QC to Naia in 30 minutes

For the first time, the Philippines, one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies, will have a mostly underground and earthquake-proof subway system, in the national capital and nearby provinces.

Part of the subway will be operational before President Duterte leaves office on June 30, 2022.  Completion is another three years, in 2025.

Total cost is P355.6 billion, making it the Duterte administration’s single largest project ever. As originally planned, the subway will run for 25 kms, from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City to Taguig.

Today, on a good day, that will take you at least two hours in Metro Manila’s horrendous traffic, one way.  With a subway, 30 minutes from Quezon City, and you are at your destination, assuming train speed of  80 kph, double the speed of MRT3.

The cabinet, meeting as the economic planning body National Economic and Development Authority, approved the project last week.

The underground railway will be built by the Duterte government, with financing from the Japanese government at very concessional, almost interest-free, loan.  The loan agreement is expected to be signed this November in Manila at the summit of Asean leaders and their dialogue partners, which include the United States and Japan, by Duterte and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.  Japan is also financing another railway, this time above ground, from Manila’s Tutuban station of the old PNR to Malolos City, Bulacan. The so-called Green City Rail will cost P211.46 billion.

The concentration of mass railways from north Manila to areas further north reflects a policy shift—away from the rich provinces of the Calabarzon—Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon, to Central Luzon which the government thinks is a better bet for growth, long term.

Central Luzon, or Region III, after all, is mostly flat lands, near major water sources (like Angat and Pantabangan), and has two assets Calabarzon does not have—the Clark airport (whose passenger capacity is being doubled from the present 4.2 million) and the Subic seaport, 110 kms north of Manila, and which has a cargo capacity of 600,000 of 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

Currently, Southern Luzon or Region IV-A, contributes 17 percent (almost P3 trillion) of the national economic output or GDP; Central Luzon shares a paltry 9 percent (P1.575 trillion).

However, Region IV-A has five things Central Luzon does not have—proximity to NAIA which handles 35 million passengers a year, the Batangas international seaport (110 kms south of Manila and with a capacity of 400,000 TUEs), scenic Taal Lake (which is triggering an unprecedented building and tourism boom along both sides of the Aguinaldo Highway from Silang, Cavite to Nasugu, Batangas), sprawling Laguna Lake (a major water source and a circumferential road in the future), and a vibrant entrepreneurial class—Cavite, Batangas and Cavite have proud SME entrepreneurs and gentlemen farmers.

Finally, with climate change in 100 years when sea levels rise one meter, Central Luzon has a greater possibility of sinking (as it did in 1972 when Manila Bay had a date with Lingayen Gulf in Central Luzon), than Southern Luzon a huge chunk of whose area are mountains.

This may explain why even before the Mega Manila subway project could break ground, it is already being expanded, to cross under the South Expressway onto the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Mega Manila means Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna, plus Metro Manila (which has 16 cities and one town).  Mega Manila has 15,059 sq kms and a population that will hit 19.5 million in 2030 (from 15.3 million in 2010).

Eventually, the subway will extend in the south, from Naia to Dasmariñas City, Cavite, a distance of 20.7 kms, and north, from Mindanao Avenue, to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, another, 15.4 kms., extending the line to 61 kms, and increasing capacity from 370,000 passengers daily in its first year, to 1.7 million.

How firm is the subway project?  Says Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, who sometimes speaks as if he is selling you Manila’s Jones Bridge in Chinatown: “I don’t want bola-bola. I want this project finished.”   Apart from fast-tracking the project, he also asked that the subway extend to Naia.

Just so he wouldn’t be ribbed for the colossal failure of his Land Transportation Office to issue plastic driver’s licenses, Tugade last week announced the availability plastic driver’s licenses—on a selective basis.  You apply at LTO today for a license, you won’t get your plastic card.  A friend of mine applied the other day.  She did not get the plastic.

A subway for Metro Manila is actually an old idea.  It was first broached during the presidency of BS Aquino III, by the Japanese.  A study was finished for the Japan International Cooperation Agency in March 2014.

