A monorail mass transit called the Automated Guide way Transit (AGT) prototype by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will soon operate at the UP Diliman Campus initially.
DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo, an engineer and Science and Technology award recipient for his innovation prowess and UP President Alfredo Pascual led the groundbreaking ceremony for the AGT at Jacinto corner Lakandula Streets, UP, Diliman Campus.
The AGT is a rail-based local mass transit very similar to the MRT and LRT except that it runs on a single rail.
“We are coming up with a local AGT to address the severe lack of less expensive and environmentally sustainable technology alternatives,” said DOST Secretary Montejo. “The AGT is developed to show Filipino ingenuity and capability in engineering and as a model for adoption in other urban areas in the Philippines” he also said.
A group of engineers from UP Diliman are working with DOST on this project. The prototype will have two 6—passnger coaches to run on a 56-meter, to be extended into two-kilometer, test track in the campus.
DOST Assistant Secretary Robert Dizon, project leader, said that President Aquino wants the AGT project to be tested thoroughly. “The President wants quality to be translated to commuter safety and transport reliability,” he said.
The event was sealed by the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement by Sec. Montejo, Pres. Pascual, DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center Director Arthur Lucas Cruz, UP Diliman Chancellor Caesar Saloma, DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development Director Amelia Guevara, and UP Vice President for Development Elvira Zamora. Estrella Z. Gallardo, PSciJourn MegaManila
