Esteban, Christian Mervin M.

BSEE 3 1
DOST Tour Reflection

The day started as we arrived at the Department of Science and Technology

entrance and proceeded to the main convention hall where we registered as
students touring from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. We then met our
tour guide, an employee of DOST NCR division, Camille Estimado. After acquainting
with one another and having discussed what areas to visit, since we cannot go to all
of the facilities, she then led us to our first stop, the automated light rail transit
system. The train system was developed by the department to help the worsening
traffic situation. It is in its final stages of development. We rode the first prototype
composed of three sections of the train, of which there was only one person
managing the vehicle and was really, just sitting there and operating the to and fro
motion of the train. It is planned to lay the tracks for the train system in a few years
stretching from north of the metro to the nearest southern provinces.
The next part of our tour was held at the food processing facility where we
were served food that was mostly processed using machinery and not manual labor.
The food was good but it lacked flavor that manual preparation gives the consumer.
Right outside the facility were some of the machinery that helps in packing
the food that we buy every now and then. Some of the machines that were
showcased was a bottle cap attachment mechanism and a plastic sealing machine.
We saw as the food was packaged in seconds and was ready for dispatch.
We then went to the main hall for the different exhibits that were displayed
such as the big black tent where when we had our turn, we explored the vast
universe of stars and constellations. It was a bit hot inside the tent thats why it
wasnt really a very enjoyable experience for me, but for the kids with us inside,
they seemed to love it.
Next we went to the MIRDC Prototyping Division where demonstrations of
machinery in action whilst cutting through metals with accuracy and precision was
made by the people working the programs connected with the machines.
On our way back from the metal works division, we passed by the cloth
making department where we observed the different cloths that the department
had been working on to promote natural and locally made cloth. There were some
great designs of clothing which can be seen on the pictures below.
The tour ended with us eventually taking pictures with our tour as the other
exhibits were coming to a close as facilitators were expected to attend the
department-wide Christmas party. The following pictures were taken during the said
event: