Gov lauds inventor from Compostela

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III lauded Cebuano inventor Brian Yuson for bringing honor to Cebu and operating a school to promote technical courses and helping thousands land on decent jobs here and abroad.

Governor Davide issued the statement when Yuson paid a courtesy call to him bringing with him the Certificate of Recognition handed by Malacañang  for his efforts to build the first-ever Filipino-designed Self-Contained Renewable Energy Transport (SECRET).

Davide said the accomplishment of Yuson is a good example of special talent of the Cebuanos and he hopes it will be an example and encouragement to others, especially the youth.

Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection Jesus Romeo Nerius Acosta personally handed the Certificate of Recognition to Yuson at the awarding ceremony held at Kalayaan Hall in Malacañang last November 27.

Among the signatories of the Certificate of Recognition were Senator Pia Cayetano, Chairman Committee on Education Culture and Arts, Senator Loren Legarda, Chairman Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, William Muffett, President, Center for International Environmental Law, Washington D.C.

Environmental lawyer Antonio Oposa encouraged Yuson to undertake the invention.

Meanwhile, Davide also lauded Yuson for operating the school, St. James Academy of Skills Inc., based in Compostela, Cebu. He said this helps locals find jobs here and abroad.

Lawyer Rey Regalado, former administrator of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration also extended his congratulations to Yuson.

St. James Academy of Skills Inc. produces graduates especially in the field of welding, said Moshee Taneo Maxilom, president of  DNR Offshore and Crewing Services Inc. based in Manila.

Maxilom said mostly of the graduates of St. James Academy of Skills Inc. are hired by their company and now working in the different countries like United States, Malaysia and Singapore.

The Cebu Provincial Board has earlier passed a resolution recognizing Yuson's contribution to the protection and preservation of environment.

"The Province of Cebu recognizes his (Yuson) valuable contribution to Filipinos sustainable development and to Cebuanos craftsmanship and talents and for bringing pride and inspiration to Cebuanos," the resolution said.

The said self-contained renewable vehicle is a semi-train, which is pedal-wind and solar powered and runs using a bank of batteries that convert heat and kinetic energy into electrical energy.

Transport Secret is powered by solar, wind energy and the padyak or pedal.

Under the invention of Yuson, the batteries are charged from three renewable energy sources — a solar panel, pedal, and wind.

Unlike other electric vehicles which are charged by plugging its batteries to an external source of electricity, these he called the Transport Secret.

The energy comes from the vehicle itself and does not need to be plugged into an electric socket that is usually powered by fossil fuel, the coal or bunker oil.