On last day of 2017, MRT3 unloads passengers due to glitch

A 'signaling problem' disrupts MRT3 operations on the last morning of the year

On the last morning of 2017, the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) unloaded passengers because of another system glitch.

The MRT3 suspended its southbound operations at 6:54 am on Sunday, December 31, “due to a signaling problem” according to transportation officials.

It resumed operations over an hour later, at 7:59 am.

A few hours after the incident, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced steps it had taken to improve MRT3 services.

"In its commitment to progressively address the issues beleaguering the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), the Department of Transportation MRT-3 (DOTr MRT-3) team recently completed the procurement of the first batch of various spare parts required for the system’s maintenance," the DOTr said in a press statement.

Assistant Secretary for Railways TJ Batan said the deliveries of some spare parts had started "and will continue over the next 30 to 90 days."

"We got the commitment of all suppliers to exert best efforts to deliver earlier than the prescribed contractual lead times, and our MRT-3 team will focus on realizing this," Batan said.

He added that the DOTr will continue procuring signaling spare parts and general overhaul services, among others.

The purchase of spare parts for the MRT3’s Maintenance Transition Team (MTT) is the second phase of DOTr’s 4-part strategy to fix the problematic train line.

Villar group sets P175-B capex for next 3 years

THE VILLAR GROUP of companies is accelerating its capital spending to P175 billion in the next three years, targeting to boost the growth of its businesses in real estate, leasing, retail, hospitality, and education.

The massive capital expenditure budget will support tycoon Manuel B. Villar, Jr.’s vision of establishing his property business as one of the major players by 2020, in addition to building his retail brands.

Companies under the Villar group include Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. (VLL), Starmalls, Inc., Golden Haven, Inc., all three of which are listed at the Philippine Stock Exchange, and All Value Holdings, Corp., which serves as the holding firm for his retail businesses.

“We are very bullish in the coming year as we take advantage of the various collaborations among our companies in addition to the sustained sound Philippine macroeconomic fundamentals,” Mr. Villar told reporters in Las Piñas last Dec. 19.

Around 60% of the capex will fund the company’s real estate expansion, while the rest will go to the leasing and retail businesses. Of the P175 billion capex, Mr. Villar said P50 billion will be spent in 2018.

For VLL, Mr. Villar said the company will push expansion to the provinces as he expects a “reverse migration” phenomenon given the government’s plans to develop areas outside Metro Manila. This expansion will help boost profit and revenues grow by 12-15% annually.

To date, VLL is present in 132 cities and municipalities and 46 provinces around the Philippines.

To complement VLL’s residential business, the listed firm has committed to expand the Villar-led Georgia Academy, now with three branches, to 13 next year.

The property company will also be developing six hotels in the next three years, five of which will carry the Hotel Mella brand. Mr. Villar identified Boracay, Tagaytay, Bataan, and Cebu as the locations for the hotel. A branded hotel to be developed with a partner is also set to rise in Evia, VLL’s property in Las Piñas.

For Golden Haven, the company plans to acquire more land for memorial parks. At present, it has 14 memorial parks — a figure which it hopes to double in the next three years.

“We are going big in memorial parks. We aim to have one in every city where we have Camella Homes,” Mr. Villar said, referring to one of the residential brands under VLL.

Recently, Golden Haven diversified into the mass housing sector by taking over the operations of another Villar-led company, Bria Homes, Inc. The P3.01-billion acquisition will mark the company’s entry into housing development.

Meanwhile, Starmalls will be increasing its number of malls to 60 in the next three years, from the current 22.

Mr. Villar is bullish on his retail business, which comprises home improvement chain AllHome, All Day Supermarket, All Day Convenience Store, Coffee Project, and bakery Bake My Day.

The Villar group will be increasing the number of All Day Supermarket branches to 26 in 2018, from the current count of 13. The public will also see a total of 100 branches of All Day Convenience stores next year, from just 72 in 2017. Around 10 to 12 AllHome depot stores will likewise be added in 2018, for a total of 26 to 28.

Coffee Project, meanwhile, will be present in around 45 to 50 locations by next year.

“There are now 22 branches of Coffee Project. Next year, we hope to make it to 45 to 50. So we will add 23 to 28 more. We now have 15 to 20 identified locations, including Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, and Naga,” Mr. Villar said. — Arra B. Francia

#BuildBuildBuild: Infra projects to look forward to this 2018

By Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo

In the next six years, the Duterte administration will implement the most ambitious infrastructure plan in Philippine history, which includes the Luzon Spine Expressway Network, the Metro Manila Logistics Network, the Metro Cebu Expressway, and the Davao City Coastal Road.

This 2018, the NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10, an elevated expressway linking MacArthur Highway in Valenzuela City and C3 Road in Caloocan City will be opened. When completed, travel time from Manila to Quezon City will be reduced from 1 hour and 30 mins to only 20 minutes.

The Harbor Link Project is a key component of the Luzon Spine Expressway Network, a 1,040-km expressway network which would connect the northern and southernmost parts of Luzon. By constructing 18 new expressways with a total road length of 655 km, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar aims to compliment the existing expressway network spanning 385 km. Once completed, the travel time from Metro Manila to San Fernando, La Union, will be reduced from six hours and 55 minutes to three hours and 10 minutes. Travel time from La Union to Bicol will be reduced from 19 hours and 40 minutes to eight hours and 15 minutes.

Also part of the Luzon Spine is the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3, a 14.8-km  6-lane elevated expressway which will connect Buendia, Makati City, to Balintawak, Quezon City. This 2018, the present Metro Manila Skyway system from South Luzon Expressway will be accessible up to President Quirino Avenue in Manila.

Upon completion of the entire alignment which would have eight strategically located interchanges in Buendia Avenue, President Quirino Avenue, Plaza Dilao and Nagtahan, Aurora Boulevard, E. Rodriguez Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Sgt. Rivera and Balintawak, travel time from Makati to Quezon City will be reduced from 2 hours to only 15 to 20 minutes.

