MANILA — A Filipino inventor has developed an unsinkable rescue boat, which he claims as one of its kind in the world.
In an interview, Ronald Pagsanghan, the enterprising inventor, said he thought of developing an unsinkable boat after he witnessed the devastation of Typhoon Ketsana, known as “Ondoy” in the Philippines, in Luzon, including Metro Manila, nine years ago.
He said rescue operations suffered a delay due to the huge floods of water that flowed in many areas of the metropolis and environs, killing 789 people and damaging billions of pesos worth of infrastructures and agricultural products.
“Rubber boats could not maneuver at the height of the flood,” Pagsanghan said, shaking his head.
“That horrible experience gave me the idea of developing an unsinkable boat designed for rescue operations in flooded areas,” he added.
It was in 2011 that he came up with a prototype of his unsinkable portable boat invention, which he tested successfully.
“My portable unsinkable boat is primarily designed for flooded areas in urban areas and rivers,” Pagsanghan pointed out.
He said that in 2012, he received the award for his scientific invention from the Rotary Club of Manila and Manila Polo Club.
Since then, local government units from Isabela, Bulacan, and Quezon have ordered from Pagsanghan the unsinkable portable rescue boat he invented.
Pagsanghan ensured the capability of his invention which would not sink during rescue operations in flooded areas, as this had been tested successfully.
The unsinkable portable rescue boat was one of the main attractions during the recently held Filipino Inventors Week held at the Skydome of SM North EDSA in Quezon City.
Pagsanghan expressed hope that the government will fully extend its help to promote not only his invention, but also to the other notable inventions by Filipino inventors, which he claimed are plenty and will benefit the country and the Filipino people.