Many firsts in ‘Seven Sundays’

Star Cinema’s “Seven Sundays,” an emotional film now in cinemas nationwide, has many “firsts” for director Cathy Garcia-Molina.

It’s her first time to direct comebacking actor Aga Muhlach. His co-stars are Dingdong Dantes, Ronaldo Valdez and Cristine Reyes.

“They all made me feel excited to work with them,” said the director, whose most recent family movie was way back 2013 titled “Four Sisters And A Wedding.”

As for Aga, his last full-feature romantic drama was “In the Name of Love” co-starring Angel Locsin in 2011.

Enrique has worked with Cathy before. He feels lucky to have been under her twice in the same year.

“With Direk Cathy, the learning never stops, I always learn new things from her,” he said.

On his part, Dingdong said “Fan ako ni Aga, idol ko siya, but now that I’ve known him personally, I’ve become his fan as a person and not just an actor. Napaka-swerte ko na naging kuya ko siya sa movie na ito.”

“Seven Sundays” is about four estranged siblings – Allan (Aga), Bryan (Dingdong), Cha (Cristine), and Dex (Enrique) – who are forced by their dying father Manuel (Ronaldo) to revive their Sunday family get-togethers for the remaining months of his life.

• • •

Successful medical mission

Imelda Papin, president of the Actors Guild of the Philippines, led a medical mission recently that benefited hundreds of members, especially the elderly. It was held at the second floor of the SSS Main Bldg. along East Ave., Quezon City. The event coincided with the inauguration of an Actors Guild office, also at the second floor of the SSS Bldg. led by SSS Chairman Dean Valdez and President Emmanuel Dooc, and Imelda.

Imelda was so grateful for the support shown by the SSS officials along with Philhealth President Dr. Hildegardes Dineros.

Other activities that the Actors Guild will be spearheading soon are Bloodletting in November, and a fundraising Shootfest on Dec. 1-2 to be held at Armscor in Marikina which will be attended by Robin Padilla, Dingdong, John Regala, and (hopefully) Coco Martin.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Oct. 14, go to former PAGCOR Chairman Alicia Ll. Reyes, Rep. Dudot Jaworski, Joey de Leon, Richard Merk, Norma Japitana, Lexine Bondoc, Cecilia Batungbacal, Atty. Ruby Ruiz-Bruno, Agnes Payawal, Lita Alejar Faustino, Charlie Antonio, Eva Pinda, Ilonah Jean, Socorro Zarate, Alexander M. Dacanay, Doy Tobias, Charito C. Reyes, Tess E. Santos, Atty. Luz L. Suapengco, Moses Albert Ollero, Katherine Chloe S. de Castro, Erlinda L. Bautista and Brgy. Captain Ramil P. Landingin of Macalong, Asingan, Pangasinan…Oct. 15: SM founder Henry Sy Sr., former Chief Justice Renato Corona, Paz Yuchengco, Dante Ponce, Leo Baluyot, Garry C. Villanueva, Teresa Cabigao, Tessie Isidro, Mely Munoz, and entertainment writers Ernie Pecho and Noel Asinas, Billy Formoso, Jamike Lopa, Nica Bueno of Youngstown, Cainta, Rizal; Rowell Martirez of PCSO GM’s office, Kristine Agnar, Mario Baluyot, Remy Go, Tessie Coronel of London, Mrs. Ondang Sarao Virata, Gabriel Patrick “Gabe” G. Jimenez, and MB’s SCU editor Rachel Castro Barawid…Oct. 16 celebrators are Ms. Rosa Rosal, Richard Reynoso,  Sec. Sonny Alvarez, Princess Violago, Dr. Pacita Gonzalez, Eden Arias, Dr. Concordia Pascual, Cathy Babao, Fe Aurora Castro, Cynthia Sullivan (a.k.a. Zapphire), Pearlie Cabanizas, Jojo Temporal, Victor Mark M. Santos, Violeta Flores Constantino of Sun-Life of Canada, New York-based Dr. Nora Realuyo and Ernesto V. Martinez, Gerry Velasquez, Tony Gonzales,  entertainment writer Emy Abuan, and GMA Network executive Jimmy Duavit… Happy wedding anniversary to Bobby and Venny Yalung of New Jersey, USA…Condolences to the family of Dr. Norval Tardecilla Cocadiz who joined his creator on Oct. 13.

PRESS RELEASES

The hard work and diligence of members of the House of Representatives in addressing the various issues and concerns facing the country have paid off, as based on data, of the 7,975 bills and resolutions measures filed since the 17th Congress opened in July 2016, 428 have already been approved, 30 of which were enacted into law.

The committee on rules reported that of the 7,975 measures filed, 1,810 were processed during the 130 session days, or an average of 14 measures per session day.

Of the total number of measures filed, 6,549 are bills and 1,426 are resolutions. Moreover, a total of 420 committee reports were submitted, showing the hard work and dedication of the various House committees in acting on the various measures filed.

The measures filed seek to address the priority concerns of lawmakers such as poverty eradication, public safety and order, justice, gender equality, health, education, protection of women, children and elderly, environmental protection, and rights of Indigenous Peoples, among others.