With Aquino’s Daang Matuwid, the subway never took off and remained underground in the mind of BS III.  Duterte has dusted off the study and adopted the subway as his centerpiece Build, Build, Build infra project.

Golf tournament

On a personal note, may I endorse the golf tournament of alumnae  of the College of the Holy Spirit for the CHSAF Scholarship Program, this Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, at scenic Sta. Elena Golf Club (take Cabuyao Exit of the South Expressway in Laguna).  Please contact Tellie Francisco 893-002; 0917-825-7378; or CHS Secretariat, c/o Cora Parco 735-5986, 0917-271-9325.

CHS alumae need to raise money from tuition for scholarships.  Holy Spirit tuition is P70,000 a year; so you know how much to contribute to the fund.

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Lamudi lists 7 areas for property hunters

The Philippines’ real estate sector is as robust as ever. For this reason, virtually every nook and cranny of Metro Manila is now being developed to cater the surge of property buyers aiming to get a small slice of the metropolis to call their own.

So global real estate website Lamudi has put together a list of soon-to-be-popular areas and neighborhoods in Metro Manila. So if you are looking for value-for-money real estate but still covet a city address, these are your best alternatives to pricey business districts.

Barangay San Antonio, Makati —Situated just a couple of minutes away from the Makati central business district (CBD) is one of the next big locations in real estate. Barangay San Antonio is now touted as an extension of the Makati CBD, although condos here are still much affordable compared to those you can find in either Salcedo or Legaspi Village.

This prime location is also brimming with nightlife and a vibrant foodie scene, from local carinderias and interesting hole-in-the-wall joints to concept restaurants are all represented in San Antonio. Some of these include Charaptor, a popular place for grilled fares; Pat Pat’s Kansi; and the local branch of the famous Zubuchon. Nights will not be dull as San Antonio is also an entertainment hub. One of its popular sites is saGuijo along Guijo Street.

Some of the most notable upcoming projects in San Antonio include Megaworld Corp.’s San Antonio Residence, Avida Land’s One Antonio, and Shang Properties’ The Rise Makati. Completed condos in the area include Belton Place, The Linear, and Avida Towers Makati West.

Barangay Ususan, Taguig – Ususan’s main selling point is its strategic location. Thanks to being just beside C5 Road, this Taguig neighborhood is just a stone’s throw away from both McKinley Hill and Bonifacio Global City.
In addition, the ongoing development of C5 Extension, including a bridge that will cross the South Luzon Expressway, will mean travel to the airport, Parañaque, Las Piñas and the Manila–Cavite Expressway will soon become quick and easy.

Acacia Estates of DMCI Homes is one of the most well-known developments in Ususan. This 150-hectare property offers both pre-selling and ready-for-occupancy condominium units, as well as residential lots in the development’s Mahogany Place projects. In addition, this barangay is also home to SMDC’s Grace Residences—a four-tower condo development—while close by is the new Vista Mall Taguig. Other condo developments located near or within Ususan are Cypress Towers and C5 Mansions.

Barangay Western Bicutan, Taguig—Located at the southern section of Taguig is Western Bicutan—a barangay that is well-known for being home of the FTI Complex where Arca South, one of Ayala Land’s latest large-scale mixed-use projects, will soon rise. This new mixed-use project boasts accessibility, as it sits close to both C5 Road and the South Luzon Expressway, in addition to the soon-to-be-completed C6 Road. Soon to rise in Arca South are projects by Ayala Land subsidiaries: Arbor Lanes by Ayala Land Premier, The Veranda by Alveo Land, and One Union Place by Avida Land.

However, if you plan to get a property in Western Bicutan outside the Arca South development, then there’s plenty to choose from, like the newly-built townhouses of in AFPOVAI Village, some of which can be acquired for P9 million.

Barangay Palanan, Makati —This under-the-radar Makati neighborhood is also gaining interest as of late. Situated where the cities of Makati, Manila, and Pasay meet, Palanan is an area that is near to virtually all the conveniences that these three cities offer. However, its proximity to the Makati CBD is what makes Palanan an exciting alternative for property investment. This part of Makati will also benefit once that the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 is completed and fully operational.

