Deal on procurement of P2.4-B internet infra, defense gear signed

The Philippine International Trading Corp. (PITC) has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for the procurement of a Wi-Fi infrastructure system in line with the initiative of the government to provide free Internet access across the country.

The DICT outsourced the services of the PITC to procure P2.39 billion worth of regional Wi-Fi infrastructure network in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to provide free Internet access in public places nationwide.

“This Wi-Fi project will benefit Filipinos in 81 provinces all over the country as we democratize access to the internet and information which can fuel economic growth, especially in small and medium enterprises (SMEs),” PITC President and Chief Executive Officer Dave Almarinez said.

President Duterte recently signed into law Republic Act 10929 known as the “Free Internet Access In Public Access Act,” institutionalizing a free Internet access program in public places nationwide.

DICT, the lead implementing agency, will oversee the effective and efficient implementation of the law.

The department, through its “PipolKonek” project,” will roll out Free Public Wi-Fi hotspots in public plazas and parks; public libraries, schools, colleges and universities; rural health units and government hospitals; train stations, airports, and seaports; and national and local government offices.

The department aims to reach over 13,000 public places across 145 cities and 1,489 municipalities.

Defense equipment

The PITC has likewise partnered with the Department of National Defense (DND) for the procurement of defense equipment for the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“The procurement of the defense equipment is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s goal of modernizing the supplies and weapons of our soldiers as one way of recognizing their bravery and selfless sacrifices for the nation,” Almarinez said.

The PITC inked the deal with DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and DICT Undersecretary Eliseo Rio. It was witnessed by Senator Cynthia Villar and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo during its 44th anniversary celebration held Thursday night at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

The PITC, an attached agency of the DTI, is a state trading company that partners with Filipino entrepreneurs and industries to compete globally and benefit from international trade.

It has facilitated various government to government (G-G), business to government (B-G), business to business (B-B), and business to consumer transactions through its international trade services (exports trading, customs bonded warehousing, countertrade and imports trading) and procurement services.

It aims to engage in exports, trade services and special trading arrangements; ensure the most efficient and cost-effective procurement services; contribute to price/supply stabilization of goods and services and create strategic alliances that promote the growth and sustainability of businesses and enterprises.

Russian deal

The PITC recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Russia’s Geo Spectrum, an agency similar to the functions of PITC, for the procurement of a broad range of products such as coconut oil, marine and agriculture products, and pharmaceuticals that the Philippines can export to Russia.

The Philippines can export its agriculture products to Russia, while Geospectrum can bring in Russian goods to the Philippine market through PITC.

“We have been firm with our goal to create more jobs and opportunities for the Filipino people by opening our doors to other trading partners. This will further empower entrepreneurs and local industries to compete in the global arena,” Almarinez said.

http://www.interaksyon.com/deal-on-procurement-of-p2-4-b-internet-infra-defense-gear-signed/

Pros and cons of ODAs, GAAs, and PPP

By Andrew J. Masigan

THE clock is ticking on the Duterte administration.

After spending its first year reviewing, recalibrating, and rewriting the terms of engagements for various infrastructure projects, it is now left with just five years to roll out its ambitions, eight-trillion peso infrastructure plan.

Infrastructure development is the centerpiece of “Dutertenomics” and it is on this basis that the business community will judge this administration. With limited time, the pressure is on to roll-out projects in the fastest way possible.

Earlier this year, the Departments Finance (DoF) and Transportation (DoTr) announced its intention to forgo with Public Private Partnerships (PPP) and instead, utilize official development assistance (ODAs) and budget appropriations from the general appropriations act (GAAs) to finance infrastructure projects. The idea is to bypass the development time required by PPP contracts. Typically, it takes 29 months to settle the technical, financial, and legal frameworks of a PPP contract before it could even break ground. The shift to ODAs and GAAs further saves government from having to deal with the customary lawsuits filed by losing PPP bidders.

Project cost is another consideration. The DoF asserts that government can build projects more economically since its borrowing cost is substantially lower than that of the private sector. ODAs are concessional loans that come with interest rates as low as 1% per annum, easy repayment terms, and a grant element of 25% or greater. The lower cost to build inevitably translates to lower user fees for the public.

Having decided on the ODA and GAA route, government has since adapted what it calls “Hybrid PPP,” whereby it builds the physical structure and subsequently bids out the rights to operate and maintain the facility to a private enterprise.

At face value, the plan makes sense as it allows government to build projects in a cheaper and faster manner. But for all its supposed advantages, Hybrid PPP is far from perfect. There are imminent risks in using ODAs and GAAs, hence, it must be utilized selectively and with caution.

NOT NECESSARILY CHEAPER AND FASTER
Lower interest rates do not necessarily translate to cheaper project costs. One of the reasons is because ODAs come with the proviso that the donee must utilize certain engineering firms, contractors, equipment and parts suppliers nominated by the donor country. These suppliers may not be the cheapest nor the best in their field. In fact, a study conducted by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism which covered 71 ODA projects revealed that seven out of 10 ODA projects failed to deliver their projected savings on the back of bloated supplier costs and repair works for shoddy construction.

Adding injury is the fact that this proviso leaves out local engineering and construction firms from benefitting from the infrastructure building boom.

Graft must also be factored into the equation.

A 2011 study conducted by Global Financial Integrity, a Washington DC based think tank, revealed that projects undertaken by the Philippine government were saddled with overspending and budget leaks ranging from 25% to as much as 50% of project cost.

While the study may have been done during the Arroyo administration, no one can deny that graft still persists today, albeit to a slightly lesser degree. Still, even with a minimal 5% graft cost, the saving derived from cheaper interest rates could be completely negated.

As for the savings of 29 months development time, this will only be realized if government can indeed construct a project as quickly as a private enterprise can.

In this regard, absorptive capacities becomes an issue.

As it stands, both the Departments of Transportation (DoTr) and Public Works & Highways (DPWH) are so choked up with project backlogs that certain projects have been put on hold or face years of delays. Cases in point are the P70-million slope protection project at Artemio Mate Avenue and the P30-million Tigbao-Diit bridge, both in Tacloban. The DoTr and DPWH need more engineers, more lawyers and financial auditors to cope with the hundreds of projects on its plate. Further dragging the process is the need to conform to stringent procurement laws.

