Saturday, December 9, 2017

Duterte asked for foreign aid for metro infrastructure

By Argyll Cyrus Geducos

President Rodrigo Duterte said he approached neighboring countries as he deemed that the “horrendous” traffic situation in the metropolis cannot be solved by the Philippine government alone.

This came after Malacañang expressed that there is a solution to the worsening traffic condition in Metro Manila.

Duterte, in a speech in Clark, Pampanga, noted that the traffic congestion in Metro Manila is due to the lack of infrastructure for mobility.

“Traffic is really horrendous. We are living in a horrendous life. Unless relief can come somewhere else, we are stuck with it,” Duterte said.

“Ang kulang lang natin (What we lack ) is the infrastructure for mobility. But in due time, I think in the fullness of God’s time, we will have it,” he added.

“I hope it would come even half of what they have offered so far. Kahit kalahati lang sana (Even just half will do),” he continued, referring to the investment on infrastructure pledged by Japan and China.

According to Duterte, he opted to approach other countries because he believes that the Philippines cannot solve this particular problem on its own.

“I went to China, started to move around and then to Japan and Korea. ‘Yan ang ginawa ko. Pero kung sabihin mo na mag-asa pa ako sa tayo-tayo, mahirap (That’s what I did. Because if you tell me that we can do it alone, that’s difficult),” he said.

“Well, then we continue to suffer until such time that Japan or China, whoever gets there first to build the [infrastructures]—and if we have the financing, then we can move,” he added.

According to Duterte, building infrastructure, including the expansion of highways, and improving the mass transport system, is one of the solutions to address the problem.

“But I think the most practical thing to do is really [improve] the mass transport system. And many are willing. It’s only a matter of the grid,” he said.

Malacañang earlier said that there is a solution to Metro Manila’s traffic gridlock.

This after transport network company Uber said that Metro Manila will be on a standstill in the next five years.

“We accept that challenge, if that was what Uber stated, we will prove – with the right political will – we will have a solution to traffic,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.

‘Manila cannot be saved’

Meanwhile, Duterte said he is looking into spreading the industries in other key cities in the country as he deemed that Metro Manila will be beyond salvation in at least 10 years.

“Manila, I think, will be in about 25 years, will be a dead city. It will start to decay and there is that we can rehab the place,” he said.

According to the President, the only way to save the metropolis is to start from scratch. However, he said there’s no more time for that.

“You cannot rehabilitate the place. You have to — baklasin mo ang Maynila (dismantle Manila) to do that and there’s no more time and space for all of you who want to do something about it,” Duterte said.

“You have to disperse the crowd, limit the factories at some time in the future. But about 10 years from now, they should close Manila and start to develop,” he added, referring to other areas such as Clark, Pampanga.

“So Manila is no longer an option for industries. They have to go to the provinces,” he continued.

In a bid to decongest the metropolis and create alternative hubs, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) relocated its main office from Mandaluyong to Clark, Pampanga last July, 2017.

According to the DOTr, the move aims to help decongest traffic in Metro Manila, reduce travel time, improve travel of motorists,and boost development in “the peripheries of the National Capital Region.”

Bases Conversion and Development Authority president Vince Dizon earlier said that more government agencies will follow the move of the DOTr.

“Slowly we will be moving key government offices from Metro Manila to Clark,” Dizon had said last April.

Cheap housing for families leaving railway homes

Gov’t agencies assure resettlement of people along PNR South line

Houses, stores and other structures crowd the railroad track leading to the Philippine National Railways’ station in Lucena City. —DELFIN T. MALLARI JR.
CLARK FREEPORT — The government will resettle 100,000 families occupying the right-of-way of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) South project traversing 653 kilometers from Manila to Batangas, Laguna and Sorsogon provinces, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said here on Friday.

Tugade and PNR officials signed a memorandum of agreement guaranteeing affordable housing programs for families displaced by the new railway projects with James Mark Terry Ridon, chair of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor; Marcelino Escalada Jr., general manager of the National Housing Authority (NHA); Arnolfo Cabling, president of the Social Housing Finance Corp.; and Eduardo del Rosario, chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.

The PNR South is expected to be operational in the second quarter of 2022. No timetable or budget for the resettlement was mentioned.

The project will be funded by the Chinese government following a Nov. 15 memorandum of understanding between the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Ministry of Commerce of China.

The 72-km commuter line with 23 stations will run from Solis-Hermosa in Manila to Los Baños town in Laguna. The long haul segment begins in Los Baños and extends to Batangas, Sorsogon, Quezon, Camarines Sur and Albay provinces.

As of the latest count, 638 families are staying on the abandoned tracks of the PNR project from Manila to Clark, part of the road right-of-way for the new railway project to be built using Japan’s official development assistance.

Timothy John Batan, transportation assistant secretary for railways, said 414 families would be resettled to make way for Phase 1 of the project that runs from Tutuban in Divisoria, Manila, to the City of Malolos in Bulacan province.

That number, Batan said, was based on the project’s postdetailed engineering resettlement action plan.