In his acceptance speech during the House organizational meeting of the 17th Congress on July 25, 2016, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez called on House members to give the President the necessary legislation which will be his tools to effect meaningful and genuine change. “In sum, we too must be instruments of change,” the Speaker said.

Since the Second Regular Session opened last July 24, 2017, seven important bills were already enacted into law. These form part of the 30 measures passed into law this 17th Congress.

These are House Bill 4767 which was enacted into Republic Act 10928 or “An Act Extending The Validity Of Philippine Passports, Amending For The Purpose Section 10 Of RA 8239, Otherwise Known As The “Philippine Passport Act Of 1996”, principally authored by Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; HB 5525 enacted into RA 10929 or “An Act Establishing The Free Internet Access Program In Public Places In The Country And Appropriating Funds Therefor,” principally authored by Rep. Gus Tambunting; HB 6548 enacted into RA 10930 or “An Act Rationalizing And Strengthening The Policy Regarding Driver’s License By Extending The Validity Period Of Drivers’ Licenses, And Penalizing Acts In Violation Of Its Issuance And Application, Amending For Those Purposes Section 23 Of RA 4136, As Amended By Batas Pambansa Blg. 398 And Executive Order No. 1011, Otherwise Known As The Land Transportation And Traffic Code,” principally authored by Rep. Cesar Sarmiento; HB 5633 enacted as RA 10931 or “An Act Promoting Universal Access To Quality Tertiary Education By Providing For Free Tuition And Other School Fees In State Universities And Colleges And State-Run Technical-Vocational Institutions, Strengthening The Unified Student Financial Assistance System,” principally authored by Rep. Ann Hofer; HB 5159 enacted as RA 10932 or “An Act Strengthening The Provision Of Emergency Health Care Service To Patients, Further Amending For The Purpose Batas Pambansa Bilang 702, As Amended, Entitled An Act Prohibiting The Demand Of Deposits Or Advanced Payments For The Confinement Or Treatment Of Patients In Hospitals And Medical Clinics In Certain Cases," principally authored by Rep. Tom Villarin; HB 5513 enacted into RA 10951 or “An Act Adjusting The Amount Or The Value Of Property And Damage On Which A Penalty Is Based, And The Fines Imposed Under The Revised Penal Code, Amending For The Purpose Act No. 3815, Otherwise Known As The Revised Penal Code, As Amended,” principally authored by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez; HB 6308 enacted into RA 10952 or “An Act Postponing The October 23, 2017 Synchronized Barangay And Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, Amending For The Purpose RA 9164, As Amended By RA 9340, RA 10656 And RA 10923,” principally authored by Rep. Robert Barbers.

Meanwhile, a total of 289 bills were approved on third and final reading since the 17th Congress convened, consisting of 100 national bills, 187 local bills and two Joint Resolutions.

Of the 100 national bills, 48 were approved since the start of the Second Regular Session. Among these bills are : House Bill 5811 or the proposed “An Act Providing For A Magna Carta Of The Poor,” principally authored by Rep. Raul del Mar; HB 6215 the proposed “An Act Appropriating Funds For The Operation Of The Government Of The Republic Of The Philippines From January 1 To December 31, 2018” (Certified Urgent Bill) by Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles; HB 6221 or the proposed “An Act Establishing The Filipino Identification System” by Rep. Sol Aragones; HB 4982 or the proposed “An Act Prohibiting Discrimination On The Basis Of Sexual Orientation Or Gender Identity Or Expression (SOGIE) And Providing Penalties Therefor” by Rep. Kaka Bag-ao; HB 5745 or the proposed “An Act Establishing The Coconut Farmers And Industry Development Trust Fund And Providing For Its Management And Utilization” by Rep. Jose Panganiban, Jr.; HB 5777 or the proposed “An Act Strengthening The National And Local Health And Nutrition Programs For Pregnant And Lactating Women, Adolescent Girls Of Reproductive Age And Teen-Age Mothers, Infants And Young Children In The First 1,000 Days” by Rep. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar; HB 5784 or the proposed “An Act Providing For A Universal Health Coverage For Filipinos And Appropriating Funds Therefor” by Rep. Angelina Tan; HB 6112 or the proposed “An Act Mandating The Installation Of Safety Monitoring Devices In Public Utility Vehicles And Providing Penalties For Violation Thereof” by Rep. Mariano Michael Velarde, Jr.; HB 5707 or the proposed “An Act Rightsizing The National Government To Improve Public Service Delivery” by Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles; HB 5685 or the proposed “An Act Instituting The Magna Carta Of Filipino Seafarers” ; and HB 6152 or the Proposed “An Act Increasing The Normal Work Hours Per Day Under A Compressed Work Week Scheme, Amending Articles 83,87 And 91 Of Presidential Decree No. 442, As Amended, Otherwise Known As The Labor Code Of The Philippines” by Rep. Mark Go.

The approved joint resolution on third reading is Joint Resolution 15 “Authorizing The National Housing Authority To Award To Other Qualified Beneficiaries The Unawarded Housing Units In The Armed Forces Of The Philippines (AFP)/Philippine National Police (PNP)/Bureau Of Fire Protection (BFP)/ Bureau Of Jail Management And Penology (BJMP)/Bureau Of Corrections (BuCor) housing projects, awarded housing units that are not yet occupied and whose ownership and possession are surrendered by their respective awardees, and housing units whose respective awards were cancelled by reason of default in the payment of amortization or for any violation of the terms and conditions of the individual loan agreement in accordance with existing laws.”

