Renren Ritualo

(Photo shows Renren with his wife and baby daughter at an event in DLSU. Behind them is the banner that shows Renren's jersey retirement)

The Ultimate Shooter
A born-scorer who could shoot the lights out, Renren Ritualo also was a proven winner with four UAAP titles.

By Anton Roxas

No other Green Archer can ever wear the Number Four.

Forever enshrined in the Enrique M. Razon Sports Center is the famed jersey of the greatest player in the history of DLSU Men’s Basketball – Renren Ritualo.

Known for his fearlessness, especially in the endgame and his deadly outside shooting, Renren was a vital cog in La Salle’s incredible four-peat from 1998 to 2001. He is also just one of four student-athletes along with Kurt Bachman, Lim Eng Beng and Manilla Santos who have earned the honor of having their jersey numbers retired by the Taft Avenue based university.

Four represents the number of championships won by the man who is one of the four most iconic LaSallians in the field of sports. Symbolic as it may seem, ironically, the number was not his original choice.

Renren was born Florendo R. Ritualo Jr. on June 14, 1979. He is the eldest and only boy among the four children of his parents, Florendo “Dante” Ritualo Sr. and Maria “Baby” Ritualo. Dante was a former PBA player who would have his teammates frequent their home in Pasig City. The presence of these towering figures influenced Renren greatly. In fact, his mother, Baby, says that Renren made his first basket at the age of one. From there, Renren’s passion for the game grew.

“My Mom had to take away all the balls at home because I wouldn’t stop playing,” shared Renren.

“When she would do that, I made my own balls out of paper,” he added.

After entering Preschool at Mother Goose in Kapitolyo, Renren moved on to Preparatory School at the San Beda All-Boys campus in Mendiola. When he reached the fourth grade, Renren tried out for the varsity but failed to make the team.

“Maliit siguro ako. I was not yet ready,” explained Renren. “I felt bad but I was not pressured. Even if I didn’t make the team, I never stopped playing.”

The following year, Renren participated in the school’s intramurals and soon after, he took another shot at making the varsity. This time, he made his mark.

“Nung nakapasok na ako. Yun na. I wanted to score everytime.”

As a member of the San Beda Red Cubs, Renren was an athletic slasher. He made his first dunk in his 3rd year of High School and won back-to-back Championships (1995-Season 71, 1996-Season 72) in the NCAA Jrs. Basketball tournament with teammates Jenkins Mesina, Xavier Nuňag, Mark Jomalesa and Britt Reroma just to name a few. Renren was named MVP during his senior year.

Throughout his time in San Beda, Renren wore the number fourteen, which symbolizes his birthday. But, when he moved on to La Salle for college, he had to make a change.

His freshman year (1997) with the Green Archers was an eventful one. Renren learned that he could not wear fourteen because it was retired by Lim Eng Beng.  La Salle made it to the UAAP Season 60 Finals but fell short against FEU. Afterwards, their head coach, Jong Uichico, who personally recruited Renren, was replaced by Franz Pumaren. It was also during this time that Renren settled for the number four. A legend was born.

“When we lost to FEU during my first year, sabi ko sa sarili ko, ‘we’re going to get it next year’,” Renren shared.

True enough, the Green Archers redeemed themselves, sweeping the Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 61 Finals.

In UAAP Season 62, La Salle once again returned to the Finals where they faced a talented UST squad that featured Cyrus Baguio, Niňo Gelig, Derick Hubalde, Marvin Ortiguerra and Gilbert Lao. Renren labels this championship as the most difficult one they won as the series went the distance and ended dramatic fashion. Interestingly, Renren, who had developed his outside shooting in the collegiate level, cites a pass he made as his most memorable play in the UAAP.