Another decongestion master plan is the Metro Manila Logistics Network, which will build an additional 12-bridge network across Pasig River, Marikina River, and Manggahan Floodway to complement the 26 existing bridges, which cater to about 1.3 million vehicles daily.

Included in the network is the 961-meter Bonifacio Global City – Ortigas Center Link Road Project, a 4-lane bridge across Pasig River connecting Lawton Avenue in Makati City and Sta. Monica Street in Pasig City and a viaduct structure traversing Lawton Avenue onwards to the entrance of Bonifacio Global City. When completed, traveling between the central business districts of Taguig and Pasig Cities will only take 12 minutes and traffic congestion at EDSA and C-5 Road particularly along Guadalupe Bridge and Bagong Ilog Bridge will be alleviated by about 25 percent.

Another big-ticket project is the Metro Cebu Expressway, a 73.75-km highway with a 2-km tunnel, which will reduce travel time from Danao City to Naga City by over 50% percent.

Also in the pipeline is the Davao City Coastal Road, an 18.50-km coastal road project from Bago to Sta. Ana Wharf Road, which is expected to reduce travel time from Toril to Poblacion from 45 minutes to 15 minutes.

North Molino Development

Vista Land has a big project lined up for the North Molino Area of Bacoor.

The development will include residential condos, BPO buildings, and a mall.

This area is also where the Niyog Station will be constructed for the LRT Extension Project.

Also where the newly constructed Bacoor Government Center (BGC Cavite) is located, likely the biggest and most modern LGU center in Cavite Province.

Pwede pa ata ma-extend ang Vista City area hanggang diyan

Parang kalahati ng Bacoor ay pagaari ng Vista Land Which is okay kasi dinidevelop naman ang siyudad, magiging Makati ng Cavite ang Bacoor

Celeste wins second Entertainer of the Year Award

Congratulations to Celeste Legaspi, who won her second Entertainer of the Year Award at The 30th Aliw Awards held recently at the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel. She won first Entertainer of the Year Award in 1979. The singer-actress, by the way, stars together with Rachel Alejandro in the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry “Larawan” which she also produces under Culturtain Musicat Productions.

Celeste took home a total of three trophies at the 30th Aliw Awards, including the Aliw’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The 30th Annual Aliw Awards on the Foundation’s 40th anniversary was supported by the Department of Tourism, the Quezon City Government under Mayor Herbert M. Bautista and PCSO, San Miguel Corporation, Salu Restaurant, Jade Vine Restaurant, Absolute, PAGCOR, and SSS.

• • •

‘Belen’ returns to Star City

Circus D’Ballet – a unique extravaganza combining circus acts and ballet – brings back the Christmas tale “Belen” to regale Star City visitors this holiday season.

Presented by Star City, Ballet Manila, and Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC), “Belen” is a free show offered to Star City guests. Admission is on a first-come-first-served basis.

Choreographed and directed by Ballet Manila co-artistic director Osias Barroso, “Belen” re-imagines the fabled journey of the three Kings in search of the Child Jesus.

“Belen,” which was staged last Dec. 23, will also be presented tonight at 7, on Jan. 1 (7 and 9 p.m.) and Jan. 2 (7 p.m.)

Circus D’Ballet, a creative collaboration between circus artists and ballet dancers, was the brainchild of MBC chairman Fred J. Elizalde. It was launched in 2001 featuring “Belen” at the theme park’s then newly inaugurated Star Theater.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 30, go to Rep. Lito Atienza, Alegria Sibal, Bobby Tating, Toots Tolentino, Roseanne Villegas, Liza Moya, Joanne Matschuck, Baby de Guzman, Rizalina Cardenas, Che Singson, Ronald Constantino, Eugene Santos, Mary Charmaine Musngi, Pablo Tariman, and Jake Cuenca… Dec. 31: Deborah Sun, Abel de Leon, Ester Gacutan, Fely Bautista, Dr. Joven Cuanang, Clarissa Villalba, Jun Regalado, Alice Balangue, Arnel Serato, and Globe’s Joyce Crisano… Jan. 1: Cristina Ponce Enrile, Buddy Medina, Licerna Abunda, Lourdes Tolosa, Sony Magundayao, Aida dela Cruz, Violeta Villanueva, Dr. Rosalinda Ante, Marietta Ejercito, Arlino Mark Belen, Arlene de Guzman, Cora Grippo, Janiz Navida, and Gemma Fritzgerald…

ALVEO LAND's Cerca Alabang

DOTr pursues big-ticket transport projects to decongest Metro Manila

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is pursuing various transportation projects to ease the traffic congestion in Metro Manila and promote ease of travel among commuters.

For this year, the national government has launched the “Build, Build, Build” program to promote economic growth and decongest the National Capital Region ushering in a “golden age of infrastructure” in the Philippines during the term of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Under this program, the Duterte administration seeks to build infrastructures that will provide connectivity of the rural areas to key cities across the country, enabling to attain the vision for the Philippines to become a middle income economy in 2022.

Promoting linkages in Metro Manila and provinces through railways

Improving the railway system is considered as one of the most effective means to transport people, goods and services from the provinces to the Metro Manila.

Taking this into consideration, the DOTr has led the groundbreaking of the extension of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system to nearby areas in the metropolis.

The LRT Line 1 Extension has started its construction extending the rail line from Baclaran to Niog in Bacoor City, Cavite, serving around 300,000 riders per day from Parañaque, Las Piñas and Bacoor cities and is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2021.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade has appealed to its private sector partner LRT-1 operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) to expedite its construction without undermining and sacrificing the quality and intended costs.

