Philippine National Railways Commuter System

The Philippine National Railways Commuter System Operation and Maintenance is part of the Government of the Philippines’ (GOP’s) efforts to promote inclusive growth. The Project aims to revive the railway to provide improved transport and logistics services to currently underserved areas and encourage more productive activities.

The proposed NSRP South Line PPP covers Metro Manila to Legazpi City, Albay, plus a number of existing and proposed branch lines totaling to approximately 653 km. It consists of commuter railway operations between Tutuban and Calamba and long haul railway operations between Tutuban and Legazpi, including extended long haul rail operations on the branch line between Calamba and Batangas and extension between Legazpi and Matnog.

The railway between the existing Tutuban station and the Los Banos, in the Laguna province is a 56 km section of the NSRP and is proposed to have commuter rail operations in addition to long haul rail operations of NSRP. This section represents an existing Philippines National Railway (PNR) right-of-way (ROW) which runs through Metro Manila. Currently, the NSRP has a narrowgauge railway. However, extensive rehabilitation and reconstruction is needed to bridges and road crossings to bring it to safe operating condition.

Stations

1. Valenzuela (Polo) - near Gen. T. de Leon Street (C5), Barangay General T. de Leon, Valenzuela City
2. Acacia - Brgy. Acacia, Malabon City
3. Caloocan (Kalookan) - Sangandaan, Caloocan City
4. Asistio Avenue - Grace Park, Caloocan City
5. C-3 (5th Ave) - Grace Park, Caloocan City
6. Solis - Tondo, Manila
7. Tayuman - Tayuman Street, Tondo, Manila
8. Tutuban (Manila/Tondo) - Tondo, Manila
9. Blumentritt (San Lazaro/Santa Cruz) - Sampaloc, Manila
10. Laong-Laan (Dapitan) - Sampaloc, Manila
11. España - Sampaloc, Manila
12. Legarda - Sampaloc, Manila
13. Sampaloc - Sampaloc, Manila
14. Santa Mesa - Santa Mesa, Manila (beside Polytechnic University of the Philippines)
15. Pandacan (Beata) - Pandacan, Manila
16. Paco - Paco, Manila
17. San Andres - San Andres, Manila
18. Vito Cruz - San Andres, Manila
19. Buendia - Brgy. Pio del Pilar, Makati City
20. Pasay Road (Culi-culi/Pio del Pilar) - Brgy. Pio del Pilar, Makati City
21. EDSA - Magallanes Village, Makati City
22. Nichols (Bonifacio-Villamor) - Brgy. Western Bicutan, Taguig City
23. FTI - (Food Terminal Junction/Arca South) Brgy. Western Bicutan, Taguig City
24. Bicutan - Brgy. San Martin de Porres, Parañaque City
25. Sucat - Sucat, Muntinlupa City
26. Alabang - Alabang, Muntinlupa City
27. Muntinlupa - Poblacion, Muntinlupa City
28. Tunasan - Tunasan, Muntinlupa City
29. San Pedro (San Pedro Tunasan) - San Vicente, San Pedro City
30. Pacita Complex - Pacita Complex, San Pedro City
31. Golden City 1 - Golden City Subdivision, Biñan City
32. Biñan (Biñang) - Biñan City
33. Santa Rosa - Brgy. Labas, City Proper, Santa Rosa City
34. Golden City 2 - Golden City Subdivision, Santa Rosa City
35. Cabuyao - near Asia Brewery, Inc. Manufacturing Plant, Cabuyao City
36. Mamatid - Brgy. Mamatid, Cabuyao City
37. Banlic - Brgy. Banlic, Cabuyao City
38. Calamba - Brgy. 1, Calamba City
39. Bucal - Brgy. Bucal, Calamba City
40. Pansol - Brgy. Pansol, Calamba City
41. Masile - Brgy. Masile, Calamba City
42. Los Baños - Brgy. Bambang, Los Baños
43. UP Los Baños (Junction/College) - University of the Philippines, Brgy. Batong Malake, Los Baños

"New" Map of the Philippines

A proposed bordered map of the Philippines, that would contain 83 provinces, plus proposed provinces, 49 highly urbanized cities and two independent municipalities

No subsidy for new airport

By Myla Iglesias
September 19, 2017

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is open to undertake a Swiss challenge on the P700-billion unsolicited proposal of San Miguel Corp. for a new international airport in Bulacan  as long as government will not provide subsidy or guarantee.

“We are ready to talk...  subject to existing laws and regulations, but there’s no government sovereignty, no government guarantee or subsidy, and there’s contract requiring airlines to fly their airport,” said Arthur Tugade, DOTr secretary.

Once  DOTr and SMC  agree on those conditions,  Tugade said the proposal would be submitted  to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)-Investment Coordination Committee for approval.

The proposal will then have to secure approval from the NEDA board chaired by President Duterte prior to the Swiss challenge exercise.

 SMC last year  submitted to the Duterte administration a revised proposal on the new airport, this time in a new location.

It earlier planned  to locate the airport on CyberBay Corp.’s reclamation project on   Manila-Cavite Coastal road at a cost of $10 billion.

With the new location, the new airport will be connected to SMC’s rail project, Metro Rail Transit 7 (MRT-7) which runs Araneta-Colinas Verdes Subdivision, City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan to EDSA corner North avenue in Quezon City.

MRT-7 will be operational by 2020.

The proposed international airport will occupy 1,168 hectares out of  2,500 hectares of land.  The rest will be developed into a city complex.

SMC has been expanding its airport portfolio.

SMC  through TransAire Development Holdings Corp. currently oversees the modernization of the Caticlan airport.

Through San Miguel Holdings Corp.-IIAC (Incheon International Airport Corp.) consortium, the company has been prequalified to bid for the five regional airports.

The company also expressed interest to join in the bidding of P74.56-billion Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) development project.

Meanwhile, the new international airport is expected to address the worsening traffic congestion at NAIA which is currently operating beyond its ideal capacity of 35 million passengers per year.

According to a study of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the number of air passengers in NAIA is projected to reach 47.8 million in 2020; 59 million in 2025, 71.6 million by 2030 and 85.6 million by 2035.

By 2040, the number would top  101 million.

Govt to pitch ‘Build Build Build’ to China

The country’s economic managers will stage a “Build Build Build” roadshow in China to promote the Duterte government infrastructure ambitions, the Finance department said.

A delegation led by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd and other Cabinet members will hold the roadshow from September 27 to 29.

“The Philippine delegation will meet with Chinese ministry officials on September 27 in Beijing and proceed the following day to Shanghai, China’s financial center, to generate support for the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program of the Duterte administration,” the Finance department said.

Besides Dominguez, the officials who will also attend the roadshow are Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar and Bases Conversion Development Authority President Vivencio Dizon.

