Solons scrutinize DOTr railway projects

The House committee on Metro Manila development conducted a hearing on the progress of railway projects being undertaken by the Department of Transportation and Railways (DOTr).

During the hearing, House members scrutinized the DOTr railway projects in Metro Manila, and lamented the lack of consultation with local government units (LGUs) and respective House members in project planning and implementation.

Rep. Winston Castelo (2nd District, Quezon City), committee chairman, said the purpose of the hearing is for House members to be apprised and updated on all DOTr projects, especially the railways, so there will be smooth flow in carrying out the said projects.

He pointed out that there have been no consultations undertaken on the agency’s projects. He said it is only when implementation problems and issues crop up that the House members are briefed and consulted.

“We are always kept in the dark. Pagka may problema, that is the time that they approach us,” Castelo said.

Rep. Federico Sandoval II (Lone District, Malabon City) queried about the cost, date of completion, and other details of the DOTr’s subway project.

He asked the department officials to reconcile the need of the riding public to have a lower fare on one hand and for the government and the private sector to impose the right fare in order to support the subway system.

“Ganito ang nangyari sa atin sa MRT. It has become so politicized na sa sobrang tagal, di tayo makapagtaas ng pamasahe. Time pa lang ni GMA gusto na nating itaas ito, but because of the clamor of the public to keep it low, di naman natin maserbisan ang maintenance ng mga tren natin,” Sandoval pointed out.

Rep. Alfred Vargas (5th District, Quezon City) asked about the details of the Quirino-Mindanao Avenue station of the subway project and the MRT Line 7.

He asked DOTr and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) officials to come up with a plan on how to address the traffic congestion in the areas where the said subway and MRT Line 7 stations will eventually be put up.

Vargas also asked the MMDA to exert more effort in alleviating the worsening traffic situation in the Fairview-Novaliches area, saying that it has been adversely affecting the people’s daily lives.

Rep. Bayani Fernando (1st District, Marikina City) complained that the east of Metro Manila, with its more than six million residents, seems to have been left out in the planned subway project.

He urged DOTr officials to come up with strategic plans in carrying out the railway projects in Metro Manila and in the rest of the country.

“When we consider putting up a line, the first thing we have to consider is ridership, because ridership will determine the financial viability of the project, will be successful,” Fernando stressed.

Rep. Rosenda Ann Ocampo (6th District, Manila) said she welcomes the railway projects but said there should be consultations with LGUs, especially in putting up the stations.
She said the location of the stations might create problems for the LGU, like traffic congestion.

Ocampo urged the DOTr officials to require the project contractors to get workers from the area where the project is located.

Reps. Manuel Luis Lopez (1st District, Manila) and Jesulito Manalo (Party-list, ANGKLA) chided the DOTr for not consulting with the LGUs and lawmakers regarding the agency’s projects, saying the local executives and House members know the problems and concerns of their constituents. / ABR

MPIC to invest P20B for MRT rehab

Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) has increased by P8 billion the resources it plans to pour into its proposed takeover and rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).

The P20 billion – from the initial amount of P12 billion – for the MRT-3’s rehabilitation, operations and maintenance will include the firm’s equity investment.

“The details of the proposal have changed. The required amount of investment is larger,” MPIC president and chief executive officer Jose Ma. Lim explained in an interview with reporters on the sidelines of the groundbreaking of the Common Station in Quezon City Friday.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade said the MPIC has been granted the original proponent status for MRT’s rehabilitation, operations and maintenance.

The firm’s proposal has been submitted to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and will undergo a Swiss Challenge once it is approved.

The Swiss Challenge procurement mode provides an opportunity for companies to make competing offers while giving the original proponent to match them.

The consortium of MPIC and Ayala Corporation had originally allocated P12 billion to rehabilitate the train systems of the MRT and take over its operations for a period of 32 years. It is likewise eyeing to buy out the government’s stake in the railway system held by the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines, as well as other shareholders.

Should it hurdle the Swiss challenge, the rehabilitation, operations and maintenance would be pursued through a separate special purpose vehicle similar to the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC).

