Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Harbor link to benefit trucking industry

Government’s move to speed up the construction of the 2.6-kilometer Radial Road 10 (R10),  a  portion of the NLEX (North Luzon Expressway) Harbor Link project is expected to benefit the trucking industry.

The elevated road will be built over C3 road/5th avenue in Caloocan City until Radial Road 10 (R10) in Navotas City.

Rupert Bayocot, chairman of the Confederation of Truckers Association of the Philippines (CTAP), said the project will  make a positive impact on trucking companies and their clients.

 The NLEX Harbor Link’s completion until Navotas City is seen to advance transport logistics and facilitate efficient delivery of goods with the direct and quick access between NLEX and the Port of Manila.

 “We’re glad this project is becoming a reality. Completing NLEX Harbor Link to R10 in Navotas City will be a big help to our business. The direct routes between provinces in Central and North Luzon and the CAMANAVA (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela) area will make the transport of cargo easier and faster,” said Mario Yap, president of CTAP and of the Manila North Harbor Truckers Association.

The Harbor Link will enable  drivers to meet the cut-off time for delivering the products to clients and further ensure that these products arrive in good condition.

 It will improve turnaround time for deliveries not only within Metro Manila but also in the northern provinces.

Via R10 in Navotas City,  trucks can now access the NLEX to and from the Port Area, effectively avoiding congested city roads such as EDSA, Quezon boulevard and A. Bonifacio.

Aside from reducing travel time, major infrastructure developments like this will aid truckers  in expanding its  market reach and provide quality service to their   clients, CTAP said.

With the project completion set in December 2018, motorists only need approximately 10 minutes going from the port to NLEX. Cargo trucks will also have 24/7 access from the ports to their respective destinations in the north and south since NLEX is not covered by truck ban

 Rodrigo Franco, NLEX Corp. president and chief executive officer, said the completion of the NLEX Harbor Link is envisioned to alleviate traffic congestion in Metro Manila and help truckers and private motorists realize significant savings in vehicle operating costs.

 “Travel time is cut by half as the elevated roadway will allow an average speed of 80kph and will offer better road pavement and efficient traffic management,” Franco  said.

 The R10 Section of the NLEX Harbor Link is the latest project to be approved under the Duterte administration’s “Build Build Build” infrastructure program.

 Last month, NLEX Corp. broke ground the project near the Navotas Fishport in Dagat-Dagatan, Navotas City to mark the start of construction of the R10 section. When completed, the Harbor Link Segment 10 elevated expressway will traverse McArthur Highway in Valenzuela City, Governor Pascual Avenue in Malabon City, C3 Road/5th  Avenue in Caloocan City and R10 in Navotas City.

Italian priest named new Papal Nuncio to PH



Another Italian prelate has been named as new Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines.

Pope Francis appointed 59-year old Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia as Vatican Representative to the country.

According to an article posted on the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) news website, the Vatican announced Caccia’s appointment Tuesday noon (6 p.m., Manila time), a day after the pontiff arrived back in Rome from a five-day apostolic visit to Colombia.

The new Papal Nuncio to the Philippines was the nuncio to Lebanon for eight years.

He succeeded to the post another Italian Archbishop, Giuseppe Pinto, who was transferred to Croatia in July this year.

Caccia’s new post in Manila will be his second assignment as papal ambassador.

In September 2009, he was elevated to the rank of archbishop.

Prior to his stint in Lebanon, the archbishop was the Assessor for General Affairs of the Vatican’s Secretariat of State.



A native of Milan, Caccia was born on February 24, 1958, and ordained as a priest on June 11, 1983.

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DOTr considering returning P3.8-B MRT coaches to China

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Wednesday that it was considering returning the 48 overweight Metro Rail Transit (MRT) coaches to China, which cost the past administration P3.8 billion to purchase.

According to DOTr undersecretary for rails Cesar Chavez, DOTr secretary Arthur Tugade instructed them to get a third party qualifier to study whether the 48 coaches could still be used by the MRT.

“Ganito instructions ni Secretary Tugade (This is the instruction of Secretary Tugade). We can’t compromise the safety of our passengers. Therefore, anong ginawa ng Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Pakistan? Kumuha ng third party certifier (We should just get a third party certifier). So what did we do? Number one, (we got) internationally known certifier, based in Germany and other certifiers,” Chavez said.

“I already submitted a terms of reference to providing him all the documents, ‘yung request for quotation. In three months, after notice to proceed, anong ineexpect? ‘Yung audit niyan sasabihin pwede ba tumakbo o hindi o ibabalik na sa China,” he added.

Chavez was responding to Senator Grace Poe’s concern during the finance committee hearing on the DOTr’s budget for 2018.

Poe, chairman of the Senate public services committee, expressed frustration over the government’s procurement of incompatible trains from China-based Dalian Corp. She asked Chavez if the DOTr could already start hiring another maintenance provider and replace Busan Universal Rail Inc. (Buri).

Chavez said they are still waiting for the certifier’s assessment.

“I think that’s very wise of you to get a third party certifier,” Poe said.

But the senator stressed that the transportation body should learn a lesson from the mistakes committed in the past administration.