President Rodrigo Duterte has turned to China for aid an assistance and in March, the Philippines and China signed agreements on the conduct of preliminary studies for two proposed big-ticket infrastructure projects in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Dominguez and China Commerce Vice Minister Fu Ziying, who is also China’s International Trade Representative, formalized an agreement on the conduct of preliminary feasibility studies for the proposed Davao City Expressway and the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges Project through an exchange of letters.

Pernia and Fu also signed the Six-Year Development Program that “aims to steer and promote the stable and orderly development of economic cooperation between the two countries.”

This program also aims to “enlarge the scope and enhance the level of cooperation between, and drive sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development in, the two countries,” according to the Finance department.

The Duterte administration is planning to spend between P8 trillion and P9 trillion on “Build Build Build” over the next five years.

DPWH eyes extending NAIAx to BGC next year

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is planning to extend the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway (NAIAx) way to Bonifacio Global City (BGC) next year.

"We are currently planning the extension of the NAIA Expressway that will connect it to BGC," Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said during deliberations on the DPWH proposed budget for 2018.

"We are now doing, conducting the design ... We are targeting to start that by next year," he said.

To make way for the NAIAx extension, the DPWH is now working on the P458-million road widening of Lawton Ave.—or the Fort Bonifacio-Nichols Field Road.

"Once na matapos 'yung road widening, doon babagsak 'yung ramp connecting Lawton Ave. to NAIAx," Villar said.

He said the NAIAx extension will ease traffic jams along the adjacent Sales Road in Pasay City.

"The budget still hasn't been finalized as the plan is being drafted," Villar said.

The 7.7-kilometer NAIAx is an elevated highway connecting the NAIA Terminals 1, 2, and 3 to the Skyway, Manila-Cavite Expressway, and Entertainment City. — VDS, GMA News

DPWH names 5 major infra projects seen to solve PHL traffic problems

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is the second government agency with the highest proposed budget for 2018, which amounts to 643 billion pesos.

The said budget will cover the implementation of its lined up infrastructure projects.

Senate Committee on Public Services chairperson Senator Grace Poe asked the DPWH for its recommendation on the projects that should be under the emergency powers bill that is expected to resolve the country’s traffic problems, particularly in Metro Manila.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said the agency sees the five major projects, namely: the Skyway Stage 3, SLEX-NLEX connector road, the 12 bridges along the Pasig River, the Laguna Lake Highway and the Harbor Lake, will be the answer to the long-time traffic problem.

“The projection is that the combined vehicular traffic that would be absorbed by these two projects is about 100,000 a day. So just on these projects alone there will significant impact on traffic in Metro Manila,” said Villar.

Senator Poe, on the other hand, said that although the immediate implementation of these projects is imperative, high-quality assurance should be an utmost guarantee.

“’Yun ang papayagan natin sa alternative sources of bidding na papayagan natin (That is what we will allow in the alternative sources of bidding that we will approve). Not necessarily the lowest bidder but the best,” said Poe.

The DPWH targets to complete most of these projects by the middle of President Rodrigo Duterte’s term.

NAIA Expressway may be extended to BGC

The government is looking into extending the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway (NAIAx) to Bonifacio Global City (BGC) next year, this was revealed by Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar during the budget hearing of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for 2018 in Senate on September 18.

The expressway, operated by Vertex Tollways Development, started opening phases in September 22, 2016 until its full opening for all motorists on June 2.

It has exits for Skyway, NAIA Terminal 3, Newport City, Villamor Airbase, NAIA Terminals 1 and 2, Macapagal Boulevard, Seaside Drive and CAVITEX.

“We are currently planning the extension of the NAIA Expressway that will connect it to BGC,” Villar said. “We are now doing, conducting the design – we are targeting to start that by next year.”

“Once na matapos ‘yung road widening, doon babagsak ‘yung ramp connecting Lawton Ave. to NAIAx,” he added.

https://www.update.ph/2017/09/naia-expressway-may-be-extended-to-bgc/20909

Immunity from traffic violations sends 'wrong message' – House opposition

Lawmakers from independent blocs in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, September 19, criticized the move to grant lawmakers immunity from minor traffic violations while Congress is in session.

“The apparent off-the-cuff invocation of constitutional immunity from arrest for offenses punishable with imprisonment of not more than 6 years is uncalled for,” Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman said in a statement, referring to the appeal of Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Fariñas.

During a transportation committee hearing, Fariñas said that the apprehension of lawmakers for minor traffic violations en route to Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City gets in the way of their job.

Fariñas cited Article IV, Section 11 of the Constitution, which states: “A Senator or Member of the House of Representatives shall, in all offenses punishable by not more than 6 years imprisonment, be privileged from arrest while the Congress is in session. No member shall be questioned nor be held liable in any other place for any speech or debate in Congress or in any committee thereof.”

He added that Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez can surrender the erring legislator once session ends.

Still, this argument did not sit well for Lagman. “To my knowledge, no representative has been detained or arrested for a traffic violation and no incumbent has asked for any immunity from arrest or detention for a traffic infraction… It sends the wrong message that there is no speed limit for representatives during session days,” he said.

Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate said Fariñas’ appeal only highlights the difference in the application of the law on those in power and on ordinary citizens.

“Lalo nitong patitingkarin na may ibang batas para sa may kapangyarihan at sa karaniwang tao. Dapat ay maging huwaran ang mga mambabatas para tuparin ang mga ito. Mga simpleng empleyado o kawani o maging mga mambabatas o matataas na opisyal ay lahat apektado talaga sa malalang traffic. Lahat ay may mga mahalaga ring gawain sa araw-araw na sasabak sila sa daang matrapik, kaya mas dapat ay wala nang napapaboran pa,” he said.

(This will only highlight that there is a difference in the application of the law on those in power and on ordinary people. Lawmakers should be models in terms of the implementation of the law. Simple employees or staff members of lawmakers or high officials are all affected by horrible traffic. All of them have an important job to do and they all have to endure traffic. It’s better if we don’t give any favors to anyone.)

Traffic in Metro Manila and even in nearby provinces has steadily worsened through the years. The worst traffic is in EDSA, the mega city’s main thoroughfare, while traffic along Commonwealth Avenue, among the main roads leading to the Batasan Pambansa, has also become heavier following the start of construction of MRT-7.

When asked about the possibility that some lawmakers abuse their apparent privilege of immunity, Fariñas told media: “Do not vote for them as members of Congress. Complainants can, of course, file cases and have them arrested when Congress is not in session. Members of Congress are not immune or privileged from suits or cases, but shall ‘be privileged privileged from arrest while the Congress is in session.’”

Lagman, meanwhile, pointed out that not all legislators drive their own cars.