Private companies work faster since they are motivated by profit, account to no one but their shareholders and face steep penalties if they fail to deliver a project on time. In contrast, delays don’t hurt the pockets of government bureaucrats.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Government officials feel they are awash with cash what with $8 billion worth of credit facilities committed by China and Japan. But the fact that government can afford to build projects using its own resources doesn’t mean it has to.

As a businessman, I always prefer to use investor’s money rather than my own for business ventures. Doing so frees my cash to be used for other projects or saved for a rainy day. It lowers my risk in case the project fails to deliver its economic benefits. It keeps my balance sheet strong with the ratio of liabilities to assets kept at a minimum. The same is true on a national scale.

DoF Secretary Sonny Dominguez said the Philippines has “a lot of headroom” to borrow since our debt-to-GDP ratio is exceptionally low at 41.87% as of March. Still, why use government funds when private enterprises are waiting in the wings to pick up the tab? Credit lines are a finite resource and it should be spent on missionary projects or projects not viable enough to attract private investors.

I look at debt with trepidation. No matter how cheap interest rates are, debts must still be repaid on the back of sovereign guarantees. It also exposes the system to foreign currency risk. The less obligations the nation is saddled with, the stronger our financial position will be.

In the end, I think that projects that require proprietary technologies from a donor nation and those that need government’s intervention to settle complicated right of way issues, like the Manila Subway project, qualify to be done through a hybrid model. However, projects that utilize cookie-cutter technologies and those that can do without government involvement, like the Clark Airport redevelopment, are better off in private hands.

I have no doubt that decision to scrap PPP in favor of a hybrid model is motivated by good intentions. But the last thing we want is to be overcome with debt while still experiencing delays in the roll-out of projects.

This is why the hybrid model need not be the exclusive format for all infrastructure projects. It must be used selectively and prudently. After all, experience has taught us that the private enterprises always carry out projects cheaper, faster, and better.

Andrew J. Masigan is an economist.

http://bworldonline.com/pros-cons-odas-gaas-ppp/

Gay actors

Kenjie Garcia

Paolo Rivero and Janvier Daily

Ran Domingo

GMA Network tops nationwide TV ratings in August

GMA Network, Inc. (GMA) maintained its lead in the nationwide TV ratings competition based on data from the industry’s widely trusted ratings service provider, Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

From August 1 to 31 (with August 27 to 31 based on overnight data), GMA led competition across all day parts in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM) with an average total day people audience share of 42 percent; ahead of ABS-CBN’s 37.4 percent.

In Urban Luzon, the Network toppled competition from the morning up to the primetime block. GMA registered a total day people audience share of 48.7 percent; beating ABS-CBN’s 31.4 percent.

The Kapuso Network posted an even bigger margin in Mega Manila (based on August 1 to 26 data) with an impressive 51.9 percent people audience share across all time blocks versus ABS-CBN’s 27.1 percent.

Urban Luzon and Mega Manila respectively account for 76 and 59 percent of all urban viewers in the country.

Kapuso shows dominated the list of top programs in NUTAM with multi-awarded news magazine show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) remaining as the most watched GMA show during the said period. GMA also claimed the top 8 spots in the Urban Luzon list while it swept the top 16 spots in Mega Manila with KMJS still at number one and was closely followed by Pepito Manaloto.

Also included in the list of top-rating Kapuso shows were Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, Alyas Robin Hood, 24 Oras, My Love from the Star, I Heart Davao, My Korean Jagiya, Magpakailanman, Mulawin vs. Ravena, Eat Bulaga, Ika-6 Na Utos, Impostora, Haplos, Wowowin and Hay Bahay!.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/news/33704/gma-network-tops-nationwide-tv-ratings-in-august/story/

GMA, ABS-CBN claim lead

By Miguel R. Camus

Media giants GMA Network Inc. and ABS-CBN Corp. released television ratings for August, each saying they have kept their leads in their respective areas.

GMA Network said in a statement that it had cornered an audience share of 42 percent against ABS-CBN’s 37.4 percent last month in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement. GMA uses data prepared by Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

GMA said it was ahead of competition in Urban Luzon, where it got an audience share of 48.7 percent against ABS-CBN’s 31.4 percent.


It claimed a big margin in Mega Manila (Aug. 1 to 26 data) with a 51.9 percent audience share across “all time blocks” versus ABS-CBN’s 27.1 percent.


Urban Luzon and Mega Manila respectively account for 76 and 59 percent of all urban viewers in the country, it said.


Kapuso shows dominated the list of top programs in NUTAM with multi-awarded news magazine show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) remaining as the most watched GMA show during the said period. GMA also claimed the top 8 spots in the Urban Luzon list while it swept the top 16 spots in Mega Manila with KMJS still at number one and was closely followed by “Pepito Manaloto.”

Also included in the list of top-rating Kapuso shows were “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko,” “Alyas Robin Hood,” “24 Oras,” “My Love from the Star,” “I Heart Davao,” “My Korean Jagiya,” “Bubble Gang,” “Saksi,” “Magpakailanman,” “Celebrity Bluff,” “Mulawin vs. Ravena,” “Eat Bulaga,” “Sunday PinaSaya,” “Dear Uge,” “Ika-6 na Utos,” “Tadhana,” “Impostora,” “Haplos,” “Road Trip,” “Wowowin,” and “Hay Bahay.”

ABS-CBN, which uses data from Kantar Media, said in a separate statement that it got an average nationwide audience share of 46 percent against GMA’s 33 percent for August.

ABS-CBN cited its lead in the primetime block, where it scored an average audience share of 50 percent, against GMA’s 31 percent.

ABS-CBN said the primetime block was coveted because this was when most viewers watch television, prompting advertisers to park the bulk of their spending during these hours.

ABS-CBN said it was also ahead in the morning and afternoon blocks, where it registered average audience shares of 40 percent and 43 percent, respectively, compared to GMA’s 30 percent and 38 percent.

In the noontime block, ABS-CBN’s audience share rose to 46 percent from the previous month’s 44 percent. It said GMA’s ratings had declined to 35 percent.