With less than eleven seconds left in Game 3, UST led La Salle, 67-64. Renren received a pass from Dino Aldeguer on the right wing. He dribbled the ball to the corner and was ready to rise up for the shot. But, instinctively, because he drew two defenders towards him, Renren passed the ball out to Don Allado on the right wing. Allado subsequently passed the ball to Aldeguer who was situated at the top of the arc. Aldeguer drained the game-tying triple and was even fouled in the process with 2.7 seconds left. It remains as one of the most historic shots in UAAP basketball history. Although Aldeguer missed the bonus free-throw, the game went into overtime, where La Salle outscored UST, 11-8 for a 78-75 win.

“Ang hirap ng championship na yun. Natalo kami sa first game. Match-up wise, lamang na lamang sila,” recalled Renren. “I was ready to take the shot but I’m glad I made that pass. It eventually led to a championship.”

La Salle faced FEU anew in the Finals of UAAP Season 63. Once again, the Green Archers prevailed in two games. During Renren’s final playing year (2001), La Salle finished the elimination round in first place with a 12-2 record. And right before they entered the Final Four, Renren was presented with the challenge of a lifetime.

“Coach Franz (Pumaren) approached me after practice and said, ‘Ren, if we go to the Finals and win the championship, we’re going to retire your jersey. Ganon lang ka-casual. Sabi ko, ‘OK, Coach!’”

UAAP Season 64 featured an Ateneo-La Salle Finals. It was the perfect stage to cement his legacy as it was also the first time the two rival schools faced off for the championship in the Final Four era. Renren embraced the moment and led the Green Archers in a classic series that went the distance. The Blue Eagles were bannered by the likes of Enrico Villanueva, Magnum Membrere, LA Tenorio, Rich Alvarez and Larry Fonacier while La Salle featured BJ Manalo, Mike Cortez, Adonis Sta. Maria, Carlo Sharma, Willy Wilson and Macmac Cardona. But, the player who shined the brightest was the Green Archer wearing jersey number four – Renren Ritualo.

In his final UAAP game, Renren scored all of his 15 points in the second half to propel La Salle to a 93-88 win in Game 3. The Green Archers won their fourth straight Men’s Basketball crown with Renren earning Finals MVP honors, thus, etching his name in the history books.

“I’ve been so blessed. Lahat ng nangyari sa buhay ko, hindi ko pinilit. Binigay sa akin lahat. And it’s all because of basketball,” said Renren.

Upon graduating from DLSU with a degree in Guidance Counseling and Psychology Major in Early Childhood, Renren continued his playing career and in the PBL, PBA and with the Philippine National Team. In 2007, he fulfilled his dream of establishing a school – Children’s Little University (CLU) Preschool. Two years later, he married his long-time friend and classmate, Margaux. Together, Renren and Margaux became proud parents of two beautiful children, Margot and Matteo.

“Si Margot, my daughter,” Renren says with a big smile. “I used to bring her to my basketball camps for kids. She’s really smart! She can dribble two basketballs at the same time! Di ko siya tinuruan nun! Sinasama ko lang siya when I hold camps or do personal training.”

As for his son, Matteo, Renren has other plans for him.

“I want him to be a Pilot.” says Renren. “Gusto ko kasi maging Piloto dati. I thought about doing it after my basketball career but I had kids so I got busy. Kaya si Matteo, kung mag basketball yan, during off-season niya, he’s going to fly. It was my dream and I want him to be better than me.”

Three years have passed since Renren retired from playing professional basketball, but the game still remains as an integral part of his life. Aside from being a TV Analyst for S+A, Renren is also an Assistant Coach of the Adamson Soaring Falcons.

As the UAAP’s 80th Season opens on September 9, 2017, Renren has some words of advice for all the student-athletes who are set to go for great.

“Live the moment. It’s goes by really fast. Practice hard and get everything you can. Lahat ng experience, lahat ng knowledge, kunin niyo lahat because after five years, you won’t be here anymore. You’ll be in the pros o kung saan man, pero matatandaan mo lagi yung pinagsamahan niyo dito. Give it your all. Leave a legacy na matatandaan ng tao.”

UP Concert Chorus, ipinarinig kung paano dapat kantahin ang Lupang Hinirang

Kung ang UP Concert Chorus ang tatanungin, ganito raw dapat inaawit ang ating National Anthem.