Phase 2 of the project from the City of Malolos to Clark will call for the relocation of 224 families, a number that “may still change during the project’s detailed engineering design,” he said.
NorthRail was supposed to run through the cities of Malabon, Caloocan and Valenzuela in Metro Manila; the towns of Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas and Guiguinto, and the City of Malolos in Bulacan; and the towns of Apalit, San Simon and San Luis, and the cities of San Fernando, Angeles and Mabalacat in Pampanga province.

The NHA built more than 15 resettlement sites.

The DOTr pressed on with the PNR Clark project after the agency and the NorthRail contractor, Sinomach (China National Machinery Industry Corp.), agreed to drop legal and arbitration cases in early November.

Batan said the DOTr would strictly observe President Duterte’s policy that houses would be demolished until the families were relocated.


Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/950855/cheap-housing-for-families-leaving-railway-homes#ixzz50kdbK5qY 
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Sweldo, benepisyo ng TV5 employees inaayos na - Andanar

Siniguro ni Presidential Communications Ope­rations Office (PCOO) Sec. Martin Andanar na inaayos na ang pondo para sa nabiting benepisyo at sweldo ng mga empleyado ng TV5.

Sinabi ni Sec. Andanar naibigay na kahapon ang na-delay na suweldo ng mga TV5 employees at inaayos na ang pondo para maibigay na din ang para sa kanilang 13th month pay at iba pang benepisyong nabitin.

Wika pa ni Andanar hindi nagpapabaya ang PCOO upang masiguro na makuha ng mga TV5 employees ang kanilang suweldo at mga benepisyo.

Idinagdag pa ng PCOO chief, minamadali na din nila ang pag-amyen­da sa charter ng TV5 na nakatakdang talakayin sa Martes sa Senado.

“We are working for the release of funds. We are also working with Congress to amend the charter of the major television station,” wika pa ni Andanar.

Magugunita na nagsasagawa ng kilos-protesta ang mga empleyado ng TV5 dahil sa delayed ng kanilang suweldo, 13th month pay at Christmas bonus gayundin hindi din daw nababayaran ang kanilng overtime pay.

‘Metro Manila traffic at standstill in 5 years’

METRO Manila is known for its horrendous traffic jams but motorists may soon have to endure standstill traffic as more Filipinos see the need to buy a car in the next five years, a study commissioned by a ride-sharing platform said.

The study entitled “Unlocking Cities” by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), found that Manila has congestion levels that are “high both in peak and non-peak hours of travel.”

Statistics of the Metro Manila Development Authority show that around 7,500 vehicles use EDSA every hour.

Out of the study’s 300 respondents, 252 or 84 percent of commuters indicated plans to purchase a car in the next five years. Considering Manila’s current vehicle growth levels, cars would be traveling at 10 kph, the study implied.

“These same respondents said there is the highest likelihood, among all cities studied, to forgo purchasing a vehicle if ride-sharing can meet their transport requirements on price, timeliness and availability,” the BCG added.

The study categorized Metro Manila under Tier 3 cities along with Jakarta in Indonesia, Surabaya in Jawa Timur, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. These cities are said to have “relatively undeveloped public transport networks, or rely heavily on informal road-based transport networks.”

Meanwhile, Tier 1 cities, which include Taipei, Singapore and Hong Kong, have low levels of congestion outside of peak hours even if they heavily rely on public transport.

Tier 2 cities, which include Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, are more likely to face road congestion for lack of public transport.

The study added that a combination of a significant uptake in public transport as well as efficient alternatives to vehicle ownership are likely to be needed to curb congestion.

Asked to comment on the study, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) spokesman Aileen Lizada stressed the need for better public transportation.

“What we need to do is modernize public transportation so that private car owners will be encouraged to leave their cars behind and take the public utility vehicles provided by the operators—one that is compliant with Omnibus Franchising Guidelines,” Lizada said.

LTFRB records show that around 2.5 million vehicles were registered in Metro Manila, 1.5 million of which were private cars.

RMN: PNR PROJECT | Mahigit 100-libong pamilya, ire-relocate

Nasa 100-libong pamilya na maapektuhan ng North-South Railway Project ng Philippine National Railway (PNR) ang ire-relocate ng pamahalaan.

Sa susunod na taon na kasi sisimulan ng Department of Transportation (DOTr) ang pagpapalawig ng biyahe ng PNR mula Maynila patungong Los Baños, Laguna, Naga, Legazpi, Sorsogon at Batangas.

Sa ilalim ng kasunduang nilagdaan ng DOTr, PNR at iba’t ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan, maglalaan ng murang pabahay para sa mga apektadong pamilya na pawang mga informal settlers.

Ang PNR project ay may habang 653-kilometers at magiging alternatibong transportasyon para sa mga pauwi ng Bicol region.

Govt inks P54-B deal to relocate settlers affected by PNR South project

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine National Railways (PNR), along with government housing agencies, have signed a memorandum of agreement for a P54-billion relocation project for informal settler families (ISFs) who will be affected by the North-South Railway Project (NSRP).

Around 100,000 ISFs will be relocated batch by batch and the relocation will be conducted by the National Housing Authority, according to Assistant Secretary for Rails Timothy John Batan.