Meanwhile, 16 bills have been approved on Second Reading during the Second Regular Session. Two of these are national bills: House Bill 1530 or the proposed “An Act Requiring Government Agencies To Indicate The Blood Type Of Individuals In The Identification Cards, Certificates And Licenses,” principally authored by Rep. Alexandria Gonzales; and HB 6396 or the proposed “An Act Instituting Policies For The Protection And Welfare Of Caregivers In The Practice Of Their Profession” by Rep. Geraldine Roman.

At the bicameral conference committee, two House bills are currently being reconciled with their counterpart Senate bills. These are House Bill 5670 principally authored by Rep. Jose Panganiban, Jr. titled “An Act Strengthening Assistance To All Farmers By Providing Free Irrigation Service Fee And All Other Similar Or Related Fees Or Charges, Amending For The Purpose Certain Provisions Of Republic Act No. 3601, As Amended By Presidential Decree No. 552, Presidential Decree No. 1702, Otherwise Known As The National Irrigation Administration Act And Republic Act No. 8435, Otherwise Known As Agricultural And Fisheries Modernization Act, And Appropriating Funds Therefor”; and HB 6016 titled “An Act Regulating The Issuance, Use And Redemption Of Gift Checks, Gift Certificates And Gift Cards” principally authored by Rep. Winston Castelo.

So far, 81 resolutions were already adopted during the 17th Congress, as follows: 65 Regular Resolutions; eight Concurrent Resolutions; four Reports on Inquiries, in Aid of Legislation; two Resolutions of Both Houses; one Report of the Committee of the Whole; and one Report on Impeachment.

Of the four adopted Reports on Inquiries, two were adopted during the Second Regular Session: Committee Report 398 titled “Report: Motu Proprio Investigation, In Aid Of Legislation, On The Alleged Smuggling Of High Grade ꞌshabuꞌ Through The Express Lane Of The Bureau Of Customs; and Committee Report 399 titled “Report: On The 6.4 Billion Peso Worth Of Shabu Seized By The Bureau Of Customs” based on House Resolution 1054 filed by Rep. Wes Gatchalian and HR 1057 by Rep. Robert Ace Barbers. / RBB

Diokno bares end of line for North Rail

The government on Wednesday announced the proposed deactivation of the North Luzon Railways Corp. (NLRC), citing the need to rightsize the operations of a number of government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs), including the one operating the Manila-to-Clark rail line.

Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said he recommended the deactivation as part of efforts to abolish GOCCs with overlapping functions and to generate savings.

“We have a lot of recommendations for the abolishment, merger, or deactivation of agencies. For example, the North Rail,” Diokno told financial reporters.

The NLRC is an attached agency of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and a subsidiary of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

Executive Order (EO) 232, issued by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, transferred the oversight of the NLRC to the DOTC.

“In order for the DOTr to effectively oversee and monitor the implementation of the North Rail Project, there is a need to transfer administrative supervision over North Rail from the Office of the President to the DOTr and to reorganize the respective Governing Boards of North Rail and the PNR [Philippine National Railways] to include the DOTr secretary as ex-officio cochairman thereof,” the EO said.

He said agencies that have eight employees and 11 board members should just be done away with to save on office space, equipment and supplies cost to the government.

But Diokno pointed out that rightsizing doesn’t necessarily mean reducing, he explained that the government is looking into merging existing agencies or GOCCs to create one centralized agency to cater to a specific sector or industry.

“But rightsizing does not really mean reduction. In fact, we are thinking of a Department of Housing and Urban Development so housing bodies will be merged. That is doable. It’s honest to goodness rightsizing. It does not necessarily mean reduction,” he added.

Diokno also said the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) also moved for the consolidation of agencies, starting with guarantee firms consisting of around five agencies.

“Those are also economies of scale, and as a matter of policy, government agencies should not be lending directly. It has to be through a bank,” he said.

Diokno said only deactivation, and not abolition, was recommended for the NLRC. An outright abolition requires an act of Congress.

“I think you need a law to repeal it. Deactivation means you will not be given a budget, you cannot operate, not abolished,” he said.

The government is pursuing an ambitious infrastructure build-up program to enhance the country’s roads, bridges and transport system. Some 75 flagship projects are under that
buildup program.

An estimated P8 trillion is needed for the buildup program over the next five years.

Is MRT-3 being billed for already paid parts?

Is the MRT-3 being billed anew for train parts it already paid for long ago?

Persistent info from railway sources is that crucial spares for which the Dept. of Transport is being billed are “balikbayan.” That's the moniker for the racket. Parts already paid for, and so duly stocked in the warehouse or installed in trains, are made to look newly purchased in order to collect again from the government.

The scam works when the railway warehouse or operation man colludes with the parts supplier or maintenance contractor to defraud the government. Supporting papers are doctored to facilitate fraudulent multi-collections.

The racket was discovered a decade ago at the Light Rail Transit Authority and the Philippine National Railways. By then the government already had lost millions of pesos.