It also signed with the Mitsubishi Corporation for the purchase of new 120 light rail vehicles (LRVs) for the railway system. Each train set would have a minimum of 1,388 passengers, are energy efficient and have low maintenance cost.

The LRT Line 2 East Extension Project involves the construction of a 4-kilometer extension of the existing system from Santolan, Pasig City to Masinag in Antipolo, Rizal.

Two additional stations will be built namely Emerald Station, which will be located in front of Robinsons Metro East and Sta. Lucia in Cainta, Rizal and the Masinag Station to be located before the Masinag Junction in Antipolo City. It is expected to reduce travel time from Masinag to Recto in Manila from 3 hours by 30 to 40 minutes once completed by August 2018.

The construction of the first phase of the Mega Manila Subway Project (MMSP) is expected to start as early as third quarter of 2018.

The PHP355.6 billion MMSP Phase 1, financed through an Official Development Assistance (ODA) from Japan and Public-Private Partnership (PPP),  will have fourteen stations from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City up to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The 25-kilometer subway system is envisioned to be an underground mass transportation system connecting major business districts and government centers which is expected to serve 370,000 passengers daily in its opening year.

The MMSP is expected to start its partial operations by fourth quarter of 2025 while its completion is set on 2027.

The LRT-MRT Common Station has likewise started its construction last September following a memorandum of agreement that was signed last January  by the government, Metro Pacific Investments Corp. Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, SMPH Director Hans T. Sy, Ayala Corp. CEO Jaime Zobel de Ayala, and SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang, ending an eight year impasse over its location.

The Common Station will connect the LRT-1, MRT-3, and MRT-7 which will traverse from North Avenue, Quezon City to Araneta-Colinas Verdes Subdivision, City of San Jose del Monte in Bulacan province, as well as the proposed Mega Manila Subway System.

The 13,700-square meter station will be built between The Annex at SM City North EDSA and Trinoma with a spacious concourse area that will facilitate the seamless transfer of passengers from one line to another.

Tugade said building the Common Station is a manifestation of the government’s commitment to ensure the comfort of commuters.

“We want to thank our private sector partners for making the Common Station a reality. They have set aside their private interests for the good of the country. We will finish this project for the convenience of the riding public,” Tugade said during its groundbreaking ceremony.

DOTr expects the common station to be operational by 2020, catering to at least 478,000 passengers daily.

Development of regional airports

A major project being pursued by the department under the aviation sector is the development of the Clark International Airport as an alternative international gateway to the congested NAIA in Paranaque City.

The DOTr and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Clark International Airport Expansion Project last December 20.

The project involves the construction of a PHP 9.36 billion new passenger terminal building spanning 100,000 square meters which can accommodate an additional 8 million passengers  to  the existing 4 million passengers for a total of 12 million passengers yearly and is expected to be operational by 2020.

Megawide-GMR won the bid to build the terminal, after going through a very stringent and transparent bidding process which was monitored by the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank, beating four other bidders for the design, engineering and construction of the new airport terminal building.

The firm submitted the lowest financial proposal for the project amounting to PHP9.36 billion 25 percent below the ceiling price of PHP12.55 billion.

The construction of the new terminal is the first hybrid project under the Build, Build, Build program of the Duterte administration.

Under the hybrid mode, the government will build the infrastructure using its own funds to ensure swift delivery of the project while the operations and maintenance will be bidded off to the private sector.

The BCDA is expected to bid out the operations and maintenance of the Clark International Airport to the private sector next year. It is also being eyed to be connected to the 106 kilometer Manila-Clark Railway project which is expected to reduce travel time from Manila to Clark to 55 minutes from the present two hours.

A new terminal in the Puerto Princesa International Airport was opened spanning 13,000 square meters with a 2,600 meter runway which can accommodate bigger aircrafts. It is expected to have an annual capacity of around 2 million passengers.

DOTr likewise resumed the construction of landside facilities in the Bicol International Airport after 11 years of delay. The facilities will consist of 17 buildings: administration, cargo terminal, air traffic control, crash fire rescue, air traffic control, power house, maintenance, material recovery facilities, pump room and water reservoir, chilled water pumphouse, chlorination house 1 and 2, guard houses and the quarters of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and is expected to be completed by 2019. The project seeks to develop a new airport with international standards and would replace the existing Legaspi City Airport to accommodate bigger aircraft and serve a larger volume of passengers.

Expansion and improvement projects in Bacolod (Silay) Airport, Davao International Airport, Iloilo Airport, and Laguindingan Airport as well as runway lengthening and widening in Kalibo, Virac, Calbayog, Ozamiz and Cotabato.

Rehabilitation and expansion of airports in Naga, Tuguegarao, Cauayan, Dumaguete, Dipolog, Cotabato, Pagadian, and Ozamiz are ongoing to make them capable for night flight operations.

An additional 10 air radars were established across the country bringing the total to 13 covering 85 percent of Philippine air space. The Communications Navigation Surveillance / Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM), a state-of-the-art and satellite-based air traffic management system is expected to be fully operational by this month.

Furthermore, the NAIA is no longer included in the top 20 worst airports in the world and even in the top 5 worst airports in Asia according to “The Guide to Sleeping in Airports” travel website posted on October 15, 2017.

Among the reforms implemented in the NAIA during the Duterte administration were the restriction on general aviation to prioritize commercial flights and reduce flight delays; the imposition of the five-minute rule where pilots who declare they are ready to take off must depart within the prescribed time or they would be put back at the back of the queue to reduce flight delays and instill discipline among airlines; the construction of Rapid Exit Taxiways to allow an aircraft to leave the runway at higher speed and increase flight movements; provision of  cleaner toilets additional seats, free Wi-Fi, and Well-Wishers’ Area. Regular taxis were also allowed to queue and pick-up passengers at designated points in NAIA terminals to address shortage of taxi units servicing passengers.