She urged the DOTr to file cases against those responsible for the MRT mess, be it the supplier of the trains or former DOTr officials who gave the go signal for the procurement of defective trains.

“I think whoever is responsible whether it’s the supplier, we should take them to court. Whether it’s the one who made the decision. It’s not a case of vendetta. It’s a case of justice for the public that’s been suffering and now were risking their lives because we’re making do with what we have given the situation but every day is a risk,” Poe said. IDL

NEW CLARK CITY LAUNCH BIZWATCH



And now for our final business issue this week. What’s new at the New Clark City, formerly called the Clark Green City?  Well, actual construction of this project has already started.  The BCDA or Bases Conversion and Development Authority is now targeting to re-launch the metropolis project this October.

With the re-launch of the New Clark City this October, BCDA president and CEO Vivencio Dizon is targeting the completion of the project by 2022. The cost of the total project could reach billions of US dollars, according to the BCDA president, but for now, the development cost alone which is the initial cost of the program will run to around P20 billion.

Even with the mind-boggling costs involved in developing and completing the New Clark City, the government is bent on going ahead with it.  The project is one of the long-term solutions of the Duterte Administration in decongesting Metro Manila.

The 9,450 hectare New Clark City is located in Tarlac.  With the initial development stage of the construction, roads will be developed as well as other infrastructure requirements and commercial spaces.  There will be a national government center, a food processing terminal and an international food market.  The metropolis project will also include a mixed income development housing. A big part of the vast area will be reserved as open spaces for agricultural and forest lands to go with the green city concept.  In developing the new city, BCDA will be partnering with other governments like Japan and Singapore, considered some of the best developers in the region.  It will be home to some 1.12 million people and 800,000 workers and is projected to contribute a gross output of P1.57 trillion per year to the Philippine economy.

ARCA South property developments on track to open in 2019



The developments in ARCA South, a 74-hectare mixed-use development project in Taguig City, are on track to be completed in 2019, Ayala Land Premiere (ALP) said on Tuesday.

The Ayala Malls Lifestyle Complex in ARCA South is set to open in the next two years, ALP managing director Mike Jugo said in a briefing in Makati City.

"There will be total retail gross leasable space of 72,000 square meters. This will be open by 2019," he said.

Jugo said the area will also host office spaces catering largely to the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector.

"There are six BPO towers scheduled to be completed by 2019," with around 17,000 square meters in gross leasable area, he said. — VDS GMA News

Eagle Cement, EEI expand partnership

Eagle Cement Corp. is expanding its partnership with one of the Philippines’ top construction firms, EEI Corp., in support of the Duterte administration’s aggressive infrastructure spending program.

In a statement, Eagle said the new deal is set to strengthen the two companies’ existing partnership as it expands the EEI projects that would be supplied by the company.

The strategic alliance comes in the middle of the government’s P8-trillion Build Build Build program, as well as the increased construction activity spurred by projects from conglomerates and property developers.

“This contract is another feather in our cap. EEI is among the biggest players in the infrastructure industry and their confidence in Eagle, as exemplified by this partnership, is testament to the quality of our products and service,” Eagle chief operating officer and general manager Manny Teng said.

At present, Eagle is exclusively supplying two landmark EEI projects, the P37.4-billion Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 and the P62.7-billion MRT-7.

EEI vice president and chief procurement officer Edwin Constantino said EEI needs a supplier like Eagle which can provide cement that meets their standards in terms of quality and quantity.

With the upcoming line-up of projects for EEI, Eagle’s soon-to-be-expanded capacity would be of great asset to their business, Constantino said.

“With the excellent experience we’ve had with Eagle Cement, along with the expansion of their capacity, they will be able to provide companies like us with cement that matches the scale and requirements of our projects. Eagle’s cement meets the required strength that we need to be able to build our projects successfully,” Constantino said.

Eagle’s is expanding its capacity with the completion of its third production line in Bulacan by early 2018.

The new line will bring Eagle’s capacity up to 7.1 million metric tons per year.

The additional capacity will help provide the greater demand for cement in the country, which will come from the lined-up infrastructure initiatives of the government as well as projects from private firms.

DBP open to unload MRT3 interests

A new owner and operator for Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) is in the books of the Philippine government. This is to give the railway proper upgrade and maintenance.

State-run Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) is open to sell its entire economic interest in Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3), a move that can pave the way to a new private owner and operator.
DBP president and chief executive officer Cecilia Borromeo said on Monday, September 11, unloading the bank's MRT3 interests is in its books, unless the Department of Finance (DOF) said otherwise.
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"The DOF is taking the lead now, being an institution under the supervision of DOF, we defer to DOF. But yes, it is in our books and we will be very interested to unload it. But we are taking the cue from the DOF," Borromeo told reporters on the sidelines of a transportation event in Clark, Pampanga.
DBP and Land Bank of the Philippines own 77% economic interest in Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Corporation – the owner of MRT3 – by virtue of its acquisition of asset-backed bonds in 2009. This interest secured the state-run banks 11 of the 14 board seat but does not give them equity ownership. (READ: Pangilinan-Ayala group eyes MRT3 takeover by early 2018)
"There are various ways of unloading it, of course there is an option for we will have a haircut or loss and we will want to avoid that. But there are other options that will make us haul [earnings]. That is what we are trying to pursue together with the DOF," Borromeo.
In 2013, former President Benigno Aquino III issued an executive order, authorizing MRT3's acquisition from its private sector owner MRT Corporation. This was to head off the arbitration case filed in 2009 by the MRT3 owner against the government due to, among others, failure to pay equity rental payments on time.