“Moreover, invariably representatives have drivers and any immunity does not extend to their drivers or to the security back-up of some of them,” he added.

Congressional races: Will there be 10 more in 2019?

However, the totals may still increase, as there are 14 pending bills, to date, in the Lower House in the 16th Congress (2013-2016) that propose the creation of more legislative districts or the redistricting of existing ones.

If all would be approved in time for the 2019 polls, there would be 15 more new districts.

x x x

Eleven more House bills are pending in the Lower House. Among these, 3 seek to reapportion lone districts by splitting them into two.

A similar proposal, House Bill 5002 – filed by Representative Arnel Cerafica (2nd term, LP) – is mainly a bid for the cityhood of the only municipality in the National Capital Region (NCR).

But an additional provision entails the creation of the lone district of Pateros, separating it from the lone district of Taguig City-Pateros. This is despite Pateros having a population of only 64,147 as of 2010, below the requirement of a minimum population of 250,000 for cities to be entitled to separate a district.

Cerafica cites the case of Tobias vs. Abalos, concerning the former Mandaluyong-San Juan district, as an example.

In 1994, a new legislative district was created for Mandaluyong due to its conversion into a highly-urbanized city (HUC). The remainder of the old district, then the town of San Juan, was given its own House seat as a result, despite not being a city and not meeting the 250,000 population requirement.

Cerafica argued that the same should be applied to the Taguig-Pateros district, contrary to the current set-up. Taguig was converted into an HUC in 1998, but only took effect on December 8, 2004.

Pateros, instead of being separated from the district, was then grouped with the barangays in Taguig's 1st council district to form the new Taguig City-Pateros district (or Taguig City, 1st District) in 2007. The 2nd council district was given its own congressional district.

"Pateros should likewise be entitled to its own representation in Congress by making its own legislative district," he said in the bill's explanatory note.

Four other bills seek to carve new districts out of existing ones:

MRT-LRT common station set to ground break on September 29

The Department of Transportation (DoTr) and its private contractors are all geared up for MRT-LRT common station groundbreaking on September 29 (Friday), after a series of talks and settlements for the disputed common station.

The common station project is set to link the main rail systems in Metro Manila – Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1), which now travels from Roosevelt Station in Quezon City to Baclaran Station in Pasay City, the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 from North Avenue Station in Quezon City to Taft Avenue Station in Pasay City, and the MRT-7 that is currently being constructed. MRT-7 will run from North Avenue in Quezon City to San Jose del Monte in Bulacan, is expected to be completed and operational in the last quarter of 2019.

The construction of the project has been halted and put on hold for nearly 8 years due to legal issues which arises in May 2013, when the former Department of Transportation and Communications initiated to reposition the proposed common station in front of Trinoma as an alternative to the agreed common site of LRTA and SM Prime in front of The Annex at the SM City North EDSA in September 2009.

On November 21, 2013, former President Benigno Aquino III and his Cabinet approved seven infrastructure projects worth more than P100 billion, including the construction of a common station that would link Metro Manila’s two overhead train services near the TriNoma mall in Quezon City.

The Common Station at the TriNoma will connect the LRT-1, MRT-3, and the future MRT-7 line. The project will also involve the construction of head-to-head platforms for LRT 1 and MRT 3 with a 147.4-meter elevated “walkalator” to MRT 7 on North Avenue.

On July 30, 2014, the SMPHI obtained a TRO from the high court to prevent the DOTC from transferring the common station near Trinoma.

The Supreme Court’s TRO reinforces SM Prime Holdings, Inc.’s position in the case for Specific Performance of SM Prime and LRTA’s Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) dated September 29, 2009. The case is now pending before the Regional Trial Court of Pasay City.

In a statement, SMPHI’s legal counsel Atty. Ryan San Juan said that “SM Prime is not seeking to delay the LRT 1-Cavite Extension project.

Rather, we are merely asking that the DOTC/LRTA and/or the winning bidder construct the Common Station component thereof in front of SM City North EDSA, in faithful compliance with the MOA.”

He added that “SM Prime now hopes that the DOTC and LRTA will respect, honor and abide in good faith with the terms of the MOA and continue the construction of the Common Station at its original location across from the SM City North EDSA Annex building, which was started as early as the beginning of the Aquino administration in 2010.”

Meanwhile, DOTC Spokesperson Michael Arthur Sagcal said in a text message, “We will continue working on the award unless and until we receive any TRO or injunctive writ from the SC.”

He added that “As we have said before, the DOTC will respect court issuances, but as long as we have not been legally prohibited from doing our work, we will continue pushing for our infrastructure projects since this is our commitment to the public.”

Earlier, the DOTC welcomed the decision of the Pasay City Regional Trial Court denying SM Prime Holdings Inc.’s (SMPHI) application for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against the government in connection with the Common Station project in Quezon City.

In a seven-page order, the Pasay City Regional Trial Court on June 23 stated that “the application of temporary restraining order and writ of a preliminary injunction is denied in view of the mandatory ban under Section 3 of R.A. No. 8975.”

Ending years of the standoff in settling the disputed common station, in January, the government and private companies engaged in the project signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) and have agreed that the common station will now be situated between the 2009 original site in front of the SM North EDSA Annex and the 2013 site near Trinoma Mall.

The MoA was endorsed by JICA Philippines Chief Representative Susumu Ito, DoTr Secretary Arthur Tugade; DPWH Secretary Mark Villar; LRTA administrator Reynaldo Berroya; LRT-1 operator Light Rail Manila Corp.; Metro Pacific Investments Corp. Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan; SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Director Hans Sy; Ayala Corp. Chief Executive Officer Jaime Zobel de Ayala; North Triangle Depot Commercial Corp. and San Miguel Corp. President and CEO Ramon Ang.

DoTr Secretary Tugade assured that there will be more obstruction in building the station in QC. He added that they have already settled the issues with the private companies concerned.

The common station is estimated to cost Php 2.8 billion and is expected to provide commuters ease in traversing from one railway to another. 

Uy eyes Megawide’s Cebu project

Davao City-based businessman Dennis Uy expressed interest to team up with Megawide Construction Corp. to develop a four-hectare property adjacent to the Mactan Cebu International Airport into a mixed-use real estate project with hotel and gaming components.

Megawide chief marketing officer Louie Ferrer said in an interview at the sidelines of the annual stockholders’ meeting that Uy’s Udenna Corp. was one of the four groups that expressed interest in the Megawide project.

Megawide said it would select a partner for the project within the year.

Udenna is already building a $300-million integrated resort and casino on Punto Engaño Peninsula in Lapu-Lapu City.  “This will complement his casino,” Ferrer said.

