DOTr, Bombardier sign agreement on OEM signaling spare parts and maintenance of MRT-3

Pursuant to efforts to rehabilitate and restore MRT-3, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Canadian company Bombardier Transportation have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the urgent procurement of OEM signaling spare parts and signaling maintenance for MRT-3.

In a signing ceremony in Pasay City today, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade signed an MOU with officials from Bombardier together with Canadian Ambassador John Holmes.

Bombardier is the company that designed, supplied, commissioned, and maintained the MRT-3 signaling system for its first 12 years of operations. Bombardier is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and proprietary rights owner of the Cityflo 250 Light Rail and Metro Signaling Solution, which is the signaling system used in the MRT-3 system.

Under the MOU, the DOTr will procure an OEM signaling spare parts and 2-year signaling maintenance contract from Bombardier via direct contracting and emergency procurement, pursuant to the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act. Such procurement mode was employed considering that Bombardier is the proprietary source of MRT-3’s Cityflo 250 signaling system, and given the immediate need to restore MRT-3’s reliability and availability, which is a vital public service and infrastructure facility.

The MOU comes after the system’s previous maintenance service providers failed to purchase and maintain a sufficient inventory of OEM signaling spare parts; purchased and installed non-OEM parts; and failed to adequately maintain, renew, and upgrade MRT-3’s signaling system.

“For years, among the top 3 most frequent causes of MRT-3 breakdowns are signaling-related issues. For years, non-OEM signaling spare parts were used and installed, in an effort to save on costs and increase profit at the expense of MRT-3’s safety and reliability. For years, MRT-3’s signaling system was not maintained properly, and was not upgraded when due. That is why this time, we want to be sure that we get the right spare parts and that we maintain the system right. Bombardier‘s track record is exceptional. They are the original manufacturer of MRT-3’s signaling system, and we are directly dealing with Bombardier, not a JV, not a consortium, not any middleman,” said Tugade.

The signing was also witnessed by DOTr Undersecretary for Railways TJ Batan and DOTr Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Procurement Reinier Paul Yebra. (DOTr-PR)

Bombardier to supply parts, signaling system for MRT upgrade anew

Canadian firm Bombardier Transportation will supply the signaling system and spare parts that are necessary for the improvement and rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).



This, as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Bombardier Friday for the procurement of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the signaling spare parts and signaling maintenance for MRT-3.

Under the MOU, the DOTr will procure an OEM signaling spare parts and two-year signaling maintenance contract from Bombardier via direct contracting and emergency procurement, pursuant to the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act.

This procurement mode was availed by the department due to the urgency of restoring MRT-3’s reliability and available.

The MOU comes after the railway system’s previous maintenance providers failed to purchase and maintain a sufficient inventory of OEM signaling spare parts; purchased and installed non-OEM parts; and failed to adequately maintain, renew, and upgrade MRT-3’s signaling system.



“For years, among the top 3 most frequent causes of MRT-3 breakdowns are signaling-related issues. For years, non-OEM signaling spare parts were used and installed, in an effort to save on costs and increase profit at the expense of MRT-3's safety and reliability. For years, MRT-3's signaling system was not maintained properly, and was not upgraded when due. That is why this time, we want to be sure that we get the right spare parts and that we maintain the system right. Bombardier‘s track record is exceptional. They are the original manufacturer of MRT-3's signaling system, and we are directly dealing with Bombardier, not a JV, not a consortium, not any middleman,” DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

The signing ceremony held in Pasay City and attended by officials from Bombardier, Canadian Ambassador John Holmes, DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan and DOTr Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Procurement Reinier Paul Yebra.



Bombardier is the company that designed, supplied, commissioned, and maintained the MRT-3 signaling system for its first 12 years of operations.



It is the OEM and proprietary rights owner of the Cityflo 250 Light Rail and Metro Signaling Solution, the signaling system used in the MRT-3. (PNA)

DOTr taps original firm for MRT-3 signaling parts, maintenance

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Canadian company Bombardier Transportation on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to procure spare parts and maintain the MRT-3's signaling system.

"Bombardier‘s track record is exceptional. They are the original manufacturer of MRT-3's signaling system, and we are directly dealing with Bombardier, not a JV, not a consortium, not any middleman,” said DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade.

DOTr said Bombardier is the company that "designed, supplied, commissioned, and maintained the MRT-3 signaling system for its first 12 years of operations."

It is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and proprietary rights owner of the Cityflo 250 Light Rail and Metro Signaling Solution, which is the signaling system used in the MRT-3 system, the DOTr added.

Under the MOU, the DOTr will procure OEM signaling spare parts from Bombardier. The signaling maintenance contract is for 2 years.

The deal was awarded to Bombardier under direct contracting and emergency procurement, pursuant to the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act, the statement said.

Tugade said the top 3 most frequent causes of breakdowns are signaling-related issues. He said non-OEM parts were used in the past years to "save on cost and increase profit at the expense of MRT-3's safety and reliability."

