BUTUAN CITY (PIA) – Students of Agusan del Sur School of Arts and Trades (ASSAT) in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur showcased a solar tricycle that they built as a school project during the recent Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair.

This eco-friendly transportation units were featured by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Caraga during the recent  Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) in Agusan del Norte, held at the Caraga State University (CSU) in Butuan City, which also provided free rides to the participants within the campus.

The units were driven by Rhean Jhon Waban and Ryan Miranda, the creators and designers of the said innovation, who are third year students of ASSAT and TESDA scholars under the Diploma in Electrical Engineering. 

“We used scrap or recycled materials to fabricate the solar trike, so the units are definitely cost- and energy-saving. We just need to have a solar panel to support our tricycle, making it operational and very useful since we will not use fuel or electricity,” said Waban.

“With this solar-powered trike, there are no exhaust gas emissions of carbon dioxide. Solar panels generate electricity with no machinery, no wear, are fully enclosed, rain-free, and have a service life of more than 20 years,” shared Miranda.

Both students also explained that the solar trike uses an electric motor that is powered by a battery using solar energy panels. 

“Photovoltaic cells contained in solar panels convert the solar energy directly into electric energy.”

“Let’s take every opportunity to excel and be able to contribute to society through creating and innovating projects that are beneficial to the people,” they added.

Kelvin Kennt Generalo, one of the BPSF participants who tried the solar tricycle, was amused by how the students convinced other peers to engage in creating more innovations, including science and technology explorations and other unique inventions.

“It is very inspiring to see that students are becoming proactive and environment-conscious. This solar trike will also inspire other students to engage in inventions that will have agreat impact onsociety,” Generalo expressed.

Engr. Jermy Divinagracia, assistant professor I of ASSAT, also highlighted the significance for students to come up with research proposals that are feasible and very useful in the grassroots; hence, he urged them to continue to explore and be creative in their crafts and support the government’s campaign on innovations in science and technology.

“Our school continues to guide the students in their studies and research proposals, as we want them to be fully skilled in their respective fields,” said Divinagracia.

Meanwhile, Assistant Regional Director Carlito Quintano of TESDA-Caraga further stressed that they support the schools that provide skills training to students and different sectors, including the Northern Mindanao School of Fisheries in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.

“For those who want to avail of the free services and skills and livelihood training from TESDA, they may visit the nearest TESDA office in their area and approach our personnel for any possible assistance,” remarked Quintano. (JPG, PIA-Agusan del Sur)