By Ma. Cristina Arayata/PNA
MANILA — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will turn over an Automated Guideway Transit (AGT) prototype to Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) in Balanga City on March 14, Secretary Fortunato dela Peña told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Thursday.
Developed by DOST engineers, this elevated train system can run at a speed of 60 kph and could carry 30 passengers. The locally-made AGT costs cheaper, lightweight and has zero greenhouse emissions since it is electricity-powered, according to DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center’s (MIRDC) website.
“(The turn over) signals the start of DOST assistance, particularly through the MIRDC, in developing an Academic Program in Railway Engineering at the bacalaureatte level as a concrete step in developing the country’s human resource requirement in the transportation sector,” dela Peña said.
He said bringing the AGT prototype in BPSU is not intended for transportation use, but for the students to study it, “just like a laboratory facility”.
“They (BPSU) have a plan for an academic program, a BS Railway Engineering program,” he added.
The turnover of the AGT prototype to BPSU, he said, “augurs very well with DOST’s goal of expanding research and higher education capabilities in science and technology for various key sectors.”
It is also a way of spreading the institutional capabilities across the regions, the DOST chief remarked.
Meanwhile, de la Peña said the AGT prototype that will be brought to BPSU is the unit that used to be in University of the Philippines – Diliman.
The DOST has another unit of the AGT that can be found in Bicutan, Taguig City.
