Philippines regional government 3D prints landmarks for visually impaired

The Tarlac provincial government in the Philippines unveiled an exhibit of seven 3D printed landmark models that let visitors with visual impairments explore local cultural and tourism sites by touch. The project, called Sensory Exploration through 3D Prints (SE3D), is part of the province’s Tourism Month celebration.

The Provincial Tourism Office led the project in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology offices for Central Luzon and Tarlac. The models were intended to convey the shapes, textures, structures and distinctive features of each site, and to make the province’s history, culture and tourism destinations more accessible.

The models depicted the Risen Christ Statue at the Monasterio de Tarlac, the Obelisk at Capas National Shrine, Victoria Municipal Hall, Bamban Bridge, the Tarlac Capitol Building, Diwa ng Tarlac and San Sebastian Cathedral.

The PTO handled project coordination, the identification and validation of landmarks, the supply of resin filaments and other agreed consumables, and documentation and promotion support. DOST provided technical assistance and guidance, access to 3D printing equipment, and technical expertise in producing the models.

The idea emerged after the PTO saw an opportunity to make tourism spaces more inclusive for visitors with visual impairments. The section visited one museum and found that the space could accommodate such visitors, who could physically handle the models while learning about the destinations they represented.

Karen Dañez, Provincial Director at DOST-Tarlac, said that SE3D brought together science and the arts to create a more inclusive museum experience, with support from the DOST-Advanced Manufacturing Center.

“This project supports inclusivity, especially for our visually impaired visitors to help them touch, explore, and appreciate the province’s heritage sites through their hands,” she said.