MATAPOS ang pagkilalang tinanggap kamakailan ng isa sa mga kawani sa larangan ng metrology, plano ng Department of Science and Technology (DOST) na higit pang palakasin at isulong ang nasabing larangan, pagbabahagi ni Secretary Fortunato dela Peña.

Nitong Disyembre, tinanggap ni Benilda Ebarvia, assistant scientist at pinuno ng Metrology in Chemistry Laboratory ng DOST-National Metrology Laboratory, ang 2019 Developing Economies National Metrology Institute (DEN) Award sa Sydney, Australia.

Itinatag noong 2010, ang parangal ay isang pagkilala sa natatanging tagumpay ng isang indibiduwal mula sa Asia Pacific Metrology Programme’s (APMP) 17 member economies. Taunan itong ibinibigay sa iisang tao at maaaring ideklara ng mga organisador na walang kikilalanin sa buong taon.

Si Ebarvia ang unang nagwagi na mula sa Pilipinas.

“Having been involved in the metrology program of the National Metrology Division of DOST, she was responsible for drafting the proposal for the ‘Enhancement of the Competence and Capabilities of the National Metrology Laboratory of the Philippines’ for funding. Through her leadership and technical know-how, the proposal was approved for funding by DBM with a project duration of five years, which started in 2017,” pagbabahagi ni dela Peña sa Philippine News Agency (PNA).

Dagdag pa nito, hindi lamang layunin ng tinanggap na parangal ang tagumpay ng isang tao, ngunit humihikayat din ito sa iba pang nasa larangan.

Naging nominado si Ebarvia matapos i-nomina ni Annabelle Briones, DOST-ITDI (Industrial Technology Development Institute) director na miyembro ng APMP.

Tinanggap niya ang pagkilala para sa kanyang gawain sa pagpapaunlad ng unang Reference Materials (RMs) sa Pilipinas. Ang RMs ay ginagamit “to confirm methods and to assess the accuracy of measurement results for use by measurement laboratories to analyze, for instance, the content of properties in food. These are also useful in proving what makes up a particular food, its micronutrients, or the extent of its authenticity.”

Sumusuporta ang RM work ni Ebarvia sa maraming resulta ng measurement laboratories upang masiguro na makapapasa ang mga lokal na produkto sa international trade standards sa food quality and control, dagdag pa ni dela Peña.

“The award is not just a recognition of the Filipinos’ talent in the field of metrology, but rather, recognizes metrology’s role in a country. (On) behalf of the ITDI, we are proud that the endeavors of our very own scientists were recognized outside the country. This is part of ITDI’s mandate and consequently, puts the country in the map of international scientific advancements, and indicates improvements in the status of metrology in the Philippines,” aniya.

Nangako naman kalihim na buong tiwalang susuportahan ang metrology program ng bansa, upang makamit nito ang hangarin na maging “provider of world-class scientific, technological and innovative solutions that will lead to higher productivity and a better quality of life.”

“[The country needs to have] accurate, reliable, and traceable measurements,”aniya.

Balak din ng ahensiya na magsagawa ng mga awareness seminars at pagpupulong para maisulong ang kahalagahan ng metrology.

Nabanggit din ni Dela Peña na bukas ang DOST metrology laboratory para sa mga mag-aaral at iba pang indibiduwal na nais bumisita at magkaroon ng kaalaman tungkol sa larangan.

“Active participation by the staff in local and international conferences are also venues for introducing researches and activities. We have received positive responses and interests from the academe, graduate students and researchers who want to pursue expertise on metrology,” saad pa ng kalihim.

Aminado naman si Dela Peña na marami pang kailangan gawin ang Pilipinas upang makasabay sa ibang bansa sa larangan ng metrology. Sa kasalukuyan, nakatuon ang metrology sa aspekto ng mass, length, pressure, temperature, electricity, at volume.

“Laboratories are still lacking reference materials for testing to ensure that their measurements are accurate and traceable. The country needs local reference materials, which are more appropriate in testing Philippine products. Currently, local laboratories import from other countries and such reference materials may not be entirely appropriate,” paliwanag pa ni dela Peña.

“Proficiency testing (PT) schemes in the country are mostly consensus-based, therefore there is a need to promote accuracy-based PTs for competency,” aniya.