The MRT-3 was thought to be insulated from “balikbayan” then, as it was privately operated and maintained. But the racket could have migrated there after the DOTr (formerly DOTC) took over MRT-3 operation and maintenance contracting starting 2012. It has since had a succession of favored inter-related contractors: PH Trams, Global Epcom, and now Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI).

BURI presently is billing MRT-3 P4 million for two signaling components recently installed on coaches Nos. 06 and 63. Called vehicle logic units (VLUs), the gadgets are supposed to electronically control train speeds and automatically brake them to avert collision.

But the MRT-3’s original signaling supplier Bombardier Ltd. of Canada reported to the DOTr that BURI has not purchased from it any part or equipment of late. Its audit also showed that the VLUs had been modified and the circuitry tampered with.

Usec. for Rails Cesar Chavez has been withholding P59 million in BURI collections pending submission of pertinent documents. For spare parts from abroad, those include supplier’s invoice, bill of lading, factory inspection report, warranty, certificate of origin, delivery receipt, certificate of acceptance, and property invoice – as required by the Commission on Audit.

The P4-million VLUs are among the reimbursements withheld from BURI for lack of supporting papers. The units came from the local shop Diamond Pearl Development and Marketing Corp., which is not an authorized Bombardier distributor. It is owned by Marlo dela Cruz, a Liberal Party campaigner-fundraiser in Pangasinan, also behind the series of MRT-3 maintenance outfits.

Chavez suspects the VLUs were cannibalized from other coaches. From records, the 12-year-long maintenance firm Sumitomo of Japan had left behind $17 million in spare parts when PH Trams suddenly grabbed its contract in Oct. 2012. PH Trams and later Global Epcom hardly purchased new parts but merely depleted Sumitomo’s left-behinds, leading to MRT-3’s rapid deterioration.

Notably among Sumitomo’s parts inventory was a VLU purchased in Swedish krona equivalent to P2.85 million.

Contracted for 2016-2018 BURI too is being accused of stinting on crucial spares. Since early 2017 MRT-3 has been suffering twice to thrice daily breakdowns, due to signaling and train failures.

Forty-eight new coaches from China’s Dalian Corp. could have saved the day for MRT-3. But the trains are inoperative because  overweight and so could crush the rails. They were delivered late; without motors and signaling; and untested for 5,000 km at the factory for safety, reliability, and durability. The DOTr is contemplating returning them to China.

Sen. Grace Poe wants former DOTr officials sued for purchasing from unqualified Dalian, for which the government has paid P526 million so far. As well, for contracting the unqualified BURI, to which the government has paid P650 million to date.

Eugene Rapanut, reportedly an LP-Ilocos Sur, had brokered the Dalian deal in 2013. He is now BURI’s managing director.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, appointed by President Noynoy Aquino, LP chairman, has yet to investigate the anomalies. Her brother Lucas Carpio is BURI’s lead lawyer. Last month BURI charged Chavez before the Ombudsman for recommending the termination of its P3.8-billion contract.

* * *

The Metro Manila Development Authority must demolish all road barriers that illegally choke traffic. That includes metal fences of Kristong Hari Catholic church encroaching on two lanes of Commonwealth Avenue, north-bound Manggahan, Quezon City. Millions of commuters suffer hours-long gridlock every afternoon to midnight at the bottleneck. The barriers have been there nearly a year, since the old church was torn down for renovation, and the friars deemed it their power to occupy the national road. Commuters bore it at first, but the construction of the MRT-7 railway on the four center lanes has awakened them to the friar abuse. Subdivision residents along Commonwealth know that MMDA chairman Danny Lim is a homeowner there. The barriers contradict the three E's of traffic management: education (on social responsibility), engineering (to ease the flow), and enforcement (of the law). The MMDA must make the commuters feel that law and order is their right, and frailocracy is not their fate.

* * *

Catch Sapol radio show, Saturdays, 8-10 a.m., DWIZ (882-AM).

Gotcha archives on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jarius-Bondoc/1376602159218459, or The STAR website http://www.philstar.com/author/Jarius%20Bondoc/GOTCHA

TV5 president Chot Reyes gives update on contracts of Derek Ramsay and Jasmine Curtis-Smith

Ano na ang mangyayari sa TV career nina Derek Ramsay at Jasmine Curtis-Smith?

Ito ay dahil magpo-focus na lamang sa digital, news, at sports ang pangatlong pinakamalaking TV network sa bansa—ang TV5.

Sina Derek at Jasmine na lang ang natitirang contract stars ng dating Kapatid network.

Mga dating contract stars ng TV5—katulad nina Sharon Cuneta, Aga Muhlach, Ogie Alcasid, Ritz Azul, at Vin Abrenica—ay nagsilipatan na sa ibang istasyon.

Nakausap ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) si TV5 President Chot Reyes sa launch ng pagsasanib-puwersa ng TV5 at ESPN na ginanap sa Snaps Bar sa Sofitel Hotel, ngayong Huwebes, October 12.

Dito ay tinanong namin siya kung ano na ang mangyayari kina Derek at Jasmine.

Pahayag ni Sir Chot, “Unfortunately, we are winding down all their contracts already.

"Si Jasmine, in fact, on TV, she’s no longer with us. She is still with us on digital.