The order, however, was not realized.
New MRT3 owner soon?
Now, the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte may either buy out MRT3 assets from its private owners then bid out the operations and maintenance of the railway system or accept the group of Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and Manuel "Manny" Pangilinan to take over MRT3.
If everything goes as planned, the consortium headed by Pangilinan and Ayala expects to take over the operations, maintenance, and rehabilitation of MRT3 by early 2018.
It was last July 14 when Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), together with Ayala Corporation and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings Philippines Private Limited, formally submitted an unsolicited proposal for Manila's most congested railway system.
LRMC was the special purpose vehicle that MPIC, Ayala, and Macquarie used for the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1) Cavite Extension Project. The group had said it will most likely use a new corporate vehicle for the MRT3.
LRMC is 55% owned by MPIC, 35% by Ayala's AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation, and 10% by Macquarie. (READ: Groups of Ramon Ang, MVP set sights on MRT3 upgrade)
The MRT3 is currently being maintained by Korean-Filipino firm Busan Universal Rail Incorporated (BURI), while the system's rail replacement is being handled by the government.
The MRT 3, which runs along EDSA from North Avenue (Trinoma Mall) in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City, serves more than 500,000 passengers per day, way beyond its rated capacity of 350,000.

PH readies 2nd batch of projects with China

The Chinese government is looking forward to the submission of the second basket of projects being lined up by Philippines for possible funding by China.

Philippine officials met last weekend with a visiting Chinese delegation headed by China Commerce Minister Zhong Shan to review the progress of the actions of their respective governments on the first batch of infrastructure projects.

The officials also discussedl the second batch of projects that the Philippines plans to implement also in cooperation with China.

The first batch, consists of, among others, the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project in Cagayan and Kalinga provinces and the New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project.

Members of the Philippine delegation were Secretaries Carlos Dominguez III of the Department of Finance; Ernesto Pernia of the National Economic and Development Authority; Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways; Benjamin Diokno of the Department of Budget and Management and Arthur Tugade of the Department of Transportation; and Vivencio Dizon, President of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

In step with the two countries’ shared goal of fast-tracking the implementation of infrastructure projects, Dominguez and Zhong acknowledged the efforts of the two sides to streamline government processes to speed up the preparations for, and implementation of, the first basket of infrastructure projects presented for Chinese financing.

Dominguez said potential bidders have been identified for the Chico Irrigation and Kaliwa Dam projects.

The two sides also cited the progress on the two bridge projects funded by Chinese grants—the Binondo-Intramuros bridge and the Estrella-Pantaleon bridge—that were designed to help ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila.  

Underscoring their importance, Dominguez said the two bridge projects “signify the crossing of two friends getting together.”

Zhong likewise said the two bridges “are of very important significance as “these have direct impact on the day-to-day” lives of Metro Manila residents.

Villar said at the meeting that his office and other concerned agencies are undertaking the necessary preparations to meet the target of holding the groundbreaking rites for the two bridge projects by November, in time for the visit to Manila of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to attend the 20th Asean-China Summit.

In the meeting, Zhong also reaffirmed China’s commitment to assist the Philippines in rehabilitating conflict-torn Marawi city and the quake-hit province of Surigao del Norte.

China earlier sent $1 million in cash aid for Surigao’s quake victims and will soon turn over an additional 20-million renminbi ($3 million) donation of heavy equipment/machineries to help Marawi’s reconstruction efforts.

“China would like to support the Philippines in this post-conflict reconstruction process of Marawi,” Zhong said. 

NEDA Board approves Manila subway, PNR South Rail projects

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board approved on Tuesday the implementation of massive railway projects with a combined value of P654.5 billion.

In a tweet, Transportation Undersecretary for Rails Cesar Chavez said the NEDA Board finally approved the P355.5-billion Metro Manila Subway project presented by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.
The NEDA Board, chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte, approved the P124-billion Philippine National Railways (PNR) Tutuban-Los Baños South Commuter Line and the P175-billion PNR Long Haul: Manila-Matnog and Calamba-Batangas line.

The Department of Transportation can now start implementing the projects.

The Metro Manila Subway project is scheduled to be constructed next year and is targeted to be completed in 2025.

The 25-kilometer subway will run from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Parañaque City, using Option 1.



The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is financing the subway project with $7 billion of official development assistance which carry an interest rate of 0.10 percent a year and is payable in 40 years that includes a 12-year grace period.

Kasama sa study ng JICA ang detailed engineering ng subway system. So, pagka-grant sa atin ng JICA ng loan saka palang magsisimula ang design (structural, civil, arch, MEP, geo. survey, etc.) phase nito. Meron pa tayong tendering stage.

The loan agreement is expected to be signed in November when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe meets with President Rodrigo Duterte during the 31st ASEAN Summit.

The P134-billion PNR South Commuter Line is scheduled to be constructed late next year and is estimated to be completed in 2021.

