Transportation dept clears site for North-South commuter railway

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) led the ceremony on Friday that marked the start of its pre-construction activities for the mobilization of the PNR North-South Commuter Railway Project Phase 1.

The NSCR is a 38-kilometer railway that will connect Tutuban, Manila to Malolos City, Bulacan, and is expected to accommodate around 340,000 passengers daily once it starts operations in 2021.

The work includes clearing the site, grading of uneven surfaces and the demolition of obstructing structures.

“Manila will be within 35 minutes from Malolos,” Transportation Assistant Secretary for Rails Timothy Batan said.

The second phase of the project, which will connect Malolos to Clark, will be completed in 2022, according to Batan.

The NCSR is part of the mass transit backbone forming the North-South Corridor advocated in the Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development Study for Metro Manila and its Surrounding Areas, by the National Economic and Development Authority in 2014.

The project, which costs $3-billion, will be funded through official development assistance from Japan.

“The ceremony will allow people to see actual clearing of the site and witness the project entering into the implementation stage,” Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) Chief Representative Susumo Ito said.  REICELENE JOY IGNACIO

TRAIN TO BULACAN | DOTr breaks ground for Tutuban-Malolos segment of PNR Clark project

The Department of Transportation broke ground Friday (Jan. 5) for Phase 1 of the Philippine National Railways line linking Metro Manila to Clark Field, with this first segment running from Tutuban station in Manila to historic City of Malolos in Bulacan.

The groundbreaking was held Friday morning for the Advance Construction Mobilization for Phase 1 of the Clark railway at an open area in Maria Socorro, Marilao, Bulacan, and graced by transportation and local officials.

Also gracing the event was Bulacan’s first senator in 20 years, Joel Villanueva, who cited the PNR Manila-Clark project as a boon to economic activity and to commuters.

The project is seen to ease the legendary vehicular traffic in Metro Manila and speed up travel to north of the metropolis, especially key areas of Central Luzon where modern townships are being developed.

According to DOTr Assistant Secretary for Railways Timothy John Batan the pre-construction phase will be handled by an interagency group and the local government, particularly the site clearing, road levelling and the removal of structures that obstruct the rail lines.

Phase 1 of the PNR Clark project runs 38 kilometers from Tutuban to Malolos.

It has 10 stations and is expected to serve on average 340,000 people daily.

The project, envisioned to cut travel time from Tutuban to Malolos to only 35 minutes, is part of the Duterte administration’s flagship Build, Build Build program.

‘FINALLY, A TRAIN TO BULACAN’

Senator Villanueva lauded the start of the PNR Clark project linking Tutuban in Divisoria, Manila, to his home province Bulacan.

“Sa wakas, mayroon nang ‘Train to Bulacan’ at malaking ginhawa po ito sa ating mga kababayan sa Gitnang Luzon higit lalo sa minamahal nating mga Bulakenyo [Finally we have a Train to Bulacan that brings relief to our people in Central Luzon, especially our fellow Bulakenyos],” said Villanueva, first Bulakenyo in more than 20 years to become a senator.

“The construction of Clark Railway increases connectivity within Metro Manila and the Central Region. Not only will this afford convenience to our commuters but will also improve economic activity in the area,” Villanueva added.

Villanueva, an advocate of job creation, further underscored how the railway project can strengthen the economy and generate employment.

“Ang pinakamagandang magiging bunga po ng Build, Build, Build ay Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. Dala po ng tren na ito ay trabaho. Dala po ng tren na ito ay negosyo. Dala po ng tren na ito ay progreso [The best fruit of Build Build Build is Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. This train brings jobs. It brings commerce. It brings progress],” Villanueva said.

He said it will also ease congestion and traffic in Metro Manila.

In November last year, the DOTr took a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to finance the north-south commuter railway project’s Tutuban-Malolos component.

The Tutuban to Malolos segment is targeted to be partially completed by 2020 and fully operational by 2021.

Stations list:

1. TUTUBAN 
2. Mayhaligue (PNR Tutuban Executive Building) 
3. Tayuman 
4. SOLIS 
5. Hermosa 
6. C3 
7. Asistio Avenue (named after the first general of MRR) 
8. CALOOCAN
9. Acacia-Malabon 
10. Tinajeros (Goldendale Busineess Park) 
11. Tugatog
12. Malinta 
13. Dalandanan 
14. VALENZUELA 
15. Meycauayan College (Calvario) 
16. MEYCAUAYAN 
17. Saluysoy 
18. SM Marilao 
19. Saog 
20. Lolomboy 
21. Bunio 
22. BOCAUE 
23. Bigaa (Original stations site) 
24. BALAGTAS (Closer to Cabanatuan Line Junction) 
25. Cruz Guiguinto (Original Guiguinto station) 
26. GUIGUINTO 
27. Tabang 
28. Bulacan Industrial City 
29. Bulacan Sports Complex 
30. Cofradia 
31. MALOLOS

Commencement of Works for PNR Clark Phase 1 ( Tutuban-Malolos ) Railways Project.