Meanwhile, Megawide said it was interested in getting a foreign partner for the proposed $1-billion East-West Railway project,  a 9.77-kilometer railway from Diliman, Quezon City along the corridor of Quezon Avenue to España Boulevard in Manila.

Megawide president Edgar Saavedra said the company planned to get a foreign partner with expertise in railway operations to help operate the project.

Saavedra said the company would introduce a new technology for the construction of an elevated rail system and would also apply a different strategy in implementing the project.

The company’s move to venture into transport projects such as mass railway transit, aside from developing airport and road projects, is a part of the group’s diversification strategy.

Megawide acquired in July a controlling stake in a consortium that will build an elevated railway linking Quezon City and Manila.

East-West Rail Transit Corp. agreed to give Megawide the right to participate in the unsolicited project as an additional consortium member with the right to acquire up to 60 percent of the special purpose vehicle for the project.

Other members of the consortium are ERTWC and Malaysian firm MTD Alloy.

Megawide said it would also pursue an unsolicited P209-billion proposal for the 50-year development of Manila-Cebu International Airport.

The proposed project will have three phases, including the rehabilitation of MCIA’s existing runway and taxiways, construction of a second parallel and independent runway which will significantly increase airside capacity and construction of a third terminal to accommodate additional passengers.

It is also keen on bidding for the Clark Airport project slated later this year and other infrastructure projects that the government may bid out.

Megawide also expressed interest in investing in sewerage treatment facilities and is in talks with local government units for possible partnerships.

Aside from MCIA, other infrastructure projects undertaken by Megawide are the School Infrastructure Project, which entailed the construction of almost 10,000 classrooms across Luzon and Southwest Integrated Transport System, the country’s first integrated land transport hub which will have a connection to LRT Line 1.

Megawide's proposed East-West Railway to cost $1 billion

Megawide Construction Corporation, a front-runner in public-private partnership (PPP) projects, disclosed the cost of its proposed 9.4-kilometer elevated railway line from Diliman, Quezon City to Lerma, Manila: around $1 billion (P51.17 billion).

"We will bring in the technology for constructing an elevated metro rail transit system. We are looking into this project. It is now under the technical working group," Oliver Tan, chief finance officer of Megawide, said in a media briefing in Pasig City on Monday, September 18.

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Megawide announced in July that it has acquired the right to participate in the East-West Railway Project of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) from the project consortium composed of East-West Rail Transit Corporation and Alloy MTD Philippines Incorporated.

East-West Railway's members are A Brown Company Incorporated, Netcore Development Limited, and Venere Holdings Limited.

"We will exercise [our option to buy up to 60% of the equity] upon incorporation of [a] special purpose vehicle," Tan told reporters.

Under the unsolicited railway proposal, Tan said the private sector will build the stations and rail track, supply rolling stock, operate, as well as conduct maintenance for a certain period. After the agreed period, the government will then take over.

The proposed deal will have 11 stations and interconnecting facilities with neighboring rail systems.

According to the PPP Center, the project aims to ease traffic congestion.

The project is "still under evaluation" by concerned agencies and has not yet been approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board.

Marian realizes dream to be a teacher

By: Crispina Martinez-Belen
Published September 19, 2017, 12:05 AM

In her comeback on GMA Telebabad, Marian Rivera-Dantes plays Minerva Henerala, the odd but soft-hearted high school teacher who loves her students despite their naughtiness inside the classroom.

In real life when she was younger, the actress dreamed of being a teacher.

“Super Ma’am,” directed by LA Madridejos, also marks the return of experienced actress, Ms. Helen Gamboa, to GMA. She breathes life into the character of Lolita Honorio, Minerva’s grandmother. She will also be Super Ma’am’s guide in her journey.

Playing opposite Marian is heartthrob Matthias Rhoads as Trevor Jones, an American archaeologist and writer who falls in love with Super Ma’am.

Also in the cast are Joyce Ching, Kristoffer Martin, Kevin Santos, Isabelle de Leon, Andrew Gan, Jackie Lou Blanco, Jillian Ward, Meg Imperial, Shyr Valdez and Carmina Villarroel. In special roles are Dina Bonnevie and Ai Ai delas Alas.

• • •

Medical mission for the media

Members of media has teleradyo host Ahwel Paz to thank for the recent medical mission that benefited them. It was held at the De Los Santos Medical Center last Sept. 10. The medical mission was courtesy of Ahwel’s  I Love My Family Foundation in collaboration with De Los Santos Medical Center.

 Now on its fifth year, Ahwel said he was inspired to embark on his advocacy when he noted that some members of the press and media can hardly provide for their medical needs.

“It breaks my heart every time I hear about some colleagues struggling to pay their hospital bills or soliciting help for their medical needs. This inspired me to extend help by conducting a medical mission in the industry where I belong. It’s my way of giving back for the blessings I receive. I do the medical mission on my birthday to make it more meaningful,” he said.

 For the first two years, Ahwel held his medical mission in a function room of hotels and at his own restaurant. But considering the logistics involved, he approached De Los Santos Medical Center and thankfully the president, Raul Pagdanganan, readily agreed to partner with him.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Sept. 19, go to former Rep. Peping Cojuangco, Impy Pilapil, Josie Darang, Maoui David, Nap Gutierrez, Lydia C. De Guzman, Danny Vibas, Atty. Nelson Lidua, Dr. Nilo Apale, Gio Anthony Medina, Jon Mathay, Dennis Herruela of Stratworks, and MB’s Marilou B. Laderas…Sept. 20: Ms. Imelda Cojuangco, producer Donna Villa, broadcaster Rey Langit, Malu Veloso, Lara Melissa de Leon-Joseph, Elaine Miranda, Angel Samson, Ester Dipasupil, California-based Vincent P. Tuazon, Katherine Marte, Lydia Go Chua, Jessica Santos Herrera, Chit Ramos of Balita, Zenaida A. Flores, Atty. Numeriano Tanopo of Dagupan City, Susan Calo Medina, Sally B. Maliuanag, Rogelio Rivera Revilla, Warlie Zambales Diaz, Carolyn Esposo Espiritu, Alfritz Jarn Horario Morata, Kolene Molina, and Erich Gonzales of ABS-CBN Star Magic… Happy wedding anniversary to Gina and Buddy Oberas of DZXL/RMN…

Pangilinan-Ayala group poised to bag MRT3 original proponent status

Other private groups will be able to submit competing offers under a Swiss challenge, while the original proponent, the Pangilinan-Ayala group, would be given the right to match them

The group led by the companies of tycoons Manuel Pangilinan and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala is expected to bag the original proponent status for the takeover and upgrade of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3).

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade told reporters last Friday, September 15, that his department will soon give the original proponent status to the Pangilinan-Ayala group.