ABS-CBN also kept its total day lead in other areas such as Luzon as it hit 42 percent versus GMA’s 35 percent, in Visayas with 55 percent versus GMA’s 26 percent and in Mindanao with 54 percent versus GMA’s 29 percent.

“FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” continued to hold the top position as the most watched program in the country with a national TV rating of 38.6 percent.

It was followed by the Philippine adaptation of talent-variety-talk show “Little Big Shots,” which recorded 35.9 percent.

Variety show “It’s Showtime,” is still the most watched noontime show in the country with a national TV rating of 32.5% on weekdays and 29% on Saturdays, against its rival “Eat Bulaga” which only got 30% on weekdays and 24.2% on Saturdays.

Other ABS-CBN programs that made it to August’s top 18 were “La Luna Sangre,” “A Love to Last,” “Tonight with Boy Abunda,” “Bandila,” “Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin,” “Pusong Ligaw,” “The Better Half,” “Ipaglaban Mo,” “TV Patrol,” “Wansapanataym,” “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” “Rated K,” “Gandang Gabi Vice,” “Wildflower,” “Bet on Your Baby,” “TV Patrol Weekend,” “Home Sweetie Home,” and “Goin’ Bulilit.”

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Sept. 7, go to Jackie Ejercito-Lopez, Nenita Evans, Regina Meer Castillo, Regine Tolentino, Sol Lavadia, Paquita Maglaya, Albert Morris, Mary Elizabeth S. Timbol, Jane J. Garcia, Linda Amon, Reggie Espinosa, Lilia Uy Hao, Samuel Velasco, Butch Roldan, Julia Lopez, Rolando Josef, Zach Hontiveros Pagkalinawan, Rickey Miranda, Arlyn Medina, Flor Punongbayan, Joan Lim, John Gatdula and Iriga City Mayor Madeleine Alfelor-Gazmen… Happy wedding anniversary to Titong C. Villacorta and Ma. Georgia Ejercito; and Tito and Mary Anna Salcedo…Sept. 8: awarded broadcast journalist Che Che Lazaro, Sec. Orlando J. Sacay, Maricris Bermont, Long Espina, Debbie Yu-Chan, Fe Ramos Esteban of Casino Filipino-Hyatt, Ramon Ting, Natividad L. Aventura, Naty B. Rodriguez, Naty A. Pappas, Eloy Pacheco of Rosy’s Pancit Malabon, Natalie Castel, Irene Guinan, Mary Jessica Dailo, Dr. Flor Concepcion-Lindres of Bulacan, Ronald de Leon, Bea Royo, Jay Laurel Leano, Lis Cojuangco, Maria Alyssa Varsovia, Nestoria M. Coronel, Graciella N. Martinez, Yosef Elizalde, Cesar Saavedra, Juliana Torres-Gomez and Sandy Santamaria…

Read more: http://business.inquirer.net/236328/gma-abs-cbn-claim-lead#ixzz4rrobWJWT
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MPIC tollways unit hopeful of CTBEX project award

Metro Pacific Tollways South Corp., a unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), is hopeful it could get original proponent status for the P23.7 billion Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Expressway (CTBEX) before the end of the year as it submitted the additional requirements for the proposed project yesterday.

Metro Pacific Tollways South president Luigi Bautista told reporters the firm submitted the additional requirements which includes the updated draft concession agreement for the proposed CTBEX to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The proposed CTBEX is a 46-kilometer expressway that will link Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (Cavitex) and Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Calax) at Silang in Cavite to Tagaytay City, and will terminate at Nasugbu in Batangas.

The firm submitted the unsolicited proposal to the DPWH last July 7.

After submitting the additional requirements, Bautista said the DPWH could declare it as a complete submission and it could begin evaluation of the proposal.

Following declaration of complete submission, the DPWH has 60 days to evaluate the proposal before they can award it or give Metro Pacific Tollways South the original proponent status.

“Perhaps, towards the end of the year, we will be able to get the original proponent status for CTBEX,” Bautista said.

At present, there are two tollway concessions under Metro Pacific Tollways South — Cavitex and Calax.

MPIC also operates other tollways such as the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).

The infrastructure conglomerate is likewise working on other tollway projects such as NLEX-South Luzon Expressway Connector Road, NLEX-Harbor Link Segment 10, C-5 South Link and Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway.

Apart from tollways, MPIC is engaged in other businesses such as water, power, hospitals, rail and logistics.

http://www.philstar.com/business/2017/09/06/1736089/mpic-tollways-unit-hopeful-ctbex-project-award

GMA, ABS-CBN claim ratings leadership in August

TELEVISION networks ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network Inc. both claimed the lead in national TV ratings for the month of August, citing separate results from market research firms Nielsen TV Audience Measurement and Kantar Media.

ABS-CBN said in a statement that it remained unbeatable nationwide with an average audience share of 46 percent compared to GMA’s 33 percent, based on data from Kantar Media.

GMA, on the other hand, said it beat its rival network in National Urban Television Audience Measurement, posting an audience share of 42 percent, against ABS-CBN’s 37.4 percent, for August.

Citing the said research firms, both media giants highlighted segments where they excelled.

ABS-CBN said it ruled the primetime block (6 p.m. to 12 a.m.) with an audience share of 50 percent, 19 points higher than GMA’s 31 percent.

According to ABS-CBN, it continued to strengthen its lead with its morning (6 a.m. to 12 noon) and afternoon blocks (12 noon to 3 p.m.) that scored average audience shares of 40 percent an 43 percent, respectively, against GMA’s 30 percent and 38 percent.

ABS-CBN said it also kept its total day lead in other areas such as Total Luzon as it hit 42 percent versus GMA’s 35 percent; in Total Visayas with 55 percent versus GMA’s 26 percent; and in Total Mindanao with 54 percent versus GMA’s 29 percent.

“FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” continued to hold the top position as the most watched program in the country with a national TV rating of 38.6 percent.

It was followed by the Philippine adaptation of talent-variety-talk show “Little Big Shots,” which recorded 35.9 percent.

Other ABS-CBN programs that made it to August’s top 16 were “La Luna Sangre,” “A Love to Last”, “Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin”, “It’s Showtime”, "Pusong Ligaw”, “The Better Half”, “TV Patrol,” “Wansapanataym,” “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” “Wildflower,” “Home Sweetie Home” and “Goin’ Bulilit.”

