Philippine Made Train Prototype (AGT) Soon to Operate in UP Diliman

Automated Guideway Transit (AGT) is the first Filipino-built m(–foul word(s) removed–) transport system that will run on a monorail with an estimated distance of two-kilometer test track inside the University of the Philippines Diliman Campus. The project was a joint venture between the UP-Diliman and the Department of Science and Technology and the DOTC.

The construction of the project will start today, July 18, 2011 after the groundbreaking ceremony to be held at the Emilio Jacinto Street corner Lakandula Street in Diliman, Quezon City. Expected to attend the groundbreaking ceremony were DOTC Secretary Mar Roxas, Sen. Edgardo Angara, DOTC Secretary Montejo.

Officials from the University of the Philippines will be present also during the groundbreaking ceremony to be held today. UP will be represented by UP vice president for development Elvira Zamora and  UP Diliman chancellor Caesar Saloma. The Quezon City government will be represented by Mayor Herbert Bautista. UP President Alfredo Pascual was also expected to attend the ceremony.

The Automated Guideway Transit system will run on a single rail or monorail. It has the same functionality as the Metro Rail Transit and Light Rail Transit that were currently used successfully in Metro Manila. The only different with the system is that it will run on a single rail. The raw material used were all coming from Philippine made materials.

According to the first memorandum of agreement that was signed last January 2011, AGT will be developed by the DOST Metals Research Research and Development Center. The prototype will be composed of  two 60-p(–foul word(s) removed–)enger coaches running on electricity all in one track.

Department of Science and Technology will take charge of engineering and overall design or detailed engineering plan and the University of the Philippines will provide the much needed technical (–foul word(s) removed–)istance and the community relations implementation.

According to the project director of AGT, DOST (–foul word(s) removed–)istant Secretary Robert Dizon stated that the President of the Philippines, President Noynoy wanted that the project will be tested thoroughly. He was quoted as saying “The President wants quality to be translated to commuter safety and transport reliability.” he said.

The first Philippine-made train will surely have a huge impact on the m(–foul word(s) removed–) transport system in the country. If the project will be successful it will be copied and implemented not only in Metro Manila but also in major urban centers in outside of Metro Manila.

The cost of the Automated Guideway Transit was expected to bring more savings to the national government for it will cost almost one-fifth of the total cost for importing a unit of train abroad. The AGT was also environment and people friendly project and will run quietly and smoke free for it is run by electricity.