According to Lamudi’s listings data, one of the most searched properties in Palanan is Melbourne Residences.
This nine-story condo development offers affordable condo apartments. Aside from this, the barangay also offers plenty of newly built townhouse properties.

Santa Ana, Manila—The heritage district of Santa Ana is strategically located where the cities of Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, and San Juan meet. As such, it is often regarded as a convenient location to easily reach these key destinations. Because of its proximity to the Makati CBD, Santa Ana is a popular choice among professionals who work in Ayala Avenue, while Ortigas Center is also within a short driving distance via Kalentong Street and Shaw Boulevard.

Santa Ana is also close to President Quirino Avenue, which is one of the exits of the soon-to-be-completed Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 (MMSS-3). Once fully operational, the MMSS-3 will make commute from Santa Ana to as far north as Balintawak fast and easy.

Two of the most popular condo developments in Santa Ana are the Manila Rivercity Residences and Rivergreen Residences of CDC Holdings. These two projects, located by the banks of Pasig River, reportedly enjoyed fast take-ups as many property-hunters are looking for a cheaper alternative to Makati condos.

Likewise, a branch of White Knight Hotel will soon open in Santa Ana this year. The building will offer both hotel units and dormitory type rooms for female renters.

Tandang Sora, Quezon City—Metro Manila’s largest city still has a lot of places to be developed, but for now, growth is definitely coming for Tandang Sora as a number of exciting properties around the area are expected to rise in the years to come.

For instance, Vertis North, Quezon City’s up-and-coming business and lifestyle district is set to reinvent Quezon City soon. Tandang Sora will be the first to feel the progress as it is located close to this upcoming mini city.

Another real estate project close to Tandang Sora is the UP–Ayala Land TechnoHub, which is a 20-hectare business district that is home to BPO and IT companies.

New improvements are also underway to better serve this part of Quezon City, one of which is the ongoing construction of Metro Rail Transit-7. This commuter railway, which will run from EDSA–North Avenue to San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, will immensely benefit Tandang Sora and other parts of Quezon City.

One of the most high-profile residential developments in Tandang Sora is DMCI Homes’ Zinnia Towers—a two-tower resort-inspired condo project that offers units for as low as P2.35 million. In addition, the area is also teeming with plenty of newly-built townhouse properties, some of which can be had for as low as P3.9 million.

Chino Roces Avenue, Makati —Formerly known and still commonly referred to as Pasong Tamo, Chino Roces Avenue is a busy road that runs from JP Rizal Street in Makati’s Barangay Carmona to Fort Bonifacio’s Gate 3 in Taguig. Situated very close to the Makati CBD, this thoroughfare—particularly the stretch between EDSA and Gil Puyat Avenue, has been getting a lot of attention in the market recently, but despite being just a few minutes away from the Makati CBD, real estate prices here are still affordable.

Food scenes and nightlife are also booming in this part of Makati. The neighborhood that is once dominated by car showrooms and warehouses now have enticing foodie spots, one of which is Little Tokyo near the intersection with Arnaiz Avenue.

San Lorenzo Place, an Empire East project at the corner of EDSA and Chino Roces, is one of the most prominent developments in the area. Ready-for-occupancy units are now available for those who wish to have a Makati address but don’t want to shell out a hefty amount. Other condo developments include Federal Land’s Oriental Garden and Paseo de Roces and DMCI Homes’ Fortis Garden Residences.

http://www.manilatimes.net/lamudi-lists-7-areas-property-hunters/348948/

Duterte best to stay in power upon federal shift, says Nene

Former Senator Aquilino ‘Nene’ Pimentel Jr. has called on President Duterte to stay in his post once the shift to a federal government is put in place under his watch.

Pimentel said he disagrees with the President’s pronouncement that he would resign if the federalism is approved, saying he must instead stay put and show to the public the new system works.

