President Aquino to witness demo run of the
Department of Science and Technology automated guideway transit Monday
President Benigno S. Aquino III will witness a
demo run of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) automated
guideway transit (AGT) that it has put up at the sprawling University of the
Philippines campus in Diliman, Quezon City on Monday.
A flagship project of the DOST under the
leadership of Secretary Mario Montejo and in collaboration with U.P., the AGT
is an elevated commuter rail train system that is capable of transporting up to
60 passengers from station to station much like other elevated carriers in
other countries and the rail transit system in Metro Manila.
It is the first Philippine-made elevated train
and being electrically powered and thus, emission free, the AGT is seen as a
long term solution to the traffic congestion and high instance of pollution in
Metro Manila.
The current train is a light version of the
intended final product – a “driverless” people mover, but a bigger or
full-sized version is to be built soon, based on the recommendations of U.P.
Diliman which are expected by the middle of this year.
Joining the President will be Montejo,
Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya, UP president Alfredo Pascual, and Quezon
City mayor Herbert Bautista. PND (rck)
Malacanang says Donaire retains support of the
Filipino people despite loss
Malacanang said on Sunday that Filipino boxer
Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire retains the Filipino people’s admiration
and support despite his defeat to Cuban pugilist Guillermo Rigondeaux in their
super bantamweight bout held in New York City Saturday night.
In a statement read over government-run radio
station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte
said that despite this setback, the entire Filipino nation can expect Donaire
to rise anew and serve as inspiration to millions of his fellow Filipinos and
supporters.
“Nabigo man si Nonito Donaire Jr. na mapag-isa
ang WBO at WBA super bantamweight title laban kay Guillermo Rigondeaux sa
kanilang bakbakan sa Radio City Music Hall, New York City, hindi pa rin
natitinag ang suporta ng sambayanan sa ating Filipino Flash,” Valte said.
“Hindi man niya nakamit ang kaniyang pakay sa
labang ito, nananalig ang buong bansa sa muling pagbangon at pagtindig ng
Boxing Writers Association of America 2012 Fighter of the Year upang magsilbing
inspirasyon sa milyun-milyon niyang mga kababayan at tagasuporta,” she added.
Doniare, whose boxing bout with Rigondeaux
lasted all 12-rounds, lost via a unanimous decision. PND (rck)
