DOST gives e-scooters to Cauayan for pilot testing

By Enrico Belga Jr.

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela -- The Dept. of Science and Technology recently turned over seven electric scooters (e-scooters) to the city government for pilot testing.

 DOST Sec. Fortunato de la Peña said the e-scooter project also aims to empower the city's tourism services aside from being a cleaner mode of transportation.

He cited importance of strong partnership among DOST and its key partners to help make the project viable, and development possible.

"This simply proves that cooperation among partner agencies -- the Local Government of Cauayan City, Isabela State University, DOST Region 2, and the University of the Philippines – many significant things can be achieved,” dela Pena said during the turn-over.

“One of the major challenges we are currently facing is climate change. Excessive carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from motor vehicles further accelerate this problem, and most people have also accustomed themselves to traveling short distance using cars. Therefore, introducing cleaner modes of transport is necessary to reduce our carbon footprint,” he added.

The Smarter Mobility E-scooter Project h-is designed to develop efficient, affordable, diversified, and healthier transportation means. It also aims to complement existing transit programs, and reducing traffic congestion in population centers.

According to one of the members of the team that developed the Smarter Mobility technology, the e-scooters use Global Positioning System (GPS) technology which tracks down all the units within an established jurisdiction called "Geofence," to prevent them from being stolen. The scooters were first tested within the UP Diliman grounds and can be controlled using an app.

Present during the E-scooter Project's Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing were Cauayan City Mayor Bernard Faustino M. Dy, DOST-R2 - Regional Director Sancho A. Mabborang, Isabela State University President Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino, UP-IEEE Associate Professor Nestor Michael Tiglao, and FILGENIUS Owner Edgardo G. Vazquez.

The MOA signing was witnessed by Secretary de la Peña, DOST USec. for Regional Operations Brenda L. Nazareth-Manzano, Cauayan City Vice Mayor Leoncio A. Dalin, Jr., ISUExecutive Officer Precila C. Delima, and Cauayan City councilors.

Cauayan City is the first declared Smarter City in the Philippines. The Smarter City Program  recognizes the use of science and technology to efficiently provide basic services to the people. It has contributed significantly to the attainment of Goal 11 of the United Nations Sustainability Goals. -- PAPI