There has been no single incidence of a passenger missing a flight for possessing a bullet. Passengers no longer feel the need to wrap bags and luggages in plastic or masking tapes.

Launching of country’s first RORO barge terminal

The DOTr also led the groundbreaking of the Cavite Gateway Terminal which is the country’s first container roll-on roll-off  (RORO) barge terminal.

Located in a six-hectare property in Tanza, Cavite, the terminal, which will be operated by the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), will facilitate the seaborne transport of containers between the Port of Manila and Cavite and service industrial locators in the Cavite area. It is expected to reduce truck trips in Metro Manila by 140,000 trips annually, while maximizing the use of the country’s nautical highways.

The terminal is expected to be operational by first quarter of 2018.

Several ports in the country are also being improved and modernized namely Iloilo, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Basco, Bataraza, Calapan, Catagbacan, Dapitan, Larena, Legazpi, Makar, Matnog, Opol, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Tubigon, Iligan and Surigao.

PUV Modernization Program and revitalized I-ACT

The DOTr has issued its Omnibus Franchising Guidelines (OFG) as part of the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program which seeks to provide safe, comfortable and environmentally sustainable mode of public transport to commuters.

Under the OFG, public transport routes will be planned by local government units (LGUs) based on the current and projected travel patterns in their respective areas. These routes will be contained in the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPTRP) of LGUs which will serve as basis for franchise issuance by the Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

The LTFRB will require existing operators to consolidate into cooperatives or consortiums to gain better access to resources, share operations and maintenance costs and maximize profits thru efficient vehicle dispatch.

An estimated PHP1.5 billion will be given to transport corporations and cooperatives to purchase new PUVs through the Development Bank of the Philippines’ Program Assistance to Support Alternative Driving Approaches (PASADA). The program will feature a 5-percent equity for vehicle purchase, 6-percent interest rate and seven-year repayment period.

Under PASADA, a maximum of 95 percent of the cost of the vehicle, and a maximum of 75 percent of the cost of the support facilities comprise the total loan per borrower. The government will also offer a maximum subsidy of PHP80,000 to cover the equity payment.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Landbank of the Philippines was also signed by the DOTr to set up a PHP 1 billion financing for public utility jeepneys (PUJs) via the Special Environment-Friendly and Efficiently Driven (SPEED) Jeepney Program.

Under the PUV Modernization Program,  jeepney units that are 15 years old will be replaced with Euro 4 engines or electrically-powered engines with solar panels for roofs. These will also be equipped with closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, a GPS navigation system, an Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS), speed limiters, dashboard cameras, and Wi-Fi.

For its part, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) has started issuing license cards with 5 year validity across the country. These licenses have biometric features under the Automated Fingerprint Identification System to ensure uniqueness of every card produced and added information to complete the necessary personal details of the licensee such as blood type, holder options as organ donor, and the person to be notified in case of emergency, including the contact numbers.

To manage the traffic congestion in Metro Manila and its nearby areas, the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) has expanded its coverage to the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, and Rizal.

Its operations need to be extended to the nearby provinces of the National Capital Region as the traffic situation in these areas significantly affect the traffic condition in the metropolis according to DOTr Undersecretary and concurrent Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Thomas Orbos.

I-ACT will continue clearing major thoroughfares which includes Alabang-Zapote Road, Sucat Road, R-10 and Roxas Boulevard that can serve as alternate route for motorists. Operations versus illegal parking, colorum and out of line vehicles, illegal terminals will also be intensified.

The I-ACT which originally consists of the MMDA, Philippine National Police -Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG), DOTr, LTFRB and the LTO is now joined by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Metro Manila mayors who compose the Metro Manila Council (MMC), Liga ng mga Barangay ng Pilipinas, and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

DOTr finalizing govt-to-govt accord for MRT3

MRT EXPERIENCE. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. (in white barong) chats with commuter Kenny Roger Devela (seated, in pink polo) of Malolos City, Bulacan, during his first ride at the MRT 3 from the North Ave. Station in Quezon City to Pasay City on November 23, 2017. Roque also rode the LRT-1 to help him understand the issues commuters face in riding the metro rail system. (PNA photo by Ben Briones)

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is in the process of finalizing its government-to-government agreement with the Government of Japan (GOJ) for the rehabilitation and maintenance work on the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3).

In a radio interview, DOTr Assistant Secretary for Railways TJ Batan said that DOTr is now in the final stages of exchanging Note Verbales between the Government of the Philippines (GOP) through the Department of Foreign Affairs, and GOJ through the Japan Embassy in Manila.

Asec. Batan said that the arrangement will involve the grant of an Official Development Assistance (ODA) for the rehabilitation and maintenance requirements of MRT3, which has been encountering numerous malfunctions in recent years due to substandard maintenance and underinvestment in overdue system renewal requirements.

“Why Japan? Japan’s qualifications and experience in running railway systems is unrivaled. Tokyo alone has about 700 kilometers of railway systems, while we have only 80 kms. and that is including the PNR line,” Asec. Batan said.

“Also, there is our wide platform for cooperation, especially in rail projects. DOTr Secretary Arthur himself pushed for MRT3 to be included in this framework with Japan,” he added.

Asec. Batan noted that DOTr will be adhering to the bidding process of Japan for the MRT3 project, as required in all ODA arrangements with them, which means that the service provider will be Japanese just like other projects of DOTr with Japan.

The government is expecting to exchange Note Verbales with GOJ during the first week of January 2018, as the New Year holiday in Japan starts earlier than in the Philippines.

After the exchange, the DOTr and railway engineers from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will conduct a due diligence study of MRT3 from January to February to clearly identify the scope of the needed rehabilitation works.

“So the study will proceed in February, March, April. By May Japan commits to mobilize the service provider.”

