Thursday, December 28, 2017

PTV VHF and UHF TV Stations Nationwide:



  • PTV 4 Metro Manila 
  • PTV (SOON) Batanes***
  • PTV (SOON) Abra***
  • PTV 8 Baguio 
  • PTV 4 Laoag**
  • PTV (SOON) Olongapo***
  • PTV (SOON) Zambales***
  • PTV 4 Vigan 
  • PTV 6 Dagupan, Pangasinan**
  • PTV (SOON) La Union***
  • PTV 4 Isabela**
  • PTV (SOON) Cabanatuan***
  • PTV (SOON) Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya***
  • PTV (SOON) Tarlac***
  • PTV 11 Tuguegarao**
  • PTV (SOON) Pampanga***
  • PTV (SOON) Laguna***
  • PTV (SOON) Batangas***
  • PTV (SOON) Lucena***
  • PTV 13 Romblon**
  • PTV (SOON) Kalinga***
  • PTV (SOON) Mountain Province***
  • PTV (SOON) Bataan***
  • PTV (SOON) Oriental Mindoro***
  • PTV (SOON) Occidental Mindoro***
  • PTV (SOON) Marinduque***
  • PTV (SOON) Baler, Aurora***
  • PTV 4 Catanduanes**
  • PTV 2 San Miguel, Catanduanes**
  • PTV 7 Caramoran, Catanduanes**
  • PTV 9 Panganiban, Catanduanes**
  • PTV (SOON) Camarines Norte***
  • PTV 4 Palawan 
  • PTV 4 Naga 
  • PTV 4 Goa, Camarines Sur*
  • PTV 8 Legazpi*
  • PTV 5 Sorsogon**
  • PTV 2 Guimaras / Iloilo 
  • PTV 2 Bacolod**
  • PTV (SOON) Antique***
  • PTV (SOON) Dinagat Islands***
  • PTV (SOON) Kalibo, Aklan***
  • PTV (SOON) Samar***
  • PTV 10 Dumaguete 
  • PTV 11 Cebu 
  • PTV (SOON) Bohol***
  • PTV (SOON) Roxas, Capiz***
  • PTV (SOON) Masbate***
  • PTV (SOON) Bantayan Island***
  • PTV (SOON) Negros***
  • PTV (SOON) Baybay***
  • PTV 8 Tacloban
  • PTV 12 Calbayog
  • PTV 4 Borongan* 
  • PTV 7 Zamboanga
  • PTV 12 Dipolog
  • PTV 11 Pagadian
  • PTV 11 Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay
  • PTV 27 Cagayan De Oro**
  • PTV (SOON) Iligan**
  • PTV (SOON) Lanao del Norte***
  • PTV 11 Davao 
  • PTV 48 Tagum, Davao Del Norte
  • PTV (SOON) Digos, Davao del Sur***
  • PTV 5 General Santos**
  • PTV 9 Butuan**
  • PTV (SOON) Ozamiz***
  • PTV (SOON) Gingoog, Misamis Oriental***
  • PTV (SOON) Misamis Occidental***
  • PTV (SOON) Tandag***
  • PTV (SOON) Sarangani***
  • PTV 8 Agusan Del Sur
  • PTV 8 Marawi
  • PTV 8 Kidapawan
  • PTV 8 Cotabato
  • PTV (SOON) Carmen, Surigao Del Sur***
  • PTV (SOON) Surigao***
  • PTV (SOON) Bislig***
  • PTV (SOON) Bukidnon***
  • PTV 7 Jolo**
  • PTV (SOON) Tawi-Tawi***


(*)Affiliates.
(**)Off-air/Under rehabilitation.
(***)On-going expansion.

Quirino Grandstand















MM traffic to worsen next year

This early, the government warns public that traffic problems would linger in 2018 due to numerous infrastructure projects lined up aimed at improving Metro Mania’s transportation network, said a top official of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Tim Orbos, MMDA general manager, appealed to motorists and commuters to bear with the expected traffic congestion when the projects under the infrastructure projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program starts simultaneously next year.

