2025. This center is expected to enhance regional development and promote inclusive growth in CALABARZON.

Joining the pioneer centers established in regions 2, 7, Caraga, 10, CAR, and 12, AMCen, which is located at the Laguna State Polytechnic University of the Philippines (LSPU) San Pablo Campus, marks a milestone for the CALABAZON and the country’s efforts toward industrial modernization, inclusive innovation, and global competitiveness.

DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. led the launch emphasizing AMCen’s role as a “transformative force” in shaping the country’s industrial future.

“AMCen has become the country’s premier technological hub for Additive Manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3D printing—a sector vital for producing intricate prototypes, custom parts, and advanced components that nurture innovation and foster competitive advantage,” Solidum said, adding that beyond machinery and equipment, AMCen is an investment in people.

“It cultivates a new generation of engineers, researchers, and innovators who are truly innovation-ready,” he said.

DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. inaugurates the 7th Advanced Manufacturing Center in San Pablo City, Laguna, calling it “an investment in people” and a hub for innovation-ready Filipinos.

The AMCen is the Philippines’ premier research facility in additive manufacturing (AM) and a state-of-the-art technological hub providing comprehensive services on product prototyping, manufacturing, materials development, training, consultancy, and other 3D-printing solutions. It is a partnership between the Metals Industry Research and Development Center and the Industrial Technology Development, both under DOST.

It aims to enhance the competitiveness of the country's manufacturing sector by increasing its technological readiness, business sophistication, and innovative capacity.

Solidum also encouraged LSPU to integrate additive manufacturing into its curricula, ensuring that students develop skills needed for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The 7th Advanced Manufacturing Center in the country is launched in CALABARZON, containing more than Php 800,000 worth of equipment, located at the DOST-Laguna, LSPU San Pablo Campus, San Pablo City, Laguna.

He underscored the importance of collaboration with partners like Makerlab Electronics and Puzzlebox 3D, which donated equipment for the Center, as well as DOST’s initiatives to roll out national curricula and specialized courses on additive manufacturing for senior high school, undergraduate, and graduate students.

AMCen for regional socio-economic development

In his message of support, DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Sancho A. Mabborang underscored AMCen’s importance in driving regional socio-economic development, particularly in CALABARZON’s thriving manufacturing and processing sectors.

“The metals industry is crucial in the industrialization of regions and provinces. It generates high-quality jobs, supports manufacturing and processing industries, and accelerates socio-economic growth. Modern facilities, such as AMCEN, stand both as a solution to challenges and as a key to open opportunities. It will leverage the skills and creativity of engineers, technicians, and innovators and will serve as a hub of learning and creation,” he said.

Mabborang also emphasized that AMCen will assist farmers, particularly in Laguna and Quezon, in accessing farm equipment parts, thereby boosting productivity on their farms and contributing to food security and higher incomes. It will also support MSMEs in developing and scaling metal-based products, as well as strengthen the coconut industry through agro-industrial processing and value addition.

“Innovation is at the heart of AMCeN. Innovation that is geared to contribute to inclusive growth and economic transformation, especially in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It will be felt by individuals, communities, and businesses, positioning them for new opportunities that mean new livelihoods, increased incomes, and improved lives,” he said.

The AMCen CALABARZON joins the growing national network of advanced manufacturing hubs, highlighting strategic expansion and decentralizing access to cutting-edge prototyping and rapid innovation capabilities. This aligns with the DOST’s mantra of “Agham na Ramdam” – science that is deeply felt and experienced by communities.

“It encapsulates the ‘Agham na Ramdam’ mantra of our Secretary, by bringing science, technology, and innovation closer to the Filipinos, especially those in the regions, where profound transformation takes shape,” Mabborang further said.

Strengthening partnerships and inclusive innovation

MOA Signing for Signing-Technological Readiness and Innovation through Advanced Manufacturing in the Philippines (TRIAMPH) at the launch of the 7th AMCen in the country on September 1, 2025 at DOST-Laguna, located at the Laguna State Polytechnic University San Pablo Campus, San Pablo City, Laguna.
(Seated L-R) DOST-CALABARZON Regional Director Emelita P. Bagsit, DOST-MIRDC Director Engr. Robert O. Dizon, Laguna State Polytechnic University President, Dr. Mario R. Briones, Makerlab Electronics President, Mike Jassen T. Sy, and Puzzlebox 3D Director Justin T. Gabitan.
(Standing L-R) LSPU San Pablo Campus Director Joel M. Bawica, DOST-Laguna Provincial Director Agnes G. Morales, DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Sancho A. Mabborang, DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr., DOST-CALABARZON Assistant Regional Director for Technology Operations Engr. Francisco R. Barquilla III, and an official from the Makerlab Electronics.

As part of the launch, partnerships were solidified with a Memorandum of Agreement signing by the DOST-CALABARZON, led by Regional Director Emelita P. Bagsit; DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center, led by its executive director, Engr. Robert O. Dizon; Laguna State Polytechnic University, led by its president, Dr. Mario R. Briones; Makerlab Electronics, led by its President Mike Jassen T. Sy; and Puzzlebox 3D, led by its Director Justin T. Gabitan.

The agreement was for the “Technological Readiness and Innovation through Advanced Manufacturing in the Philippines (TRIAMPH)” under the Central Hub for Advanced Manufacturing R&D in the Philippines (CHAMP) Program, which was approved in 2023.

Under the project, AMCen aims to make additive manufacturing technologies accessible nationwide to researchers and innovators.

With this, Usec. Mabborang expressed gratitude to DOST-CALABARZON, DOST-MIRDC, and LSPU Laguna, as well as private partners such as Makerlab Electronics and Puzzlebox 3D, for their strengthened collaboration.

The Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMCen) is spearheaded by the DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC). It serves as the country’s premier hub for additive manufacturing and advanced prototyping, equipping industries, MSMEs, and innovators with the tools and expertise needed to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The AMCen CALABARZON is located at the Laguna State Polytechnic University San Pablo Campus, Brgy. Del Remegio, San Pablo City, Laguna. For inquiries, you may contact DOST Laguna through Facebook, email at laguna@ro4a.dost.gov.ph, or by calling (049) 530 9352.

As one of the many initiatives of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the AMCen also aims at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions, Opportunities for All. For more information, visit www.mirdc.dost.gov.ph. (Text and photos by Rosemarie C. Señora, DOST-STII)