According to the government's "Build, Build, Build" portal, the project is a mass transportation railway line spanning 72 kilometers and linking Tutuban, Manila and Los Baños in Laguna.

The P175-billion PNR Long Haul project is 581 kilometers of standard-gauge railway from Manila to Maatnog in Sorsogon. The government has not yet set a timetable for the project.

The DOTr seeks to obtain official development assistance from China to finance the PNR projects. — Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News

House approves P3.767-trillion 2018 budget on 2nd reading

The House expects to pass the budget on 3rd and final reading by September 21

Despite stormy weather in Metro Manila, the House of Representatives passed on second reading the proposed 2018 national budget on Tuesday, September 12.
The House pushed through with the last day of budget debates on Tuesday despite the suspension of work in almost all other government offices. (READ: How will government fund the 2018 budget?)
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Plenary deliberations for House Bill (HB) Number 6215 or the 2018 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) ended just before 7pm on September 12.
From here, “small committees” will be discussing and processing individual amendments to the proposed budget. (READ: 'Build, build, build' gets a third of proposed 2018 national budget)
House appropriations committee chairman and Davao City 1st district Representative Karlo Nograles said they expect the bill to be approved on its 3rd and final reading by September 21.
The last roll call held on September 12 at 4pm showed 236 out of the 294 House members present, according to Nograles.
Plenary debates for the 2018 budget began earlier last week. Legislators have debated over HB 6215 from 10 am each day until late into the evening and in at least one instance, into the wee hours of the morning.
Prior to this, the appropriations committee held hearings on the budgets of each department.
According to a breakdown from Majority Floor Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Rodolfo Fariñas, legislators spent 83 hours and 43 minutes deliberating on the budget.
At least 3 agencies – the Commission on Human Rights, the Energy Regulatory Commission, and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples – were given a mere P1,000 to work with in 2018.
Once passed, the budget will be transmitted to the Senate, which is also holding its own deliberations on the budget. The Senate will eventually pass its own version of the proposed 2018 budget.
Should there be any differences between the two chambers’ budgets, it will be ironed out through a bicameral conference, which representatives from both Houses will attend.

Data privacy and the proposed national ID system

SEPTEMBER 9, 2017 fell on a weekend and it went by with nary a whimper. But it was a significant date for the National Privacy Commission (NPC). It was the deadline for organizations, private and public, to inform the NPC that they have designated a data protection officer (DPO). As practice would have it, organizations had until the first working day following the weekend or holiday, to still meet the deadline, which happened to be September 11, 2017. The NPC has been campaigning hard to ensure compliance with Republic Act 10173, or the Data Privacy Act, and in the process generated heightened awareness about the need to protect personal data in information systems, manual or automated.

Compliance with the law is not that complicated but it involves having to write a lot about matters involving personal data protection—the appointment of a (DPO), the organization’s data privacy policy, the privacy impact assessment, the plan about the organization’s capacity development, the plan on the physical, organizational, and technical data protection measures, and a plan on how to respond to a data breach. Tons of documentation indeed!

The DPO’s appointment needs to be formalized with the NPC by submitting a duly notarized letter of appointment naming the DPO supported by a secretary’s certificate, in the case of private organizations, showing that the board of directors has indeed resolved to appoint the DPO. Organizations that made it to the deadline have already accomplished the first step to compliance.

The next date to watch for is March 8, 2017, when organizations need to submit the necessary documentation to show that they have complied with all other requirements of the law and NPC issuances.

Another event happened before the deadline for compliance with the requirement to appoint a DPO and inform the NPC. The House of Representatives approved the proposed bill on the national identification system on third and final reading.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is the designated administrator of the Filipino identification system, or FilSys. The proposed law mandates that all Filipino citizens at least 18 years of age secure a national ID. A unique common reference number, or CRN, will be assigned by the PSA to each Filipino citizen who applies for a national ID.

The proposed law appears to provide for the collection of at least 25 pieces of data about an individual, which includes: 1) the full name 2) date of birth, 3) place of birth, 4) sex, 5) permanent address, 6) blood type, 7) fingerprints, 8) iris scan,(9) facial image, 10) height, 11) weight, 12) mobile number, 13) mother’s name, 14) father’s names, 15) tax identification number, 16) voter’s identification number, 17) PhilHealth membership number, 18) Professional Regulation Commission ID number, 19) Government Service Insurance System ID number or 20) Social Security System ID number, 21) PAG-IBIG number, 22) Philippine passport number, 23) marriage certificate reference number, 24) parent’s CRN, and 25) parent’s marriage certificate number.

Also to be recorded in the FilSys database are sensitive information, including a person’s health information, a person’s filiation, or if a child is legitimate or illegitimate.

The expressed purpose of the national ID is to serve as a single identification document which can be used by an individual transacting with any government agency or private organization. When presented, no other identification documents will be required. However, the data to be collected and stored in the FilSys appears not to be simple identification data about a Filipino individual but is beyond simple identification. The data to be collected goes against the proportionality principle of personal data protection. Proportionality requires that data be adequate and relevant for the purpose for which personally identifiable information and/or sensitive personal information is collected.