Once the Department of Transportation (DOTr) formally grants the original proponent status, the MRT3 proposal will be up for the approval of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board.

Following NEDA Board approval, the proposal must then undergo a Swiss challenge. Based on government regulations, other private investors can submit competing offers under a Swiss challenge, while the original proponent will be given the right to match them. (READ: Pangilinan-Ayala group eyes MRT3 takeover by early 2018)

"They have set already and initiated a creation of a platform to explore possibilities including privatization to address the issues in MRT3," Tugade said on the sidelines of an event in Taguig City.

Part of the group's unsolicited proposal, the transportation chief said, is resolving 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.

Last week, state-run Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) said it is open to selling its entire economic interest in the MRT3, a move that can pave the way for a new private owner and operator.

The DBP and the Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) own a 77% economic interest in Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Corporation – the owner of the MRT3 – by virtue of its acquisition of asset-backed bonds in 2009. This interest secured the state-run banks 11 of the 14 board seats but did not give them equity ownership.

Once the Pangilinan-Ayala group is given original proponent status and it hurdles the Swiss challenge, it expects to take over the operations, maintenance, and rehabilitation of the 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.

Light Rail Manila Corporation (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.

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.

https://www.rappler.com/business/182311-pangilinan-ayala-group-poised-mrt3-original-proponent-status

Privatization answer to MRT woes

Government believes  privatization of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT3) will resolve the issues on the rail system.

The resulting rehabilitation and upgrade by the private sector would lead to the efficiency of the system.

The  Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Friday it has given the group of Metro Pacific Investment Corp. (MPIC) and Ayala Corp. the original proponent status for the rehabilitation of the rail system which would allow it to take over its operation and maintenance.

“We… have initiated… the creation of the platform to explore possibilities including privatization to address the issues in MRT,” said Arthur DOTr secretary.

The grant of original proponent status to the MPIC-Ayala consortium does not automatically mean its proposal is approved.

“There will be a discussion , we will agree (on the proposal) and submit  it to NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority). Once approved by NEDA and the President , there will be a Swiss challenge,” said Tugade. The NEDA board is chaired by President Duterte.

Last July , MPIC and Ayala submitted an unsolicited proposal to the DOTr to upgrade and rehabilitate the MRT 3 for P 12.5 billion. The group   also offered to buy out the private and government stakeholders in MRT-3 and take over operation and maintenance of the rail system .

The rehabilitation will be undertaken through a concession arrangement with the government for 30 years similar to Light Rail Manila Corp., concessionaire for LRT-1.

The government through Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines holds an 80-percent economic interest in MRT-3. The balance is held by creditors of Metro Rail Transit Corp.

MRT-3 currently carries over 460,000 passengers daily, well beyond its  design capacity.  MRT-3 station runs from North avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City.

 The DOTr is looking at terminating the contract of the MRT- 3 maintenance provider Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI) which will lapse in December next year due to several technical glitches on the rail system .

Cesar Chavez, DOTr undersecretary for rail,  BURI failed to execute the P907-million general overhaul contract for the light rail vehicles.

 Chavez said  commuters should expect three to five unloading incidents daily at the MRT-3 Last Friday, only 17 trains were operational  from 20 trains that it should have deployed .

But BURI in a statement called on the DOTr to investigate why technical glitches and service interruptions continue to persist despite proper maintenance of the MRT-3.

In a letter to MRT-3 general manager Rodolfo Garcia obtained by media the current maintenance provider pressed for the conduct of the said probe “to confirm that the MRT-3  design flaws are the primary reason for the recurring service interruptions of the system”.

The service provider specifically cited that---during the first year of MRT-3 operations in 2000 at the time also the trains were all brand new-- it recorded a total of 1,492 glitches, while in n 2008 the glitches reached 1,927, and in 2009 it climbed to 2,199. (M. Iglesias)

MRT-LRT common station to break ground on Sept. 29

THE GOVERNMENT and its private partners are set to break ground on the Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-Light Rail Transit (LRT) common station project on Sept. 29.

“We will break ground on Sept. 29,” Department of Transportation (DoTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade told reporters in Filipino on the sidelines of the signing of an agreement for integrating payment systems on Luzon tollways.

Mr. Tugade said that there are no more hurdles before construction can start.

“We have unified the stakeholders… If a groundbreaking is scheduled, it means the project has been studied, it will go through,” Mr. Tugade said.

The common station project aims to link three major commuter rail networks traversing Metro Manila and nearby areas — the LRT-1, MRT-3, and the MRT-7, which is currently undergoing construction and is expected to be completed in the last quarter of 2019.

The common station project has been delayed by legal disputes

The cancellation of the project was contributed to the arrest and detention of former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from a controversy after a Pasay court issued a warrant of arrest against her, following the filing of a complaint for electoral sabotage by the Commission on Elections and She was transferred to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City on December 9, 2011, the impeachment trial, conviction and removal of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona on May 31, 2012 and his death on April 29 due to complications of a heart attack and suffered from kidney disease and diabetes last year and outgoing plunder trial case of former senators Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla, Jr. and the arrest warrant against Senator Leila de Lima for allegedly violating the drug trafficking law

In January, the government and private companies involved in the project signed a memorandum of agreement after years of deadlock on the issue of the location of the common station.

The agreement was signed by Mr. Tugade; Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar; Metro Pacific Investments Corp. Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan; SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Director Hans T. Sy; Ayala Corp. Chief Executive Officer Jaime Zobel de Ayala; and San Miguel Corp. President and CEO Ramon S. Ang.

Under the agreement, the first common station will be located near SM North EDSA and which will be part of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 7 while the second will be in front of rival mall, Trinoma.

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) and SM Prime in 2009 entered into an agreement for the common station to be located at a junction near SM City North EDSA. In 2013, the then Department of Transportation and Communications, citing construction costs, decided to transfer the common station to a site in front of TriNoMa.

SM Prime then sued the government for breach of contract. In July 2014, SM Prime secured a Supreme Court (SC) stay order stopping the transfer of the common station’s site to TriNoma. The SC in May 2016 refused the government’s plea to lift the halt order.

The DoTr previously said that SM Prime, DoTr, and LRTA will file a joint manifestation with the SC advising the Court of the agreement to address the issue of the temporary restraining order. — Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo

House amends law on urbanized cities, provinces

The House of Representatives this week unanimously approved on third and final reading House Bill 6177 which seeks to rationalize the creation of municipalities, highly-urbanized cities, and provinces.

The bill is titled “An Act Rationalizing the Income Requirements for the Creation of a Municipality, the Declaration of Highly Urbanized Status in the Case of a Component Cities and the Creation of a Province, Amending for the Purpose Sections 442(a), 452(a), and 461(a), (b) and (c) of Republic Act No. 7160, as Amended, Otherwise Known as the ‘Local Government Code of 1991.”

