Government breaks ground for Central Luzon train project

Manila: Officials broke ground for the construction of the first phase of a train service linking provinces in Central Luzon to Metro Manila.

The event, which took place in Marilao, Bulacan, will be the second time in more than a decade that such a ceremony was held. A similar project during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had been dogged with problems prompting the government to cancel the endeavour that was undertaken by a Chinese government contractor.

A railway link between Metro Manila and provinces further north is critical in decongesting the already overpopulated national capital region and will be vital in spreading economic growth to other areas.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said since the important project had undergone failed starts, it is important that the endeavour be finished immediately.

“DoTr understands the need to complete this project faster. That is why we pursued these works parallel with the procurement of the general contractor, which is scheduled to be selected by the second quarter of 2018 for PNR Clark Phase 1,” Tugade said.

PNR is the state-run railway concern. Clark, in Pampanga province, was identified as the main station connecting it with Tutuban in Manila’s downtown area.

An old railway used to run from Tutuban until the early 1990s, however due to the PNR’s inability to generate funds for upkeep, the rail system fell into a state of disrepair.

During the ground breaking rites that were held last Friday, Tugade called on Bulacan’s local government officials help the department settle right-of-way concerns by telling their constituents the benefits of having a railway system.

Initially, the rail system will be constructed along the 38-kilometre segment from Tutuban, Manila, to Malolos, Bulacan. It will have 10 stations and is expected to service around 340,000 passengers daily. The phase linking the system to Clark will be implemented later.

Senator Joel Villanueva, a native of Bulacan, said a railway link between the national capital region (Metro Manila) will “increase connectivity” between the two economically critical areas.

“Not only will this afford convenience to our commuters but will also improve economic activity in the area,” he said.

The rail project, when finished will cut travel time from Tutuban to Bulacan’s Malolos City by 35 minutes.

Current travel by road to these two areas take between an hour to three hours.

The rail project will be undertaken by Japan’s Sumitomo Heavy Industries.

It will reach Malolos in 35 minutes.

Villanueva further underscored how the railway project can strengthen the economy and generate employment.

“One of the biggest benefits of this project, which is being undertaken under the government’s Build, Build, Build programme, is that it will generate employment aside from easing traffic congestion when it is already completed,” Villanueva said.

According to Senator JV Ejercito, the project would be a big boost to modernising the country’s transportation network.

“We are already 20 years behind in terms of infrastructure development and I would like to commend and congratulate Secretary Tugade that this is now being implemented,” Ejercito said.

Tugade said the contractors aim to finish the project’s first phase (Tutuban to Malolos) by 2020.

DOTr breaks ground for PNR project

THE Department of Transportation broke ground Friday for Phase 1 of the government’s Philippine National Railways line linking Metro Manila to Clark Field, with this first segment running from Tutuban station in Manila to Malolos City in Bulacan.

The groundbreaking was held for the Advance Construction Mobilization of Phase 1 of the Clark railway at an open area in Maria Socorro, Marilao, Bulacan, and attended 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 monstrous vehicular traffic in Metro Manila and speed up travel to north of the metropolis, particularly areas of Central Luzon where modern townships are being developed.

According to DoTr Assistant Secretary for Railways Timothy John Batan the pre-construction phase would 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.

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

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

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

In November last year, the DoTr took a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency 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.

Preparation work gets underway on Manila-Clark railway

Preparation work has officially begun on a new Manila-Clark railway line that promises to cut the journey time to just one hour.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine National Railways (PNR) has got started on the first phase of the railway project between Tutuban in Manila to Malolos in Bulacan province.

Pre-construction work include site clearing, grading of unlevelled surfaces and demolition of obstructions to the new line.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the department was committed to pursuing measures, such as doing parallel activities, to fast-track the completion of the railway project.

Tugade added that that based on previous practices, site clearing works had to wait after the awarding of a project to a general contractor.

“DOTr understands the need to complete this project faster. That is why we pursued these works parallel with the procurement of the general contractor, which is scheduled to be selected by the second quarter of 2018 for PNR Clark Phase 1,” he said in his address during the commencement of works for the railway project in Barangay Tabing-Ilog in Marilao, Bulacan.

Tugade also appealed to Bulacan’s local government officials to assist the department in right-of-way issues by informing their constituents of the benefits of the Manila-Clark railway.

“We seek your help in settling right-of-way issues. We cannot do this alone. Help us inform those who might be affected by the construction of the railway project that this is for the benefit of our countrymen,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senators Joel Villanueva and JV Ejercito, who both attended the event, lauded the efforts of the DOTr and other government agencies in ensuring the completion of transportation projects that would bring the country inclusive economic growth.


“We are grateful that the vision of Secretary Tugade and other government officials is now being put into reality. We are expecting a ‘Jobs, Jobs, Jobs’ program to follow the ‘Build, Build, Build’ programme of the Duterte administration,” Villanueva said.

“We are already 20 years behind in terms of infrastructure development and I would like to commend and congratulate Secretary Tugade that this is now being implemented,” Ejercito said.