"And, I think, the only remaining real star that we have left is Derek."

Patuloy niya, “And Derek is there because he is reflective of ESPN. He’s also into sports.

"I’m not just sure hanggang kailan pa yung contract niya.

"But we have absolutely no problem, especially with me, we have a very close relationship with Derek.

“So, we continue to have him as a talent.”

Samantala, magpapatuloy pa rin daw si Direk Brillante Mendoza sa pagpu-provide ng content sa istasyon.

Kasalukuyan pa ring mapapanood sa TV5 ang Brillante Mendoza Presents.

Ayon kay Sir Chot, “Brillante Mendoza is very different, in fact we’re going...

"Hindi ko lang ma-announce lang ngayon, pero may ia-announce kaming magandang malaking announcement for Brillante in the future."

SPORTS CONTENT. Ipinaliwanag din ni Chot kung bakit gusto nilang palakasin ang sports content ng TV5.

Pahayag ng 54-year-old network executive, “We wanted to see or find an area or niche where we can compete and we have a chance to be number one.

“Because what we found out over the past six or seven years as TV5, that being the number three network in the Philippines…

"Because, my learning is, being the number three network is not profitable.

“Being the number three network does not make business sense.”

Dagdag nito, “So, like what I said, it’s really going to be a timing issue.

"I think, there’s really an opportunity for us to get there, but the other networks have more than 15 years ahead over us [in entertainment].

"So, we don’t have the time nor the resources to still compete."

Sa ngayon daw, sports ang nakikita ng management na paraan upang kumita ang TV5, na matagal nang napapabalitang nalugi dahil sa hindi matagumpay na entertainment programs nito.

Nagkaroon pa nga ng tie-up sa Viva Entertainment ang TV5, ngunit hindi rin ito nagtagal.

Pinabulaanan naman niyang mag-iiba na ng pangalan ang istasyon, mula TV5 at magiging ESPN5 na raw.

Ang Sports5 lang daw ang ni-rebrand ng management.

Saad pa ng dating PBA coach, "TV5 is alive and kicking.

"We are just re-positioning, pivoting.

"And, like I said, we are just competing on a space that we have a chance to be number one."

Read more at http://www.pep.ph/news/68447/tv-president-chot-reyes-gives-update-on-contracts-ofderek-ramsay-and-jasmine-curtis-smith#SELAT0zg5vG1lxdi.99
Read more at http://www.pep.ph/news/68447/tv-president-chot-reyes-gives-update-on-contracts-ofderek-ramsay-and-jasmine-curtis-smith#IgoQDE5JkTQtFJyu.99
Read more at http://www.pep.ph/news/68447/tv-president-chot-reyes-gives-update-on-contracts-ofderek-ramsay-and-jasmine-curtis-smith#LdgE6GkxE03pmDlC.99
Read more at http://www.pep.ph/news/68447/tv-president-chot-reyes-gives-update-on-contracts-ofderek-ramsay-and-jasmine-curtis-smith#pt8fU1UWqt65rtC7.99
Read more at http://www.pep.ph/news/68447/tv-president-chot-reyes-gives-update-on-contracts-ofderek-ramsay-and-jasmine-curtis-smith#2Viiq0gVm37Khj1q.99
Read more at http://www.pep.ph/news/68447/tv-president-chot-reyes-gives-update-on-contracts-ofderek-ramsay-and-jasmine-curtis-smith#sdO5cuVbz3fz8A32.99
Read more at http://www.pep.ph/news/68447/tv-president-chot-reyes-gives-update-on-contracts-ofderek-ramsay-and-jasmine-curtis-smith#FxWKO924FeysPUyr.99
Read more at http://www.pep.ph/news/68447/tv-president-chot-reyes-gives-update-on-contracts-ofderek-ramsay-and-jasmine-curtis-smith#gwZZZQp7Q7hO5wdt.99
Read more at http://www.pep.ph/news/68447/tv-president-chot-reyes-gives-update-on-contracts-ofderek-ramsay-and-jasmine-curtis-smith#EMCE2H6bAWcPFEDk.99
Read more at http://www.pep.ph/news/68447/tv-president-chot-reyes-gives-update-on-contracts-ofderek-ramsay-and-jasmine-curtis-smith#4OlQTmhr6YB60XBI.99

IN PHOTOS: Thousands flock SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown grand opening

CROWDED. Thousands of mall goers flock the opening of the SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown. All photos by Gerard Lucena and Raymon Dullana

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- Thousands of people flocked the much-awaited opening of the newest mall in Cagayan on Thursday, October 12.

A reliable source from SM administration said the foot traffic, or the number of people who went inside the mall, of the opening of the SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown (SMTD) was 31,230 as of 6 pm.

SM Prime Holdings’ Non Executive Director Herbert Sy, Tuguegarao City Mayor Jefferson Soriano, Vice Mayor Benben De Guzman, Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba, and  Tuguegarao Archbishop Sergio Utleg led the ribbon-cutting ceremony and coin throwing at 9 am.

Celebrity host Robi Domingo joined the officials in the ribbon cutting of SM Hypermarket. Separate ribbon-cutting ceremonies for SM Appliance, Surplus, Simply Shoes, Golden Press, fastfood chains and restaurants, beauty and fashion stores, and other stores.