"This is why this time, we want to be sure that we get the right spare parts and that we maintain the system right," he said.

The contract with previous maintenance provider, Busan Universal Railways Inc. (BURI), was terminated after it failed to maintain and procure spare parts of the MRT-3 signaling system. 

Renew CBCP broadcast franchise, solons urged

An international media watchdog has called on lawmakers to renew the legislative franchise of Catholic Church-run radio stations across the country that has been pending for more than a year now.

France-based organization Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF), also known by its English name Reporters without Borders, urged the House of Representatives to approve the franchise application of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to operate Catholic Media Network’s 54 radio stations nationwide.

Pending since January 2017

“We urge Philippine parliamentarians to address the Catholic Media Network’s application so that this license can finally be renewed,” said Daniel Bastard, head of RSF’s Asia-Pacific desk, in a statement.

House Bill No. 4820, which would extend for another 25 years Republic Act No.  7530, the broadcast franchise granted to the CBCP, has been pending on the House committee on legislative franchises since Jan. 24, 2017, the day it was filed. It has yet to be put on the agenda by the committee.

The RSF has expressed concern that the “refusal” of lawmakers to renew the franchise appeared to be “politically motivated,” given the Church’s critical stance on President Duterte’s bloody campaign against illegal drugs.

“Given the Catholic Church’s criticism of the Duterte administration, this refusal to renew clearly seems to be politically motivated,” Bastard said.

‘Mere formality’

“[The renewal] should be a mere formality, nothing more than a stamp on a four-page document,” he added.

The French group also condemned the recent online attack on Kodao, an alternative news outfit known for its coverage of human rights issues and the government’s shelved peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

Kodao’s website was hacked last week after it published a report on the arrest of NDFP consultant Rafael Baylosis by military and police agents.

“[As] Kodao is well-known for its uncompromising criticism of the authorities, its suspension also has all the hallmarks of a reprisal against the free press,” Bastard said.

The website suffered from a “code injection attack” through WordPress, according to RSF, and lost most of its online data. The site remained inaccessible as of Thursday.

Silencing critical media

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines also condemned the cyberattack, describing it as “part of the Duterte government’s efforts to silence critical media, as seen in [its] continuing attempt to shut down Rappler [and] threaten other news outfits and voices of dissent.”



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Renew CBCP broadcast franchise, solons urged

An international media watchdog has called on lawmakers to renew the legislative franchise of Catholic Church-run radio stations across the country that has been pending for more than a year now.

France-based organization Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF), also known by its English name Reporters without Borders, urged the House of Representatives to approve the franchise application of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to operate Catholic Media Network’s 54 radio stations nationwide.

Pending since January 2017

“We urge Philippine parliamentarians to address the Catholic Media Network’s application so that this license can finally be renewed,” said Daniel Bastard, head of RSF’s Asia-Pacific desk, in a statement.

House Bill No. 4820, which would extend for another 25 years Republic Act No.  7530, the broadcast franchise granted to the CBCP, has been pending on the House committee on legislative franchises since Jan. 24, 2017, the day it was filed. It has yet to be put on the agenda by the committee.

The RSF has expressed concern that the “refusal” of lawmakers to renew the franchise appeared to be “politically motivated,” given the Church’s critical stance on President Duterte’s bloody campaign against illegal drugs.

“Given the Catholic Church’s criticism of the Duterte administration, this refusal to renew clearly seems to be politically motivated,” Bastard said.

‘Mere formality’

“[The renewal] should be a mere formality, nothing more than a stamp on a four-page document,” he added.

The French group also condemned the recent online attack on Kodao, an alternative news outfit known for its coverage of human rights issues and the government’s shelved peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

Kodao’s website was hacked last week after it published a report on the arrest of NDFP consultant Rafael Baylosis by military and police agents.

“[As] Kodao is well-known for its uncompromising criticism of the authorities, its suspension also has all the hallmarks of a reprisal against the free press,” Bastard said.

The website suffered from a “code injection attack” through WordPress, according to RSF, and lost most of its online data. The site remained inaccessible as of Thursday.

Silencing critical media

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines also condemned the cyberattack, describing it as “part of the Duterte government’s efforts to silence critical media, as seen in [its] continuing attempt to shut down Rappler [and] threaten other news outfits and voices of dissent.”



Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/967372/renew-cbcp-broadcast-franchise-solons-urged#ixzz5A4yjT07R
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

Vista Land eyes 60 malls by 2020

Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. is ramping up its expansion with a target to triple its shopping mall portfolio in the next three years, as it rides on the country’s sound macroeconomic fundamentals.

The property developer targets to have 60 malls by end of 2020 from the current 22 malls in its portfolio.

“We remain optimistic for the industry, given the strong demand for our commercial spaces and housing products, propelled by the stable growth in the disposable income, OF (overseas Filipinos) remittances and sound Philippine macroeconomic fundamentals,” said Vista Land Chairman Manuel B. Villar, Jr. in a statement.