“Huwag siyang mag-resign. (He should not resign) He should stay on and implement it para makita ng tao, ‘Hoy, maganda talaga ito’ (to show the people, ‘Hey, this is good),” Pimentel, a known advocate of federalism, said during a Palace press briefing.

“Kung ma-adopt na itong federal system (If the federal system is adopted) within the first three years of his incumbency, huwag siyang mag-resign (he must not resign) that’s what I’m saying. He should go ahead and implement this process,” he added.

Pimentel said it would take a man like Duterte who strongly believes in federal government to effectively implement the new system in the early stages. “Otherwise, kung sino-sino lang diyan ang mag-implement, baka wala sa puso nila (anybody might implement it without genuine sincerity),” he added.

The President earlier said he was ready to cut short his term and let others take over once the proposed federal form of government is approved by next year. Duterte, whose six-year term ends in 2022, earlier endorsed federalism as one of the legislative priority bills during a meeting with Congress leaders.

Pimentel said he proposes a federal government system that would “disperse power” from the central government to various federal states.

Under Pimentel’s federalism proposal, there would be 12 federal states – five in Luzon, four in Visayas, and three in Mindanao.  Metro Manila will become the capital of the federal government.

He said the federal states in Luzon are Northern Luzon, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, and Bicol.

In Visayas, the federal states are Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Western Visayas and the group composed of Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon and Marinduque provinces.

The federal states in Mindanao are Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao and Bangsamoro.

Pimentel said the country’s President and Vice President will be elected nationally while the number of senators will be increased to around 80 to represent the federal states.

The former senator also raised some concerns about the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), saying it tends to favor only one armed group in Mindanao – the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

He said it was also difficult to implement the BBL provision to elect only congressional representatives, and not executive leaders any more.

Pimentel, meantime, said he is ready to serve the country amid reports he is reportedly being considered to be part of the commission that will study amendments to the Constitution.

Proposed national ID system passes the lower house of Congress

The proposed law seeking to implement a national identification or ID system in the country has passed the third and final reading in the Lower House of Congress.

Proponents of the bill said it will make public transactions with government agencies more efficient.

It is a relief for employees like Gil Colobong. He has six government identification cards which he most of time interchanges during transactions with government agencies.

“So many IDs. Sometimes I lose one or it confuses me. With one ID, all transactions can be done with all government agencies,” said Colobong.

Once the Filipino ID System Act becomes a law, Filipinos will have a single identification card to use in all government transactions.

Filipinos who are 21 years old and above; residents of the Philippines and abroad will receive the national ID card for free.

The ID card will contain the owner’s picture, common reference number, complete name, gender, date, place of birth, permanent address, and blood type.

Meanwhile, other personal information of the card holder will be recorded in the smart chip and data base of the card holder which include his or her Philippine passport number, biometrics data, voters and tax identification number as well as SSS, Philhealth, GSIS, PRC, PAG-IBIG and driver’s license numbers.

“If before, you have a lot of IDs in your wallet, through this law, you will have a single ID you can use in your transactions with the government and the private sector,” said Laguna 3rd District Rep. Sol Aragones.

Meanwhile, the Lower House approved the version of the bill that excludes information such as religious and political beliefs of a holder.

However, some lawmakers have expressed concern over the bill, saying it would give the government the authority to get the private information of Filipinos.

“We might end up in a police state. There is an invasion of the right to privacy. This is a threat as it can be used to control, to monitor, and limit the movements of the public,” said ACT Teachers party list Rep. Antonio Tinio.

But the bill’s proponents assured that the proposal has the necessary safeguards.

“This can only be opened with four conditions. First, if the holder of the card gives consent, and second is during disasters and his or her medical records are needed such as for blood type. Third, when the public health and safety is at stake, and fourth is when there is a court order,” said Rep. Aragones.

