Amas, Kidapawan City (February 16, 2021) – North Cotabato Province is eyeing a sophisticated yet eco-friendly way to avoid traffic congestion and reduce traffic pollution as top official supports proposal for an electric road train to operate in the province.
In a meeting with the Provincial Hybrid Electric Road Train (HERT) Task Force on Tuesday February 16, 2021, Governor Nancy A. Catamco expressed approval on the proposed operation of the Php120 million-worth of Hybrid Electric Road Train as she stressed desire to “upgrade” the transport system in the province and take advantage of the mass transportation technology introduced by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
“It’s about time that we take the Province of Cotabato to the next level as far as our transport system is concerned. I see this as a great opportunity to help our commuters and to uplift the quality of life of our people and also an opportunity to promote the province as a whole as this will surelyattract tourists to come to our province,” she added.
The HERT is designed and fabricated by all-Filipino engineers from DOST’s Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC), and made with locally available parts. It is a 40-meter long system of five interlinked and air conditioned coaches, three of which are designed to accommodate as much as 60 passengers each for a total of 240 per trip. Other two coaches, front and back, contains the pilot chamber and the fuel and power generation system, respectively.
The DOST takes pride for its being cost-effective and environment-friendly because it can run on electric power batteries instead of solely diesel fuel, therefore creating lesser carbon emission compared with vehicles that run purely on gasolineor theconventional transport system.
This so called energy efficient electric road train is also being eyed as an efficient way to cater commuters during rush hours and passengers going to the Central Mindanao Airport located in Mlang, Cotabato as soon as the airport becomes operational and road network is already available.
It can be recalled that during the last quarter of 2020, Governor Catamco created the task force to conduct an in-depth study to determine if the HERT would be a viable transport alternative. The governor has also ordered a thorough consultation with all stakeholders especially the transport sector about the proposed operation of the 240-seater electric road train in the province.
Task Force Findings
In her presentation, Task Force Secretariat Head and Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Cynthia D. Ortega said that the transport groups has expressed positive views about the proposed operation of the road train since “they will not be affected” based on the operation plan presented by the task force where train stations or designated dropping-off and loading points were identified.
Ortega also added that the operation of the HERT will also generate jobs for our kababayans since the provincial government will have to hire employees for the operation and maintenance of the road train. She also disclosed some proposed turning points of the train will have to be modified to satisfy the standard road requirement of the hybrid road train.
DOST Provincial Director Michael T. Mayo, also disclosed that several groups has also expressed excitement over the proposed projectand said this will even promote the tourism industry in the Province of Cotabato because of this advancement in transportation.
The proposed HERT project will be forwarded to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for possible funding and granting of authority to Governor Catamco to accept the donation of the DOST. The governor was optimistic that the project will be able to get the approval of the legislative department//idcd//
