Pinoy forest product expert wins ISO award

MANILA, Philippines —  A Department of Science and Technology (DOST) official emerged as the first Filipino expert to receive the coveted International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Award.

The ISO Excellence Award has been conferred on Rico Cabangon, officer-in-charge of the DOST Forest Products Research and Development Institute, for his work in bamboo and rattan (ISO/TC 296) furniture international standardization and for his leadership in the working group on bamboo for furniture.

He is also cited for his contributions to the development of ISO 6128:2023, which outlines the requirements and test methods on laminated products made of bamboo strips for indoor furniture purposes.

The formulation of ISO 6128:2023 aims to boost the global trade of laminated bamboo and strengthen its value, effectiveness and competitiveness in the market.

The ISO Excellence Award recognizes the endeavors of ISO’s technical professionals, experts, project leaders or convenors in committee working groups that have significantly helped in “furthering the interests of standardization and related activities.”

Science Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. congratulated Cabangon for the achievement and underscored the need to create more standards and testing facilities, particularly for engineered bamboo products that are economically promising for export.

This includes e-bamboo as structural material for trusses and columns.

“We are very pleased to announce that Dr. Cabangon is the first Philippine expert to receive this special award from ISO. PNS 2099:2015 Engineered Bamboo for general purpose – Specification is also the first Philippine National Standard approved/translated into an International Standard, ISO 6128:2023,” said Ma. Teresita del Rosario of the Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Philippine Standards during the awarding ceremony at the DOST last Jan. 22.

Cabangon also chairs the bureau’s Technical Committee on Bamboo and Rattan.