The Senate version of the Filipino identification act is still pending in the Senate committee. Although the bill has yet to become a law, the government has already allocated Php 2-billion fund for its implementation next year as it is among the priority bills of the Duterte administration.

https://www.untvweb.com/news/proposed-national-id-system-passes-the-lower-house-of-congress/

Metro subway

The Philippines finally will have a subway of its own to join other mega cities in Asia that have long built their underground electric railroad as a way to decongest traffic.

The Cabinet the other day approved the first phase of the Metro Manila Subway Project that will cost P355.6 billion to build. It is an ambitious project, initially stretching over 30 kilometers from Mindanao Ave. in Quezon City to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Parañaque City.

It may take a while to finish the subway project (set for construction from 2018 to mid-2025), which is to be funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency at an interest of 0.10 percent a year, payable in 40 years with a grace period of 12 years. But the benefits from the modern mode of transportation will certainly outweigh the inconveniences of constructing the mammoth project.

Travel time from Mindanao Ave. to the FTI Complex in Taguig City, for one, is expected to take just 31 minutes onboard the subway rail project from the current dreadful three-hour trip. For Quezon City-based residents working on the southern edge of Metro Manila, the subway mode will be a welcome respite from their daily commuting struggle.

The second phase of the metro subway, meanwhile, will extend to Caloocan City or Meycauayan, Bulacan in the north to Dasmariñas, Cavite in the south. The length of the entire subway project and the shorter travel time will give workers increased quality time with their families. Labor productivity is also expected to increase with less weary workers able to perform better on their jobs.

The Transportation Department must see to it that construction of the subway project will proceed like clockwork and without much delay. The government owes it to the commuting public, who have agonized and long contended with a poor mass transportation service.

The subway project, like in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore, can finally make Metro Manila a modern metropolis. The government, thus, must use all its powers to get this job done.

http://thestandard.com.ph/opinion/editorial/246434/metro-subway.html

Busan says MRT-3 design flaws caused glitches

Busan Universal Rail Inc., the maintenance provider of Metro Rail Transit Line 3, asked the Transportation Department to conduct its own audit to verify the primary causes of glitches and stoppages at the system.

Busan spokesperson Charles Mercado said the primary reasons for glitches and stoppages at MRT 3 were the system and design flaws, and not poor maintenance.

Mercado said apart from system and design flaws, there was a need for rail replacement, which should be prioritized by Undersecretary for rail Cesar Chavez.

Mercado said even Transportation Secretary  Arturo Tugade instructed MRT to review loading protocols.

“These concerns become more relevant considering the DOTr’s recent imposition of penalties in the amount of around P27 million, which Buri has questioned, considering that, under the contract and its negotiation bulletins, penalties cannot be imposed on Buri for system interruptions caused by rail defects,” he said.

“We strongly recommend for DOTr and MRT-3 to immediately conduct a system audit in order for the government to once and for all verify our claim that the causes of glitches and stoppages are the system and design flaws and that of the aging state of the train system, among others,” Mercado said.

He said records showed that as of Aug. 15, 2017, Buri’s operational fleet availability for MRT3 was 91.67 percent or 66 out of 72 cars, higher than Light Rail Transit Line 1’s 74.82 percent  (102 of 139 cars) and LRT 2’s 66.67 percent  (48 of 72 cars).

Mercado said the 91.67-percent figure represented a dramatic rise from the fleet availability of 55 percent when Busan took over the maintenance of MRT-3 in January 2016, despite the significant increase in ridership of about 30 percent from 2000 when maintenance was still undertaken by Sumitomo.

“Despite the fact that our company has performed its contracted obligations, met its key performance indicators, and delivered more than the required train availability to the system, Usec Chavez appears to be blind to these real and true facts,” Mercado said.

He said Chavez misled the public by alleging that the MRT 3 system experienced around 3,700 glitches under Buri’s watch from January 2016 to June 2017.

Mercado said that based on records, Busan successfully minimized the occurrence of glitches from 2,776 in 2015 to 992 as of mid-June 2017.

http://thestandard.com.ph/business/biz-plus/246394/busan-says-mrt-3-design-flaws-caused-glitches.html