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"Industry must improve itself
continuously otherwise, if it is complacent and stagnates, it
is already on its way down."
(Philosophy followed by Don Andres Soriano Sr., as he pushed
San Miguel Corporation to greatness.)
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This is the same philosophy that motivated the founding fathers
of the Industrial Research Foundation (IRF) that Industry
MUST undertake Research and Development (R&D) to survive.
IRF does not undertake R & D itself but instead, promotes
the patronage by Industry of Government S&T Institutes, NIST
in 1983, and present-day DOST (Department of Science and Technology),
the successor to NIST.
| On September 30, 1983, a meeting
was convened by then newly appointed NIST Director (and TOYM
Awardee) Dr. Filemon "Jun" Uriarte among his many
friends in the private sector, to propose the setting up a Foundation
that would forge a stronger LINK between Industry (who badly
needs R&D) and the Government S&T Institutes (who can
supply the needed R&D). |
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Fifteen (15) persons responded to Dr. "Jun" Uriarte's
invitation and agreed to be the founding fathers of the Industrial
Research Foundation or IRF. Some of the founders are still active
in IRF affairs, after nearly 20 years of service, as a testimonial
to their belief in the ideals that IRF stands for, that Industry
must be assisted, even prodded to undertake R&D to survive.
(Please see List of
IRF Pioneers)
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In 1989, IRF took a more aggressive stance in promoting Industrial
Research through a two-pronged approach; first, to assist
DOST (especially ITDI) in their constant search for rendering
better service in S&T and second, facilitating delivery
of these services by forging strong linkages between DOST/
ITDI and Industry.
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Some of IRF's the major accomplishments along
these lines
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1989
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SSP
In 1989, ITDI launched the Supervised Services Programs
(SSP), where ITDI services are offered "packaged"
and offered to Industry on subscription basis, with IRF
as Financial manager.
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1991
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SCRDC
IRF brokers the formation of the Surface coating
R&D center, or SCRDC, a joint ITDI-SurfaceCoating Industry
Association collaboration that has served the Surface Coating
Industry (Paint, Printing Ink, Adhesives) well up to now.
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1993
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PHNET
DOST commissions IRF to put up PHNET, the
first R.P. ISP (Internet Service Provider) through
a Php12.5 M grant that will connect nine (9) Universities
nationwide (Baguio, Metro Manila, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro)
to the Internet.
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1998
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IRF provokes inquiry in why very little Philippine-made
Animal Vaccines in the market, resulting in a very successful
Consultation arranged by PCARRD in 1999. In 2000, the manufacture
of Animal Vaccine, were forwarded to the Department of Agriculture
for possible action.
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1998
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IRF markets the expertise of ITDI's MGD(Microbiology/Genetics
Division) to a US-based chemical company to use MGD as Asian
test facility for their products.
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1999
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October 21: MOU between DOST and PCCI pledging
close collaboration in bridging the existing technology gap
in industry nationwide, is signed between DOST Secretary Filemon
A. Uriarte Jr. and VP Donald Dee, representing PCCI President
Alberto Fenix Jr.
The First implementing step of the MOU
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Formation of ATCs (Area Technical Committees) nationwide.
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2001
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February 13: Guidelines for the formation of ATC
are approved.
February 15: Inauguration of first Pilot ATC: Greater
Bacolod CCI and DOST Region VI.
May 17: DOST Secretary Estrella Alabastro
accepts MOU Steering Committee membership, and designates
USEC Fortunato De La Pena as Alternate; ASEC Maripaz Perez
as Coordinating Committee designate.
August 14: Meeting between DOST USEC Fortunato De
La Pena and PCCI VP Francisco Floro formalizes the activation
of the MOU and the formation of ATC nationwide.
(IRF is requested by DOST and PCCI to
remain as acting ATC Secretariat.)
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2002
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June 18: Newly appointed DOST USEC for Regional
Operations Dr. Florentino O. Tesoro is briefed on ATC.
Note: The vacancy in the office of USEC -Regional Operations
has hampered the full implementation of ATC project.
July 16: Dr. Alberto P. Fenix Jr., PCCI President
Emeritus (and as Chairman of the TEST Committee,
de facto ATC in-charge for PCCI) meets USEC Florentino Tesoro
together with USEC Fortunato De La Pena and Mr. Cesar J.
Santos of IRF. USEC Tesoro told Dr. Fenix that, after
studying the ATC concept, he was impressed with the potentials
of the project. To relieve the Regional Directors of additional
administrative burden caused by ATC, he is talking to the
various DOST Council Heads to find ways and means to "fold-in"
their "Regional consortia" into the ATC structure.
Note: ATC is the most promising and most exciting among
the current projects that IRF is advocating. Properly implemented
and nurtured, there will be five (5) AREA ATCs and fifteen
(15) Regional Chapters, all tirelessly working to bring
technology to the countryside. Imagine!
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Through the years, IRF has gained the trust and confidence
of DOST. ITDI in particular, by our sincere concern and assistance
in their efforts to render better service, to the extent that we
are considered as family. In appreciation, we are allowed free use
of a room, complete with our own telephone. Our concerns are accepted
as constructive and not meant to denigrate. IRF also is the custodian
of various ITDI project funds that they entrust to us, knowing that
we will be true to that trust.
We are very proud of our standing in the DOST community but very
careful to keep that trust.
On the other hand, our Corporate membership has built up slowly
until 1992 when the corporate membership stood at 55 members which
number has remained up to the present. (Please refer to List B)
Through the years, corporate membership has built up slowly up
to 1992 when the corporate membership stood at 55 members which
has remained up to the present.
Although IRF has operated continuously through these years, we
have not kept close touch with our corporate members. We hope to
renew our old ties as well as bring in new blood that will carry
on the vision of the founding fathers.
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