The procurement of a rehabilitation and maintenance service provider for MRT-3 is Part 3 of DOTr’s 4-Part Strategy for fixing MRT-3:

Part 1: Promoting accountability with the termination of BURI

Part 2: Ensuring continued service delivery by establishing the MTT and purchasing needed spare parts

Part 3: Contracting a rehabilitation and maintenance service provider together with an Official Development Assistance partner

Part 4: Putting in place a long-term, single-point-of-responsibility, operator and maintenance provider for MRT-3

PTV VHF and UHF TV Stations Nationwide:

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(*)Affiliates.
(**)Off-air/Under rehabilitation.
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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 Laurel… Dec. 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.…

‘Deadma’ stars deliver great performances

We watched the premiere showing of T-Rex Entertainment’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2017 entry “Deadma Walking” at Trinoma last Thursday night and we were not disappointed. The film made us laugh, it was an enjoyable cinema experience, amazed as we were at the film’s merits, especially the performances of Joross Gamboa and Edgar Allan Guzman which we believe are worthy of acting awards.

Joross and Edgar Allan got the biggest breaks in their careers playing John and Mark, respectively, in this film based on a Palanca award-winning script (by Eric Cabahug) and directed by first-timer Julius Alfonso. “Deadma Walking” also received an “A” grade from the Cinema Evaluation Board.

The movie is about two gay friends who orchestrate a fake death and funeral. Edgar Allan plays the flamboyant Mark who is asked by the straight-acting cancer-stricken John to organize a fake funeral so that he can hear what people have to say about him.

• • •

‘Maynila’ garners five Aliw Awards

At the recently held 30th Aliw Awards held at the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel, the musical “Maynila Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag” garnered five major awards.

These are: Best Actor in a Featured Role for Jim Pebangco; Best Actress in a Featured Role for Aicelle Santos; Best Stage Director (Musical) – for Joel Lamangan; Best Musical Composer for Musical Theater for Von de Guzman; and Best Original Musical Production.

“Maynila Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag, The Musical” was based on the novel by Edgardo Reyes, and the movie by the late National Artist Lino Brocka. The musical was produced by Grand Leisure Corp. and staged at KIA Theater in September-October this year.

Producer Babes Javier said the musical received nine nominations from Aliw Awards Foundation which is celebrating its 40th foundation anniversary. Founding chairman and president is Alice H. Reyes. Chairman of the executive committee was Bing Carrion.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 26, go to Fatima Princess Magsino, Former Speaker Joe de Venecia, Sen. JV Ejercito, Hajji Alejandro, Darling Cruz, Steve Sarino, Edd Palmos, Romy Magat, Nena Guevarra, Cely Gantner, Ma. Victoria Estrella, Ed Gonzalez, Naty Gonzalez, Eva Paulino, Demie Enotalio and Jennica Garcia…Condolences to the family of Cesar Javier, who passed away on December 23. A Mass was held followed by cremation today at Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon City. Dec. 27: Luchi Cruz Valdez, City Sanchez, Tini Jacaria, John Ronald Robinson, Johnny Go, Wham Ilagan, Angie Henson, Lulu Lim Lee, Carlo Sarino, Bambbi Fuentes, Yolanda Pastrana, and Maila Gumila…

Ayala Land to open 3 malls in 2018

Major property developer Ayala Land Inc. plans to open at least three regional shopping malls in 2018 as it continues to expand its commercial leasing business.

Ayala Land head of malls group Rowena Tomeldan said in a chance interview over the weekend the three malls included a huge shopping complex at the Aseana City complex adjacent to Pagcor Entertainment City.

The new mall will give Ayala Land a presence in Pagcor City, which is being developed as the Las Vegas-style gaming strip along Manila Bay.

“We will soft open Ayala Malls Bay Area late next year,” Tomeldan said. “The mall will have more than 200,000 square meters of leasable space. However, we will only open phase 1 one of the mall which is about 17,000 square meters and a big portion of the mall will open in 2019.”

The mall is located within a nine-hectare complex being leased from the Wenceslao Group. Aside from the huge mall, other developments within the complex include an office building for business process outsourcing companies and a 12-story hotel with at least 325 rooms.

The other malls slated for opening in 2018 are in Circuit Makati and Bacolod City.

Ayala Mall Capital Central, situated on the provincial capital of Bacolod, will have roughly 50,000 sq. m. of leasable space.

Meanwhile, the new mall in Circuit Makati, an estate development where the former Santa Ana racetrack used to operate, will have 50,000 sq. m. of leasable space.

Ayala Land this month opened Ayala Malls Feliz, a 79,000-sq. m. mall along Marcos Highway, Cainta, and Ayala Malls Marikina Heights, a 13,000-sq. m. community center.

Other malls that Ayala Land opened in 2017 were Ayala Malls Cloverleaf, a 39,000-sq. m. shopping center in Balintawak, Quezon City, Ayala Malls Vertis North in Quezon City and Ayala Mall The 30th in Ortigas Center, Pasig.

The property company has been building up recurring-income sources, including hotels, and office developments to account for 50 percent of earnings over the next couple of years.

Early this month, Ayala Mall, in partnership with Zalora Group, Asia’s online fashion store, said it would roll out ‘pop-up’ stores in January 2018 in a bid to attract online shoppers.

A ‘pop-up’ store is a short-term sales space operated by an online merchant. 

Ayala Land registered a net income of P17.8 billion in the first nine months of the year, up 18 percent year-on-year, boosted by record-high sales and steady growth in leasing income.

Ayala Land’s nine-month consolidated revenues grew 16 percent to P98.9 billion, from P85.49 billion a year ago, as real estate revenues rose 15 percent to a record P96.4 billion from a year ago level.

Residential sales surged 28 percent to P60 billion, while office for sale climbed 44 percent to P6.7 billion. Sales of commercial and industrial lots contributed P4.8 billion, up eight percent from a year ago level.

Reservation sales in the first nine months of the year amounted to P94.2 billion, which international sales accounting for 20 percent.