CLARK, Pampanga, Jan 5 --Today, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine National Railway (PNR) will be undertaking advance construction mobilization for PNR Clark Phase 1 (Tutuban-Malolos), which includes pre-construction activities such as site clearing, grading of unleveled surfaces, and demolition of obstructing structures in the PNR alignment.

To realize early completion of infrastructure projects under the Build Build Build program, the DOTr continuously explores and pursues acceleration measures, such as doing in parallel activities that were previously done sequentially.

This event is an example of DOTr’s acceleration measures.

As compared to previous practice, site clearing works had to wait for the general contractor, but, since DOTr understands the need to complete this project faster, DOTr pursues these works in parallel with the procurement of the general contractor, which is scheduled to be selected by the 2nd quarter of 2018 for PNR Clark Phase 1.

Phase 1 of the PNR Clark Project entails the construction of the rail systems along the 38-kilometer segment from Tutuban, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan. It will have 10 stations and is expected to service around 340,000 passengers daily during its opening.

Once this project is completed, commuters from Tutuban will reach Malolos in 35 minutes. (DOTr)

Clearing ops for Tutuban-Malolos railway start

Clearing operations for the construction of the railway that will link to Central Luzon to Metro Manila begin.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade is inaugurating the project in Bulacan today.

Phase 1 starts in Marilao, Bulacan.

The project is called the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) that begins from Tutuban in Manila to Malolos.

It is funded by a $1.99-billion loan deal granted to the Philippine National Railways (PNR) by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The contract was signed in November 2015.

Construction will be in full blast by 2019.

DOTr expects the NSCR to be in operation in 2021 and 2022.

Tugade says, the 38-kilometer railway project will reduce travel time from Manila to Bulacan to 35 minutes.

About 34,000 commuters will benefit from the new transportation system.

Kapuso programs, naghari sa nationwide TV ratings sa buong 2017

Wagi ang mga programang Kapuso sa buong taon ng 2017 batay sa nationwide television ratings ng pinagkakatiwalaang Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

Mula Enero hanggang Disyembre, nakapagtala ang GMA Network ng 42.5 percent total day people audience share sa National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM), kumpara sa 36.8 percent ng kalabang estasyon.

Ang naturang kalamangan na 5.7 points ay mas malaki kumpara sa 0.2 share point lead na nagawa ng GMA noong 2016.

Mula umaga hanggang gabi, panalo ang mga programang Kapuso sa Urban Luzon at Mega Manila, na bumubuo ng 76 at 59 percent ng lahat ng Urban viewers sa Pilipinas.

Nagtala ng 48.8 percent ang GMA sa Urban Luzon, kontra sa 31 percent ng kalabang network. Una rin ang Kapuso sa Mega Manila na 51.9 percent, na 26. 7 percent ang kalamangan sa kabilang estasyon.

Noong Disyembre, nagtala ang GMA ng 44. 3 percent sa NUTAM, na mas mataas kumpara sa 37.2 percent ng karibal na network.

Sa listahan ng top programs para sa 2017, 20 sa 30 programa ang mula sa GMA.

Nanguna ang "Encantadia," na dalawang magkasunod na taon na naging number one, na sinundan ng "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," "Destined To Be Yours," "Pepito Manaloto," "Magpakailanman," "24 Oras," "Super Ma'am," "Mulawin Vs Ravena," "Alyas Robin Hood," "Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko," at "All-Star Videoke."

Pasok din ang "My Love From the Star," "Kambal Karibal, "Meant To Be," "Kapuso Movie Night," "24 Oras Weekend," Someone To Watch Over Me," "Hay Bahay!," "Wowowin", "Eat Bulaga", "Sunday Pinasaya", "Ika-6 Na Utos," "Hahamakin ang Lahat," "Legally Blind", "D'Originals", "Haplos" at "Tsuperhero."

Naging most watched tv special naman ang "Battle of Brisbane: Pacquiao Vs. Horn."

Kabilang naman sa progmang kagigiliwan at tutukan ngayong 2018 ang "The One That Got Away," "Sherlock Jr.," "Contessa," "The Stepdaughters," "Hindi Ko Kayang Iwan Ka," at "Sirkus." -- FRJ, GMA News

GMA, ABS-CBN vie for 2017 ratings leadership

Media giants GMA Network Inc. and ABS-CBN Corp. welcomed 2018 by both claiming leadership in last year’s nationwide television ratings.

Citing data from Nielsen TV Audience Measurement, GMA said on Thursday that it continued to dominate in 2017 with a 42.5-percent audience share in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (Nutam), 5.7 percent ahead of its rival’s 36.8 percent.

For its part, ABS-CBN said data from Kantar Media showed that it gathered an average audience share of 46 percent in the same period, 12 points higher than GMA’s 34 percent.