How necessary are all the 25 pieces of data? In applying for a passport, for instance, a passport applicant would only be required to present his national ID. When issued, is it necessary that the passport number be collected and stored in the FilSys? Is it necessary as a piece of identifying data for purposes of the national ID?

Are the individual’s marriage certificate reference number, parent’s CRN, parent’s marriage certificate number, and sensitive personal information necessary as identification data?

The proposed law, certified as urgent by the President, does not provide for what documents will be required when a Filipino citizen applies for a national ID. Will two government-issued IDs be sufficient? Or, will the Filipino citizen’s birth certificate be required? For instance, some LGUs require only a printout of voter’s registration record issued by the Commission on Elections when one applies for a Senior Citizen Card. Will this be sufficient for purposes of the national ID?

While the proposed law prohibits the disclosure of data collected and stored in the FilSys to any third party except in certain circumstances, there exists the potential for abuse. When a breach happens, it is easy to abuse or misuse any, a combination, or all of the data collected and stored in the FilSys. It is scary to think that the FilSys will contain all the ID numbers issued by various government agencies. With technology today, it is easy to link all those pieces of data with the systems of other government agencies. Worse, with the use of data analytics applications, the data collected in the FilSys is linked with data available in cyberspace, including those that indicate netizens’ activities in cyberspace. Individual Filipino citizen dossiers in the offing!

Two China-funded bridges set to break ground

The government is targeting to start the construction of two China-funded bridges across the Pasig River in November this year, Department of Public Works and Highways chief Mark Villar said.

During a meeting with a Chinese delegation recently, Villar said the agency is already undertaking the necessary preparations for the groundbreaking of the P4.61-billion Binondo-Intramuros bridge and the P1.376-billion Estrella Pantaleon bridge.

He said this is in time for the visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang who is attending the 20th ASEAN-China Summit in Manila.

The projects were recommended by the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC)-Cabinet Committee for approval of the National Economic and Development Authority board last month.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the two bridges, funded by the Chinese government through a grant, are designed to help ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

NEDA Board approves Metro Manila Subway, longest railway

These big-ticket projects will be funded via official development assistance (ODA) from either China or Japan

The country's first subway and the soon-to-be longest mass railway transit are ready to be launched, after President Rodrigo Duterte gave the go signal to implement these projects.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board – headed by Duterte – on Tuesday, September 12, approved the $7-billion (P358.25-billion) Metro Manila Subway as well as the P134-billion Philippine National Railways (PNR)-South Commuter Line and its extension, the P151-billion PNR South Long Haul Line.
All these 3 big-ticket projects – cumulatively worth P643.25 billion – will be funded via official development assistance (ODA) from either China or Japan.
"NEDA Board finally approved the Metro Manila Subway as presented by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade. It also approved PNR Manila-Los Baños and PNR Long Haul," said the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
These projects form part of the Mega Manila Dream Plan, a transport network roadmap by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The bold plan outlined a program towards 2030 for sustainable development for Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon that would require P2.61 trillion ($65.3 billion) in investment.
Dream plan being realized?
Funded by a loan from JICA, the planned subway will run from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City.
The DOTr said the loan will have an interest of 0.10% per annum payable in 40 years, with a grace period of 12 years. (READ: Tokyo Metro: It's time to build a subway in PH)
The signing of the loan agreement is expected in November when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe meets with President Rodrigo Duterte during the ASEAN Summit.
The groundbreaking of the subway project is currently set for the 4th quarter of 2018, while the target completion is by 2025, the DOTr said.
Also funded by JICA, the PNR-South Commuter Line is a 72-kilometer mass transportation railway from Tutuban, Manila to Los Baños, Laguna.
It is expected to have a daily ridership of over 300,000 in its 1st year and will cut travel time between Manila and Calamba by more than half, reducing it from over two hours to under one once the railway is fully operational, government data showed.
The PNR South Commuter Line will be a dual-track, electrified, standard-gauge railway with elevated, at-grade, and depressed sections.
Its extension, the PNR South Long Haul Line, will be funded via ODA from China.
The PNR South Long Haul Line is a 581-kilometer, standard-gauge railway from Manila to Legazpi, Matnog, and Batangas City.
It involves the complete reconstruction of the legacy PNR railway into a DOUBLE-track, at-grade railway. The railway is seen to connect cities, international seaports, and economic zones.

Metro Manila subway plan, other projects OKd at Neda meeting Read more: http://business.inquirer.net/236740/national-economic-development-authority-metro-manila-subway-project-ernesto-abella-ernesto-pernia#ixzz4sTrE1Urz Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

The National Economic Development Authority (Neda) Board on Tuesday approved 12 projects, including the Metro Manila Subway Project.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the Neda Board met although government offices in Manila were closed due to Tropical Depression “Maring” and President Duterte was in Davao.

He added that Neda Secretary Ernesto Pernia presided over the board meeting in the absence of the President.

“(The) meeting was approved and authorized by the President, (who was absent) due to other concerns that came about (yesterday), allowing Vice Chair to proceed, and with quorum established despite work suspension,” Abella said in a statement.

Abella said the Neda board approved the first phase of the Metro Manila Subway Project.

Pernia earlier disclosed that the price tag of the National Capital Region’s first subway project could increase from $4.4 billion to $7 billion due to the addition of a spur line from FTI to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The initial plan was to connect Quezon City and Taguig but the spur line “will surely make the plane-riding public happy,” Pernia said.

