TAAL LAKE, TALISAY, BATANGAS- Batangas State University (BatSU) successfully launched and demonstrated on February 4, 2016 its Tactical Operative Amphibious Drive or TOAD, a vehicle that can be maneuvered both in land and water.
TOAD is a low cost amphibious vehicle designed by the research team of BatSU headed by their president, Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo. Ronquillo said that TOAD is durable and rust resistant and manoeuvrable in open water navigation with up to six (6) person capacity. It is powered by two four-stroke engines and can be tracked electronically. He said further that TOAD was developed with the support from DOST-PCIEERD Regional Consortia Program and the guidance of DOST Regional Office 4 to address disaster and emergency response operations in flood prone areas.
Engr. Albert Mariño, DOST-PCIEERD Chief Senior Science Specialist attended the activity on behalf of DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Carlos Primo David. He said that the PCIEERD Regional Consortia intends to accelerate regional development through collaborations among the member institutions from academe like BatSu. “DOST-PCIEERD will continue to support research projects like TOAD to capacitate emerging research progress of SUCs in the region.” Mariño added.
Dr. Tirso Ronquillo, President of Batangas State Univerisity and Engr. Albert Mariño, Chief Science Research Specialist, DOST PCIEERD during the launching.
TOAD roving around the Taal Lake, Talisay, Batangas