Mark Villar touts benefits of Cavitex C5-Southlink

The construction of the 7.7-kilometer, six-lane C-5 South Link Expressway, which will connect C-5 Road to the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (Cavitex), is in full swing.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar and his officials have inspected the road construction at the CP Garcia Monument along C-5, a stone’s throw away from the Bicutan East Service Road.

“The benefits of this urgent infrastructure project will far outweigh the temporary inconvenience to the public during its construction. Upon completion, the toll road will speed up the commute of motorists and travelers from Parañaque, Las Piñas and Cavite, allowing them to directly cross over the South Luzon Expressway and Skyway into C-5 in Taguig City,” Villar said.

About 40,000 to 45,000 motorists are seen to benefit from the link that will also decongest EDSA, he said.

“We are all excited and proud that we have brought this project into construction stage. The first phase is 2.2 kilometers long, including a flyover above the South Luzon Expressway and skyway from C-5 Road, Taguig City to Merville in Sucat, Parañaque City,” Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. president J. Luigi Bautista said.

The expressway’s second phase, from Merville to Cavitex (Coastal Road), is estimated to cost P7.5 billion.

Villar said the project’s completion is expected in June 2019 and will be operated as an open toll collection system.

“The C5-Southlink will provide a seamless connection to the 45-kilometer Cavite-Laguna Expressway, which is under construction. We take pride in knowing that our organization contributes to the government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program under Secretary Villar’s leadership,” said Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) president Rodrigo Franco.

Aside from the Cavitex network of toll roads, the MPTC, a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., operates the North Luzon Expressway, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, and the soon-to-be built Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway.

Impressive directorial debut of Coco Martin

Very impressive is how best we can describe Coco Martin’s directorial debut for the remake of Carlo J. Caparas’ “Ang Panday.” Considering he was also taping for “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” while filming the movie, for which he is also producer and actor among others, Coco did well in making another version of “Ang Panday.”

Coco said he used both indie and mainstream moviemaking techniques. He reminded everyone that he started out as an indie actor but learned even more when he started working on mainstream projects. He specially cited awarded director Brillante Mendoza as one of his mentors.

The Panday character Flavio has been played in the past by Fernando Poe Jr., Bong Revilla, Richard Gutierrez, and Jericho Rosales. And like them, Coco will certainly make a mark.

It’s noted that Coco’s version of “Ang Panday” was well-made with its electrifying fantasy/action and its magnificent and scenic backgrounds, not usually used as shooting locales. He said in his interviews that he did not set a limit to the production budget. “Hindi talaga ako nagtipid at nagmadali sa shooting, gusto ko masulit ang ibabayad ng mga moviegoers. Sana panoorin nila ang pelikulang ito where I play the apo of Panday. At sana panoorin nila lahat ang pelikulang kasali sa 2017 MMFF.”

Coco’s leading lady is beauty queen Mariel de Leon. Also featured in “Ang Panday” are Jake Cuenca (who was very good in his portrayal of Lizardo, the main villain; Michael de Mesa, Dennis Padilla and Carmi Martin among the more that 80 in the cast.

By the way, in line with the movie, Coco also expanded his franchise via a mobile app which he co-designed and which he described as “not so violent so it is suitable to children as young as three years old. “I want our young generation to know and remember that we also have our own superheroes that we can be proud of.”

• • •

See it to believe

Straight from London, the “Impossible,” the world’s greatest magic show comes to the Philippines for the first time this holiday season. The show will run from Dec. 25, to Jan. 3, 2018 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

A family show that will thrill audiences of all ages, it features mind-boggling acts, astonishing tricks, and more. It has magicians from UK like the world’s greatest (and probably only) hip-hop magician Magical Bones, mind-blowing Mind Reader Chris Cox, Grand Illusionist Josephine Lee, Boundary-Breaking Magician Ben Hart, and Master of Magic Ali Cook; as well as “America’s Got Talent” semi-finalist Bello Nock, known as the Comic Daredevil.

“Impossible” promises major audience interaction, illusionists that levitate on stage, and performers that may even disappear right in front of your eyes. You have to see it to believe it. So make your Christmas magical this year and get your tickets now at super affordable rates starting at R160 from Ticketnet.com.ph.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 23, go to Marichu Maceda, Lorna Tolentino, Remy Monteverde, Gilopez Kabayao, Luciano Mangiafico, Zeny Tengco, Daniel Lacson, Lito Nepomuceno, Charito Doles, Juan Mayina, Jonas Cruz, Portia Leuterio, Garie Concepcion, Lizelle Orcullo and Cesar Sarino… Dec. 24: Arlene Babst, Dory Bernabe, Anna Kirsten Saruca, Andres Genito Jr., Menchie Peralta, Dominique James, Fred Palma, and Jackie Boncan… Dec. 25: LJ Reyes, Mila Catan, Jess Soriano, Josephine Roberto, Salvador Rivera, Jeanette Do, Wengweng Romero, Dr. Noel Tanopo, Antonio Gamboa, Ricky Gallardo, Hanzel Villafuerte, Crisanta Lumunsad, Noella D.C. Alegre, Ador Saluta, Camille Muñoz, Joyce Ramirez, and Bettina Carlos…MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Infra program on track; north rail line due in Q1

THE GOVERNMENT’S infrastructure timetable is on track with more project launches expected in the first quarter, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said.

His remarks follow groundbreaking on the first “hybrid PPP (Public-Private Partnership),” the Clark International Airport expansion project, which got off the ground with initial funding from the government, with the PPP mode to be employed in the operations and maintenance portion of the project.

“This shovel-ready project was approved in the first 18 months of the Duterte administration. In fact, the formal approval came only six months ago,” Mr. Dominguez III said in a speech during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Clark Airport expansion project on Wednesday.

