Cebu business heads welcome launching of Cebu’s FabLab

Computers and manufacturing machines in the Bohol Fabrication Laboratory (Fablab) are among the similar equipment that can be accessed by entrepreneurs and designers in Cebu at the Cebu FabLab at the UP Cebu Campus, which will open today. (CDN FILE)

Facility is DTI’s third Negosyo Center Plus — Negosyo Center with fabrication lab, work spaces

Business leaders in Cebu welcomed the launching today of Cebu’s digital Fabrication Laboratory (Fablab) by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at the University of the Philippines Cebu Campus.

“The creation of the FabLab will greatly spur the creative and innovative talents here in Cebu. The academe and the industries alike will be the beneficiary of this project,” said Melanie Ng, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president, in a text message yesterday.

“We hope the MSMEs will be able to take advantage of the services offered at the Fablab. Especially those that have great ideas that needs a prototype or needs creative development,” Ng said of the launching of the FabLab today, which is part of the activities of this year’s CCCI’s Cebu Business Month.

Eric Mendoza, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) president emeritus and furniture industry player, said that this will benefit the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and startups.

“It is very helpful for MSMEs. Moreso for startups, it will assist many especially that the industry is very competitive. Startups are rising, but the survival rate is very low so this will help a lot especially that Cebu is known for it’s creative industries,” said Mendoza.

Ruby Salutan, Cebu Furniture Industry Foundation (CFIF) Inc. consultant, also is optimistic with the opening of the FabLab.

“The Fablab is a much welcome facility as we see that it will drive innovation and R & D (research and development) in the furniture industry, said Salutan, who is also the past executive director of CFIF.

NEGOSYO CENTER

The FabLab at the UP Cebu Campus is part of the Negosyo Center Plus program of the Department of Trade and Industry.

According to the DTI in a statement, that this is the third of seven Negosyo Center Plus of the DTI.

The Negosyo Center Plus is a Negosyo Center with fabrication laboratory and co-working space. It is the second to the Bohol Fablab and first with the Negosyo Center Fablab Co-working Space tag in the Visayas.

DTI Supervising Undersecretary for Regional Operations Group (DTI-ROG) Zenaida Maglaya said that the Negosyo Center with Fablab Co-working Space launching is a milestone for the department after unveiling the first two in Santiago City and Ilocos Sur.

Zenaida said that the DTI is also set to open four more Negosyo Centers with Fablab Co-working Spaces in Tacloban City, Bicol, National Capital Region, and in Zamboanga City.

“The Negosyo Center Plus is a huge lift to our micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). These Negosyo Center with Fablabs and Co-Working Spaces are strategically located for innovation and creativity in the industry, particularly for use by students, start-ups and micro and small enterprises,” Maglaya said in a statement.

The Negosyo Center Plus UP Cebu is the first DTI-supported FabLab in Cebu, the DTI said in a statement.

The DTI funded six equipment worth P5.375 million under its Shared Service Facility (SSF) program to provide technical assistance and capacity building for the FabLab’s management and operations.

EQUIPMENT

The DTI also said that the Negosyo Center Plus UP Cebu provides a creative space for designers, creatives, entrepreneurs, students and the general public to test out their ideas and turn them into products using digital fabrication equipment.

Available equipment at the Negosyo Center Plus UP Cebu are 3D Printer, Laser Cutter, Printer and Cutter, Desktop Vinyl Cutter, CNC Router and Benchtop Milling Machine.

“The Negosyo Center Plus is the window for MSMEs, students, entrepreneurs and creative individuals to avail of new prototyping technologies and software in designing and manufacturing products to match the market competition,” Maglaya added.

The DTI launched the country’s first FabLab Shared Service Facility (SSF) in Bohol in 2014.

The Bohol Fablab, located at the Bohol Island State University, has helped the entrepreneurs in the island to produce travel retail products in short runs, prototype furniture and even a working “printed” house as part of the post-earthquake recovery program of the province .

BOHOL FABLAB

The Bohol Fablab is funded by the DTI, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Bohol Island State University (BISU), and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

The Negosyo Center is a salient feature of Republic Act No. 10644, otherwise known as “Go Negosyo Act,” which seeks to strengthen MSMEs to create more job opportunities in the country. On the other hand, a Co-working Space (CWS) is an open space that the public can rent for a very flexible period using common area office fixtures, internet, and other common office services, while the FabLab offers the digital fabrication equipment where people can build, design and engineer ideas into products.