The newly launched facility will enable engineers and researchers to independently analyze material and structural failures—critical in preventing costly and dangerous industrial breakdowns.
Empowering future Filipino engineers
The hub builds on SMPC’s 2023 donation of advanced testing equipment to the Department of Mining, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (UP DMMME), giving engineering students access to hands-on materials testing.
“Genuinely empowering people is not a one-time act of support, but a continuous effort that fosters self-sufficiency and long-term stability,” said SMPC vice president and power complex manager Charlie V. Robles.
UPERDFI president Angelito D. Bermudo added that the hub will help reduce unscheduled power plant shutdowns, with engineers now able to conduct failure analysis without sending components abroad—saving both time and cost.
Strategic investment in nation-building
UP Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II called the hub “a strategic investment in the future of Philippine engineering,” noting its potential to benefit industry and the wider public.
“This FA Hub is more than just a facility—it builds UP’s capacity in failure analysis and materials science,” Vistan said.
The hub supports the long-term goal of producing globally competitive Filipino engineers who are equipped to drive innovation and nation-building.
Previously, local utilities had to outsource failure analysis services overseas due to limited access. With the FA Hub, these capabilities now reside in the Philippines, marking a milestone in local engineering development. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