The government tweaked the pure PPP model, which it said was too slow, by funding the initial stages of the project. It also wants to tap more official development assistance (ODA) to finance an ambitious infrastructure-building drive.

“In the previous administration, the projects of PPP took an average of 30 months from conception to start of implementation. It took the Cavite-Laguna Expressway 50 months to conceptualize and begin the implementation,” Mr. Dominguez said.

“This will not happen in the case of the many infra projects that will commence in the Duterte administration in the next few months. This administration brooks no delay in building the projects that the people need and the public deserves,” he added.

Among projects to be rolled out in the first quarter next year are the Malolos-Clark Philippine National Railways North line, the Quezon City and EDSA portion of the Metro Manila Bus Rapid Transit system, and the first phase of the Mindanao Rail Project. 

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia has said that the government will be able to implement about 12 big-ticket infrastructure projects next year.

This year, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board approved 14 new projects, with most implemented through hybrid PPP mode.

Under the new government, 36 projects were approved by the NEDA Board, worth P1 trillion.

Mr. Pernia also said that he expects another 15 project approvals in 2018.

The government aims to spend about P8.4 trillion in infrastructure until 2022, which is expected to boost economic growth by seven to 8% over the same period, while providing more jobs to cut the unemployment rate to three to 5% from 5.5% in 2016, and bring down the poverty rate to 14% from 21.6% in 2015. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan

Bossing is back

Vic Sotto is back in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) this year, and he reunites with the ever beautiful Dawn Zulueta in the family comedy movie “Meant To Beh.”

His fans and supporters are thankful and excited but Bossing is even more thankful to them as he enjoins them to watch his movie.

In “Meant To Beh,” opening Dec. 25, Bossing co-stars with some of today’s hottest celebrities from the two giant networks: Daniel Matsunaga, JC Santos, Sue Ramirez, Gabbi Garcia, Ruru Madrid, Andrea Torres, and child actor, Baste.

“Masaya din akong makatrabaho ang nagsisipaggalingang mga batang ito. Masaya lang kami lagi sa set, parang isang malaking bagong pamilya,” said Bossing.

Bossing has always been vocal about his love and gratitude to his fans not only in the Philippines but from all over the world.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng hindi bumitiw at nag-abang sa pagbabalik namin sa MMFF. Salamat sa suportang natatanggap namin.”

Bossing is ambassador of CitiGlobal Realty and Development Inc. “Pareho kasi kami ng goal at ’yun ay magdala ng saya sa bawat Pinoy at kanyang pamilya,” he said.

• • •

DZBB maintains top spot on AM radio list

GMA Network’s flagship AM radio station DZBB 594 is still the most listened to AM radio station in Mega Manila based on the most recent data from Nielsen’s Radio Audience Measurement.

Recent ratings data show DZBB posted a total week average audience share of 33.3 percent in November, winning over DZMM’s 28.8 percent and DZRH’s 11.2 percent.

From Monday to Friday, DZBB’s ratings dominance was driven by its topnotch delivery of news and fearless commentaries through “Saksi Sa Dobol B” hosted by Mike Enriquez; “Sino?” with Mike, Arnold Clavio, and Ali Sotto; “Super Balita Sa Umaga Nationwide” with Mike and Joel Reyes Zobel; and “Dobol B Balitang-Balita” hosted by Melo del Prado.

Recognized as one of the most awarded radio stations in the country, DZBB recently won as the Radio Station of the Year in the 7th People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) Makatao Awards for Media Excellence.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 21, go to former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Rep. Danilo Suarez, Mila Jorge, Donna Galima, Eddie Wong, Dr. Emmanuel Ochoa, R’U Miranda, Ray Maranan, Leslie Anne Jao,  and Ryza Cenon… Dec. 22: Atty. Joey Lina, Dra. Ine Mauricio, Cora Jacob, Maurice Arcache, Ma. Alegría Limjoco, Monina Palma, Dorothy Trino, Josie Domingo, Nina D.C. Alegre, Onat Diaz, Philip Roxas and Makisig Morales…

'Secret marshalls' to add security in LRT

Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) is adding security in its trains to ensure the safety of commuters in view of the Christmas holidays.

LRTA Administrator Retired Police General Reynaldo Berroya says, they have dispatched special agents who will wear civilian clothes to augment the number of security guards in the trains.

Berroya describes the additional personnel as "undercover, parang may mga secret marshalls (it seems like there are secrets marshalls inside the trains)."

LRTA currently employs about 1,000 security guards in its purple line (LRT-2) that runs from Recto in Manila to Santolan at the boundary of Marikina City and Pasig City.

LRT-1 serves around 500,000 passengers while LRT-2 serves about 200,000 commuters daily.

LRTA is a government owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) under the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Metro Manila subway construction to begin Q3 2018

Construction of the Metro Manila subway project is set to begin in the third quarter of 2018, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said Wednesday.

“The DOTr is expected to commence the project implementation of the Metro Manila subway project Phase 1 as early as third quarter of 2018," Diokno told reporters during a forum in Manila City.

“Right now they’re finalizing the feasibility study. The way we will do this is through design-and-build as these are among the few projects which will be not completed under Duterte’s term because it takes about several years. But at least we can look forward to having a subway,” he said.

On the sidelines of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and Related Summits last November, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kojie Haneda exchanged notes for the Metro Manila subway project.

Estimated to cost P355.6 billion or around ¥104.53 billion, the project will be funded by official development assistance (ODA) from Japan and public-private partnership (PPP) under the following loan terms:

• 0.1% a year interest rate on the loan  and 0.01% a year on consulting services
• 28-year repayment term after a grace period of 12 years
• Procurement terms tied to Japan

The project covers a 25.3-kilometer subway connecting the National Capital Region north and south, from Mindanao Ave. in Quezon City to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City, comprising 13 stations.