Projects in pipeline next year, Orbos cited, are Metro Rail Transit-Light Rail Transit common station in second quarter; LRT line 2 extension project on Marcos Highway and LRT Line 1 extension to Cavite; Metro Manila’s first subway in the third quarter; Megawide Southwest Terminal, South Terminal, MRT 7, bridges to be built by the Department of Public Works and Highways; rehabilitation of Guadalupe Bridge, among others.


DOTr ends 2017 with major progress on MRT woes

The Transport department is capping off 2017 by making significant progress on the constant overcrowding and breakdowns of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT 3).

The government has not only begun talks with Japan to fund a new maintenance contract for the MRT 3, it also identified a safety auditor to inspect the incompatible Dalian cars from China to see whether they can still be used.

Transport Assistant Secretary for Rails TJ Batan told CNN Philippines on Tuesday that the country and Japan will exchange notes verbale this week. Both governments will set down terms for Japan to fund the MRT 3's maintenance through an official development assistance (ODA) package.

Among them will be a feasibility study the Japanese government will undertake in January to assess what needs to be fixed in the problematic train line.

Batan said, "We will admit, we don't fully know all the problems of the MRT 3 yet. This study will help us understand what the maintenace contract should cover and how much it will cost."

Once the study is completed, Japan will nominate a contractor — likely Sumitomo Corp., which built and designed the MRT 3 system from 1998-2000 and maintained it from 2000-2012.

"Technical continuity is something we are looking for, which is why we think Japan will select our previous contractor," Batan said. He added that once Sumitomo is onboard, work should begin by May 2018.

Even as negotiations with Japan gather speed, the Transport department has also opened up talks with other foreign governments keen to invest in the MRT 3's maintenance.

Batan said both Spain and Singapore are offering ODAs and their homegrown firms Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles and Singapore Mass Rapid Transit Corp., respectively, as possible contractors.

"Until we have signed a deal with Japan, we also want to make sure that the government of the Philippines always has a backup. We're not tied to one option," Batan said.

The government took over the maintenance of the MRT 3 after it fired the previous provider, Busan Universal Rail, Inc. last November for their failure to perform.

However, glitches have continued since then. On Tuesday morning, a southbound train unloaded about 900 passengers after an electrical failure in its motor. It was the 26th glitch this month and the 61st since the government took control of the MRT's maintenance.

The government also identified an independent safety auditor to assess whether it can still use the 48 new Dalian cars it bought from China in 2013 but were later found to be incompatible with the MRT's current train tracks.

German certification firm TÜV Rheinland was selected by the Transport department's Bid and Awards Committee to conduct the audit, Batan said. The contract will likely be awarded on Wednesday.

Other firms that were considered were fellow German company TÜV SÜD and French firm Bureau Veritas.

If the audit shows that the cars cannot be used at all, the government will return them to Dalian Locomotive & Rolling Stock Co., Batan said. But if the findings show they can still be used if adjustments are made, the government will invest in the adjustments so the MRT's capacity can be increased as soon as possible.

The MRT can regularly run 15 trains, comprised of 45 cars, every day,  Batan said. For the same ridership of 500,000 daily passengers, the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT 1) runs 103 cars.

http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/12/26/dotr-2017-progress-mrt.html

Entering the golden age of PH infrastructure

THE golden age of infrastructure in the Philippines now begins. Around P8 trillion are budgeted until 2021 in planning, developing and constructing mega-infrastructure projects. Some of the planned projects are interisland bridges inter-connecting the entire Philippines, the country’s longest bridge, railways and subways, disaster resiliency and flood control, and possibly the construction of one of the world’s biggest airports and seaports.