LRMC, which operates the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) and is responsible for the extension of the train system all the way to Cavite, is composed of MPIC’s Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp., Ayala Corp.’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd.

http://www.interaksyon.com/mpic-to-invest-p20b-for-mrt-rehab/

Cignal CEO named Asia Media Woman of the Year

ContentAsia has named Cignal TV President and CEO Jane Jimenez-Basas as 2017 Asia Media Woman of the Year. The awarding was one of the highlights of ContentAsia Summit 2017 held in Singapore recently. ContentAsia is a premier information resource that covers the entertainment media industry across the Asia-Pacific region.

Janine Stein, editorial director of ContentAsia, said Jane Jimenez-Basas talked about steering Cignal TV in the Philippines “in a space inspired on all levels by regional giants, global streamers and is confident that Cignal could be part of the push towards 35% of subscription-video penetration in the Philippines.”

In her keynote speech, Jimenez-Basas said, “The consumer palate for content is becoming more discerning, not only for the breadth of choice, but also for the relevance of content.”

She views the award as a challenge to Cignal’s stature as an industry innovator. She cited the mentorship and guidance of superiors Manuel V. Pangilinan and Ray C. Espinosa as key in pushing her and her management team to seeking premium Filipino service.

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New attraction on ‘ARH’

A new attraction on GMA primetime series “Alyas Robin Hood” is boy Bingo (played by Kenken Nuyad).

The budding actor has thrilled viewers because of his natural and spontaneous acting. The camera loves Kenken for his wit and lively but gentle tone of speaking.

Even the bad guys on the series, KC Montero and Jay Manalo are seen dancing to Kenken’s viral song “Baby Shark!” in a video posted by KC.

Meanwhile Pepe (Dingdong Dantes) has learned that Bingo was with her mom Nanay Judy (Jaclyn Jose) before she was nabbed by unknown characters. Because of this, will Alyas Robin Hood and Yoyo Boy (Ruru Madrid) find it easier now to find her?

“Alyas Robin Hood” airs weeknights after “24 Oras” on GMA Telebabad.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Oct. 3, go to Edward V.P. Maceda, veteran actress Rio Locsin, Mon Fernandez, Beth J. Natividad, Tessie Lim, Lani Aquino, Jenny Salvador-Locsin, Rogie Arellano, Cres Macabenta, Adrian Buan, Rina Pineda, MB’s Pepito Rotallo, Robert Requintina, and Tessa Mauricio-Arriola, lifestyle/entertainment editor of Manila Times… Happy wedding anniversary to Mario and Virgie Delmonte of New York USA…Oct. 4: Laguna Gov. ER Ejercito, former Sen. Francisco “Kit” Tatad, “Master Showman” German Moreno, Matet de Leon, Pet Aquitania, Bon Arambulo, Editha Lim Manansala, Librada Gutierrez, Jose Francisco Kapellan Kawada, Lawrence Yap, Atty. Joe Monastrial Jr., Mrs. Lani L. Pelayo, Winnie Javillo of West Covina, California; Malou Pamaran Zamora, Angela L. Morales and TV personality Grace Lee…

Jica: Updated Mega Manila transport roadmap out in November

An updated transport roadmap aimed at easing traffic in Metro Manila and surrounding areas will be finished by the Japanese and Philippine governments in November, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) said Monday.

Also, Japanese financial giant Nomura said in a Sept. 29 note to clients that the Philippine government announced in Tokyo last week that it would soon roll out big-ticket infrastructure projects, including the development of Clark International Airport as the second major airport, as well as the construction of a 655-kilometer spine expressway on Luzon Island.

In a statement, Jica said the follow-up to the Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for Metro Manila and its Surrounding Areas approved by the Philippine government in 2014 would be ready next month.

Jica is currently jointly working on the updated roadmap with the state planning agency National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

“It’s timely to identify new strategies and solutions to present traffic situation in Metro Manila and surrounding areas as the administration aggressively pushes for transport infrastructure development under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ agenda,” Jica senior representative Tetsuya Yamada said.

