Gicel Roger Salvilla, News, Communication Management Office
SDG 7 SDG 9 SDG 11 SDG 13
Photo courtesy of: PUP Wired ‘Official’ FB Page
PUP Wired received the first Energy Inventor Award from the Department of Energy (DOE) during the Philippine Energy Awards on October 7, 2026, at Museo del Galeón. The recognition honors the team’s contribution to advancing innovation and sustainability in the Philippine energy sector through its autonomous battery-electric vehicle, SIDLAK 2.
Representing the University, Engr. Benson G. Pulga, lead adviser of PUP Wired, received the award on behalf of the President Dr. Manuel M. Muhi together with the delegates of the Shell Eco-marathon Europe 2026. The recognition underscored the collective efforts of the students, faculty advisers, partners, alumni, and supporters who contributed to the development of SIDLAK 2 and its participation in an international engineering competition.
Before receiving the national recognition, PUP Wired represented the Philippines at the Shell Eco-marathon Europe 2026 in Kamien Slaski, Poland, held on June 24–28, 2026. Competing in the Autonomous Driving Prototype Category, the team became the second to pass the competition’s rigorous Technical and Safety Inspection. It subsequently secured eighth place overall in the Autonomous Driving Competition, competing alongside international university teams, including University College London and Cairo University.
As the sole Philippine representative in the competition, PUP Wired demonstrated the capabilities of Filipino engineering students in developing innovative solutions for sustainable mobility. At the center of its entry was the first version of SIDLAK, an autonomous battery-electric vehicle designed and developed by the team. The project reflects the students’ commitment to engineering efficiency, resourcefulness, and environmentally responsible innovation.
The team's journey—from developing the prototype at the University to competing on the international stage and receiving national recognition—demonstrates the value of experiential learning and student-led research and development. It also highlights how academic institutions can provide opportunities for students to translate engineering concepts into practical solutions that respond to contemporary energy and environmental challenges.
Beyond the achievement, the Energy Inventor Award affirms the potential of young Filipino innovators to contribute to the country’s transition toward a more sustainable energy future. Through initiatives such as SIDLAK 2, PUP Wired continues to demonstrate how collaboration, technical expertise, and purpose-driven innovation can extend learning beyond the classroom and create opportunities for meaningful impact.
The achievement supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). By advancing electric vehicle technology and promoting energy-conscious engineering, PUP Wired contributes to broader efforts to encourage sustainable mobility and strengthen innovation in the Philippines.
The recognition reflects the University’s continuing commitment to excellence, innovation, and service to the nation, embodying its core values of Passion for Learning and Innovation and Excellence. Through the ingenuity and determination of its student innovators, the University continues to advance its mission of developing competent, socially responsible, and globally competitive graduates who contribute to nation-building.
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