Hitachi mulls PH office focused on railway deals

JAPANESE multinational company Hitachi said it was considering opening a rail office in the Philippines as part of its expansion plans.

“We have so many offices here, but we do not have one specifically for rails,” Hitachi Asia Ltd Corporate Communications Group General Manager Atsushi Konno told The Manila Times.

“We want to put up a rail office here,” Konno said.

Hitachi earlier announced it was interested in taking part in the Manila-Clark railway and the Mega Manila subway projects.

“We find so many opportunities here, so many opportunities in Metro Manila,” Konno said.

According to Konno, Hitachi has presented their company and what they can do to the Department of Transportation because they are keen to participate in the Philippines’ infrastructure program.

“We do not have proposals yet. We have presented what we can do to the Department of Transportation,” Konno said.

The company said it is already talking with different potential partner companies in the Philippines for possible infrastructure projects to build.

http://www.manilatimes.net/hitachi-mulls-ph-office-focused-railway-deals/354466/

ABS-CBN, GMA top TV ratings

ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network Inc. on Tuesday both claimed higher television ratings in September.

ABS-CBN, according to data from Kantar Media, registered an average audience of 47 percent or 14 points higher than GMA’s 33 percent. ABS-CBN ruled the primetime with an average share of 51 percent, a 20-point lead over GMA’s 31 percent.

ABS-CBN also led other networks in other time blocks such as the morning block, where it scored an average audience share of 40 percent versus GMA’s 31 percent the noontime block where it hit 47 percent versus GMA’s 35 percent.

In the afternoon block, ABS-CBN had 43 percent versus GMA’s 39 percent.

Furthermore, nine Kapamilya shows made it to the top 10 most watched programs in national urban and rural homes. They are the following: FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, La Luna Sangre, A Love to Last, The Good Son, Tonight with Boy Abunda, Bandila, TV Patrol, Little Big Shots, Maalaala Mo Kaya, I Can See Your Voice, Wansapanataym, Rated K, Gandang Gabi Vice, Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin, It’s Showtime, ASAP, Banana Sundae, Ipaglaban Mo, Pusong Ligaw, The Better Half, The Promise of Forever, Wildflower, Home Sweetie Home and Goin’ Bulilit.

Meanwhile, citing Nielsen’s NUTAM data, GMA said it remained the dominant player across all time blocks, registering a total day people audience share of 48 percent compared to ABS-CBN’s 33 percent.

GMA Network, meanwhile, kept its nationwide ratings advantage over competition in September based on data from Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

From September 1 to 27, GMA said it garnered more viewers in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement with an average total day people audience share of 41.9 percent. ABS-CBN just managed 38.8 percent.

Kapuso shows dominated the list of top programs in the NUTAM survey with Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho as the most watched GMA program nationwide in the said period. GMA, in turn, claimed nine of the top 10 programs in Urban Luzon; while sweeping the top 10 spots in Mega Manila.

Consistent top-rating Kapuso shows include the Network’s flagship newscast 24 Oras, followed by Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, Pepito Manaloto, Magpakailanman and Celebrity Bluff.

Meanwhile, newly launched series Super Ma’am, with Marian Rivera-Dantes, immediately landed a spot in the list of most watched programs. Closely following is the returning hit musical game show All-Star Videoke, with Solenn Heussaff-Bolzico and Betong Sumaya. 

