Thursday, June 20, 2019

Japan commitment to Philippine rail projects: P625 billion

The Japanese government, through its aid arm Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), has promised to lend the Philippines at least P620 billion for more railways that Philippine government planners hope would ease road gridlock, which Jica had estimated costs the Philippine economy at least P3.5 billion a day.

Kiyo Kabawuchi, Jica Philippine senior representative, said at a press conference on Thursday (June 20) that Jica had already committed financing for rail projects through official development assistance (ODA) loans, which carry low interests.

In a statement, Jica said these projects now enjoy Jica financing: Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1) Cavite Extension, LRT Line 2 East Extension, Metro Manila Subway, Metro Rail Transit Line 3 Rehabilitation and North-South Commuter Railway.

Kawabuchi said Jica would have to add more than P400 billion more to its loans for the Philippines to complete railway projects.

The amount being lent to the railway sector, Kawabuchi said, “is in itself quite a huge amount.”

She said the result that Jica wanted to see was the development of areas outside Metro Manila, “seamless mobility and better quality of life for many Filipinos.”

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is rolling out railway projects that would more than triple Metro Manila’s only 79-kilometer worth of railway lines at present to 244 kilometers, while also extending them to the Clark Freeport Zone up north and the Bicol Region down to the east.

“Major cities in the world like Tokyo, Seoul, New York, and London have as much as 400-800 kilometers of railways to keep up with urbanization and enhance mobility,” the Jica statement said.

“The Philippines’ ongoing railway projects could therefore help address growing passenger demand and attract relevant investments into the country,” Jica said.

https://globalnation.inquirer.net/176692/japan-commitment-to-philippine-rail-projects-p625-billion

Duterte renews franchise of Mike Velarde’s broadcast firm, three others

By VIRGIL LOPEZ, GMA News

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law  extending the franchise of Mike Velarde-owned Delta Broadcasting System, Inc. for another 25 years.

Duterte signed Republic Act 11303 which pertains to Delta Broadcasting System’s franchise extension on April 17.

The network operates the AM radio station 1314 KHZ DWXI which airs programs of Velarde-led El Shaddai, an influential Catholic charismatic group which endorsed several administration-backed senatorial candidates in the 2019 midterm elections.

The President also approved the 25-year franchise extension for Filipinas Broadcasting Network, Inc. (RA 11300),  Ultrasonic Broadcasting System, Inc. (RA 11301) and Peñafrancia Broadcasting Corporation (RA 11302).

Pasig City-based Ultrasonic Broadcasting System owns Energy FM. — MDM, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/698372/duterte-renews-franchise-of-mike-velarde-s-broadcast-firm-three-others/story/

Velarde’s media firm, 3 others get 25-year franchise extension

President Rodrigo Duterte approved the 25-year franchise extension of four media companies, including Delta Broadcasting System, Inc.,  owned by El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde.

Duterte signed Republic Act 11303, extending the franchise of Delta Broadcasting System, Inc. last April 17, a copy of which was released to the media on Thursday.

The religious group endorsed 10 pro-administration senatorial candidates in the recent midterm elections.

Delta broadcasting operates DWXI 1314 kHz AM, an AM radio station which  started operations in 1981, and DBS TV Channel 35, an ultra high frequency (UHF) television station.

Duterte also signed RA 11301 extending the franchise of Ultrasonic Broadcasting System, Inc.

Ultrasonic Broadcasting is a Pasig City-based radio network  owned by the SYSU Group of Companies, which distributes imported food products.

It was founded in 1991 with the launch of K-LOVE 1494. In 1996, Energy FM, UBSI’s FM radio network, was launched in Davao.

The President likewise approved the franchise extension of Filipinas Broadcasting Network, Inc. and Peñafrancia Broadcasting Corporation on April 17. /gsg


https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1132326/velardes-media-firm-3-others-get-25-year-franchise-extension