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PROPOSED STRATEGY FOR THE NATIONAL METROLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE PHILIPPINES
PROPOSED STRATEGY FOR THE NATIONAL METROLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE PHILIPPINES
Proposed Blue Print for the National Metrology Strategy of the Philippines
I. Foreword (CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT) Imagine life without measurement. Imagine a world without accurate and reliable measurements. There can be reliable measurement only when metrology is in place. It is not uncommon that in the Philippines many people remain unfamiliar with or unaware of metrology. Metrology? Do you mean meteorology or PAGASA? People are confused. Reason? Because the basic infrastructure of metrology is not in place, or people are not aware that there is such science of measurement, or it is not understood. This lack of understanding and appreciation, plus the absence of a well-established metrological infrastructure founded on a national metrology strategy are some of the reasons for the low competitiveness of Philippine products in world trade. Recognizing the problems, the National Metrology Laboratory of the Philippines (NML) conducted the first metrology strategic planning workshop. It was sponsored by the national metrology institute of Germany (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt or PTB) and ably guided by its consultant, an internationally acknowledged adviser on metrology, Dr. Clemens Sanetra. The workshop aimed to identify the needs and gaps in the current situation of metrology in the Philippines, to propose solutions on how to address the gaps, to define the relationship of NML with key players in metrology, to identify the key elements of a national metrology strategy for the Philippines, and to propose final targets and milestones in the process of implementation to achieve a metrology infrastructure fit for the needs of the country, and according to international best practices. The importance of ensuring that measurements in the country are accurate and reliable cannot be overemphasized. From birth to death, measurement has always been part of man’s life. At birth, his weight and length are measured. In his lifetime he needs measurement to enjoy a good quality of life. In death, man still resorts to measurement - to record his time of death or determine the size of his coffin. Like ancient society, early Filipinos also had their own means of measurement to better manage their everyday life and be able to communicate with each other. They used terms to denote some form of measurement, such as “dangkal” (the point from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the middle finger) or “dipa” (the length of two extended arms) to measure length or distance, “dakot” (handful), “gatang” (a unit of measure for rice and other grains) to measure mass or weight, “saglit” (instant, moment), “sandali” (a moment, a short time) to measure time. Today, new technology and innovation, development in industries worldwide, the growing practice of manufacturers jointly producing goods or providing services, the stiffer competition in trade, the greater expectations in public safety, consumer protection and healthcare, and the demand for higher quality of goods dictate an urgent need for greater accuracy, reliability and harmony in measurements within a country and among countries. Metrology, together with the other components of a country’s quality infrastructure (like standards, testing, certification, accreditation, quality assurance), ensures that one gets the right weight of rice or meat or the right volume of gasoline that he pays for. It ensures that spare parts of cars or airplanes made in one country accurately fit other parts produced in another country. It assures one that the radiation he gets from an x-ray machine is within safe limits. All these are possible with the right practice of metrology. All these are benefits from reliable and accurate measurements, whether they are related to the regulated areas (consumer protection & welfare) or the non-regulated areas (quality assurance, competitiveness and innovation). This paper summarizes the output of the first workshop intended to provide the initial blueprint for a long-term national metrology strategy for the Philippines.