He said the timetable for the project was still being determined but the Department of Transportation wanted it finished by 2022.

The other projects approved by the Neda board were the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) improvement of Growth Corridors in Mindanao; DPWH’s Binondo-Intramuros and Estrella-Pantaleon Bridges construction project; the 18 month validity extension of the Asian Development Bank Loan for Improvement and Institutional Development Project.

The board also gave its nod to the Philippine National Railway’s P151 billion South Long Haul (Calamba to Bicol) and P134 billion South Commuter Line (Tutuban to Los Baños) line projects; the increase in cost of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit System, the Lower Agno Irrigation System Improvement Project.

The change in mode of implementation for the Clark International Airport Expansion Project; the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project subject to the inclusion of Department of Finance in the Project Management Team and the regular monitoring of Neda; and “noted” the Board ‘s ad referendum of the Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility.

On the other hand, the Neda board deferred its approval of the Implementation Plan for the New Centennial Water Source – Kaliwa Dam Project, and deferred discussion on the UMALPAS Housing Cooperative’s Medium Rise Building Project.


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Tuesday, September 12, 2017

15 Years Later: A Reflection On The 2002 UAAP Champion Ateneo Blue Eagles

By Marco Benitez

In the midst of the 14-year title drought known in Ateneo basketball lore as the Dark Ages, many die-hard Ateneans had all but given up on basketball glory. Yes, there was the occasional big win against champion teams, and that twice a year rivalry match with La Salle, where, as the saying went, lose to anyone but La Salle. The 90s were dominated by UST, FEU and DLSU, while the boys from Katipunan, who last held the crown in 1987 and 1988, lingered in the bottom half of the UAAP standings, unable to crack the Final 4.

Then beginning in 1999, with a coaching change that brought in Joe Lipa and some of the cream of Ateneo’s homegrown high school talent – Enrico Villanueva, Rainier Sison, Wesley Gonzales, Paolo Bugia, Larry Fonacier, to name a few – and the recruitment of blue chip talents here and abroad, beginning with eventual 2-time UAAP MVP Rich Alvarez, the basketball program suddenly started to breathe life.

The Blue Eagles made their first Final 4 appearance in 1999, then followed it up with another one the year after, before bowing out despite a twice-to-beat advantage to powerhouse FEU. By 2001, with much experience behind them, and the entry of spitfire guard LA Tenorio - who was just 18 at that time - the Blue Eagles would barge their way to the Finals, facing the reigning three-time UAAP Champion Green Archers. DLSU, led by their King Archer Renren Ritualo, would prevail in three games that year for their 4th straight title. To this day, I still remember all the crying in that Ateneo locker room in Araneta Coliseum, wearing our “I Love Joe” Finals uniforms (that would be Joe Lipa’s last year with the team). But more than that, I will never forget LA’s 32 points in that Game 3. 32 points by an 18-year old rookie point guard, against the best college defense in the land. I knew then that we had someone special.

That 2002 season – season 65 – started out ordinarily; 3 wins and 4 losses in the first round under new head coach Joel Banal. It took some adjustment, emotional team meetings, and veterans demanding accountability from everyone else before we were able to turn the corner on that season. A 6-1 record in the second round, including an emotional win against our arch-rivals on that last elimination round game, stopping their season sweep, 13-1. What awaited was a matchup against the James Yap and Paul Artadi-led UE Red Warriors who had twice-to-beat advantage. Then, there was “The Shot” by Gec Chia, Enrico’s MVP performance in the Finals, and “The Block” on Cardona by Larry Fonacier, and then Araneta Coliseum bursting after 14 long years of heartache – the Blue Eagles were once again kings of the UAAP.

15 years and 5 championships later, there have been many memorable moments, great plays, and basketball icons that have donned the blue and white. When the Atenean basketball fan talks about the greatest moments and players in Ateneo basketball history, it would be hard to top the 5-peat of 2008-2012, and players like Chris Tiu, Greg Slaughter, and the Phenom, Kiefer Ravena. But to the die-hard basketball fan, at least those old enough to remember, they’ll tell you that what started it all, what paved the way for the next generation of King Eagles and championship teams, was that 2002 Championship squad – the Hail Mary Team that wasn’t meant to, but by nothing short of a miracle, pulled off one of greatest and most improbable championship seasons in Ateneo History.

Marco Benitez was a co-captain of the 2002 Ateneo Blue Eagles. He is currently part of S+A's broadcast panel for the UAAP men's basketball games.

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Biggest-ever ODA loan up for Duterte approval

President Duterte is expected to approve today the rollout of the Philippines’ first subway system, which the country’s chief economist said would be fully funded by the biggest-ever official development assistance (ODA) from Japan.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia told the Inquirer that the National Economic and Development Authority Board chaired by the President would give its go-ahead to the P355.6-billion Metro Manila Subway Project-Phase 1, which will connect Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Parañaque City, during its scheduled meeting today.





Pernia, who heads the state planning agency Neda, said the entire project cost, equivalent to $7 billion, would be funded by ODA from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica).