The mall doors were ceremonially opened around 9:30 as Afi Festival dancers swayed with SM’s official theme song to welcome mall goers.

On Saturday, October 14, celebrity wins Perkins brothers is coming for a meet and greet.

SMTD is SM Prime Holding’s 65th mall and the first in the province of Cagayan. It is the second SM mall in Cagayan Valley region, next to SM City Cauayan.

SM Hypermarket is the mall’s major anchor along with other SM mainstays: SM Appliance Center, Simply Shoes, Watsons, Miniso, ACE Hardware, Surplus, World Balance and BDO.

Dining options include international and national food chains and specialty restuarants as well as well as homegrown restuarants like Billy Jack’s Pansit Batil, Patung,Baker’s Percent, and Cup of Faith, SC Sugar Cane Juice, Ice Kingdom, Frutos, and Jio’s Juice Bar.

The mall also has fashion boutiques, specialty stores, wellness and services, and amusement centers.  It also has an IT Zone for Tuguegarao techies.

Olongapo City's Official LUPANG HINIRANG Video

MUNTINLUPA MARCH with lyrics 2013

DBM recommends Northrail deactivation

The Budget department is recommending the deactivation of North Luzon Railways Corp. (Northrail) under a government plan to trim the number of state-owned firms.

The Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG), Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said, is currently also considering the abolition or mergers for other government-owned and –controlled corporations.

“For… the Northrail, we are recommending for its deactivation because it makes a lot of sense,” Diokno told reporters in an interview.

Northrail, a subsidiary of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), was created in 1995 to develop construct, operate and manage a railroad system that would serve Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Northern Luzon.

A project to rehabilitate and upgraded an existing line ended up being shelved in 2011 over corruption allegations and Northrail was subsequently embroiled in an arbitration case filed by a Chinese contractor.

The Duterte administration has revived the project but placed it under the Department of Transporation, prompting the BCDA last year to call for Northrail’s dissolution.

Diokno said deactivating a GOCC means the firm will no longer receive a budget from the national government, which means that it will no longer be able to operate.

This is different from abolition, which requires the repeal of the law that created the GOCC.

“[T]here are agencies with 11 board members but only have six employees. It does not make sense. It should be abolished to save on the office space, the cars etc.,” Diokno noted.

GOCCs were initially said to number 158 but the GCC has said that this is being revised following reviews that found several in the list to be research institutions or already inoperational. Others were added once these were “discovered”, the agency said.

As of mid-2016, 108 GOCCs are listed as under GCG.

The agency has said that its long-term goal is to reduce the number of state-run firms to less than 90.

Duterte names OICs for DICT, DOH

President Rodrigo Dutere has named officers-in-charge of two departments, Information and Communications Technology, and Health, his spokesman Ernesto Abella said Thursday, October 12.

Undersecretary Herminigildo Valle was appointed OIC of the DOH following the recent rejection of Paulyn Ubial by the Commission on Appointments.

Undersecretary Eliseo Mijares Rio, on the other hand, will be in charge of the DICT, whose secretary, Rodolfo Salalima, resigned last month.

Facebook and Instagram down: Social media users baffled after both sites suffer outages

Facebook and Instagram users have been left baffled after both sites appeared to go down across the UK and Europe.

Website Downdetector showed a huge spike in reports of outages for both sites from around 4 p.m. onwards.

Thousands of people reported “total blackouts” and log-in issues with both of the social media giants.

Fans of the sites have taken to Twitter to lament the outages and share tongue-in-cheek memes.

FB is down but dw your uncle is still angry about brexit, your school friends are still pregnant and cats are still funny #facebookdown

— BBC Three (@bbcthree) October 11, 2017

People turning to twitter like #facebookdown pic.twitter.com/NwYPueZyx8

— Superdry (@Superdry) October 11, 2017

FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM ARE DOWN. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE A BREAK FOR IT. #facebookdown #instagramdown pic.twitter.com/bJWnHUCCYU

— Elle (@ElleSacc) October 11, 2017

waiting for Facebook be like.. #facebookdown pic.twitter.com/TsVJneXr0v

— love.LucyG (@lovelucyG1382) October 11, 2017

A map by Downdetector shows that London was one of the worst-hit places for outages.

Mainland Europe was also affected, as well as cities on the west and east coasts of the US.

Two thirds of the problems reported with Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, were associated with the main news feed.

Higher Level Kids wins DreamPlay’s dance tilt

City of Dreams Manila’s DreamPlay, which is Dreamwork’s-inspired interactive play space, staged its second nationwide children’s dance competition recently dubbed “King Julien Dance Off” to celebrate its second year anniversary and mark its one million visitors to date.

Higher Level Kids, an all-boys group from Cavite, bested seven other finalists. First runner-up was Ace of Spades, a mix group of boys and girls from Angono. The other six finalists were Southernside Dance Theater, Super Kids, Small Fries, The Class, GFAM, and Mover’s Impact.

The Higher Level dance group is also known for their memorable performances on “Dance Kids,” a dance competition and reality TV show aired on ABS-CBN in 2015 and “Super Kids” in Cologne, Germany in 2016.