On the creation of a municipality, the bill sets the following requirements: (1) average annual income of at least P12.5 million for the last two consecutive years; (2) population of at least 25,000 inhabitants; and (3) adjoining territory of at least 50 kilometers.

Section 442 of the bill titled Requisites for Creation provides that (a) A municipality may be created if it has an average annual income, as certified by the provincial treasurer, of at least P12.5 million for the last two consecutive years based on the 2016 constant prices; a population of at least 25,000 inhabitants as certified by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA); and a contiguous territory of at least 50 square kilometres as certified by the Lands Management Bureau: Provided, That the creation thereof shall not reduce the land area, population of income of the original municipality or municipalities at the time of said creation to less than the minimum requirements prescribed herein.”

On the establishment of a highly-urbanized city, the requisites are as follows: (1) cities with a minimum population of two hundred thousand 200,000 inhabitants; (2) average yearly income of at least P250 million for the last two consecutive years.

The bill grants Congress the power to declare a city a highly urbanized city within 30 days after it has met the prescribed requirements.

The bill further provides that the declaration be ratified in a plebiscite to be conducted in the province in which the city belongs.

Meanwhile, Section 452 of the bill titled Highly Urbanized Cities provides that (a) Cities with a minimum population of 200,000 inhabitants, as certified by the PSA, and with a locally-generated annual income for the last two consecutive years of at least P250 million based on the 2000 constant prices, as certified by the Department of Finance, shall be classified as highly urbanized cities. Provided, That the average annual income shall include the income accruing to the general fund, but excluding the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) shares, special funds, trust funds and non-recurring income.”

Moreover, Section 453 of the bill titled Duty to Declare Highly Urbanized Status, provides that 'it shall be the duty of Congress to pass a Joint Resolution to declare a city as highly urbanized within 30 days after it shall have met the minimum requirements prescribed in the immediately preceding section, upon proper determination therefor. Provided, That the declaration shall be ratified in a plebiscite by the qualified voters of the province in which the city geographically belongs.”

On the formation of a province, the bill provides the following requirements: An average annual income of not less than P200 million for the last two consecutive years; and either of the following: A population of not less than 250,000 inhabitants or a contiguous territory of at least two thousand square kilometres.

Section 461 titled Requisites for Creation provides that (a) A province may be created if it has an average locally-generated annual income for the last two consecutive years, as certified by the Department of Finance, of not less than P200 million based on the year 2000 constant prices and either of the following requisites:

“(i) A contiguous territory of at least 2,000 square kilometres, as certified by the Lands Management Bureau; or

“(ii) A population of not less than 250,000 inhabitants as certified by the PSA;

“Provided, That the creation thereof shall not reduce the land area, population, and income of the original unit or units at the time of said creation to less than the minimum requirements prescribed herein.

“(b) The territorial jurisdiction of a newly-created province shall be properly identified be metes and bounds. The requirement on land area shall not apply where the province proposed to be created is composed of one or more islands. The territory need not be contiguous if it comprises two or more islands or is separated by a chartered city or cities which do not contribute to the income of the province.

“(c) The average annual locally-generated income shall include the income accruing to the general fund, exclusive of the IRA shares, special funds, trust funds, transfers, and non-recurring income.” / ABR

Lopezes kabado kay PDu30 ABS-CBN SIGNING OFF?

Tatlong taon bago mapaso ang prangkisa, naghahanap na ang may-ari ng higanteng television network ABS-CBN Corporation ng mabibiling kompanya upang maipagpatuloy ang kanilang operasyon.

Ang hakbang ng mga Lopez ay bunsod ng pa­ngako ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na haharangin niya ang renewal ng prangkisa ng ABS-CBN na magtatapos sa Disyembre 31, 2023.

Sa nakuhang impormasyon ng Abante mula sa mapagkakatiwalaang source, kinausap na ni Eugenio Lopez III, chairman ng kompanya, si Bro. Eddie C. Villanueva, lider ng Jesus is Lord Movement (JILCW).

Nais umano ni Lopez na bilhin ang ZOE Broadcasting Network Inc., ang kompanyang minamay-ari ng JIL. Ang nasabing network ang nagmamay-ari ng flagship station DZOE-TV (GMA News TV-11), affiliate ng karibal ng ABS-CBN na GMA Network, at ang DZOZ-TV Light Network Channel 33.

Noong Hulyo 2016 lamang ni-renew ng Kongreso ang 25-taong prangkisa ng ZOE, dating minamay-ari din ng influential religious group na El Shaddai DWXI Prayer Partners Foundation International ni Bro. Mike Z. Velarde bago sila naghiwalay ni Villanueva sa kompanya noong dekada 90.

Sa negosasyon ng da­lawa, bukas umano ang lider ng JILCW na ibenta sa ABS-CBN ang ZOE TV pero hindi 100 percent na isusuko niya ang kompanya dahil nais nitong magkaroon ng equity sa ABS-CBN.

Sa kabila nito, wala pang indikasyon na isinara na ang deal dahil wala na umanong kasunod na meeting ang dalawa.

Ang ABS-CBN at ang Philippine Daily Inquirer ang paboritong upakan ni Pangulong Duterte dahil sa slant ng mga balita laban sa kanya. Nitong Hulyo lamang ay bago na ang may-ari ng Inquirer nang ibenta ng pamilya Prieto ang majority stake nila sa business tycoon na si Ramon Ang.

Hindi makalimutan ni Pangulong Duterte ang ginawa sa kanya ng ABS-CBN noong 2016 presidential elections dahil kahit nagbayad na siya para sa infomercial, hindi naman ipinalabas ng kompanya ang komersyal at hindi rin umano ibinalik sa kanya ang bayad.

Dahil sa naging posisyon ng Pangulo, natengga sa House committee on legislative franchises na pinamumunuan ni Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez ang House Bill No. 4349 para sa 25-year franchise renewal ng ABS-CBN.

Hindi rin makagalaw si Sen. Grace Poe, chair ng Senate committee on public services, dahil kailangang aprubahan muna ng Kamara ang franchise application ng ABS-CBN bago magdaos ng public hearing at isalang sa pagpapatibay sa Senado.

Noong 16th Congress, nagsumite rin ang ABS-CBN sa Kongreso ng aplikasyon para sa renewal ng franchise subalit noong 2014, binawi ang aplikasyon, marahil ay umaasa na ‘kaibigan’ nila ang mananalo sa 2016 presidential elections.

Kapag hindi nakapag-renew ng franchise ang ABS-CBN sa 2020 at wala silang nalipatang channel, nanganganib na magsara ito at mawalan ng trabaho ang tinata­yang 11,000 empleyado ng kompanya.

