Manila: Four graduating engineering students from Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) in Tacloban City unveiled a solar-powered electric pump boat that could reshape eco-friendly transport for tourists along the town's Golden River. The students have turned over their project to a community-based organization at Wespal Sohoton Visitor Center and Eco-Lounge in Sohoton in this town. According to Philippines News Agency, the project, titled 'Design and Implementation of a Solar Electric Pump Boat for Tourist Transportation in Sohoton, Basey, Samar,' is aimed at transforming tourist transportation in the area while offering a timely solution to the ongoing fuel crisis in the country. The developers are Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering students Antonio Adorza Jr., Mac Jandy Guintadcan, Brian Jeffrey Reyno, and Richard Reynada. The student-developed vessel eliminates the need for gasoline or diesel as it uses solar energy as the primary power source. This comes as communities across the country g rapple with increasing fuel costs, which significantly affect transportation and tourism operations. "This is a big help to us, especially now that fuel prices are high," Beatriz Boleche, a leader of Sohoton Services Cooperative, said. "The integration of solar into our service motorboat reduces our dependence on gas." Sohoton is tasked to manage tourist services at Sohoton Caves and Natural Bridge Park. The prototype features four 100-watt solar panels connected to a 48-volt battery system, powering a 1,500-watt electric motor optimized for quiet and efficient navigation. Unlike traditional pump boats, the solar-powered version produces no carbon emissions, operates with minimal noise, and significantly lowers operational costs over time. Reyno said the team spent approximately PHP40,000 to develop the prototype. "One of its biggest advantages is that it doesn't rely on fuel. It's quiet, clean, and environmentally friendly," he explained during an interview. The innovation directly addresses long-standing concerns in Sohoton, a well-known ecotourism destination within the Samar Island Natural Park. The area's reliance on conventional fuel-powered boats posed environmental risks, including pollution and disruption of the natural serenity. Vinyl Oquiño, dean of the EVSU School of Engineering, shared that the university plans to elevate the project further. "We aim to present this in research conferences and exhibits, and seek support from agencies like the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Tourism, as well as public and private partners," he said. Developed for over six months, the project underwent multiple design improvements before reaching its final, operational form. The completed boat can now traverse its designated routes efficiently, marking a significant step toward sustainable maritime transport in the region. The Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers (IIEE) Leyte-Samar Chapter, led by president Abelardo Malasbas, evaluated the design of the boat to ensure that it comp lies with the Philippine Electrical Code. As fuel prices continue to climb, community projects like EVSU's solar-powered pump boat offer a glimpse into a more sustainable and cost-efficient future where local innovations provide solutions to a global crisis, according to Oquiño. The Sohoton Caves and Natural Bridge Park is a protected natural area of about 841 hectares and a tourist attraction within the Samar Island Natural Park. The destination features caves, subterranean rivers, waterfalls, limestone formations, thick forest, and a natural stone bridge.
