The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is calling for the adoption of locally-developed mass transport technologies such as the hybrid electric train (HET) and the hybrid electric road trains (HERT).
"Sana ang ating mga teknolohiyang Pilipino ay magamit natin (I hope we can make use of our local technologies)," DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said during his weekly report.
The DOST, through the Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC), has developed two technologies for mass transport namely, the HET and the HERT.
Aside from addressing the problem of mobility that is critical especially during the time of pandemic, adoption of these technologies will boost the metals, engineering, and allied industries and offer jobs, sources of income, and an opportunity to upgrade the skills of Filipinos.
The DOST has turned over the HET in 2019 to the Philippine National Railways for its use.
In the same year, the HET was officially introduced through an inaugural run from the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Station in Alabang to Biñan, Laguna.
The 40-meter long train-like bus can run with a maximum speed of 50 kilometers per hour and is mainly powered by hybrid diesel fuel and an electric powered battery. The train also carries its own power source and does not need electricity through suspended cables to operate.
The train is much cheaper than its foreign counterparts because of the locally available parts, availability of local experts who can address concerns, cost-effectiveness, job generation, foreign exchange savings, and potential export.
Dela Peña is hoping that the private sector will adopt the mass transport system.
In May, 2020, a HERT Consortium was established in Region 2 composed of DOST Regional Office II, Isabela State University, and local metal working companies with the end in view of manufacturing the HERT locally.
Dela Pena said that HERT has been servicing frontliners during the pandemic by ferrying them to their destinations in Cauayan City in Isabela.
The proposal was presented to Isabela Gov. Rodolfo Albano who supported the initiative to have the HERT be used as public transport in the six districts of Isabela.
The DOST continues to seek partners from local government units and other private institutions to have these technologies adopted in more areas of the country.