Isabela supports shift to smarter mobility
CAUAYAN CITY: In a bid to shift to smarter mobility, the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) is partnering with the Isabela provincial government to fabricate the Hybrid Electric Road Train (HERT).
Recently, the DoST- Region 2, Isabela State University and
metal players in the province presented the HERT technology at the Isabela provincial capitol in Ilagan City that immediately earned the support of Gov. Rodito Albano 3rd.
Sancho Mabborang, DoSTRegion 2 director, said HERT was first piloted in Cauayan City in Isabela as part of the Smarter City Program of the Science department in Cagayan Valley.
During the presentation, Engineer Rolando Rupac of Agricomp Machineries and Construction
Corp. who heads of the HERT consortium, said the project is the solution to the urban mass transportation needs in Isabela.
“This will surely ensure the safety of the passengers and the environmental cause of the said vehicle,” he added.
Albano said he was convinced by the presentation of the HERT consortium and “that I gave my full support [for] the said project under such suggestions and inputs considering the possible impact of the shifting to smarter mobility.”
“I have requested for the study on the displacement of public utility vehicle operators and drivers in the province who will be directly affected by the HERT project,” he added.
Albano said the province will start with at least six HERT coaches that will be deployed in each of the six congressional districts of Isabela.
He also said that Isabela’s transition to smarter mobility with the HERT coaches will also help address the Filipino habit of always being late.
“This will be an excellent way to teach Filipinos of the value of punctuality, like in other countries where trains have a precise schedule when to depart and will not go after passengers, which always causes delays,” Albano said.