SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has opened its seventh Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMCen) in the country, located at the Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU) San Pablo Campus.
Launched on Sept. 1, the facility aims to strengthen regional development and boost the competitiveness of Calabarzon’s manufacturing sector through additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing.
DOST secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said the center represents more than just investment in equipment, noting its role in training a new generation of engineers, researchers, and innovators.
“AMCen has become the country’s premier technological hub for additive manufacturing — a sector vital for producing intricate prototypes, custom parts, and advanced components that nurture innovation and foster competitive advantage,” Solidum said.
The new hub houses more than ₱800,000 worth of equipment and was established with support from the DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC) and the Industrial Technology Development Institute. Private partners Makerlab Electronics and Puzzlebox 3D also donated machines.
DOST undersecretary for regional operations Sancho Mabborang said the facility is expected to support not only manufacturers but also farmers and small businesses.
He highlighted its potential to provide farmers with access to farm equipment parts, help MSMEs develop metal-based products, and support agro-industrial processing for industries such as coconut.
The Laguna center is part of the nationwide AMCen network, with earlier facilities established in Regions II, VII, X, XII, CAR, and Caraga. It offers services in product prototyping, materials development, training, consultancy, and other 3D-printing applications.
As part of the launch, a memorandum of agreement was signed among DOST-Calabarzon’s, DOST-MIRDC, LSPU, Makerlab Electronics, and Puzzlebox 3D under the Technological Readiness and Innovation through Advanced Manufacturing in the Philippines (TRIAMPH) project.
The initiative falls under the Central Hub for Advanced Manufacturing R&D in the Philippines (CHAMP) Program approved in 2023.