The event was also attended by PNR executives, including Chairman Roberto Lastimoso and General Manager Junn Magno, Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda, and Japan International Cooperation Agency country representative Susumo Ito.

Phase 1 of the PNR Clark Project involves the construction of the railway along the 38-kilometre segment from Tutuban, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan. Once completed in 2021, it will have 10 stations and is expected to serve an estimated 340,000 passengers daily.

The National Economic and Development Authority has already approved Phase 2 of the Manila-Clark railway, a 70-kilometre stretch from Malolos, Bulacan to Clark, Pampanga. This will be further extended north to La Union, Tuguegarao and Subic Freeport.

Malolos-Tutuban rail project to generate jobs

A senator on Friday hailed the official commencement of the construction of the railway that will link Tutuban in Divisoria, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan noting that it could generate employment.

The North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) inauguration was led by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade Friday morning.

Senator Joel Villanueva, who was present during the inauguration, said that aside from increasing connectivity within Metro Manila and Central Luzon, it would also improve economic activity.

“Not only will this afford convenience to our commuters but will also improve economic activity in the area,” Villanueva, who hails from Bulacan, said in a press statement.

“One of the best results of Build, Build, Build, are Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. The train brings us more jobs, business, and progress,” he added.

According to the DOTr, the 38-kilometer railway system will transport commuters from Tutuban to Malolos in 35 minutes.

DOTr expects the railway system to be partially completed by 2020 and fully operational by 2021.

DoTr starts Manila-Clark railway project

The Department of Transportation (DoTr) kicked off on Friday pre-construction activities to start the PNR North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project Phase 1.

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

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

The initial works include clearing the site, grading of uneven surfaces and the demolition of obstructing structures.

“Manila will be within 35 minutes from Malolos,” DoTr Assistant Secretary for Rails Timothy Batan said during the ceremony.

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

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

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

PHL, Japan move closer to signing a deal on MRT3 rehab

The Philippines and Japan have exchanged notes on a government-to-government agreement for Sumitomo Corp. and its technical partner, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries,  to take over the maintenance and rehabilitation of glitch-plagued Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3).

“The Japanese government already sent their note verbale to us,” Department of Transportation (DOTr) director for Communications Goddess Hope Libiran told GMA News Online on Thursday.

It was an exchange of notes between the Government of the Philippines, via the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Government of Japan, Libiran noted.

“The GOP, through DFA, issued its note verbale to GOJ last December 28," she said.

The diplomatic note embodies the arrangements between the Philippines and Japan regarding the MRT3 rehabilitation project, Libiran said.

The signing of an agreement between the Philippines and Japan was supposed to take place before the end of 2017.

The New Year holidays got in the way, considering that government offices in Japan closed on Dec. 29, 2017 and resumed normal operation on Jan. 4, 2018.

Libiran said the Transportation department will soon issue a statement on when and where the signing will take place.

The DOTr has terminated the MRT3 maintenance contract with Busan Universal Railways Inc. (BURI) due to “poor performance,” and sought to entice Sumitomo to replace BURI.

Sumitomo and Mitsubishi were the original MRT3 maintenance providers from 2003 to 2012. Sumitomo also designed and built the system from 1998 to 2000. — VDS, GMA News

Pinoy chef joins ‘Let It Snow’ in Canada

Anton Amoncio is still in high spirits after participating in “Let It Snow,” a chef exchange program by the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence held in Calgary, Canada. It’s the first time a Filipino chef joined the exchange. His trip was made possible through the Culinary Exchange program of the Canada Beef Centre of Excellence in partnership with Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

Anton, together with other world-renowned chefs, whipped up appetizing recipes using Canada beef.

The week-long event was in celebration of the 150th founding anniversary of Canada. Three events were held at different Canadian luxury resorts, highlighting the seasons of Canada: At the Fairmont Banff Springs in early summer, Fairmont Royal York Toronto in harvest season, and Chateau Lake Louise for winter.  Anton’s visit to the famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is the finale of Canada Beef’s Canada 150 celebrations this year.

Anton had his share of the limelight when he presented his own recipes using the best quality Canada beef: Beef Morcon Sliders, Bistek on Green Onion Blinis, and Beef Shortribs Sinigang in Green Mango. He proved once more that Filipino chefs are at par with the best of them when it comes to culinary artistry.

Anton is a talent of Asian Artists Agency.

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WishCard for free

All-hits FM radio station Wish 107.5 launched the WishCard a few weeks ago at the Power Mac Center Spotlight in Circuit Makati.

Spearheading the launch of the WishCard and WishApp were Joseph Miranda, VP for Engineering, BMPI; Noel Peralta, CEO, 1K Solutions; Dr. Sarah Barba-Cabodil, host of the morning show in UNTV, “Good Morning Kuya;” Gerardo Etorma III, VP for Radio, BMPI; and Jay Eusebio, VP for Marketing & TV.

Wish 107.5 followers can get the WishCard by downloading the Wish App for free via Google Play for Android phones. Apple users can also avail of the App soon.

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Authentic Japanese cuisine

There’s a new Japanese eatery worth visiting and it’s called Tokio Café at Twin Oaks Place at Greenfield District in Mandaluyong City.