Villar remains bullish on expansion plans of its leasing business through subsidiary Starmalls, Inc. to add 38 more malls in the next three years.

Vista Land President and Chief Executive Officer Manuel Paolo Villar said they were looking at a double-digit 10 to 15 percent consolidated net income growth this year.

“Our company is poised to have another banner year for 2018, as our additional leasable spaces are now contributing significantly to our current financial results in addition to the sustained double-digit growth in our residential business,” he said.

Vista Land has earmarked PHP50 billion for consolidated capital expenditures for 2018, a significant portion of which is allotted to the construction of malls to hit 1.4 million gross floor area (GFA) by end of this year.

The company has an established presence in about 133 cities and municipalities across 46 provinces and intends to focus on the development of "Communicities", or integrated urban developments combining lifestyle retail, prime office space, university town, healthcare, themed residential developments, and leisure components.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1024595

Vista Land targets to have 60 malls by 2020

VISTA LAND & Lifescapes, Inc. is pouring in P50 billion in capital expenditures in 2018, as the company embarks on a three-year program to nearly triple its mall developments by 2020.

In a statement issued Thursday, the Villar-led firm said bulk of the spending for 2018 will be for the development of malls, in line with its vision to reach 1.4 million square meters of gross floor area from leasing spaces by the end of the year. Malls will corner 85% of this target, while office projects will account for 15%.

Vista Land is ramping up its spending to reach its target of 60 malls by 2020, which are expected to generate a steady stream of leasing revenues. It currently has a total of 22 malls, including those operated by its subsidiaries.

This year’s P50-billion capex is 42% higher than the P35.3-billion it has committed to spend in 2017.

“Our company is poised to have another banner year for 2018 as our additional leasable spaces are now contributing significantly to our current financial results in addition to the sustained double digit growth in our residential business,” Vista Land President and Chief Executive Officer Manuel Paolo A. Villar said in a statement.

Vista Land’s net income grew by 12% in the nine months ending September to P7.1 billion, following a 12% year-on-year increase in revenues to P26.9 billion during the period.

Of this, leasing income accounted for P4.3 billion, 30% higher than its contribution to revenues a year prior. The residential segment was the company’s primary growth driver as sales reached P20.8 billion for the period.

The company has earlier announced its P10-billion net income target for this year, 11% higher than the projected P9 billion it expects to have made in 2017.

Vista Land continues its expansion program as it expects more demand for both residential and office spaces.

“We remain optimistic for the industry, given the strong demand for our commercial spaces and housing products, propelled by the stable growth in the disposable income, OF (overseas Filipino) remittances and sound Philippine macroeconomic fundamentals,” Vista Land Chairman Manuel B. Villar, Jr. said in a statement.

Vista Land is currently present in 133 cities and municipalities across 46 provinces. Considered the largest property developer for horizontal communities, the company’s long term goal is to establish its presence in around 200 cities.

Shares in Vista Land rose 20 centavos or 3.23%, closing at P6.39 apiece at the Philippine Stock Exchange on Thursday. — Arra B. Francia

https://www.bworldonline.com/vista-land-targets-60-malls-2020/

Voith receives order to modernize propulsion system of up to 27 light rail vehicles in Manila

• Light Rail Manila Corporation has commissioned Voith with the upgrade of its light rail vehicles’ propulsion system
• The order contains the replacement of the traction and auxiliary inverters as well as the vehicle control systems
• The modernization will be performed from end of 2018 until 2020

On January 12, 2018 Voith was awarded the order to perform the modernization of 27 (includes three optional) trains in Manila, Philippines. In order to manage the current and future passenger volume, Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) decided to modernize the propulsion system of its second-generation rail vehicles which were originally equipped in 1999.

The order contains the replacement of the traction and auxiliary inverters as well as the vehicle control systems. Voith will deliver, implement and commission the new equipment, which is based on state-of-the-art technology and adapted to the specific requirements of the trains and the environmental conditions. The modernization will be performed from end of 2018 until 2020.

LRMC operates and maintains the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) in Manila, running from Roosevelt station in the north to Baclaran station in the south. Currently, the 20.7 kilometers LRT-1 system contains 20 stations, and more than 400,000 passengers use the LRT-1 service each day. There are plans to extend the line with eight more stations to the south.

Voith Digital Solutions bundles Voith’s long standing automation and IT expertise with the know-how in the fields of water power, paper machines and drive engineering. This new Group Division works with new and existing customers to develop innovative products and services by driving IoT innovations and decisively shaping the digitalization process in the field of machine and plant engineering.

Voith is a global technology group. With its broad portfolio of systems, products, services and digital applications, Voith sets standards in the markets of energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials and transport & automotive. Founded in 1867, Voith today has more than 19,000 employees, sales of €4.2 billion and locations in over 60 countries worldwide and is thus one of the largest family-owned companies in Europe.