The network said that as of June this year, ABS-CBN TVplus has already sold 3 million boxes nationwide since its launch in 2015 and significantly boosted ABS-CBN’s TV ratings.

According to data from Kantar Media, ABS-CBN’s audience share in Mega Manila increased to 36 percent in 2017, compared to 30 percent in 2015, as more households were able to experience clearer viewing experience with ABS-CBN TVplus.

ABS-CBN said it is also rapidly transitioning into a digital company with the biggest online presence among all Filipino media companies, and a growing list of digital properties.

Its company media website abs-cbn.com logged 36 million users and hit over 1.7 billion page views as of end-May this year, becoming the country’s biggest local media website.

The company has also announced that it is opening its first Experience Store at Trinoma soon. It also partnered with Ayala Malls to launch its events place ABS-CBN Vertis Tent later this year, and with CityMall Commercial Centers, Inc. to manage the mall chain’s cinemas, the first of which opened last weekend.

ABS-CBN reported a net income of P1.2 billion for the first six months of 2017.

Aside from ABS-CBN, among Kantar Media’s local current subscribers are Peoples Television Network, Inc., Viva Communications, Inc., Solar Entertainment Corporation.

Meanwhile, GMA said the network toppled competition in Urban Luzon from the morning up to the primetime block, registering a total day audience share of 48.7 percent, beating ABS-CBN’s 31.4 percent.

GMA also highlighted its bigger margin in Mega Manila with 51.9 percent audience share across all time blocks compared to the Kapamilya network’s 27.1 percent.

Urban Luzon and Mega Manila respectively account for 76 and 59 percent of all urban viewers in the country.

Kapuso shows dominated the list of top programs in NUTAM with multi-awarded news magazine show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) remaining as the most watched GMA show during the said period.

GMA also claimed the top 8 spots in the Urban Luzon list while it swept the top 16 spots in Mega Manila with KMJS still at number one and was closely followed by Pepito Manaloto.

Also included in the list of top-rating Kapuso shows were Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko,” “Alyas Robin Hood,” “24 Oras,” “My Love from the Star,” “I Heart Davao,” “My Korean Jagiya,” “Magpakailanman,” “Mulawin vs. Ravena,” “Eat Bulaga,” “Ika-6 Na Utos,” “Impostora,” “Haplos,” “Wowowin,” and “Hay Bahay.”

Nielsen data is gathered through a greater number of sampled homes nationwide in comparison to Kantar Media. With approximately 900 more homes surveyed in Total Urban and Rural Philippines compared to Kantar, Nielsen data is statistically considered more representative of the total TV population.


In 2016, Nielsen TV Audience Measurement increased its client pool to a total of 36 clients/subscribers consisting of 12 local TV networks including TV5, AksyonTV, CNN Philippines, Net 25, Solar Entertainment Corporation, Viva Communications Inc., among others; 5 regional clients; 2 block timers and 17 media agencies.

http://www.manilatimes.net/gma-abs-cbn-claim-ratings-leadership-aug/348959/

DMCI founder David Consunji passes away at 95

Construction and real estate magnate David M. Consunji, the founder of diversified engineering conglomerate DMCI Holdings, Inc. passed away on Monday at age 95.

DMCI, in a disclosure to the stock exchange on Tuesday, said Consunji died around noontime.

“Recognized locally as the father of contemporary construction industry, DM (Consunji) built landmarks and redefined cityscapes for generations of Filipinos,” the company said.

Consunji’s remains lie in state at the Capilla de San Francisco of the Santuario de San Antonio Parish, McKinley Road, Forbes Park in Makati City, and can be viewed starting September 5 until Friday, September 8..

He will be interred on Saturday, September 9, at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig City after a 9:30 am mass at the Santuario de San Antonio.

Consunji was listed as the Philippines’ 6th richest man this year by Forbes, following Henry Sy, John Gokongwei, Enrique Razon, Jr., Lucio Tan, and Jaime Zobel de Ayala.

The tycoon founded his business initially by constructing chicken houses for the Bureau of Animal Industry until he earned a reputation for on schedule delivery, DMCI said, leading to larger scale projects such as the Tacloban Coca Cola Plant and Bacnotan Cement Plant.

He also served in government, having been appointed secretary of the Department of Public Works, Transportation and Communications from 1970 to 1975 during the Marcos administration.

DMCI Holdings handles the Consunji family’s businesses and investments in construction (DM Consunji), power and mining (DMCI Power Inc., Semirara Mining and Power Corp., DMCI Mining), property development (DMCI Homes, DMCI Project Developers Inc.), and water utilities (Maynilad Water Services Inc.)

http://www.manilatimes.net/dmci-founder-david-consunji-passes-away-95/348967/

ABS-CBN maintains nationwide ratings lead in August

ABS-CBN said Tuesday it once again drew more viewers in August compared to its rival TV networks, based on data from Kantar Media.

The country's largest media company said it got a nationwide average audience share of 46 percent versus GMA’s 33 percent.

ABS-CBN’s primetime block (6PM-12MN) also kept its stronghold of the nationwide lead as it scored an average audience share of 50 percent, 19 points higher than GMA’s 31 percent.

“FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” continued to hold the top position as the most watched program in the country with a national TV rating of 38.6 percent.

It was followed by the Philippine adaptation of talent-variety-talk show “Little Big Shots,” which recorded 35.9 percent.

Other ABS-CBN programs that made it to August’s top fourteen were “La Luna Sangre” (33.7 percent), "A Love to Last", "Tonight with Boy Abunda", "Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin", "It's Showtime", "Pusong Ligaw", "The Better Half", “TV Patrol” (32.5 percent), “Wansapanataym” (28.1 percent), “Maalaala Mo Kaya” (27.4 percent), “Wildflower” (25.3 percent), “Home Sweetie Home” (24.9 percent), and “Goin’ Bulilit” (22.7 percent).

ABS-CBN also kept viewers glued to its morning block (6AM-12NN) and afternoon block (3PM-6PM) that registered average audience shares of 40 percent and 43 percent, respectively, compared to GMA’s 30 percent and 38 percent.

