The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Ilagan City and Isabela State University (ISU) for the implementation of the Hybrid Electric Road Train (HERT) fabrication project.

The MOU signing was held on Aug. 11.

DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña noted that in a virtual meeting held on June 29 with officials of the ISU and the DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC), Ilagan City Mayor Josemarie Diaz expressed his interest to adapt HRET. The road train was developed by the DOST-MIRDC.

“Through HERT, DOST hopes to serve the best interest of the people in Ilagan City, particularly on its need for an environment-friendly mass transportation facility,” he said in his message.

He noted HERT is 40 meters long with five interlinked and air-conditioned coaches. and “can accommodate an estimate of 240 passengers per trip, pre-pandemic.

De la Peña said HERT can be a great complement to the existing public transportation system in Ilagan and would be a huge help in unclogging metro roads in the city.

He said HRET can be used as transportation for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) frontliners, especially during lockdown when public transport is limited.

“HERT can help Ilagan City be a greener, and very livable city, conducive for living, studying, and working,” the DOST chief said.

He explained that HERT is called hybrid because instead of just running on diesel fuel, it is powered by electric batteries, therefore creating lesser carbon emission compared to vehicles that run purely on gasoline or diesel.

He said HERT can help Ilagan City grow economically.

"The fabrication of HERT in the province would actually help your local manufacturing industry and Isabela’s economy. It can also provide job opportunities for engineers and manufacturers. We are also hopeful that with locally made HERTs coming from Isabela more smart cities will be attracted to order them for their city’s use,” he said.

"And I am very confident that, Ilagan City will become more attractive to investors. Due to the HERT being cost-effective, investors would have an opportunity to engage and invest in your city. Dahil most of its parts are locally sourced dahil fabricated ito sa Pilipinas (because this is fabricated in the Philippines.”

Meanwhile, DOST-MIRDC Executive Director Robert O. Dizon expressed hope that Ilagan City will serve as a HERT model for other provinces and regions in the country.

“Let us show them that local technology indeed works,” he said.

Under the MOU, the ISU will be part of the consortium to conduct Research and Development (R&D) and S&T activities in the project.

“With this project, DOST’s partnership with various institutions in Cagayan Valley will continue to improve the R&D endeavor and S&T operations in our country,” the DOST said.