From the conversations I’ve had with several investors and business leaders, the opportunities are more than enough for local investors. Investors even said that definitely we would need the help of foreign contractors and developers to bring in expertise, technology, operations management and funding. It’s possible that in the next few years we might see 20 kilometer-long bridges, connecting Bataan to Calabarzon, which I have been proposing for a very long time, and a bridge connecting the Visayas to Mindanao. In other Asian countries, such as in the rich Pearl Delta region of China, they have constructed a bridge longer than 40 kilometers. It took around five years to finish. If we are to adopt the technology and open our country up for direct foreign investment, a 20km bridge may only take two to three years to finish.

Imagine, one can travel from the tip of Luzon to the southernmost portions of Mindanao by land or railway! In 2006, Maglev of Germany talked to me about the possibility of developing a Maglev railway in the country. It will only take three hours to travel from Laoag to Davao.

Metro Davao and Davao Gulf megalopolis

Just this October, the Mindanao Development Authority, in strategic partnership with the Davao Regional Development Council and National Economic Development Authority, awarded the Urban Master Plan of Metro Davao to Palafox Associates.

The total land area of Metro Davao is approximately 600,000 hectares and the entire Davao Gulf is approximately 860,000 hectares. This includes the municipalities of Panabo, Carmen, Tagum, Island Garden of Samal, Mabini, Maco, Pantukan, Banaybay, Lupon, San Isidro, Governor Generoso, Davao City, Sta. Cruz, Digos, Hagonoy, Padada, Sta. Maria, Malita, Don Marcelino, and Jose Abad Santos.

The Davao Gulf megalopolis is 16 times the size of Singapore, four times the size of Hong Kong, and twice the size of Dubai. We need to realize that there is more to our country beyond Metro Manila and start considering what other regions have to offer.

Metropolitan Davao is one of the fastest growing regions in the country. In 2016, the region grew 9.4 percent, the third fastest. In 2016, when Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte won the national election as President of the Philippines, it helped propel the political significance, urban, and economic growth of the Davao region. And now the region is experiencing rapid urbanization. But through the Urban Master Plan, Metropolitan Davao, and the entire Davao Gulf, has the opportunity to become a model for sustainable, pedestrian and transit-oriented, technologically innovative, livable and resilient city in the country.

The big idea is to interconnect and synergize the entire Davao in becoming one economic superblock but at the same time maintaining a healthy city life, food security, environmental integrity, sense of culture, and safety. Metro Davao can possibly host the country’s biggest airport and seaport by 2021.

Pampanga megalopolis and Clark aerotropolis

Pampanga is the strongest counter-magnet to Metro Manila. In 2017, Palafox Associates is proud to share that it has completed the Pampanga Megalopolis plan. It included the new development of an outer and inner circumferential development corridors, bus rapid transits, transportation plans, tourism plans, and identification of water supply among many others.

The Pampanga Megalopolis has introduced the concepts of pairing spatial and physical strategies to economic value chains and development thrusts to maximize the economic competitive advantages of each city and municipality. The province has identified four metropolitan clusters which are the Aerotropolis, Agropolis, Ecopolis, and the Aquapolis.

Airport development

The airport is a gateway, the front door, to a country. For any foreigner and returning Filipino expatriate, the airport is where they first set foot in the country. It is a welcome mat of our hospitality, character, culture and identity. Before you become an investor, you must first be a satisfied tourist.

In 2015, there were 36 million passengers. It means that the airport had the opportunity to showcase the entire country to millions of visitors. Inside the terminals, long walkways and waiting areas are places that give us an opportunity to present the beautiful islands and destinations of our country, as well as an opportunity to show the world-class craftsmanship of our artists, among others. As passengers are walking, there could be high-tech, digital screens that show the beauty of our country. There could also be interactive public art, sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. The potential is limitless.

Airports should be appreciated through the light of holistic planning and holistic passenger experience and consumer journey, not only airport congestion. Just like traffic, congestion is a symptom of a confluence of issues, but ultimately is a sign of poor design and management.

For the inside of the terminals, we can take inspiration from Tokyo, Dubai, Hong Kong, San Francisco, and Paris. Beautifully designed, futuristic-looking sleeping pods and reading nooks are available for passengers. Instead of the passengers rushing through or waiting on the floors, these facilities are aesthetically designed to influence or to entice the passengers to use them. There should also be a lounge dedicated to PWDs and the elderly, and airport-certified personnel to assist them with boarding.