The judges included City of Dreams Manila General Manager for Non-Gaming Operations Marlon Hirsh, City of Dreams Manila Director of Public Relations Romina Gervacio, G-Force Senior Choreographer Gelai Aguzar, and celebrity couple Troy Montero and Aubrey Miles.

• • •

Jazz fest

Greenfield District marked the half-year anniversary of its weekly music event, “Jazz Fest Thursdays,” last Oct. 5. It featured jazz renditions by popular bands Extrapolation and The Brass Munkeys.

Atty. Duane A.X. Santos

“Our goal at the beginning was to create an event in an elegant setting where friends, families, and music lovers can meet to enjoy live jazz performances and great food. I’m glad we were able to fulfill that vision and remain consistent to it. So many enthusiasts come here to celebrate the beauty of jazz music in an open space filled with excellent food choices,” said EVP/GM of Greenfield Development Corp. Atty. Duane A.X. Santos.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Oct. 12, go to awarded TV host Marissa del Mar, former beauty queen turned-actress Pilar Pilapil, Willie Rebano, Serafin Pua, Pilar Ongking, Pilar Tanjangco, Antonio Santos, Dr. Morena Canizares, Jane Go, Noel Y. Regala, Marine Engr. Erwin Soriano of Bacoor City, Cavite; Imus City Mayor Emmanuel L. Maliksi, Alex Broce, Vina Rose Medina Soriano, Pilar Mateo, Baby O. Garcia, Angelia Jade Boaquina, Jenny Ramos Mahinay, Carl John Barrameda of Star Magic and Saicy A. Aguila, and Tessie Lozano-Dunn of Wales…Oct. 13 celebrators are Tito Sy, publisher Oscar Jornacion, Letty Ruiz, Dr. Charing M. Santos, Inday Rosales, Norma Lara, Carina Dacer, Marlette Pineda, Katrina E. Panlilio, Elizabeth Hammond, Vangie Jacinto, Rene Perez, Eriel Cortez, Annette Africano, Pinky Masigla, Irma S. Gumalay, Aika entertainment writers Len Llanes and Rose Garcia…

Gov’t to deactivate NorthRail GOCC

The Governance Commission for Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations (GCG) has recommended for deactivation the state-run firm that was formed to oversee the controversial NorthRail project.

Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno, an ex-officio member of the GCG, told reporters recently that deactivating the North Luzon Railways Corp. meant that the GOCC will no longer be provided a budget, hence cannot operate anymore.

“It was not yet abolished; I think you need a law to repeal it,” Diokno said.

A flagship project of the Arroyo administration, the 80-kilometer railroad was to link Caloocan City with an international airport in the former Clark Airfield in Pampanga.

When he took over in 2010, former president Benigno Aquino III ordered a review of the contract between NorthRail and the China National Machinery and Equipment Corp. Group (CNMEG) to build the railway.

This has been hounded by allegations of overprice, its cost rising from an initial $503 million to about $2 billion, according to reports.

A 2005 study by the UP Law Center showed that the NorthRail contract had been improperly packaged as an executive agreement to evade public bidding.

In 2007, the Monetary Board approved a $500-million long-term loan from ChinaEximbank that would finance the first section of Phase I of the project.

The completion of the first phase of the project, a 42-kilometer train line that will connect Caloocan City to Malolos City in Bulacan province, was earlier moved to 2013.

In 2012, the Supreme Court ruled that CNMEG-NorthRail agreement was not an executive agreement, and that CNMEG was not immune from suit.

It remanded to the Makati regional trial court for further hearing a case questioning the validity of the contract, and the loan agreement.


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DBM moves to ‘deactivate’ Northrail

Non-performing GOCCs to be abolished

By Chino S. Leyco

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) wants to stop government’s support to the North Luzon Railways Corp. (Northrail) starting next year as the Duterte administration plans to abolish or merge nonperforming state-owned companies.

Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said they are recommending the “deactivation” of Northrail, citing the Department of Transportation-attached agency has more number of board members than employees.

“We are recommending  deactivation of Northrail because it makes a lot of sense. For example, the agency has 11 board members and only six employees, which is absurd,” Diokno told reporters in a recent interview.

Asked about the term “deactivation,” Diokno explained that it means the Duterte administration will give zero budget to Northrail, noting the DBM has no authority to abolish any government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC).

Northrail is under DOTr and a subsidiary of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority. The state-owned firm is in charge of constructing, operating, and managing railway systems servicing Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Northern Luzon.

Meanwhile, Diokno also said that the Duterte administration is planning to reduce the number of GOCCs to save up office space, vehicles, taxpayers money, among others.

The DBM chief cited that among the GOCCs eyed to be merged are the housing agencies, while they are also contemplating on dividing the mandate of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

“Rightsizing does not really mean reduction, in fact we are thinking about a Department of Housing and Urban Development, so the housing bodies will be merged. Another proposal will be Department of Local Government, split the local government and homeland security,” Diokno said.

Diokno is currently pushing for the passage of Rightsizing the National Government Act of 2017 that once passed into law will abolish executive agencies with overlapping or redundant operations and functions.

According to Dikono, this will result in ineffective and inefficient in the delivery of public  services.

Diokno, meanwhile, emphasized that the program is not about forced retirement or separation of affected regular employees.