Naniniwala silang dapat na igalang ang orihinal na komposisyon ni Julian Felipe, pero merong itong iba't ibang bersyon, may mabilis: "Bayang Magiliw, Perlas ng Silanganan, Alab ng Puso sa dibdib mo'y buhay / Lupang Hinirang, duyan ka ng magiting sa manlulupig di ka pasisiil" at merong kasimbilis: "sa dagat at bundok sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw; may dilag ang tula at awit sa paglayang minamahal. Ang kislap ng watawat mo'y tagumpay na nagniningning, ang bituin at araw niya kailan pa ma'y di magdidilim. Lupa ng araw, ng luwalhati't pagsinta, buhay ay langit sa piling mo; aming ligaya na pag may mang-aapi, ang mamatay ng dahil sa'yo."

Ang mahalaga, sundin ang orihinal na himig na ito.

"And then, ang mga umaawit kay Pacquiao, si ating kaibigan, and, sana naman nag-consult muna bago para hindi naman sila magsalita uli, and merong kasing law", sabi ni Prof. Janet Sabas-Aracama, Artistic Director and Conductor, UP Concert Chorus.

Pirme na lang ang isyu ng "Lupang Hinirang" tuwing may laban si Manny Pacquiao, iba't-ibang sikat na singer na ang umaawit na ito pero halos lahat hindi umano sumunod sa orihinal na komposisyon.

"Bayang Magiliw, Perlas ng Silanganan, Alab ng Puso sa dibdib mo'y buhay / Lupang Hinirang, duyan ka ng magiting sa manlulupig di ka pasisiil, sa dagat at bundok sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw; may dilag ang tula at awit sa paglayang minamahal. Ang kislap ng watawat mo'y tagumpay na nagniningning, ang bituin at araw niya kailan pa ma'y di magdidilim. Lupa ng araw, ng luwalhati't pagsinta, buhay ay langit sa piling mo; aming ligaya na pag may mang-aapi, ang mamatay ng dahil sa'yo." Di ba? Martial siya? And I think the way we should, that way good itself already," sabi ni Dr. Ramon Acoymo, Associate Professor Voice and Music Theater/Dance Department.

Isa pang bagay na laging na iniiba ng mga singer ay ang dulo ng "Lupang Hinirang".

Kung titignan natin yung original version ng "Lupang Hinirang" ni Julian Felipe, makikita natin na yung nota doon sa dulo parang ganito na siyang maririnig. Pero ang madalas ginagawa ng mga singers sa boxing match ni Manny Pacquiao na ibang-iba doon sa original na melody na sinulat ni Julian Felipe.

"Ang mga kulot, birit, ornament, dekorasyon, o embellishment should only sang the original intent from the music and the words. Kung ang ginawa mo ay nakakatanggal na focus, so dapat i-focus ang tao, masiyadong marami ngayon, it's too much", sabi ni Acoymo.

May kalayaan daw ang lahat na singers ng bigyan ng ibang interpretasyon ng isang awitin, pero sa kaso ng National Anthem, may sapat na dapat sundin, at malinaw sa RA 8491, section 37, na ang tamang pag-awit ng National Anthem ay ang bersyon ni Julian Felipe, dapat 2/4 beat ang pagtugtog dito, at dapat ay nasa 100 hanggang 120 beats per minute sa 4/4 beat kapag kinakanta.

Kapag ito ay narinig, tumayo ng matuwid, humarap sa watawat at ilagay ang kanang kamay sa kaliwang dibdib habang inaawit.

Ito ay pwedeng kantahin sa pandaigdigang kumpetisyon na host ang Pilipinas o may kinatawan ang ating bansa; sa signing on at signing off ng mga himpilan ng radyo at telebisyon; bago ang pagbubukas ng oras ng trabaho at nagtatapos ang oras ng trabaho ng mga emplyeado sa mga opisina; sa una at huling screening ng pelikula sa mga sinehan at bago simulan ang mga teatrong pagtatanghal.

