DOST-FPRDI trains PWDs on wood furniture making Philippine | 28/12/2017

DOST- FPRDI’s Engr. Victor G. Revilleza (left, in white shirt) and Mr. Fernando M. Pesigan (right, in blue-green shirt) demonstrate to some members of TUNGKOD (Tunay na Gabay ng may Kapansanan na Organisado at Determinado sa Buhay) how to assemble a school chair in a training held last March 21-24 at Koronadal City, South Cotabato. TUNGKOD is a cooperative
for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

“The DOST Region XII office, in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region XII and City Government of Koronadal, requested the Institute to train TUNGKOD members on wood furniture making as the coop targets to become a supplier of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) school desks and chairs,” explained For. Medardo Centeno of DOST-FPRDI.

Training topics included processing tools and equipment; wood selection for furniture construction; wood treatment and drying; and furniture construction process. Revilleza, who is also the Technical Manager of the FPRDI National Furniture Testing Center (FNFTC), also discussed the furniture standards and designs for DepEd school desks and chairs.

For six decades now, the Institute has been assisting small and medium players in the furniture industry through its various training courses on wood furniture making. It also houses the ISO-certified FNFTC—the country’s first furniture testing facility that is equipped with state-of-the-art machines to ensure quality and safety of locally made furniture. A satellite furniture testing center was also established in Lahug, Cebu City through the assistance of FPRDI.