Noong 2016 kung saan tumabo sila sa kita ng mga kandidatong tumakbo sa halalan, naitala nila ang net income na P3.52 bilyon.

Nagsimula ang kompanya bilang Bolinao Electronics Corporation noong 1946 bago binago ang pangalan ng kumpanya noong 1952 bilang Alto Broadcasting System (ABS). Kasunod nito ay nagsanib naman sila ng kumpanyang Chronicle Broadcasting Network (CBN).

Samantala, hiningan ng reaksyon ng Abante ang ABS-CBN ukol sa ba­litang ito subalit itinanggi ng isang opisyal ng network na may balak silang bilhin ang ZOE Broadcasting Network Inc.

“It’s not true that ABS-CBN is buying their stations,” pahayag ni Kane Errol Choa, head ng ABS-CBN Corporate Communications.

Groundbreaking for LRT-MRT common station set on Sept. 29

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has scheduled the groundbreaking for the common station linking Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) with Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Lines 3 and 7 this month.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the groundbreaking would be held on Sept. 29, months after the DOTr and the private sector agreed on its location.

The common station is estimated to cost P2.8 billion.

Tugade said a joint manifestation has been filed before the Supreme Court to address the temporary restraining order (TRO) obtained by SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI) from the SC on the common station.

Last January, a memorandum of agreement was signed by Tugade, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar and Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) administrator Reynaldo Berroya with SMPHI, LRT-1 operator Light Rail Manila Corp., San Miguel Corp., which is building MRT-7, and North Triangle Depot Commercial Corp., to end the deadlock spanning nearly eight years for the common station.

The common station covers 13,700 square meters and will be located between The Annex at SM North EDSA and Landmark-Trinoma mall in Quezon City.

It will link the LRT-1, which runs from Roosevelt station in Quezon City to Baclaran station in Pasay City, the LRT-2 running from Recto station in Manila to Santolan station in Marikina City, the MRT-3 running from North Avenue station in Quezon City to Taft Avenue station in Pasay, and the MRT-7 currently being built from North Avenue in Quezon City to Colinas Verdes Subdivision, San Jose del Monte in Bulacan.

The common station is expected to provide passengers comfort in transferring from one railway to another.

The DOTr said the common station is expected to be completed by April 2019.

Construction of the common station has been put on hold due to legal issues.

The cancellation of the project was contributed to the arrest and detention of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the impeachment trial, conviction and death of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona and the multi-million peso pork barrel fund scam.

In August 2014, the SMPHI obtained a TRO from the high court to prevent the then Department of Transportation and Communications from transferring the common station near Trinoma.

The SMPHI had entered into an agreement with the LRTA in 2009 to put up the common station in front of SM North EDSA.

http://www.philstar.com/metro/2017/09/18/1740106/groundbreaking-lrt-mrt-common-station-set-sept.-29

MRT hub set to begin construction

The Department of Transportation said it will start the construction of a common station that will link Metro Manila’s overhead train system in Quezon City before the end of this month.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the groundbreaking for the P2.8-billion common station for Light Rail Transit Line 1, Metro Rail Transit Line 3, and the planned MRT 7 was scheduled on Sept. 29.

Tugade said SM Prime Holdings Inc. filed a motion before the Supreme Court to remove the temporary restraining order on the common station project.

The common station proposal started in 2009 but was put on hold due to legal issues. The Light Rail Transit Authority signed a deal with SMPHI to build the station near SM North EDSA.

However, when President Benigno Aquino III came to power on June 30, 2010, the project was stalled indefinitely.

Then DOTC Secretary Manuel Roxas II ordered a review of the project, and the agency proceeded to change certain project specifications.

Four years later, the then Department of Transportation and Communications decided to build the station near Ayala’s Trinoma citing reasons to cut costs. The court intervened and issued a temporary restraining order in favor of SMPHI to stop the construction of the project. The parties agreed to build the station between SM City North EDSA and Trinoma.

Busan asks DOTr to check real cause of MRT3 technical glitches

Busan Universal Rail Inc., the maintenance provider of Metro Rail Transit Line 3, asked the Department of Transportation to investigate why technical glitches and service interruptions continue to persist despite proper maintenance of the line.

Busan, in a letter to MRT3 general manager Rodolfo Garcia, pushed for the conduct of a probe “to confirm that the MRT3  design flaws are the primary reason for the recurring service interruptions of the system.”

The service provider noted that during the first year of MRT3 operations in 2000 when the trains were all brand new, the system recorded a total of 1,492 glitches.  The glitches climbed to 1,927 in 2008 and 2,199 in 2009.

Busan said the original system flaws, compounded by overloading and excessive vibrations and poor track condition that lead to failure of electronic, electrical and mechanical parts, resulted in the continuing occurrence of glitches and stoppages.

It said despite these recurring  problems, Busan successfully minimized the occurrence of glitches to 992 as of mid-June in 2017 from 2,776 in 2015.

Busan legal counsel and spokesperson Charles Mercado said the maintenance provider was open to an extensive system audit to once and for all produce an in-depth factual report of the current status of the system as opposed to putting all the blame to the maintenance contractor.

Mercado said that “no action has been taken” by Transport Undersecretary for rails Cesar Chavez on the design issues of the system.

“Since, it is undoubtedly DOTr-MRT3’s primary objective to serve the interest of the riding public, we look forward to your profound support regarding the” Busan’s letter to Garcia stated.

Mercado said DOTr should also start the rail replacement as soon as possible to help minimize or eliminate these glitches.

The bidding for the rail replacement was already conducted by DOTr, but its actual implementation has been delayed for almost a year now, he said.

Mercado assured the government that Busan was moving forward to meet its commitment of train reliability, safety and comfort for the ridership.

The company restored an average of two to three cars every month since its contract started, fielding up to 22 trains (consisting of three cars each) during peak periods.

Busan enables the MRT’s 91-percent fleet operability to constantly beat LRT’s averages of 77 percent for LRT-1 and less than 50 percent for LRT-2.

http://thestandard.com.ph/business/biz-plus/247188/busan-asks-dotr-to-check-real-cause-of-mrt3-technical-glitches.html

JICA Mega Manila Subway Phase 1| Length: 25 km| 13 Stations

What will happen then after President Duterte's term? Hopefully, there will be no corruption allegations that the next/future administration can use to scrap the project.

As long as the contracts have been signed and construction started with a partial opening, it should be okay. Besides, I'm sure future President Robredo will ensure that the project will continue on...

Enchong Dee for arena swimwear and TIMEX IRONMAN TRIATHLON watch combo!