Ang Panatang Makabayan ay dapat na bigkasin pagkatapos ng pagkanta ng pambansang awit sa mga pangunahing institusyong pang-edukasyon. Ang Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas ay maaaring kabisado din, bagaman ang batas ay hindi tumutukoy kung sino ang kinakailangan upang gawin ito.

Ang sinong lumabag nito na babastusin o gagawing katatawanan ang pambansang awit ay mahaharap sa kasong criminal o administratibo o dapat na magmulta ng 5,000 to 20,000 pesos o isang taong pagkakakulong.

Mukahin ng UP College of Music, sana raw ipagkalat ang National Historical Institute ang orihinal na bersyon at masusing ituro ito ng mga mangaawit na hindi na muli pagmulan pa ng kontrobersya.

Maling pag-awit ng Lupang Hinirang, may mas mabigat na parusa

NAKALUSOT na sa ikatlo at huling pagbasa sa Kamara ang panukalang batas na nagpapataw ng mas mabigat na parusa sa hindi tamang pag-awit ng Lupang Hinirang.

Sa ilalim ng House Bill 5224, tinaasan na sa P50 – P100,000 ang multa para sa sinomang hindi maaawit nang maayos ang pambansang awit mula sa dating P5 – P20,000 multa.

Ang pagpapahintulot sa mga security personnel at sa mga usher sa sinehan na hulihin ang sinumang lalabag. Maari silang humingi ng tulong sa mga awtoridad sa pag-aresto sa lalabag.

Mukahin ng UP College of Music, sana raw ipakalat ang National Historical Institute ang orihinal na bersyon at masusing ituro ito ng mga mangaawit na hindi na pagmulan pa ng kontrobersya.

Ibig-sabihin, mahigpit na susundin ng lahat ang tamang pagbigkas ng mga salita at pag-awit sa tamang tono ng Lupang Hinirang na itinatadhana ng Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.

Ang tamang pag-awit ng national anthem ay ang bersyon ni Julian Felipe, dapat 2/4 beat ang pagtugtog dito, at dapat ay nasa 100 hanggang 120 beats per minute sa 4/4 beat kapag kinakanta.

Kapag ito ay narinig, tumayo ng matuwid, humarap sa watawat at ilagay ang kanang kamay sa kaliwang dibdib habang inaawit.

Ito ay pwedeng kantahin sa pandaigdigang kumpetisyon na host ang Pilipinas o may kinatawan ang ating bansa; sa sign on at sign off ng mga himpilan ng radyo at telebisyon; bago ang pagbubukas ng oras ng trabaho at nagtatapos ang trabaho ng mga emplyeado sa mga opisina; at sa una at huling screening ng pelikula sa mga sinehan at bago simulan ang mga teatrong pagtatanghal; Ibinigay, na ang mga may-ari at pamamahala ng mga establisimyento ay dapat na utusan upang ipatupad ang tamang pakikitungo at ipatupad ang mga may kinalaman sa batas na ito; at iba pang okasyon na maaaring pahintulutan ng Surian.

Ang Panatang Makabayan ay dapat na bigkasin pagkatapos ng pagkanta ng pambansang awit sa mga opisina at paaralan. Ang Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas ay maaaring kabisado din, bagaman ang batas ay hindi tumutukoy kung sino ang kinakailangan upang gawin ito.

Layon nitong maiukit sa puso’t kamalayan ng mga Pilipino ang diwang makabansa at maituwid ang mga maling kasanayan at paglapastangan sa watawat at Pambansang Awit ng Pilipinas. JOHNNY ARASGA

UAAP Hotties

After a decade, construction of MRT-LRT Common Station to begin in September

The coveted project has seen 3 transportation secretaries come and go. Finally, the construction will start on September 29.

Of all of Manila's sprawling megaprojects, the 13,700-square-meter (sqm) common station deal that will connect the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines is perhaps the most controversial and coveted contract.

It took the project a decade since its inception way back in 2007 before construction could finally begin. The culprit is a legal squabble between the government and the group of the Philippines' richest, the Sy family, over the naming rights for the common station, led to the arrest and detention of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the impeachment trial of former Supreme Court chief justice Renato Corona and the multi-million peso pork barrel fund scam.