Also making it to the list are Alyas Robin Hood, Mulawin vs. Ravena, My Korean Jagiya, Bubble Gang, Saksi, Imbestigador, Road Trip, Eat Bulaga, Ika-6 na Utos, Impostora, Tadhana, Haplos, Wowowin and 24 Oras Weekend.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Oct. 5, go to Supreme Court Justice Consuelo Ynares-Santiago, Korina Sanchez, Liela Benitez-Simpson, Nelia Silverio, Ida Joseph, Tita Calalang, Karina “Bing” Baylon, Corazon G. Dizon, Karen Capina, Jet Ejercito, Inger Cuenco, Nanette Edillon, Bobby Rodrigo, Melody Anne Bonoan, Josephine Woodward, Roselle Vargas, Marilou Sanchez Catalucci, Danny Velasco, Virgie McAffrey, Elvis Trocio of DSWD, Mat Ranillo III, Rose Monaghan, Rolly Quizon, Danny Velasco, Dexter Hubag, Arden Tubag and Star Magic’s Maja Salvador… Happy wedding anniversary to Nards and Sol Cansana…Oct. 6: Mrs. Ma. Victoria Araneta Concepcion, Letty M. Talag, Elena Chiongbian Young, Lou Bonnevie, Susan Joven, Carmen Dy-Liacco, Rosario Agustin, Jiggy Cruz, Lilibeth Josue, Marivic Tengco, Cory Gayon, Dona Rosario Savillano Ablan, Sonia Domingo Sadsad, Nonoy Orlina, Losario Delmar, Bro. Eddie Villanueva, Chef Joey Carbon, and Queen of Jazz Annie Brazil… Happy wedding anniversary to Manny and Lulu Geslani…


http://www.manilatimes.net/abs-cbn-gma-claim-tv-ratings-lead/354468/

ABS-CBN, GMA both claim TV ratings lead

TELEVISION network rivals ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network Inc. continue to claim the lead in nationwide TV ratings, this time for the month of September 2017.

In a statement on Tuesday, ABS-CBN Corp. said it was still the most watched television network for the month with an average audience of 47 percent, 14 percent higher than GMA’s, based on market research firm Kantar Media.

GMA, on the other hand, said on Friday it continued to beat ABS-CBN with an average total day people audience share of 41.9 percent versus ABS-CBN’s 38.8 percent, based on data from Nielsen’s National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM).

Citing Kantar media data, ABS-CBN said it ruled the primetime block (6 p.m. to 12 a.m) with an average share of 51 percent, a 20-point lead over GMA’s 31 percent. It said it also dominated the morning block (6 a.m. to 12 noon) where it recorded an average audience share of 40 percent versus GMA’s 31 percent; the noontime block (12 noon to 3 p.m.) where it got 47 percent compared to the rival network’s 35 percent; and the afternoon block (3 p.m. to 6 p. m.) where it had 43 percent, 4 percent higher than GMA’s.

ABS-CBN said it also kept its total day lead in other areas such as Total Luzon where it registered 43 percent versus GMA’s 36 percent; in Total Visayas with 54 percent versus GMA’s 27 percent; and in Total Mindanao with 54 percent versus GMA’s 30 percent.

Furthermore, nine Kapamilya shows made it to the top 10 most watched programs in national urban and rural homes.

They are the following: FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, La Luna Sangre, A Love to Last, The Good Son, Tonight with Boy Abunda, Bandila, TV Patrol, Little Big Shots, Maalaala Mo Kaya, Rated K, I Can See Your Voice, Gandang Gabi Vice, Wansapanataym, Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin, It’s Showtime, ASAP, Banana Sundae, Ipaglaban Mo, Pusong Ligaw, The Promise of Forever, Wildflower, Home Sweetie Home and Goin’ Bulilit.

Meanwhile, citing Nielsen’s NUTAM data, GMA said it remained the dominant player across all time blocks, registering a total day people audience share of 48 percent compared to ABS-CBN’s 33 percent.

GMA also highlighted its lead in Mega Manila, where it had 50.7 percent total day people audience share compared to ABS-CBN’s 29.3 percent.

Kapuso shows dominated the list of top programs in the NUTAM survey with Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho as the most watched GMA program nationwide in the said period. GMA, in turn, claimed nine of the top 10 programs in Urban Luzon; while sweeping the top 10 spots in Mega Manila. 

Consistent top-rating Kapuso shows include the Network’s flagship newscast 24 Oras, followed by Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, Pepito Manaloto, Magpakailanman and Celebrity Bluff. 

Meanwhile, newly launched series Super Ma’am, with Marian Rivera-Dantes, immediately landed a spot in the list of most watched programs. Closely following is the returning hit musical game show All-Star Videoke, with Solenn Heussaff-Bolzico and Betong Sumaya.