In the noontime block, meanwhile, ABS-CBN’s audience share slightly climbed to 46 percent from the previous month’s 44 percent, while GMA’s dipped to 35 percent from 39 percent.

The Kapamilya network also kept its total day lead in other areas such as Total Luzon as it hit 42 percent versus GMA’s 35 percent, in Total Visayas with 55 percent versus GMA’s 26 percent; and in Total Mindanao with 54 percent versus GMA’s 29 percent.

The network said that as of June this year, ABS-CBN TVplus has already sold 3 million boxes nationwide since its launch in 2015 and significantly boosted ABS-CBN’s TV ratings.

According to data from Kantar Media, ABS-CBN’s audience share in Mega Manila increased to 36 percent in 2017, compared to 30 percent in 2015, as more households were able to experience clearer viewing experience with ABS-CBN TVplus.

ABS-CBN said it is also rapidly transitioning into a digital company with the biggest online presence among all Filipino media companies, and a growing list of digital properties.

Its company media website abs-cbn.com logged 36 million users and hit over 1.7 billion page views as of end-May this year, becoming the country’s biggest local media website.

The company has also announced that it is opening its first Experience Story at Trinoma soon. It also partnered with Ayala Malls to launch its events place ABS-CBN Vertis Tent later this year, and with CityMall Commercial Centers, Inc. to manage the mall chain’s cinemas, the first of which opened last weekend.

ABS-CBN reported a net income of P1.2 billion for the first six months of 2017.

http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/09/05/17/abs-cbn-maintains-nationwide-ratings-lead-in-august

arena nux-F

Gov’t to fast-track subway plan

Project cost seen rising to as much as $7B; completion of first phase by 2022

Economic managers are expected to approve today a higher project cost for the first subway system in the country to fast-track its completion, the country’s chief economist said.

On the sidelines of the House plenary debates on the proposed P3.767-trillion 2018 national budget yesterday, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia told the Inquirer that the National Economic and Development Authority’s Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC-CabCom) would discuss the project before forwarding it for the approval of the Neda Board chaired by President Duterte on Sept. 12.

Separately, Neda Undersecretary Rolando G. Tungpalan told the Inquirer that the final project cost would be firmed up during the Neda ICC-CabCom meeting.

Pernia earlier said that to allow completion of the Mega Manila Subway Project Phase 1 in 2022 instead of the previous target of 2024, the initial project cost of $4.4 billion could rise to $6-7 billion.

In June, Pernia disclosed to the Inquirer that the government was looking at securing the biggest official development assistance (ODA) from Japan for the subway system that would serve Metro Manila and surrounding areas.

Pernia had said that an estimated $4.4 billion in ODA from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) was in the pipeline to finance the Mega Manila subway project.

The Neda chief had said that they were expecting below 1-percent interest for the Jica loan payable over 20 years with a 15-year grace period.

According to the government’s “Build, Build, Build” website, the Department of Transportation-led subway project will connect major business hubs as well as government centers in Metro Manila through a 25-kilometer underground mass transportation system connecting Quezon City and Taguig City.

Meanwhile, the Department of Finance also yesterday enjoined local government units (LGUs) to tap a P2.58-billion revolving facility for projects to be undertaken through the public-private partnership (PPP) mode.

“The Project Development and Monitoring Facility (PDMF) can be utilized not only by LGUs but other national government agencies as well for fund support in conducting prefeasibility and feasibility studies, project structuring, preparation of bid documents and project monitoring for their proposed PPP initiatives,” the DOF said in a statement.

“Managed by the PPP Center, the PDMF also provides probity advisory services to ensure fairness, accountability and transparency in the procurement process for PPP projects,” the DOF added.

The PDMF started with a P300-million revolving fund and a $6-million (approximately P300 million) initial contribution from the Australian government. The Australian grant is administered by the Asian Development Bank.
The fund has since grown to about P2.58 billion as of end-July, according to the DOF, citing a recent report by the Privatization Office to Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III.

Read more: http://business.inquirer.net/236296/govt-fast-track-subway-plan#ixzz4rvTf8Dog
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Sad story of MRT3

The sad story that is the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) still has no happy ending in sight. More than a year since the Duterte administration promised to ease the plight of commuters, the fate of the train system traversing Edsa remains unclear.

The deterioration of the train system during the past administration has made it notorious for endless passenger queues and regular breakdowns, such that it became a campaign issue in the 2016 presidential election.

It’s not as if the government is doing nothing to fix the mess. Perhaps the problem has become so complicated that there is no single solution to it.

Aside from poor upkeep (due to frequent changes in maintenance contractors), there is the side issue of ownership as the government wants to take over from private shareholders.

Then there is this unsolicited proposal from private groups to rehabilitate MRT3. More importantly, there is the unusual quiet on the part of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on what it has in mind for the train system.

Last week, Metro Pacific Investments Corp. revived an offer to buy out the government’s stake in MRT3. That offer was made in 2011 but was not acted upon as the Aquino administration decided to pursue the buyout itself, but failed.

This time, Metro Pacific boss Manuel V. Pangilinan seemed more optimistic about its P12.5-billion rehabilitation and upgrading proposal. Pangilinan was referring to the government’s interest in the privately held Metro Rail Transit Corp. (MRTC), the corporate owner of MRT3 led by Robert John Sobrepeña.

According to Pangilinan, his group conducted several meetings, at Metro Pacific’s initiative, with government representatives last month.

Ayala Corp. has also signaled its interest in joining Metro Pacific in its offer to rehabilitate MRT3, which serves about half a million passengers a day.

Ayala and Metro Pacific jointly operate the Light Rail Transit Line 1, which will be extended from Baclaran to Niog, Bacoor City by 2021. LRT1 serves around 400,000 commuters a day.

However, also last week, the private shareholders of MRT3 wanted President Duterte to step in and back their own bid to rehabilitate the congested railway line on Edsa.

MRTC president Frederick Parayno disclosed that his group had directly written Mr. Duterte due to the “inaction” of the DOTr on its $150-million offer to rehabilitate MRT3. He claimed that the main objective of MRTC’s proposal was to “fast-track” MRT3’s rehabilitation and bring back long-time maintenance provider Sumitomo Corp. of Japan.