In terms of infrastructure development, things are looking quite exciting for the Philippines as proposed projects hit the ground running by 2018. With continuing visionary leadership, strong political will, good planning, good design, and good governance, we can bring the Philippines well into the 21st century – a globally competitive nation.

Dawn happy to be paired with Bossing

Although in the past Dawn Zulueta has starred opposite Vic Sotto playing Faye on hit sitcom “Okay Ka, Fairy Ko,” they haven’t worked together in a movie. So imagine her excitement when she was offered to team up with Bossing in “Meant To Beh,” an official entry to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

“That’s the reason ‘Meant To Beh’ is very special to me. Aside from being my first big screen collaboration with Bossing, it is also my first time to be directed by Chris Martinez. And also my first time to be working with Daniel Matsunaga, JC Santos, Gabbi Garcia, Ruru Madrid and Baby Baste. I’m really excited!” Dawn exclaimed.

A light comedy, Dawn considers “Meant To Beh” a “breather,” since it is the first time she is starring in a comic role. “Alam niyo naman that since the start of my career, it’s always been dramatic roles that I was playing. Ngayon lang talaga ako nag-comedy kahit light lang kasi it’s about family life, there’s still drama and seriousness in it.”

On landing in the Top 3 slots in the MMFF 2017, Dawn admits they face big competition against the Coco Martin, Vice Ganda and Jennylyn Mercado movies.

“The pressure of landing in the Top 3 is a big challenge. But I’m confident with our offering. I think we’re the only family-oriented entry to the festival which is good. I’m sure the viewing public will not only enjoy the film but will pick up some valuable lessons from its various themes,” Dawn said.

Vic also has high hopes for their entry, where he is directed also for the first time by Chris. “It’s a pleasure to experience a movie with new direction and new storytelling,” Vic said. “Magaling siyang maglatag ng istorya sa big screen. Maraming nagandahan sa trailer ng movie, but it doesn’t do justice to the whole story. I take my hat off to Chris Martinez.”

• • •

Show designed for millennials

The new GMA Public Affairs host Atom Araullo will topbill “Adulting With Atom Araullo,” who’ll join millennials in their journey towards adulthood.

It’s on GMA ONE Online Exclusives available on the network’s YouTube channel.

“It’s great privilege to be in an engaging show like this where I give netizens a peek at my everyday struggles,” Atom said.

“This is a different medium and it’s very challenging. We hope to talk about the different challenges we face as we enter the adult world. We are free to discuss various topics like sex, relationships and issues.”

On the other hand, Gabbi hosts “#Goals With Gabbi Garcia” which sees her delve in beauty, style, make-up, travel, and music.

“I feel so positive about this show, I’ll be sharing my personal experiences. We’re in a new age now where millennials appreciate digital content, they’re really into social media. The show is very relatable to the youth,” she said.

Kapuso reporter Joseph Morong debunks false news items on “Fact Or Fake With Joseph Morong.”

New episodes of these shows will be uploaded every Mondays at 5 p.m.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 28, go to Claire dela Fuente, Emcy Corteza, Hortencia Starke, Marietta Tamondong, Jill Yulo, Cynthia Garcia, Edna Azurin, Mary Anne Salcedo, Jocelyn Morales, Olga Apostol, Amy Espino, Niño Sampilo, Marni Ocampo, Emmy Gamboa, Chris Beato, and Franco LaurelDec. 29: Amelia M. Ramos, Bettina Aspillaga, Calvin Millado, Marilyn Yambao, Gamaliel Vasquez, Vivian Hultman, Jasmin Tuazon, Ralph Nino Manuel, Alvin Gabito, Jose and Raul Concepcion, Rico Barrera, Kristel Fulgar, Mike Villa-Real, Kaye Dacer, and Ret. Col. Ricardo L. Nolasco, Jr.