Japan to develop 180-kilometer commuter railway in Philippines

The Japanese government will be extending a loan package for the development of the 180-kilometer long Clark, Pampanga to Los Baños, Laguna commuter railway, also known as North-South Commuter Railway.

“The Government of Japan will also extend support for the integral development plan of the North-South Commuter Railway covering about 180 km between Clark Freeport in Mabalacat City, Pampanga and Los Baños, Laguna, with the understanding that yen-loan will also be extended for this project,” said in the joint statement released after the bilateral meeting of President Rodrigo Duterte and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The North-South Commuter Railway will be composed of 38-kilometer Tutuban to Malolos line also known as PNR North 1, 70-kilometer Malolos to Clark New City or PNR North 2, and the 72-kilometer Tutuban to Los Banos, Laguna also known as PNR South Commuter.

Moreover, the joint statement said that “the two governments will finalize the basic concept for the establishment of the Philippine railway institute, including assistance for its physical construction as well as operational needs.”

“The two Governments will further cooperate towards the quick and sure commencement of operation of these railway projects,” it added.

Meanwhile, the Bicol Express also known as PNR South Long Haul is also in the pipeline to be funded by China.

PHL to accept ¥1.5B grant from Japan for Marawi rehab, Coast Guard

The Philippines and Japan are set to sign the exchange of notes for a ¥1.5-billion grant for the rehabilitation of Marawi City and the improvement of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Department of Finance (DOF) said Sunday.

The Embassy of Japan will provide a grant of ¥1.5 billion in the form of equipment.

"[A] grant of JPY1.5 billion (estimated at P676 million) from the Embassy of Japan will be given to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the form of equipment and machineries to be used for the rehabilitation of heavily damaged Marawi City," it said.

The equipment will include bulldozers, excavators, and dump trucks, which will be used for the rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City, which was liberated from Islamist militants last month.

The grant will also include radar systems, closed circuit televisions, and radio systems to improve the maritime safety and counterterrorism capability of the PCG.

The Philippines is also working on securing from Japan the funding for three key infrastructure projects—the Mega Manila Subway, the Cavite Industrial Area Flood Risk Management Project, and the Malolos-Clark Railway. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News

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‘Rhapsody in Blue’

The Friends for Cultural Concerns of the Philippines (FCCP), under the leadership of president and Annual Ball Committee overall chair Nonie Basilio, alongside vice president and Annual Ball Committee director-in-charge Tessie Rodrigo and chairman Rose Lazaro, recently held its 38th Anniversary Ball with the theme “Rhapsody in Blue” at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La Manila in Makati City.

The event, attended by FCCP members and Manila high society’s art and culture patrons, was made even more memorable with performances from the organization’s talented scholars with renowned pianist Dr. Raul Sunico and the Philippine Ballet Theatre, the nation’s premier ballet company. Sunico received the first FCCP Award for Excellence in Music during the anniversary ball.

“All these years, [FCCP] has faithfully hewn to its mandate the development of arts and culture,” Basilio said. “[It] could not have gone this far without the support of dedicated officers and members as well as good-hearted donors, sponsors and advertisers.”

Congratulations to the Friends for Cultural Concerns of the Philippines for another successful and meaningful ball!

Greetings

Happy birthday to our celebrator today, Renna Hechanova Angeles.

Advance birthday greetings to Noel “Toti” Cariño, Nov. 13; Doris Magsaysay-Ho, Wedding Connections’ Pam Rebano and Mila Magsaysay-Valenzuela, Nov. 14; Amelia del Rosario-Aquino, Philippine envoy to UN Teddy Locsin Jr. and Gerard Ramos, Nov. 15; Henann Group of Resorts AVP for sales-Boracay area Isabel Garcia, Nov. 17; business magnate “El Kapitan” Lucio Tan and socialite Leica Carpo, Nov. 18.

Belated birthday greetings to Deo Endrinal who turns 54, November 8. He celebrated his belated birthday party at Manila House Private Club.

So, how was your week?

(For comments and inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com.)