Melchor R. Heñosa, who was awarded Outstanding Invention (Tuklas) for 2016, will be putting into production his invention, a device that seals leaking brake fluid.

Heñosa, a jeepney driver from Silang, Cavite, will receive a P726,000 financial assistance from the Department of Science and Technology-Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) to develop and commercialize his “Leak Sealing Valve (LSV).”

Heñosa invented the LSV in an effort to increase the safety of public utility vehicles, particularly jeepneys. In normal driving, a leaking brake tube would affect distribution of the brake fluid on all four wheels.

To prevent this, the LSV is attached to the fluid pipes of each wheel assembly and locks off if it detects leakage. However, the unaffected wheels would remain operational.

The inventor said the concept for the LSV contraption began about 15 years ago when he observed brake fluid leaking from his vehicle.

In a statement, Heñosa said that he was aiming for road safety, especially for PUV passengers.

Under a memorandum of agreement, Heñosa’s grant would allow him to procure raw materials to make molds for up to 40 sets (160 individual units) of the LSV.

Heñosa also plans to upscale the LSV; he would be testing it for vehicles other than jeepneys, thus widening his target market.

Earlier, Heñosa won the Tuklas Award for Outstanding Invention during the DOST’s 2016 National Invention Contest and Exhibit.