“Together with other government agencies and local government units, the follow-up study aims to come up with urban transport strategies addressing traffic demand in the coming years, improve mobility, identify land use management, and identify reforms in the transport sector,” Yamada added. “With the follow-up study, we hope to contribute to helping spread economic opportunities in areas outside Metro Manila, attract more investments, and promote a better quality of life for all.”

Separately, Nomura said that during their Tokyo roadshow, “there was also a very strong sense of priority and urgency focused on the infrastructure sector, not just in the lining up of feasible projects but also in their implementation, with greater transparency and higher accountability” among the Duterte administration’s economic managers.

In line with the ambitious “Build, Build, Build” program aimed at ushering in a “golden age of infrastructure,” economic managers said the Ninoy Aquino International Airport would be improved and Clark International Airport would be developed as the second major airport, which would be fully operational by 2020, Nomura said.

Also, “the recently launched shipping route between Davao City and Bitung (Indonesia) which cut cargo arrival time from 3-5 weeks to 2-3 days will be replicated across the country,” Nomura added.

“A large-scale road modernization program is under way to improve connectivity for tourism, agriculture and industrial sectors, as well as a new 655-kilometer Luzon spine expressway, and various tunnelling projects, bridges and flood control projects” under “Build, Build, Build,” according to

Citing presentations of economic managers, Nomura also said the planned 9,500-hectare Clark Green City, which is 80 kilometers north of Manila, would become “the next frontier of property development (after the Bonifacio Global City).”

It will have links to major public infrastructure projects, including a Manila-Clark railway, set to be completed by 2021. It will also have government offices to help decongest Metro Manila.


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Metro Pacific group eyes P20 billion for MRT3 takeover

This would be P7.5 billion higher than its initial investment projection to take over and rehabilitate the Philippines' most congested mass transit railway

The group of Manuel Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) will invest up to P20 billion to rehabilitate, operate, and maintain the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) should the government approve its takeover plan.

MPIC on Monday, October 2, confirmed that its MRT3 proposal could reach P20 billion, inclusive of the equity component. This would be P7.5 billion higher than its initial projection.

But MPIC noted that "discussions are still ongoing" in terms of the participation of Ayala Corporation in the MRT3 proposal. (READ: Singson leaves Light Rail Manila, moves to Meralco)

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade told reporters last September 15 that his department will soon give the original proponent status to the Pangilinan-Ayala group.

Once the Department of Transportation (DOTr) formally grants the original proponent status, the MRT3 proposal will be up for the approval of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board.

Following NEDA Board approval, the proposal must then undergo a Swiss challenge.

Based on the build-operate-transfer law, other private investors can submit competing offers under a Swiss challenge, while the original proponent will be given the right to match them. (READ: Pangilinan-Ayala group eyes MRT3 takeover by early 2018)

Among the terms of the unsolicited proposal is the resolution of the arbitration case filed in 2009 by MRT3 owner MRT Corporation against the government due to, among others, failure to pay equity rental payments on time.

The government, through the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and the Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank), owns a 77% economic interest in MRT Corporation by virtue of its acquisition of asset-backed bonds in 2009.

The government's interest secured the state-run banks 11 of the 14 board seats, but it did not give them equity ownership.

DBP had said it is open to selling its entire economic interest in the MRT3, a move that can pave the way for a new private owner and operator.

Once the MPIC group hurdles the Swiss challenge, it expects to take over the operations, maintenance, and rehabilitation of the MRT3 by early 2018.

The MRT3 is currently being maintained by Korean-Filipino firm Busan Universal Rail Incorporated (BURI), while the system's rail replacement is being handled by the government.

Pangilinan group offers P20 billion to run MRT-3

Metro Pacific Investments Corp said Monday it offered P20 billion to the government to rehabilitate and operate the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).

The conglomerate led by tycoon Manuel Pangilinan told the stock exchange that "discussions are still ongoing" for the possible participation of Ayala Corp in the project.

Metro Pacific and Ayala Corp operate line 1 of the Light Rail Transit through their joint venture, Light Rail Manila.

Why MRT-3 is beset with problems, according to LRT-1 operator

Metro Pacific's original proposal to manage the train system that is used by roughly half a million people daily was worth P12.5 billion.

Gov't breaks ground on common station for trains, subway