The project has seen 3 transportation secretaries come and go.

"After years and years of waiting, we will break ground on the MRT-LRT Common Station on September 29," Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said on the sidelines of an event in Taguig City last week.

State-run Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) on September 28, 2009, accepted P200 million from SM Prime Holdings Incorporated to place the common station beside The Annex at SM City North EDSA and name it after the mall. The agreement was signed during the leadership of the late Leandro Mendoza, former transportation and communications secretary.

The SM Group cited the MOA, which states that the common station would be constructed in front of The Annex at SM City North EDSA and would be named SM in exchange for P200 million.

SM added that Section 3 of the MOA specifically provides for the grant of access way or interconnection of the common station via a Bridgeway to the pertinent level of the mall.

Abaya admitted the MOA signed in 2009 indeed specified that the proposed common station location would be located at SM North EDSA. “It is mentioned there, what you have to look at is if the government is obligated to be there. It depends on how you read the MOA.”

3 chiefs come and go

But when Joseph Emilio Abaya took over from Roxas in October 2012, the direction of the project changed. Here is where the problem emerged.

In April 2014, Abaya and his department decided to give the winner of the P65-billion extension of the LRT Line 1 (LRT1) a say in the construction of the common station.

The group that bagged the project was composed of the companies of Manuel Pangilinan and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala. Ayala Corporation's TriNoma mall is located in front of SM City North EDSA.

It was also during that year when the transportation department insisted on putting up the common station near TriNoma, saying it would result in P1 billion in savings to the government.

Because of the changes in terms, SM Prime sued the government for allegedly breaching their 2009 "naming rights" agreement.

The company had repeatedly sought an update from the department but was ignored. The latest letter to the DOTC was sent on May 6, a source with knowledge of the matter said. “Then, suddenly, in complete breach and disregard of the terms of the MOA and without any official notice to SMPHI despite the latter’s repeated formal inquiries, the DOTC unilaterally relocated the Station to Trinoma and made the same a mere component of the recently bid out LRT Line 1 Cavite extension project,” SM Prime said.

On July 30, 2014, SM Prime obtained a Supreme Court (SC) order stopping the DOTC and the LRTA from transferring the location of the common station to TriNoma.

Abaya had vowed a compromise agreement to push through with the construction of the badly-needed project as soon as possible. One of his ideas was to put up two small common stations.

But no agreement was reached during the Aquino administration.

A new, costlier compromise deal

When Tugade took office, he vowed to solve the common station issue during his first year as transportation chief. Within his 1st year, a deal was reached: the proposed MRT-LRT Common Station would be built between The Annex at SM City North EDSA and Landmark-TriNoma.

But its price tag? Higher by P200 million – an additional expense for the government.

The new project cost is P2.8 billion – higher than the original price for the 2009 location, which was set at P2.6 billion at 7,200 sqm; and the 2014 location pegged at P1.4 billion at 2,500 sqm.

"The current location is with 13,700 sqm, so it is a bigger station with almost double the capacity of the original 2009 design at only P200 million more," Tugade had said.

Spanning over 13,700 sqm, the MRT-LRT Common Station will have 3 essential components:

• Area A where the platform and concourse for LRT Line 1 (LRT1) and MRT Line 3 (MRT3) are located between Landmark and existing MRT station with glass window and additional footbridge, the LRT station has three floors with passenger support facility;
• Area B where the two concourses connecting Areas A and C are located; as well as
• Area C where the platform for MRT Line 7 (MRT7) is located at SM City North EDSA Skydome

Tugade had said the agreement would pave the way for the filing of a joint motion to the SC to lift the temporary restraining order (TRO).

Once the TRO is lifted, the only headache left would be the right-of-way delivery by the government. If delivered timely, commuters in Metro Manila will experience the country's first common station by April 2019.

https://www.rappler.com/business/182682-construction-mrt-lrt-common-station-begin-september-2017

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.