So far, the largest ODA loan package provided by Jica to the Philippines was 241.9 billion yen or about $2 billion for the $2.88-billion North-South Commuter Railway Project that will connect Tutuban, Manila to Malolos City, Bulacan.

The implementation of the subway project will start next year and completion is targeted by mid-2025, Neda said.

Economic Planning Undersecretary Rolando G. Tungpalan told the Inquirer that besides the subway, the Neda Board would also approve the increase in the project cost of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to P16.3 billion from P10.6 billion previously.

Also part of the agenda during today’s Neda Board meeting are the P21.2-billion Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project; P7.9-billion Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility; P3.5-billion Lower Agno River Irrigation System Improvement Project as well as the 18-month validity extension of the Asian Development Bank’s loan for the Road Improvement and Institutional Development Project, Tungpalan disclosed.

The Neda Board would also green-light the two bridges to be built across the Pasig River using grants from the Chinese government—the P4.6-billion Binondo-Intramuros Bridge and P1.4-billion Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge, Tungpalan added.

This year, public infrastructure spending is expected to result in a 0.1-percentage point increase in real GDP; 0.7 percentage point in 2018; 1.3 percentage points in 2019, and 1.7 percentage points in 2020.

The “Build, Build, Build” program will bring about an average of 1.4-percentage point increase in annual GDP growth, Neda data showed.

Also, the infrastructure buildup plan is expected to generate more jobs: 106,824 in 2017; 823,696 in 2018; 1.1 million in 2019; 1.2 million in 2020; 1.4 million in 2021, and 1.7 million in 2022. —BEN O. DE VERA


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Security vs privacy

Among last week’s developments that has yet to impact the market is the House of Representatives’ approval of the bill for the establishment of a national identification (ID) system.

House Bill No. 5060, or the proposed Filipino Identification System Act, got 142 affirmative votes, with only seven against. A similar version is now pending before the Senate’s committee on justice and human rights.

The idea of a national identification system first emerged during the martial law years. Then President Ferdinand E. Marcos issued Presidential Decree No. 278 to ensure national security while harmonizing all government-issued identification systems into one reference card. The fundamental ground offered then was to provide convenience in the transaction of official business with government and private offices.

The idea died before it could take off with the fall of the Marcos regime.

Former President Fidel E. Ramos made another attempt during his term of office. He issued Administrative Order No. 308, which called for the adoption of a national computerized ID system in order “to facilitate transactions with basic services and social security providers and other government instrumentalities.”

This was contested and the Supreme Court nullified the order because “it encroached on Congress’ right to legislate.”

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo attempted a different tack. She issued Executive Order No. 420 “requiring all government agencies and government-owned and -controlled corporations to streamline and harmonize their identification systems.”

The EO was upheld by the high court. It pointed out that the order “applied only to government agencies” and the issuance of ID cards is part of the functions of government and is within the power of the President.

As such, the idea did not again materialize. The scheme fell short of becoming a national ID system. It excluded or failed to cover all other Filipino citizens and foreign nationals living in the country.

Pros and cons

Terrorism has become more ferocious following the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States. Since then, it has spread across Europe, to parts of Asia, specifically in Mindanao.

Along with rising criminality, advocates claim the havoc brought by both is enough justification for the adoption of a national ID system. They said the system can help government determine quickly the status of individuals and weed out those with false identification and false intentions.

On everyday life undertakings, a national ID card could obviate the worries and problems of presenting the “valid IDs” required in order to consummate transactions with government and private sector.

Yet, those against the idea find the program’s feasibility a problem. They insist that it would be difficult to ensure that all of the country’s population would register. The case of vagabonds is one example.

The cost of a tamper-proof ID is also expensive. Note that it would need trained people to distribute them too.

Most important of all, it has a high potential for abuse, i.e. invasion of privacy. Unscrupulous individuals could use the national ID system to fleece other people while government officials could use it as an effective weapon against their critics, even those with legitimate grievances.

Bottom line spin

The national ID card approved by the House of Representatives ordered that it “shall bear the cardholder’s photo, name, signature, birth date, gender, date of issue, serial number.” It also declared that it should “have such other data that may be deemed necessary by the Philippine Statistics Authority.”

The added clause is the present cause of big concern by those against the idea. Proponents, on the other hand, cite that we have the Data Privacy Act of 2012, which could serve to protect individual privacy.


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Eddie Mesa goes back onstage after 28 years!

We can hardly wait for Sept. 23 to come. On this day, our dear friend, the legendary singer-actor Eddie Mesa, dubbed the “Elvis Presley of the Philippines,” and husband of actress Rosemarie Gil, will make a formal concert after 28 years! This will be held at the Meralco theater.

His concert is aptly titled “Sing Us Your Song Again: The Music And Legacy Of Eddie Mesa.” Making his comeback performance doubly exciting to local fans is the involvement of the actors in the Eigenmann clan – Michael de Mesa, Ryan, Geoff, Max, Gabby, and Andi Eigenmann, Sid Lucero and Cherie Gil, who is producing the show under her MyOwnMann Productions, Inc.

Cherie said “It is our vision and mission that MyOwnMann will serve as an umbrella for the God-given collective talents the Eigenmann family has, allowing us opportunities to express and tell stories that inspire, affect and hopefully change the way we think… for the better.”