Johansen Aguilar for arena swimwear

Johansen Aguilar

An evening of grace & glamour

Nothing refreshes the spirit more than being able to celebrate important milestones with your loved ones. I turned 81 this year, but I have never felt more energized and ready to face future endeavors, thanks to the many people who I have been blessed to call family and friends.

At my recent Grace Kelly-inspired celebration held at the Grand Ballroom of The Bellevue Manila, I was touched to see my friends from the diplomatic corps and business and social circles, both old and new. I was reminded of how blessed I am to be able to live a long life, and to age gracefully alongside my loving wife Tere.


To everyone who has contributed to the festivities’ success — thank you, thank you! Wishing happiness and good health for everyone, and I look forward to celebrating with all of you again next year!

Greetings

Happy birthday to our celebrators today, National Youth Commission chairperson Aiza Seguerra, Toti Fernandez and Beth Mendoza.

Advance birthday greetings to Chiquita Trapaga, Sept. 18; Gerard Ramos, Sea Wind general manager Joebert Cocjin and Peping Cojuangco, Sept. 19; Maridol Mabanta, Sept. 20; Marilou  Guingona and Marc Aguado, Sept. 21; Odi Rufino, Maripaz Garcia and socialite Nene Leonor, Sept. 22; Liza Bengzon and Wopsy Zamora, Sept. 23.

So, how was your week?

MRail plans extension of Mla-Laguna freight service to Batangas

A subsidiary of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is looking to extend its proposed freight train project covering Manila to Laguna up to Batangas.

In a statement, MRail Inc. said it signed a memorandum of understanding with the local government of Batangas for the conduct of a feasibility study on the extension of the freight train project from Calamba in Laguna to the Batangas International Port.

The feasibility study will look at the alignment of tracks and the viability of the right-of-way of Philippine National Railways (PNR).

http://www.philstar.com/business/2017/09/17/1739733/mrail-plans-extension-mla-laguna-freight-service-batangas

Unusable

This is the final word: the rail cars purchased from Dalian by the previous administration could not be used by the MRT. The specs just don’t match and the heavy trains will probably cause the viaduct to collapse.

It did not require a rocket scientist to figure out the specs and produce the right trains. All that is required is basic engineering knowledge. But the DOTC and their Chinese counterparts flubbed it anyway.

I have been trying not to think about Jun Abaya for months. It aggravates me no end. Now I wish the man and his boss did throw themselves before an onrushing train as they promised to. Doing so would have given all of us some sense of redress.

For months, Abaya kept us at the edge of our seats, teasing us with the impending arrival of the trains he ordered. The prospect meant more trains along the constantly choked Edsa. Spellbound, we thought we were seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, the torture chamber that is the MRT.

When the trains started trickling in, we found out they had no motors and no signaling system. They could not be kicked into service. But we waited and waited, hoping the new trains might soon be refitted and relief at the overloaded commuter line might be forthcoming.

Now we are told the trains really could not be used. On the day this ugly truth was announced, the MRT broke down five times in a day.

Long before the contract to produce additional trains was signed by Abaya and his Chinese counterparts, we were warned that Dalian is not a light rail manufacturer. True enough, they delivered overweight trains. They were like heavily armored battle tanks mounted on rails. They might sooner crash the system than deliver commuters to their destinations.

Senator Grace Poe says we should now try to return the trains to the faulty manufacturers and try to recover the P3.5 billion or so DOTC paid for those trains. I am not too confident this could happen. The Chinese company will likely take us to litigation and prolong the agony.

Meanwhile the MRT line will remain short of trains and long on queues.  It will take many long years for us to put out a new contract for commuter trains. The hundreds of thousands of commuters who cram the system, endure the long lines, sleep for only three or four hours each night before battling to commute the next day might not live long enough to see new trains on this system.

Abaya, we recall, once shrugged off the traffic problems saying they are not fatal. The hapless commuters wanted to lynch him there and then. What wrong have we committed against the heavens that we were sent this scourge of a public official?

Abaya is also the one responsible for breaking up the contract for the LRT-2 extension to Antipolo. As a result, the viaduct was built without passenger terminals. Now, Marcos highway is congested a second time because of construction work on the terminals. It is hell repeated for residents of the affected areas.

He is likewise the official to blame for the continued absence of a common station. The Arroyo administration rushed to close the loop between the LRT-1 and the MRT lines to ease commuter movement. But the common station was not built. It will remain like that for about three more years.

Now that the “Abaya trains” are junked, what do we do with the man who presided over the “Noynoying” that retarded the onset of an efficient mass transit system in the metropolis?

I know a number of people who are itching to lynch him. But that would constitute extra-judicial killing and the unfunded Commission on Human Rights will frown on that.

Unfortunately, utter incompetence is not a crime listed in the Penal Code. This is why Abaya and his boss continue to roam free.

Privatize

What do we do with the mess that is the MRT?

Experts say the system was wrongly designed from the start. It is not really a light rail system. It is some sort of hybrid between a light rail and a trolley line. This is the reason why the parts of this system do not seem to cohere.

Then, somewhere along the line, the train line was put under the worst possible arrangement: it was owned by private interests but managed by government. Everywhere else, it is the other way around. Government, as the MRT experience heroically demonstrates, is forever a bad manager.

Those Dalian trains should be the last straw. We have to drastically reconfigure this facility for the sake of the hundreds of thousands of commuters who are doomed to use it.

The Metro Pacific group, in what might seem to be a masochistic decision, made an unsolicited offer to buy out the MRT from both its original owners and the government financial institutions that hold 80 percent economic interest in this messy business. The Finance Secretary indicated openness to that offer.

What the doubtful contracts with a string of maintenance service providers and the Abaya trains prove beyond reasonable doubt is that government is simply incapable of efficiently operating this facility and solving all its problems. Government has simply to concede that fact and take the logical next step: sell this whole thing to a private investor willing to stake money in fixing the system.

There is precedent for this. The LRT-1 is now a better system since it was privatized.

http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2017/09/16/1739550/unusable

TITAN 22

"For the love of the game"

Stores

• Two Parkade, 30th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
• 2F S Maison, Conrad Hotel Manila, Marina Way, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay
• 2nd Level, Glorietta 5, Glorietta, Ayala Avenue cor. Pasay Road, Ayala Center, Makati
• East Wing Building Shangri-La Mall, EDSA Corner Shaw Blvd, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong

Coming Soon:

• Ayala Malls Vermosa
• Robinsons Place Naga
• SM City Naga
• SM City Bacolod
• SM Seaside City Cebu
• SM Center Ormoc
• Robinsons Place Tacloban
• Robinsons Place Ormoc

Enchong Dee for arena swimwear and TIMEX IRONMAN TRIATHLON watch combo

Anj Dee for arena and speedo