BY Bon Padayhag (DOST)
The OneLab Network, a platform developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), was recently awarded the Benita & Catalino Yap Foundation (BCYF) Innovation Award under the government category.
The BCYF recognizes innovative products, services, technologies, or initiatives that transform organizations through improvements that are sustainable, demonstrable, and measurable.
The OneLab Network is an innovation in the service delivery of laboratories in the DOST system.
The platform integrates DOST’s regional and research institutes’ laboratories, including selected non-DOST laboratories all over the country, into a network that provides easy access to testing and calibration services for the manufacturing and other industries, entrepreneurs, and the public in general.
The networking of laboratories through the DOST-OneLab project enables DOST regional offices to coordinate laboratory transactions with other DOST regional offices that are capable of doing tests required by clients.
Such set-up facilitates the testing requirements of clients who no longer have to travel from one testing center or laboratory to another to complete their testing requirements.
Laboratory services are critical in the product development and quality assurance requirements of the micro, small, and medium enterprises.
Public institutions and local government units likewise need laboratory services in addressing public welfare concerns and consumer protection. The academe too needs laboratory services for research and development activities.
The OneLab Network portal makes transactions easier and quicker, and allows customers to track the status of their requests.
The customer portal, available in three online platforms (Web, Android and iOS), can be accessed through the internet address onelab.ph.
Former DOST-IX Regional Director and now DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Brenda L. Nazareth-Manzano, DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute Director Dr. Ma. Patricia V. Azanza, and cluster heads Dr. Julius Ceasar V. Sicat (Northern Luzon), Dr. Alexander R. Madrigal (Southern Luzon), Engr. Rowen R. Gelonga (Visayas), and Dr. Anthony C. Sales (Mindanao), Regional Directors of DOST III, IVA, VI and XI respectively, pushed the OneLab project to become internationally recognized and accredited to ISO 17025:2005 “General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories.”
OneLab project’s ISO accreditation ensures customers of accurate and complete instructions regarding their testing requirements.
Since it went online on October 2015, DOST’s OneLab Network has facilitated 153 referrals of 434 samples across the country requiring 575 tests and calibratio.
For more information on OneLab, please call (062) 991-1024 or text 0917 722 4118 and look for Rosemarie S. Salazar or email us at dost9info@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page at www.fb.com/DOSTRegion9