It was during the Aquino administration that Sumitomo was replaced by various other groups, including the current maintenance provider, Busan Universal Rail Inc., which MRTC said was partly to blame for MRT3’s current condition. Aside from acknowledging receipt of the letter proposal submitted in April, the official said the DOTr has not replied to MRTC.

The government and MRTC are already embroiled in various legal cases involving the late payment of equity rentals and the acquisition by the previous Department of Transportation and Communications of new trains from China’s Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co.

Dalian had completed the delivery of 48 train coaches. But the DOTr noted in March that these could not be deployed due to power supply issues and the need to install a new signalling system required for the trains to operate safely.

As it stands now, the government is unclear on what path to take regarding MRT3. The DOTr cannot take forever to make a decision on this pressing problem that has long affected Metro Manila commuters. It must choose the best solution to MRT3’s deteriorating condition.

First, it must decide soon between the rehabilitation offers of the original stockholders — those people now entangled in legal disputes with the government — and the Metro Pacific-Ayala consortium that seems to be successfully rehabilitating and expanding LRT1. Commuters have long been suffering and deserve a break as soon as possible.

MPIC unit allots P700 M for Cavitex expansion

Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) unit Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. (CIC) is looking to spend P700 million to expand the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (Cavitex).


CIC president Luigi Bautista said in a briefing yesterday the company is investing about P700 million for enhancements at the Cavitex.

“We submitted the project information memorandum. This is like an investment proposal to TRB (Toll Regulatory Board) [in the] first quarter of this year. We haven’t received approval yet,” he said.

He said the expansion would involve adding one lane in each direction of the Cavitex.

“When we build that, imagine the convenience it will create. It will address 12 percent of existing volume,” he said.

An average of 140,000 vehicles use the Cavitex daily.

Apart from adding lanes, Bautista said CIC is also building a flyover along the expressway so that those coming from the south going to Pacific Drive would no longer have to stop at the traffic light.

The company is likewise improving the road surface of Pacific Drive or from R-1 to Macapagal.

Bautista said the expansion work could be completed within eight months once the firm secures approval from the government.

CIC wants to expand the Cavitex given fast growth in traffic volume.

Aside from the expansion at the Cavitex, it is also implementing other measures in the short-term to address the congestion in nearby entry points and exits of the tollway.

Among the short-term measures is the segregation of lanes with electronic toll collection lanes clustered to the right-most part of the toll plaza and the cash lanes on the left wing to help motorists plan their ingress to the toll road and eliminate lane swerving.

CIC is also undertaking a campaign to encourage motorists to shift to electronic toll payments from cash to prevent long queues at the toll plaza.

Aside from the Cavitex, MPIC operates other tollways such as the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.

It is working on other tollway projects such as NLEX-South Luzon Expressway Connector Road, NLEX-Harbor Link Segment 10, Cavite-Laguna Expressway, C-5 South Link and Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway.

http://www.philstar.com/business/2017/09/05/1735778/mpic-unit-allots-p700-m-cavitex-expansion

Sen. Villar on ‘In The Heart Of Business’

Despite her very busy schedule as chairman of various committees in the Senate, Sen. Cynthia Villar didn’t have qualms accepting Roni Merk’s invitation to co-host “In The Heart Of Business.” This year is a new radio program that airs every Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on DWIZ 882. The show offers listeners a wide opportunity to know more about business and discusses varied topics on how one can start a business venture and become successful.

Aside from Sen. Villar and Merk, a bank executive and business communications specialist, the show also has as co-host seasoned broadcaster Marou Sarne, a KBP Golden Dove awardee who previously hosted “Business Is Our Business.”

Sen. Villar hosts every Tuesday. “She has a lot of programs and we discuss it on air,” Merk said. “Senator Villar talks about programs for farmers for every town, group and city. At present, she is on her way to accrediting over a thousand farm schools.”

Other segments on the radio show are “Insights” with seasoned business communications professional and professor Bong Osorio, travel and tourism, real estate, current news report on the stock market, health and wellness, and one by the Veterans Bank, among others.

At present, “In The Heart Of Business” airs for one hour, three times a week on DWIZ. The station is owned and managed by Edgar Cabangon, son of Ambassador Antonio Cabangon-Chua.

• • •

‘My Puhunan’ turns four

A barrio boy turned international fashion designer, a grillery chain owner who started out as a waiter, a mother and son whose neighborhood burger joint has grown into a full-fledged franchise – they are just three of the many successful Filipino entrepreneurs who have been featured by Karen Davila on ABS-CBN’s “My Puhunan.”

Now on its fourth year, the program continues to transform the lives of many Filipinos by encouraging them to start their own businesses even with just a small capital. Just like “Lugaw Queen” Beverly Aquino, who started with only P1,000 capital and now earning more than P50,000 a day.

“What I love about the show is that it changes the mindset of Filipinos that you need to work overseas to earn money and prosper. We show them that even with a small capital or through using one’s gift of gab or talent, one can be successful. I am learning from the program myself and now I want to have my own business,” Karen shared.

To celebrate its fourth anniversary, Davila and the program recently brought their “Kabuhayan Caravan” to a barangay in Caloocan to conduct livelihood seminars for people in search of new or additional source of income for their families.

 Among those who became successful entrepreneurs through “My Puhunan” include Joemel Calma who is dressing up celebrities abroad and Remilly Co, who now has over 20 branches of her cake brand.