The project is expected to reduce commuting time from Quezon City to Taguig City to 31 minutes.

Diokno said the subway is expected to commence partial operations by the fourth quarter of 2025 with the completion date sometime in 2027. — VDS, GMA News

God’s business

What’s in a name?

For Cebu Catholic TV Network (CCTN) Channel 47 President and CEO Nonito Limchua aka Tatay Dodong, a name is worth more than gold.

This was the highlight of his message delivered before officers, employees and guests of CCTN and Filproducts, another firm which he also owns, during the twin companies’ Christmas party held last week at an uptown convention center. Tatay Dodong and his wife, the lovely Diana, are both active in the charismatic movement as lay leaders of the Oasis of Love Catholic Community.

As an alternative TV station, CCTN is committed to integrate Catholic teachings in its whole slew of programs aimed to attract a mainstream audience. From news, music, Cebuano soap operas, magazine and talk shows to public worship, CCTN stands out for sticking to its Catholic brand which, from a marketing point of view, would be tantamount to keeping financial statements in the red. However, Tatay Dodong defies such conventional wisdom by sticking to his guns even at the expense of his own pocket.

In his Christmas message last Saturday, he revealed having met with a national marketing group that was supposed to turn around things for the Catholic TV station. He said he was hopeful that the Manila-based firm would be able to come up with new program designs and marketing tools but the deal fell through in the last minute. The reason: The other party wanted a redesign of the station ID by replacing the word “Catholic” with “City,” such that the new ID would be Cebu City TV Network.

I actually think it was not a bad proposal, but for Tatay Dodong the Catholic ID is non-negotiable. He acknowledged that CCTN “continually struggles to make both ends meet” but being Catholic is verily CCTN’s cutting edge, if you will. He added that since the media company is God’s business, “He will see to its well-being,” Tatay Dodong stressed.

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In October this year, the Union of Catholic Asian News (UCAN) reported that 54 media companies under the Catholic Media Network are facing an uncertain if not altogether bleak future because the franchise of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) under which CMN affiliates operate expired in August 2017.

CBCP filed for an application seeking an extension of the legislative franchise for another 25 years, but the application got stuck at the committee level of the Lower House. Speculations are rife that House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez is using the franchise issue to keep the Church from opposing Alvarez’ pet bills notably divorce, the dissolution of marriage and same sex marriage.

Strictly speaking, Catholic radio and TV stations that continue to operate under an expired franchise can be questioned anytime but so far, I haven’t heard of any friction between the government and CMN affiliates spread across 11 regions and 35 provinces. The Manila headliner is Radio Veritas. In Cebu, it is Station DYRF.

CCTN Ch 47 is a latecomer to the Catholic consortium but was able to secure franchise with the help of the late Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal. While the issue of CMN’s collective franchise hangs like the proverbial sword of Damocles over its 54 affiliates, Tatay Dodong told me CCTN was able to secure provisional approval.

This development will certainly keep him positive as he prepares the Oasis of Love community for its first lived-in spiritual retreat designed for OFWs in Hong Kong next year. The trailblazing “Walk With Jesus” seminar happens on Chinese New Year, February 17-19, 2018.

Unknown to many, the Oasis of Love has been conducting spiritual outreaches in Hong Kong’s central district, Kowloon and New Territories since October 2016. The outreach program is attached to the parish of OFW chaplain, Fr. Jay Plandes, SVD who sees to it that parishioners can avail of the sacraments of confession and Holy Eucharist each time the Oasis of Love conducts healing sessions. Ministering to thousands of OFWs burdened mostly by family problems is a huge undertaking, but Fr. Plandes together with the Cebu-based group have risen to the occasion.

Tatay Dodong told me that when they arrived in October 2016, he found OFWs linger around Hong Kong’s public park engaged in idle chatter with some gambling their hard-earned money to escape from loneliness. After more than a year of monthly visits, Tatay Dodong said he has sensed renewed hope among his countrymen. Today, they not only help bring fellow OFWs to attend Sunday masses but also do some volunteer work around the parish.

With Tatay Dodong and Oasis of Love reliables, Emmanuel Soabas, Paul Alima, Allan Abelgas, Jimmy Dagoya and music ministry members, God’s business in Hong Kong is in good hands.

Rehabilitation of MRT line 3 will not affect current train fare matrix – DOTR

The Department of Transportation (DOTR) and the Government of Japan are expected to sign next week an agreement for the rehabilitation and repair in the operation of the Metro Rail Transit or MRT line 3.

In an interview with the program ‘Get It Straight with Daniel Razon’, DOTR Assistant Secretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said the rehabilitation and development of the busiest train station in the country might take three years.

Included in the said contract are the regular repair of trains and the designation of a new maintenance provider.

Batan noted that the agreement also aims to designate a company that would solely supervise the operation of MRT.

Despite the efforts to fix the services of MRT, the DOTR vowed not to implement a fare increase in the busiest train station in the country.

“Can you categorically say that there would be no increase until the whole next year?” asked host, Daniel Razon.

Batan said, “Our rehabilitation period is from 3 years from 2018, 2019, to 2020. While that rehabilitation is ongoing, we have no plan to increase the fare in MRT.”

Meanwhile, the DOTR is now coordinating with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in line with its plan to designate a special lane on EDSA for point to point buses.

This aims to encourage passengers to patronize P2P buses as alternative transportation and to avoid the long lines in MRT.

The MMDA and DOTR plan to also designate it as carpool lanes to avoid private vehicles from getting stuck in traffic and so that passengers can be brought to their destinations.

Razon asked Batan if it’s possible to let P2P buses use the carpool lanes exclusively instead.

“Very possible Kuya Daniel. In fact, our discussions with the MMDA and LTFRB is ongoing regarding that suggestion,” Batan said.

The DOTR, however, clarified that it remains a plan and that it has no final agreement yet with the MMDA.