A limited manufacturing agreement was signed for the Department of Science and Technology – Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC) developed 12HP single-cylinder diesel engine also referred to as “SCDE”.
As an agricultural country, the Philippines has been relying on imported engines to support its agro-industrial requirements. These engines are used to provide power to hand tractors, water pumps, driers, and other farm machinery. “Being able to manufacture our very own prime mover diesel engine, we level up our agro-machinery sector and of course, more importantly, boost the productivity and profitability of our farmers and fisherfolks,” shares DOST VI Regional Director Rowen R. Gelonga in his message during the virtual signing of the limited manufacturing agreement of the DOST-MIRDC 12 HP SCDE.
In 2017, DOST-MIRDC completed the DOST-GIA funded research project “Development of 12 HP SCDE.” The DOST-MIRDC designed and developed the prototype of the said machine and was evaluated through actual field testing as a prime-mover of a flatbed dryer, hand tractor (with 125% payload), and water pump. The prototype test results at the Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (AMTEC) showed that it achieved and exceeded the standard performance conditions comparable to the leading brands of commercial engines of the same power rating.
The DOST-MIRDC tapped RU Foundry and Machine Shop Corp. in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, and Supercast Foundry and Machinery Corp. in Valenzuela, Metro Manila as project partners. The partnership includes the fabrication of 20 units of 12HP SCDE and the testing of its applicability to and compatibility with the existing farm machinery under actual farm conditions in various locations in the country. The project offers free commissioning of several units to be deployed, and one (1) unit is set for testing by the Central Philippines State University (CPSU) in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.
The agreement was signed last October 5 by Engr. Robert O. Dizon, MIRDC Executive Director; project partners – Mr. Ramon Uy, Director for Operations of RU Foundry and Machine Shop Corp. and Mr. Jerry Hui, President of Supercast Foundry and Machinery Corp. The virtual event was witnessed by the DOST Secretary Fortunato E. de la Pena, DOST Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, DOST VI Regional Director Rowen R. Gelonga, and MIRDC Deputy Executive Directors, Dr. Agustin M. Fudolig and Engr. Jonathan Q. Puerto.
As agreed by DOST and its partners, the technical and business capability of the local technology will be assessed. The technology will also be integrated into various agricultural machinery and aims to promote, market, and advance the 12-hp SCDE into a marketable product that will generate profitable business for local equipment fabricators. DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Pena said, “I want the DOST technologies to be transferred, to be utilized, to be generating more economic activity, and I want these technologies rolled out for the benefit of millions of Filipinos.” According to experts at DOST-MIRDC, the 12-hp SCDE is competitive with imported engines. Having good quality features and low cost, the manufacture of this machine can definitely upgrade the local manufacturing sector.
