PhilFIDA Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers embark on a Training-Workshop to Become Certified Test Engineer
Date Posted June 2023
The PhilFIDA, through its Interim Fiber Engineering Division (iFED), joined forces with the Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (AMTEC), Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering (BAFE), and DA-Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (DA-RAED) to organize a Training-Workshop on Testing and Evaluation of Agricultural and Fisheries Machinery. On May 22-26, 2023, a total of eighteen (18) PhilFIDA Agricultural and Biosystems Engineers (ABEs) traveled to Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, and participated in the training-workshop which served as a stepping-stone to becoming certified test engineers in the field of fibercrop. The intensive 5-day training-workshop was facilitated by six (6) Resource Persons, three (3) of whom were from the AMTEC, two (2) were from the BAFE, and one (1) from DA-RAED. It primarily consisted of lectures and discussions relevant to the testing and evaluation of Agricultural and Fisheries Machinery specifically focusing on fibercrop machinery. Additionally, actual performance testing of machinery was conducted at DA Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC), located at Brgy. Dalwangan, Malaybalay, Bukidnon. The participants were divided into three groups wherein each group simultaneously conducted testing on selected agricultural machineries such as abaca spindle machines, abaca decorticating machines, and cassava chippers.Following the completion of the activities, the resource persons facilitated the examination for the certification of test engineers, designed to evaluate the ABEs' proficiency in practical skills and theoretical knowledge. One (1) hour was allotted for the practical examination while three (3) hours for the theoretical examination. The examination generally covered all the topics discussed during lectures and the actual performance testing of the machines.
After the examination, the former Officer-in-Charge, Executive Director, Ms. Annray V. Rivera, graced the training workshop, and delivered an encouraging message to all the participants, stating that “the agency is caring for its Human Resource and their active contribution to the agency’s performance. Hence, a continuing education to empower our people is a must for them to be able to efficiently and effectively get the job done while we evaluate and maintain our machinery in our office.”Anticipation now fills the air as these ABEs eagerly await the release of the certification examination results. BAFE is expected to announce the outcomes on its official website soon. The prevailing positive atmosphere reflects the optimism shared by all participants, who firmly believe in their abilities and the profound impact their expertise will have.
