The Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (AMTEC) hosted officials from the House of Representatives (HOR) Committee on Science and Technology and other Committees related to Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources, for a scientific ocular visit among facilities supported by DOST-PCAARRD (Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development) last February 22, 2024. 

The guests were chiefs-of-staff of the committees mentioned above, accompanied by the key officials and staff from various DOST offices. In attendance were Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, DOST-PCAARRD’s Executive Director; Dir. Emelita P. Bagsit, DOST-CALABARZON’s Regional Director; and Dr. Rico J. Cabangon, DOST-FPRDI’s (Forest Products Research and Development Institute) Officer-in-charge.

The visit aimed to showcase the initiatives of DOST in collaboration with the academe, through AMTEC, to the country’s legislative agency. HOR plays a vital role in ensuring that Science and Technology initiatives are implemented.

Meanwhile, DOST-PCAARRD has been extending its support to the Center as a partner in advancing the nation’s agricultural mechanization program. The continuous support has allowed AMTEC to upgrade its facilities, enabling improved efficiency in the testing and evaluation operations of the Center.

AMTEC test engineers and staff welcomed the guests through an exhibition of the modern technologies used in the testing laboratories. The featured facilities include Material Analysis Equipment (XRF), the Walking-type Agricultural Tractor (WTAT) Dynamometer, and the Four-wheel Tractor Dynamometer.

Aside from AMTEC, the guests have also visited the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH) of UPLB. The Center looks forward to more opportunities for collaboration in achieving a holistic and more inclusive agricultural mechanization program in the country, leading to food security.