The chefs are Filipinos who trained under the finest Japanese chefs. Tokio, a wordplay for Tokyo, aims to give its patrons a “Tokyo-feel” experience with its signature dishes as Shu No Zensai, Wagyu Steak, Obento, Sushi, Sashimi, among others.

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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”, “24 Oras Weekend”, “Someone To Watch Over Me”, “Hay Bahay!,” “Wowowin,” “Eat Bulaga,” “Sunday PinaSaya,” “Ika-6 Na Utos,” “Hahamakin ang Lahat,” “Legally Blind,” “Impostora,” “D'Originals,” “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,” Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson's reunion drama “Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin,” noontime shows “It’s Showtime” and “ASAP,” drama anthology “Ipaglaban Mo,” afternoon dramas “Doble Kara,” “The Better Half,” “The Promise of Forever,” “Hanggang Saan,” “The Greatest Love,” and “Pusong Ligaw,” primetime drama series' “Wildflower,” “My Dear Heart,” “A Love to Last” and “The Good Son,” “Home Sweetie Home,” “Little Big Shots,” “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” “I Can Do That,” “I Can See Your Voice,” “Wansapanataym” and “Rated K.”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Jan. 6, go to Sharon Cuneta, Marissa Delgado, Cesar Gaupo, Chito Puato, Melchor Dee, Star Villareal, Vilma Dimacuha, Adele-Marie Almontero, Charlie Arcega, Rhea Mae Violon Panganiban, Maria Lourdes Rebato, Rey Villareal Seneres, Edith Galve, Nharen Real, New York-based Shelly Guillermo, Angela Garchitorena and Bathazar Valenzuela… Jan. 7: Rep. Dante Liban, Councilor Lou Veloso, Apa Ongpin, Rosemary Lopez, Zenas Lozada, Ina Bautista, Tootsie Eduque, Louisebelle Hubert, Ditas Rodriguez, Ana Marie Lomboy, Jecelyn Macahindog-Leobrera, Eden Miro, Gina Onrubia, and Maddie Samonte… Jan. 8: Dr. Jaime Laya, Benjamin Yap, Judge Aurora Recina, Amparo Aspiras, Rowena Mendiola, Louismil Gala, Frances Alincastre, Carrie Javier, Graham Buenaseda, Tom Canchela,  Dennis Evangelista, Irish Joy Abarquez, Bernie Espiritu, Manny Hernandez, Mrs. Carmencita Valentino, Erwin Balines, Dra. Shyla Samson, Jim Sarthou, Ariel Dim Borlongan,Tom Canchela, Joselito Testa, Norsel del Rosario, Graham Rae Buenaseda, MB’s Ramir Medino and Robert de Luna and Tanya Scaife…

Work starts on $3-billion North-South Rail project

By Emmie V. Abadilla

Advance site clearing works  on the  USD$3 Billion Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded North-South Rail Commuter Railway project (NSCR) started yesterday,  led by Department of Transportation (DOTr) and local government officials from Marilao and Bocaue, Bulacan.

This includes clearing the site, grading of unleveled surfaces and demolition of obstructing structures of the NSCR, a 38-kilometer railway.

Along with the Metro Manila Subway Project, NSCR 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, a study under the National Economic Development.

Already, the DOTr has marked the railway’s stations middle of last year at Marilao and Meycauayan in Bulacan, and Valenzuela, Caloocan and Tutuban in Metro Manila.

The agency has also awarded the contract of the construction supervision consulting services for the project to NS Tren, a consortium led by Oriental Consultants Global in December, 2017.

Furthermore, the DOTr has partnered with local government units (LGUs) to address right of way acquisition so the construction can begin on time.

Then the JICA  handed the detailed engineering design of the project to DOTr, signaling the project’s transition from planning to actual construction. This will expedite the construction work of contractors to be employed using the JICA loan.

“We will continue supporting the Philippine government’s efforts to ensure that the future generation reaps the benefit of an integrated, seamless, and resilient transport infrastructure system through the NSCR project, “ remarked JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito.

JICA believes that the project is a ‘game changer in Philippine transport infrastructure by helping kick start the administration’s large-scale investments in modern railways.’

The new railway will also use Japanese seismic designs to ensure commuter safety low emission electric trains for sustainability.

The 3-billion dollar project should be completed within the current administration and is expected to reduce travel time from two hours via traditional transportation to 35 minutes from City of Malolos, Bulacan to Tutuban, Manila.

“In the future, we are confident that this project, once completed, will help improve mobility and connectivity of emerging growth centers near Metro Manila while also creating jobs and attracting investments in other areas,” Ito added.

Since the 1960s, JICA has been supporting Philippine transport infrastructure system through hundreds of roads and bridges to encourage investments and sustain economic growth.

(UPDATED) The detailed design study of the North-South Commuter Railway Project (Malolos-Tutuban) using the System Map, courtesy: OpenStreetmap, while the all stations architectural - key and setting out plan and section, also the Site Development Plan - Ground Level, Architectural Plan - Ground Level, Concourse and Platform Level.