Eddie is expected to keep his audience rockin’ and rollin’ as he takes them through the journey of his career spanning four decades, before he embarked on a spiritual transformation. Special guest performers include Pilita Corrales, Christopher de Leon, Edgar Mortiz, Tirso Cruz III, Ciara Sotto and the Hotlegs.

• • •

End is near

GMA Network’s well-loved fantasy series “Mulawin Vs. Ravena” is down to its last week and its lead stars shared their sentiments on what they’ll miss most about the show.

 Dennis Trillo who plays Gabriel said he is grateful to have worked with such talented and professional artists. “Mami-miss ko siyempre ’yung samahan namin everyday on taping. Masaya ako na iba’t-ibang henerasyon ’yung mga nakatrabaho ko dito at swerte ako kasi talagang prepared sila at nakita ko ’yung passion nila,”

He adds they’re glad to have made a positive impact on their audience.

Bea Binene or Anya on the series highlighted the lessons she learned.

“Challenging ’yung role pero kahit mahirap ’yung ginagawa mo, kailangan masaya mo siyang gagawin. Natutuwa kami sa pagsuporta ng mga tao and here, everyone feels like a family,” she said.

Her on-screen partner Derrick Monasterio who plays Almiro shared he’s happy with the immense support they receive.

Also in the cast are Kiko Estrada, Bianca Umali, Miguel Tanfelix, Chynna Ortaleza, Ariel Rivera, Roi Vinzon, and many others.

“Mulawin Vs. Ravena” airs weeknights 8:30 p.m. on GMA Telebabad.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Sept. 12, go to Rep. Conrad Estrella III, McDonalds’ George Yang, Ms. Remy Jose, Sophia Romero, Cora Vicente, Maya Santiano, Dulce Fernandez, Elvira Perez, Tata Balane, Dulce F. Zoleta of APEC Plans, Rosani Recreo Sarile of De La Salle Univ.-Dasmariñas, and MB Sports Editor Ding Marcelo… Happy wedding anniversary to Engr. Marcelino and Corazon SamaniegoSept. 14: Senator Bongbong Marcos, former DoT secretary Mina Gabor, Sonya Mathay, Chiqui Hollman-Yulo, Beth Sison-Tagle, Elena Munsayac, Annie Tung, Tono Verzosa, Sylvia Zulueta, Ed Sicam, Sugar Mercado, PDI Editor-In-Chief Letty J. Magsanoc, Inday Espina-Varona, Mackoy Afable, Melissa Flores, Mrs. Milagros Cruz, John James Uy, CJ Novato and Joaqui Mendoza of Star Magic, Rheena Baluyot and Gen. Edgardo Aglipay…Belated b-day greetings to Boy Francisco and David Irenee of Mastermind (Sept. 11)

Monday, September 11, 2017

MMDA: U-turn slots, adjustments would be implemented along Commonwealth

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) advised motorists that U-turn slots and other adjustments would be implemented along Commonwealth Avenue affected by the construction of the Metro Rail Transit 7.

Emil Llavor, MMDA Road Safety Unit head, said workers of the project contractor EEI Corporation have started occupying several lanes from the center island of Commonwealth near the Technohub area as construction works began.

One of the adjustments in the area is the transfer of U-turn slot near the Technohub area to Tandang Sora area.

“The existing location of the U-turn which is near the Technohubb area would be excavated for the underground tunnel,” Llavor said.

He said motorists and commuters would start to experience heavier traffic when the excavation reaches North Avenue and Philcoa area.

“We have required the removal of the delineator installed by Road Board through the Department of Public Works and Highways to widen the road,” said Llavor, noting the delineator serves as separators for passing public utility and private vehicles in the area.

Loading and unloading areas along Commonwealth Avenue would also be fixed.  EEI Corporation, the project contractor,  likewise committed to install their own CCTV cameras in the area as well as provide flagmen to help in traffic management.

Meanwhile the MMDA fined the private contractor for obstructing traffic along busy Commonwealth Avenue when it parked a large crane used in their construction.

Through a letter, Jojo Garcia, MMDA assistant general manager for planning, said they ordered the private contractor EEI Corporation to pay P25,000 fine for blocking two lanes of traffic with their large crane early this week near Technohub area.

“The public badly needs the railway but the contractor must follow what we have agreed guidelines. They should limit their construction space,” said Garcia.

The contractors are only allowed to occupy two lanes in each direction.

Since the construction began late last month, motorists passing along Commonwealth Avenue have complained of heavy traffic.

Garcia said the contractor should understand that motorists need to get to their destination and inconvenience brought by the construction of the railway should be minimized.

In 2016, an annual average daily traffic of 272,255 vehicles was recorded along Commonwealth Avenue.

MRT-7 is a 22-kilometer rail transit system with 14 stations that would connect North Avenue in Quezon City to San Jose Del Monte City in Bulacan.

The 14 stations would be along North Avenue, Quezon City Memorial Circle, University Avenue, Tandang Sora, Don Antonio, Batasan, Manggahan, Doña Carmen, Regalado, Mindanao Avenue, Quirino, Sacred Heart. Tala, and San Jose Del Monte.

The project is expected to be finished by fourth quarter of 2019.