“My Puhunan” airs Tuesdays, 9:30 p.m. on DZMM TeleRadyo and after “Bandila” on ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN HD.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Sept. 5, go to Reps. Rudy Fariñas and Gilbert Cesar A. Remulla, Solar Group’s head honcho Wilson Tieng, Dr. Amable “King” Aguiluz V, Jojo Zabarte, Princess Anne Timbang, Tessie Amparo, Loretta Galang, Mayen L. Saporsantos, US-based Eliza Gotico, Bobby del Rosario, Patricia Panlilio, Mags Gahol, Brian Homoroc, Mona Esguerra, Janina M. dela Peña, Baby Atienza, Evangeline Pio de Roda-Sy, Margie Ongkeko of Manulife, and Priscilla Meirelles (Mrs. John Estrada)…Belated b-day greetings to Chellouz Valdez, Terrence Perez, Leo Consul, Ariel Rivera and Alexandra Germay Marcelo Oxales (Sept. 1)…Sept. 6: awarded director Jeffrey Jeturian, Mylene Dizon, UP Prof. Letty H. Tison, Joanne de Asis-Benitez, Annie Salonga, Sylvia Lina, Ma. Cristina Herella, Rosie Romey, Rodrigo V. Palma of California, Cecile Tiangco, Gerard K. Gozon, Ditas Hilario, Ricky Barbiero, Anna Cecilia “AC” S. Javier, Prof. Rene Durian, Sonia Nunez, Ed de Leon, Liwayway C. Bartolome of Bakersfield, CA, Ed de Leon, Carmen Yorac Cheung, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Ronnie Nolasco, Marjory Acosta Tagarao, James Dionisio, Joyce So, John Manalo of Star Magic and Kaye Villagomez… It’s Rev. Fr. Cornelio L. Matanguihan’s priesthood anniversary today…

Group bullish on MRT 3 rehab plan

Infrastructure holding firm Metro Pacific Investments Corp. is optimistic on the Duterte administration’s evaluation of its P12-billion unsolicited proposal to rehabilitate the Metro Railway Transit (MRT 3) traversing Edsa.

The new MRT 3 proposal—in partnership with conglomerate Ayala Corp., which is also part of the consortium handling the Light Railway Transit 1 (LRT 1) rehabilitation and extension project—also separately seeks to buy out the government’s economic interest in MRT 3.

In a panel discussion during the Shareholders Association of the Philippines (SharePHIL) meeting last week, MPIC president Jose Ma. Lim said that given his group’s involvement in the LRT 1 project, there had been interactive exchanges with the transportation department in the last year.

“I find that in today’s administration, the openness of the economic team is much more improved compared to the previous administration,” Lim said. “So I think there is a way that the private sector can influence government and change their thinking,” he said, adding that the private sector would just have to be patient in explaining its proposals.

Citing the LRT 1 consortium’s interactive exchanges with the government, Lim said this was why the group was emboldened to resubmit a proposal for MRT 3 even when it did not seem to take off the first time around.

Due to the progress made in LRT 1, he also suggested that the government appeared to be more receptive this time.

“Our sense is there are people in government who listen to the private sector— and it’s a question of getting your message across to them,” Lim said.

Citing the group’s submission of a revised MRT 3 rehabilitation proposal, Lim said: “The experience we had is after presenting it to them, within three days, a technical working group was formed to evaluate the program. We never had this kind of quick reaction before from the administration in the past. I think that’s because the economic team is open to suggestions.”

Even in the long-running tariff adjustment dispute involving the tollroads operated by MPIC, Lim said authorities seemed “open to finding ways to settle without having to go through arbitration process.”

In 2014, Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC)—a joint venture company of MPIC’s Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp., AC Infrastructure and the Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure’s Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd.—signed a concession agreement with the government on the P65-billion LRT 1 extension to Cavite as well as an operation and maintenance agreement for the existing railway.

The P12-billion project estimate for MRT 3 proposal refers only to the rehabilitation of existing railways, signalling system and rolling stock. If and when the consortium bags the project, additional investment is needed to purchase new trains and continue the modernization program.

MRT 3, which has a daily ridership of 400,000, has been prone to breakdowns and other glitches. Compared to LRT 1, which uses 35-year-old trains, however, MRT 3 is a much newer elevated railway infrastructure.

Since LRMC officially took over operations of LRT 1, the consortium has successfully restored 27 Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs), bringing the total available to 104 as of end-June 2017.

LRMC served an average daily ridership of 429,915 in the first half of 2017, an improvement of 6 percent from the average daily ridership of 405,568 recorded in the same period last year. During the first half of 2017, the highest recorded daily ridership reached a record high of 536,000 from 2016 highest of 527,000.

The LRT 1 consortium is seen on schedule with its rail replacement project, having finished 87 percent of the work to change 32-year-old tracks as of July 2017. The rail replacement project covers 26 kilometers of rail tracks that, when completed, will enable the reinstatement of a train running speed of 60 kilometers an hour to shorten journey times and thus increase capacity.

In March 2017, the LRT 1 Structural Restoration Project was given the notice to proceed with a target completion in two years. This project, a major component to enhanced passenger safety, includes the restoration of 36-year-old parapets, faulty concrete and repair of river bridges of the railway. This project also complements the ongoing P500-million Station Improvement Project.

LRMC inaugurated the Doroteo Jose Station in February 2017 and is refurbishing all the remaining stations. This is expected to be completed by the first half of 2018.

http://business.inquirer.net/236246/group-bullish-mrt-3-rehab-plan

Why De La Salle University uses the colors green and white

De La Salle University's colors are green and white since the former originated from the national colors of Ireland, where the founding fathers of the De La Salle Brothers in the Philippines came from, while the latter represents the Philippines since it is known as  the "Pearl of the Orient Seas", thus the use of the color "pearly white"

New LRT 1 coaches on target

Light Rail Manila Corp., a consortium led by Ayala Corp and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., is optimistic the auction for the supply of new light rail vehicles of the LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension will be competed by November this year.

“We are happy with the outcome, at least its not a failed bidding. Based on the timeline it looks like they will be able to meet the November 14 procurement,” LRMC president and chief executive Rogelio Singson said.

“I think there should be enough time... we are happy with the progress it’s a matter of DOTr agreeing with the final evaluation of the financial and technical proposals,” he added.

The Department of Transportation is evaluating the technical and financial proposals of Marubeni Corp and Mitsubishi Corp. for the P30-billion contract to supply 120 brand-new light rail vehicles for the oldest metro rail transit in Southeast Asia.

The winning bid will cover the coaches, design, production, verification, delivery, testing, commissioning, technical support materials associated with the operation and maintenance of the vehicles and training for maintenance staff, engineers and operators.

The 120 LRVs will be configured into 30 four-car train sets to allow the rail line to accommodate up to 750,000  passengers daily.

Transportation in March last year declared the bidding for 120 LRVs a failure after no offers were received by the agency from Japanese companies.

Marubeni and Sumitomo earlier expressed interest to participate in the auction for the procurement of 120 brand-new cars for LRT Line 1.