Also making it to the list are Alyas Robin Hood, Mulawin vs. Ravena, My Korean Jagiya, Bubble Gang, Saksi, Eat Bulaga, Sunday PinaSaya, Dear Uge, Ika-6 Na Utos, Tadhana, Impostora, Haplos, Imbestigador, Road Trip, Wowowin and 24 Oras Weekend.

http://www.manilatimes.net/abs-cbn-gma-claim-tv-ratings-lead/354468/

GMA Network claims lead in key urban areas, ABS-CBN in national audience share

GMA Network Inc. continued to maintain its television ratings lead in key urban areas while main rival ABS-CBN Corp. said it was ahead in national audience share in September.

In a statement, GMA cited viewers in the Urban Television Audience Measurement, which showed it had an audience share of 41.9 percent against ABS-CBN’s 38.8 percent. GMA said the figure was based on data from Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

In Urban Luzon, GMA said it had maintained its lead across all time blocks with total day people audience share of 48 percent, ahead of ABS-CBN’s 33 percent.

For Mega Manila alone (Sept. 1-23), GMA cornered 50.7 percent total day people audience share against ABS-CBN’s 29.3 percent. It noted the lead was significant because Luzon and Mega Manila accounted for most urban viewers across the Philippines.

Kapuso shows dominated the list of top programs in the NUTAM survey with Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho as the most watched GMA program nationwide in the said period. GMA, in turn, claimed nine of the top 10 programs in Urban Luzon; while sweeping the top 10 spots in Mega Manila.

Consistent top-rating Kapuso shows include the Network’s flagship newscast 24 Oras, followed by Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, Pepito Manaloto, Celebrity Bluff and Magpakailanman.

Meanwhile, newly launched series Super Ma’am, with Marian Rivera-Dantes, immediately landed a spot in the list of most watched programs. Closely following is the returning hit musical game show All-Star Videoke, with Solenn Heussaff-Bolzico and Betong Sumaya.  

Also making it to the list are Alyas Robin Hood, Mulawin vs. Ravena, My Korean Jagiya, Bubble Gang, Saksi, Imbestigador, Eat Bulaga, Sunday Pinasaya, Dear Uge, Ika-6 Na Utos, Tadhana, Impostora, Haplos, Wowowin and 24 Oras Weekend.

ABS-CBN, which uses data from Kantar Media, said in a statement that its nationwide market share for September stood at 47 percent compared to 33 percent for GMA.

It was also ahead in the coveted primetime block as well as in Visayas and Mindanao.

For primetime, ABS-CBN said it had an audience share of 51 percent, against 31 percent for GMA. It said the time slot, from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight, is sought after by advertisers because of the larger volume of television viewers.

ABS-CBN also led other networks in other time blocks such as the morning block, where it scored an average audience share of 40 percent versus GMA’s 31 percent.

Furthermore, nine Kapamilya shows made it to the top 10 most watched programs in national urban and rural homes.

They are the following: FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, La Luna Sangre, The Good Son, Tonight with Boy Abunda, Bandila, TV Patrol, Little Big Shots, Maalaala Mo Kaya, I Can See Your Voice, Gandang Gabi Vice, Wansapanataym, Rated K, Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin, It’s Showtime, ASAP, Banana Sundae, Ipaglaban Mo, Pusong Ligaw, The Promise of Forever, Wildflower, Home Sweetie Home and Goin’ Bulilit.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Oct. 5, go to Supreme Court Justice Consuelo Ynares-Santiago, Korina Sanchez, Liela Benitez-Simpson, Nelia Silverio, Ida Joseph, Tita Calalang, Karina “Bing” Baylon, Corazon G. Dizon, Karen Capina, Jet Ejercito, Inger Cuenco, Nanette Edillon, Bobby Rodrigo, Melody Anne Bonoan, Josephine Woodward, Roselle Vargas, Marilou Sanchez Catalucci, Danny Velasco, Virgie McAffrey, Elvis Trocio of DSWD, Mat Ranillo III, Rose Monaghan, Rolly Quizon, Danny Velasco and Star Magic’s Maja Salvador… Happy wedding anniversary to Nards and Sol Cansana…Oct. 6: Mrs. Ma. Victoria Araneta Concepcion, Letty M. Talag, Elena Chiongbian Young, Lou Bonnevie, Susan Joven, Carmen Dy-Liacco, Rosario Agustin, Jiggy Cruz, Lilibeth Josue, Marivic Tengco, Cory Gayon, Dona Rosario Savillano Ablan, Sonia Domingo Sadsad, Nonoy Orlina, Losario Delmar, Bro. Eddie Villanueva, Chef Joey Carbon, and Queen of Jazz Annie Brazil… Happy wedding anniversary to Manny and Lulu Geslani…