The agencies involved in the project are the Presidential Commission on Urban Poor, National Housing Authority (NHA), Social Housing Finance Corporation, and the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

Under the MOA, the said government agencies agreed to perform resettlement activities and social preparation to provide the ISFs with affordable housing programs.

The NSRP, also known as the PNR South Long Haul, is a 653-kilometer railway project that will run from Manila to Batangas, Laguna, Bicol and Sorsogon. It is expected to be operational by the second quarter of 2022.

“It is projected to carry up to 300,000 passengers on opening day alone,” Batan said.

Batan said travel time between Manila and Los Baños would be cut from two-and-a-half hours currently to only 45 minutes, and travel time between Manila and Bicol will be cut to six hours from the usual 12 hours.

“We will start construction by 2019 as soon as the right-of-way ]is cleared,” Batan said.

The NSRP Commuter Line segment, which spans 72 kilometers with 23 stations, will start from Solis-Hermosa in Manila to Los Baños. The Long Haul segment will start from Los Baños and will run through Batangas, Quezon, Camarines Sur, and Albay to Sorsogon.

The Commuter Line will be funded by official development assistance from Japan while the Long Haul segment will be funded by ODA from China. REICELENE JOY N. IGNACIO

MMFF 2017 announces official entries

The official entries to the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) have been announced in a program held recently at Club Filipino attended by the members of this year’s MMFF Executive Committee headed by Chairman Tim Orbos.

The official entries were selected based on the following criteria: Artistic excellence (40%), commercial viability (40%), promotion of Filipino cultural and historical values (10%) and global appeal (10%).

The announcement was made by the Chairman of the Selection Committee National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera with members Atty. Alu Dorotan, Alan and Yulde (Cinema 2000), Bing Advincula (Robinsons Movieworld), award-winning filmmakerS Maryo J. de los Reyes and Mel Chionglo, Gordon Ting (Vista Cinema), award-winning writer Roy C. Iglesias, MTRCB representative Consoliza Laguardia and film producer Jessie Ejercito.

The eight official full-length entries are “Ang Panday” (CCM Creative Productions, Viva and Star Cinema) directed by Rodel Nacianceno; starring Coco Martin, “Deadma Walking” (T-Rex Productions) directed by Julius Alfonso; starring Joross Gamboa and Edgar Allan Guzman, “Gandarrapido! The Revenger Squad” (Star Cinema and Viva Films) directed by Joyce Bernal; starring Vice Ganda, Pia Wurtzbach and Daniel Padilla, “Siargao” (Ten17 Productions) directed by Paul Soriano; starring Jericho Rosales and Erich Gonzales, “All Of You” (Quantum Films) directed by Dan Villegas; starring Jennylyn Mercado and Derek Ramsay, “Haunted Forest” (Regal Films) directed by Ian Loreños; starring Jane Oineza, Jameson Blake and Jon Lucas, “Ang Larawan” (Culturtain Muscat Productions Inc.) directed by Loy Arcenas; starring Joanna Ampil, Rachel Alejandro and Paulo Avelino; and “Meant To Beh” (MZet, APT and OctoArts Films) directed by Chris Martinez; starring Vic Sotto and Dawn Zulueta.

Now on its 43rd year, the annual MMFF will run from Dec. 25, 2017 to Jan. 7, 2018 with the traditional Parade of Stars happening on Dec. 23 sponsored by the City of Muntinlupa (celebrating its Centennial Anniversary) and the Gabi ng Parangal on Dec. 27 at the KIA Theater.

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Music stars at MBC Choral Competition

Special guest artists brighten up the Aliw Theater stage as Manila Broadcasting Company and Star City mount the ongoing 2017 MBC National Choral Competitions.

For the grand finals today, Tanya Chinita of 90.7 Love Radio, Donnalyn Bartolome, and Migz Haleco are the special guests.

There are 41 chorales vying for the 2017 MBC National Choral Competition championships. R150,000 is at stake for the grand champion in the open category, and R100,000 is up for grabs in the children’s division.

Showtime is at 5 p.m. Admission is free.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 9, go to Dr. James Dy, Judith Banal, Beverly Salviejo, Butch Francisco, Ernie Pilapil, Lily Juico, OV Espiritu, and Eva SharmaDec. 10: Conchita Razon, Lydia Veneracion, Ramon Valencia, Sabina Dacer, Teddy Gordoncillo, Lota Reyes, Elizabeth Chan, and Krista RanilloDec. 11: Aquilino Pimentel, Hannah Gana, Lovely Romulo, Brenda del Rio, Ian de Leon, Alice Cabahug, Mark Manalang, Ellen Velasco of Ellen’s Salon & Spa, Atty. Emil Anton Coronel, Nelson Navarro, Baby Nebrida, Dik Trofeo, Hazel Tuazon-Soriano, Atty. Estelita Aguirre, Cecile Marcaida, Carina Martinez, Puma de Borja, Sam Pinto and Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez… A tribute concert to Ms. Annie Brazil (who’s still in the hospital) will be held tomorrow at Aruba in Rockwell Makati. One of the performer is Rachel Ann Wolf who’s coming over from New York…