The government allocated P30 billion for the 120 new coaches of the LRT Line 1 under the P64.9-billion LRT Line 1 Cavite extension project, which was awarded to Light Rail Manila Corp.

LRMC will construct the Cavite extension over the next four and a half years, making the entire line operational by the fourth quarter of 2020.

LRMC, a joint venture between Ayala and Metro Pacific, has been operating and maintaining the LRT-1 system since the functions were handed over by the Light Rail Transit Authority on September 12, 2015.

LRTA remains the regulator of the railway while Transportation is the implementing agency of the 32-year public-private partnership concession agreement with LRMC.

The consortium would spend over P40 billion to rehabilitate and expand LRT Line 1.

Eight new stations will be provided with three intermodal facilities across Pasay City, Parañaque City, Las Piñas City and Cavite.

http://thestandard.com.ph/business/biz-plus/246084/new-lrt-1-coaches-on-target.html

Filipinos tap GPS to change rail system

A Filipino team has developed a GPS-powered, cloud-based information system that allows passengers to see the trains’ status, location, arrival and departure schedule.  Soon, the team plans to use the same technology to overhaul the train signaling system currently used across the world.

The Passenger Assist Rail Display System or Pards, designed by Filipino tech company TrackMate Business Solutions Inc., drew admiration from passengers of Light Rail Transit Line 2 where about 400 screens are already installed onboard to inform them about the status and locations of trains. Pards uses the global positioning system, a satellite-based navigation, to track the trains and put the information on high-definition screen.

A team of European rail executives will visit the Philippines this month to check the system and study how it can be replicated around the world.

“It is a GPS and graphic interface.  Basically, we can give information on speed, location and other important information that you can find using GPS. The premise for the whole thing is that commuters are complaining a lot on social media about the trains and we realize that the bottomline is that they do not know what is happening. We aim to solve that by creating a communication line between the train operator and the passengers. Hence, we created the project Pards,” TrackMate marketing manager Cielo Remorin says in an interview.

“It is like a TV network and signaling system combined together. We have 10 screens per coach, or 40 screens per train, or a total of 400 in LRT Line 2,” says Lemuel dela Cruz, the 44-year-old chief executive of TrackMate.

TrackMate installed Pards along LRT 2 at no cost to the government, says Remorin.  Its business model is based on sponsorships by companies that want to promote products or services through commercials or ads on the system.

Dan Palami, chief executive of railway engineering company Autre Porte Global Inc., says Pards has the potential to become a full-blown train signaling system that can bring down the cost of railway operation.

“When they presented it to me, on the commercial side, I told them it offers a much bigger potential in signaling system,” Palami says.  “The ballpark figure for a train signaling system is probably $70 million.  With this, we are looking at maybe a maximum of $20 million for the system.”

Several companies are now reportedly looking at GPS-powered solutions as the next stage of train signaling system, in place of traditional axle counter sensors which are costly and which take a lot of time to install.

TrackMate has already submitted an application for a utility model intellectual property right for Pards to the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines.

Remorin says as a passenger information system, it can flash information on the screen such as the expected time of arrival, expected time of departure and actual location of the train.  “If the train operators have a quick announcement that they want to do in real-time, we can do that,” she says.

TrackMate is an information technology company based in Madrigal Business Park in Alabang, Muntinlupa City which employs 40 professionals to provide GPS solutions to transport and logistics companies.

“We really are engaged in creating software to manage trucks, buses that are powered by GPS.  That system is now applied to trains.  What you see on the screen is real-time.  It has a location component.  Passengers would be able to know where the train is in real time,” Remorin says.

She says the first phase of the project—the installation of a dynamic, onboard passenger information display system across all train sets was completed in June, while the second phase involves the release of mobile application for passengers and Light Rail Transit Authority to monitor train schedule and passenger flow.

The project also includes installation of a command center that allows LRTA to monitor train performance, passenger flow, with actual images, in real time.

“The fun part is the command center [for operators].  Anywhere they are, the officials can check the snapshots from CCTV and actual status of the train on their smartphones.  We also have a map that summarizes the line.  We can set parameters on what need their attention,” Remorin says.

Remorin says that aside from LRT Line 2, TrackMate also presented the project to Light Rail Manila Corp., the operator of LRT Line 1, and the response was positive.

A passenger satisfaction survey of the three rail lines—MRT 3, LRT Line 1 and LRT Line 2—show  that commuters using LRT Line 2 are the most satisfied.  “LRT Line 2 topped the survey.  And Pards is one of the components mentioned by satisfied passengers,” says Palami.

Palami says a new signaling system based on Pards can easily replace the old system used along MRT 3.  The new trains from China cannot be deployed on the line, because their designs are not compatible with the current signaling system which is used to guide the original Czech-made trains.

“We can solve the problem of compatibility.  Even if new trains arrive, we can integrate them in our new signaling system.  It is at present an information system, but it can migrate to a signaling system because it is GPS based,” says Palami. “When I saw the technology, we studied it and we have been able to come up with a better version that it could actually allow the system to become a signaling system.”

“Signaling system is a safety feature to manage the traffic of trains so that they will not collide with one another.  The signaling system, through the control center, will show the distance between the trains and where all the trains are.  When the trains are nearing the other trains, there is a red light warning the driver that he is not supposed to go.  The driver has to follow that and stop.  If the driver does not follow, the automatic train protection will kick in that will force the emergency brake,” says Palami.

Palami says Pards can fulfill all those functions.  Under its proposal, TrackMate will equip all trains with GPS devices and will build its own communication network for better coverage.  “We will know where all the trains are,” he says.

Dela Cruz says it is TrackMate that first harnessed the potential of GPS for the use of train operators and passengers. “Two years ago, we presented the idea to Singapore.  They saw its potential for signaling system, but it took them two years.  Now, they are also doing a pilot project,” he says.

At the moment, Remorin says passengers will benefit a lot from Pards as an information system.  “We can inform passengers once a train breaks down.  We can also show the flow of passengers. Awareness is what we are trying to achieve.  Services become better if passengers are well informed,” she says.

http://thestandard.com.ph/business/power-technology/246025/filipinos-tap-gps-to-change-rail-system.html