Both networks highlighted where they excelled in 2017, citing the same market research firms.

GMA said it beat ABS-CBN in all time blocks in both Urban Luzon and Mega Manila at 76 percent and 59 percent, respectively.

In Mega Manila, the Kapuso network posted a 51.9-percent audience share, compared with ABS-CBN’s 26.7 percent.

GMA also disclosed data on December ratings, noting that it again topped nationwide ratings with 44.3 percent, compared with ABS-CBN’s 37.2 percent.

Overall, the Network dominated NUTAM's list of top programs for 2017 with 20 out of 30 programs coming from GMA. Reigning supreme in the list is the well-loved Kapuso primetime series Encantadia, which became the number one program for two consecutive years.

Award-winning magazine program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho grabbed the second spot as the most-watched Kapuso program for the year followed by the Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza-starrer Destined To Be Yours.

Joining them in the list of most watched Kapuso shows were Pepito Manaloto, Magpakailanman," "Full House Tonight," "Celebrity Bluff," "24 Oras," "Super Ma'am," "Mulawin vs Ravena," "Alyas Robin Hood," "Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko," and "All-Star Videoke."

Also included were "My Love From the Star," "Kambal Karibal," "Meant To Be," "I Heart Davao," "My Korean Jagiya," "Kapuso Movie Night," "Bubble Gang," "Saksi," "24 Oras Weekend," "Someone To Watch Over Me," "Hay Bahay!," "Wowowin," "Eat Bulaga," "Sunday PinaSaya," "Dear Uge," "Ika-6 Na Utos," "Legally Blind," "Impostora," "D'Originals," "Haplos," "Karelasyon," "Tadhana" and "Tsuperhero."

Notably, GMA's exclusive free TV telecast of Manny Pacquiao's last fight, dubbed the "Battle of Brisbane: Pacquiao vs Horn", was the most watched TV special for the year.

More Filipinos also tuned in to GMA’s live telecast of President Rodrigo Duterte’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 24. GMA Network’s “SONA 2017” became the most watched coverage nationwide with 37.4 percent people audience share; outranking ABS-CBN’s “Pangako ng Pagbabago: SONA 2017,” which only got 34.3 percent. GMA-7’s coverage registered an even bigger margin in Urban Luzon with 43.2 percent people audience share versus competition’s 26.2 percent.


The broadcast network said it once again “proved to be the Filipino viewers’ network of choice” as the GMA-7’s live telecast of the Miss Universe 2016 pageant on January 30 rated highest nationwide with a 57.1% people audience share, higher than ABS-CBN’s 28% and TV5’s 8.4%. 

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN said it remained unbeatable across all time blocks. On its primetime block (6 p.m. to 12 a.m) in the January-to-December period, the Kapamilya network registered an average audience share of 50 percent versus GMA’s 32 percent.

On its morning block (6 a.m. to 12 noon), ABS-CBN recorded a 39-percent audience share, compared with its rival’s 32 percent; on the noontime block (12 noon to 3 p.m.), 45 percent versus GMA’s 36 percent; and on the afternoon block (3 p.m. to 6 p. m.), 43 percent against the Kapuso network’s 38 percent.

ABS-CBN said it led the race in Total Balance Luzon with an average national audience share of 48 percent, compared with GMA’s 36 percent; in Total Luzon, 42 percent versus GMA’s 36 percent, in Total Visayas, 53 percent, compared with GMA’s 28 percent; and in Total Mindanao, 53 percent versus GMA’s 31 percent.

The Kapamilya network also claimed to lead nationwide TV ratings in December with an average audience share of 45 percent, compared with GMA’s 34 percent.

Coco Martin still holds the primetime king bragging rights, as his "Ang Probinsyano" topped the TV ratings for this past year. The beloved cop drama, which has been on-air since 2015, came in first with a 38.6% average nationwide rating for the past 12 months, data from Kantar Media released Thursday showed.

The family-friendly reality talent contests, "Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids" and "The Voice Teens", were second and third, respectively, followed closely by Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo's fantasy series, "La Luna Sangre". 

"TV Patrol" was fifth in the list, which featured only shows from the Kapamilya network. 

Also making to the list are "Langit Lupa," the Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu’s reunion drama "Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin," "It’s Showtime," "ASAP"," "Banana Sundae," "Ipaglaban Mo," "The Better Half," "The Promise of Forever," "Hanggang Saan," "The Greatest Love," "Pusong Ligaw", "Wildflower," "My Dear Heart," "A Love to Last," "The Good Son," "Home Sweetie Home," "Little Big Shots," "Maalaala Mo Kaya," "I Can Do That," "I Can See Your Voice," "Gandang Gabi Vice," "Wansapanataym" and "Rated K".

http://www.manilatimes.net/gma-abs-cbn-vie-2017-ratings-leadership/372313