Read more: http://business.inquirer.net/237937/gma-network-claims-lead-key-urban-areas-abs-cbn-national-audience-share#ixzz4uW9KwUhA
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ABS-CBN remains top TV network in September

ABS-CBN continues to be the top TV network of choice among households nationwide for the month of September.

According to the data provided by Kantar Media, the network registered an average audience of 47% or 14 percentage points higher than GMA’s 33% last month.

ABS-CBN likewise ruled primetime (6 p.m.-12 midnight) with an average share of 51%, a whopping 20-percentage-point lead over GMA’s 31%.

Primetime is said to be the most important block because it’s when most Filipinos watch TV and advertisers put a larger chunk of their investment in to reach more consumers effectively.

ABS-CBN also led other networks in other time blocks such as the morning block (6 a.m.-12 noon), where it scored an average audience share of 40% versus GMA’s 31%; the noontime block (12 noon-3 p.m.), where it hit 47% versus GMA’s 35%, and in the afternoon block (3 p.m.-6 p.m.), where it registered 43% versus GMA’s 39%.

The Kapamilya network also kept its total day lead in other areas such as Total Luzon where it logged 43% versus GMA’s 36%, in Total Visayas with 54% versus GMA’s 27%; and in Total Mindanao with 54% versus GMA’s 30%.

Furthermore, nine Kapamilya shows made it to the top 10 most watched programs in national urban and rural homes. They are the following: FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, La Luna Sangre, The Good Son, TV Patrol, Little Big Shots, Maalaala Mo Kaya, Wansapanataym, Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin, It's Showtime, Pusong Ligaw, The Promise of Forever, Wildflower, Home Sweetie Home and Goin’ Bulilit.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/10/03/17/abs-cbn-remains-top-tv-network-in-september

Bid Bid Bid

The DOTr lawyer, who also acts as the department’s PR person, wrote in her letter to my editor that I must understand “It is likewise important to note that government processes take time... Procurement when done properly and aboveboard can take months and months and even years.”

That’s what I was afraid of. The good intentions of DOTr Secretary Art Tugade aside, he has to work with a bureaucracy whose mindset got us nowhere during the Roxas-Abaya reign in that department. It is a mindset that goes against the grain of the Duterte administration’s Build Build Build.

Is she saying that we have to wait “months and months, even years” for DOTr projects to get going if they are to do it properly? That’s not the impression we got from Budget Secretary Ben Diokno when he reassured us that it is all systems go and that the administration could roll out projects properly without sacrificing speed.


We are all tired of hearing the usual excuse about how cumbersome the Procurement Law is. Indeed, we raised that question to Secretary Diokno and he assured us the law would not be a hindrance to their sense of urgency in rolling out projects. It is Diokno’s budget department that eventually bids out the projects, so I assumed he knows what he is saying.


I asked a young lawyer who trained at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy what he thought about the inability of the Duterte administration to more forcefully carry out its Build Build Build program. Because he also had some experience working in the Philippine bureaucracy, I also asked if the Procurement Law excuse is excusable.


“Suffice it to say,” he responded, “the President’s economic managers—and key implementers for big-ticket infrastructure projects (especially, DPWH, DOTr and DepEd), should be able to get from talking about ‘Build Build Build’ to actually doing ‘Bid Bid Bid.’




