he Department of Science and Technology-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC) entered into a partnership with the Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) with the shared goal of improving the services of the Light Rail Transit-Line 1 (LRT-1).
The LRMC sought the expertise of the DOST-MIRDC in the areas of fabrication of obsolete, or difficult-to-source spare parts, and conduct of structural repairs of light-rail vehicles (LRVs).
Even before the signing of the memorandum of understanding, the LRMC and the DOST-MIRDC have already began the inspection of the LRVs.
The DOST-MIRDC later conducted a preliminary analysis, which gave the team a better perspective of the technological interventions needed.
Succeeding inspections are set to be conducted beginning in May, when the National Capital Region is hopefully placed in a less stringent community quarantine.
The LRMC expressed excitement and optimism in the partnership. It shared that they tried to look for a partner, either local or foreign, who will be able to help them address the technical issues with the LRVs.
“We looked everywhere,” said LRMC COO Enrico Benipayo. “But unfortunately…the interest of foreign companies is not really there.”
DOST-MIRDC’s Executive Director Engr. Robert O. Dizon appreciated the partnership with the LRMC.
He said that the DOST-MIRDC’s services are open to the LRMC, to help improve LRT-1 and also to pursue the center’s mandate of assisting the local metals, engineering and allied industries.
“We are optimistic that the establishment of a competitive railway industry will be one of the outcomes of this partnership,” Dizon said. Zalda R. Gayahan/S&T Media Services