“From experience, one detail that slows down the ability of an agency to tender a project is their inability to produce, develop, and put out their bid documents (especially the technical supporting documents). The other ‘hiccup’ is that, some heads of agencies are too scared of the Procurement Law that they would rather ‘CYA’ or ‘cover your ass’ every single step, by seeking an opinion from the Government Procurement Policy Board-Technical Support Office or GPPB-TSO.


“What happens, then? Heads of Agencies or, in procurement terms, ‘Head of the Procurement Entity’ (HOPE) are hopelessly at the mercy of ‘technical experts’ which the government does not always have ready access to (at least, not from within their organic personnel/plantilla).

“And so, even before they can bid out the projects, they bid for the procurement of consultants who help them prepare the bid documents! This is part of the reason why the whole process of implementing projects (to cover and include bidding, award, notice to proceed, and actual implementation) takes anywhere from an amazing breakneck speed of six months to 16 months, or even two years.

“Now, if you look at the current ‘Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations’ of the Government Procurement Reform Act or GPRA, under the sub-section on ‘Detailed Engineering for the Procurement of Infrastructure Projects,’ the exception is ‘design and build.’

“Annex G of the Revised IRR provides you with the advantages and disadvantages/risks (as well as safeguards to mitigate those risks). For example, in order to control the quality and outcome, the agency should prepare a ‘conceptual design.’ Quite easily, tendering a project on ‘design and build’ basis can shave off six months to a year that would otherwise be lost to ‘project studies and preparation.’

“What this would require, though, is not just political will, but also a clear vision for the project. It is up to the HOPE of each agency—Secretary (Mark) Villar, Secretary Tugade and Secretary (Leonor) Briones—to have a clear vision of what they want for each project, and to communicate and translate that into the Terms of Reference for their respective projects.

“Then again, that’s fairly basic: any good manager should be able to communicate clear and unmistakable instructions. I have no doubt the administration’s officials should be able to justify putting out a tender, on design and build basis, under Sections 5.1.a. to 5.1.c. of Annex G.

“Now, whether or not they have read the GPRA and are familiar with this little detail is an entirely different matter. Not to mix metaphors, but if God (or the Devil) is, indeed, in the details, and ‘good intentions’ pave the road to hell, then, HOPEfully, it’s getting things done that will get us closer to that much-desired Heaven.”

He is right. If former DOTC secretary Jun Abaya had used design and build for LRT2 extension, we would not have the stupid outcome of the superstructure being completed way ahead of the rails, stations, electrical connections and everything else.

The design and build is also nothing new. This is what former president Gloria Arroyo did to fasttrack the extension of LRT1 from Monumento to North Edsa and they completed the project in record time.

In design and build government won’t have to pay a contractor to do the design and will also avoid arguments between designer and builder later on if problems arise. There is a single point of responsibility. But Abaya broke up the project into bits which delayed it tremendously.

A report from the ADB on the state of our procurement process underscored the vital importance of our GPRA. Its passage, ADB noted, was in response to the right of citizens to expect their government to spend funds for the good of the people. In the past, corruption, inefficiency, ignorance, and disorganization have resulted in billions of pesos worth of losses.

According to ADB, “the passage and promulgation of Republic Act 9184, otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA), resulted in the replacement of multiple laws, rules, and regulations by a unified public procurement legal framework.

“The GPRA aimed to reduce opportunities for graft and corruption; harmonize the system with international standards and practices; and promote transparency, competitiveness, and accountability.”

That’s why the last thing we expect from our officials is to complain about the Procurement Law. Secretary Diokno didn’t seem the least bit worried about it delaying Build Build Build, and neither should the DOTr lawyer.

Indeed, design and build could be one way DOTr could fast track their projects. Perhaps what Sec. Tugade needs is a new set of lawyers at DOTr with a fresh outlook and are imaginative enough to see how to do things faster rather than those who just surrender to the usual kalakalan and claim projects must take “months and months, if not years” to be done according to the current Procurement Law.

Or maybe we should pay officials based on what they have delivered. If projects are delayed, so should their pay.

Boo Chanco’s e-mail address is bchanco@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @boochanco.