Regular personnel whose positions would be affected in the implementation of the law shall have the option to avail of retirement benefits and separation incentives, or be placed by the Civil Service Commission in agencies needing additional personnel.

BREAKING: Facebook DOWN as thousands panic across the globe

THOUSANDS of Facebook users are unable to access the social network across the UK and US.

Thousands of Facebook users appear unable to load the social network on desktop computers or mobile phones.

Most users reported a "total blackout", meaning the site would not load, or that they were unable to log in to their accounts.

They are left with an error message.

The outage has left users unable to share links or post articles.

Independent website Down Detector, which measures social mentions around a certain topic to track outages across the globe, shows some users reporting issues.

Parts of the UK and the US are having issues.

One Facebook fan posted a message online saying they'd been faced with a message that reads: "Facebook will be back soon."

"Thanks for your patience as we improve the site."

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LRT Line 1 North Extension

The LRT Line 1 North Extension Project (Closing the Loop) involves the construction of a 5.71 km elevated line fromMonumento Station of Line 1 to North Avenue Station of Line 3. The scope of works include: (1) Civil and Architectural Works, including construction of 3 new stations (Balintawak, Roosevelt and North) as well as improvements in Monumento Station, modification of pedestrian overpasses and the provision and installation of all the required elevators and escalators thereat, (2) Electro‐Mechanical Works (except rolling stock) shall have parameters which are the same as that of CAPEX II‐ A.

The Project is divided into the following construction packages, namely:
1.  Package A: Construction of Viaduct and Pedestrian Overpasses
Package A1 – Construction of Viaduct from Caloocan to Balintawak Area, Pedestrian Overpass and Walkways
Package A2 ‐ Construction of viaduct from Balintawak to Trinoma Area
2.  Package B: Construction of Stations and Station Modifications
3.  Package C: Electro‐Mechanicals Works
EMS – 1:  Signalling
EMS – 2:  Telecommunications
EMS – 3:  Automated Fare Collection System
EMS – 4:  Trackworks

The estimated project cost is P6,322.85 Million with a project duration starting from May 2007 and the two stations operational in 2010. The construction of Common Station in SM North is targeted to commence in the 2nd quarter of 2011 and will be completed by 2nd quarter of 2012. The North Extension Project is financed from domestic funds through appropriations from the General Fund as well as proceeds from the flotation of the National Development Company (NDC) Bonds.

In December 2009, LRT Line 1 was already physically connected with MRT 3 thus closing the loop between LRT 1 and MRT 3 systems.

Commercial operation of Balintawak and Roosevelt Stations to the revenue operation of Line 1 in 2010.

The last phase of this project is to build a Common Station that will connect the Line 1 and MRT Line 3, and in the future with Line 7 as well.

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

The cancellation and deferment of the project was contributed to the arrest and detention of former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from a controversy, the impeachment trial, conviction, removal and death of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona 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.

Even if the physical infrastructure connecting the two rail systems are in place and successfully tested, commuters have to go down at the Roosevelt station of LRT-1 and walk over or take a tricycle or jeepney for the one kilometer distance to the Trinoma terminal of MRT-3.

SM Prime Holdings had earlier given the Light Rail Transit Authority P200 million for “naming rights” over the station.

But Trinoma, of Ayala Land, is already enjoying the actual naming rights in the public mind of the MRT terminal. Ayala also raised some issues over how the common station was to be organized.

On July 30, 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 Supreme Court has extended the restraining order it issued against the relocation of the common station.

DOTC and LRTA’s petition to lift the TRO was denied

The TRO enjoined the LRTA and DOTC from proceeding with the transfer of the common station in front of SM City North EDSA to a new site in front of the Trinoma mall.

Based on the decision, the court cannot turn a blind eye to the serious implications of a change in the location of the common station.

It must undergo the legal process if the DOTC wants to start the construction of the common station to its new location for the sake of the riding public.

The SC also deferred action on SM Prime Holdings Inc.’s petition for injunction in Pasay Regional Trial Court.

The SMPHI had entered into an agreement with the LRTA on September 28, 2009 to put up the common station in front of SM City North EDSA.

Compromise talks were initiated by Abaya, but a resolution was never reached until President Aquino III stepped down last June 30. At one point, Abaya had suggested building two common stations—one each to be located near SM North Edsa and Trinoma—to urge SM to withdraw its lawsuit.

The two-station plan was eventually abandoned and deferred as private sector stakeholders said it would inconvenience commuters.

SM to open mall in Tuguegarao on October 12

SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown will be SM's 2nd mall in the Cagayan Valley region

SM Prime Holdings Incorporated, the country's largest mall operator, will open SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown on Thursday, October 12. This will be its 65th mall in the Philippines.

SM Prime told the local bourse on Tuesday, October 10, that its newest mall will provide an additional 37,000 square meters (sqm) in gross floor area (GFA) to its portfolio, bringing its total GFA to 8 million sqm in the Philippines.

SM said its new mall in Tuguegarao is strategically located at the corner of Luna and Mabini streets, which are main thoroughfares in the major urban city in the north. (READ: FAST FACTS: SM Investments Corporation)

SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown is set to open with 90% of its space lease-awarded. Stores include SM Hypermarket, ACE Hardware, Surplus, Watsons, Miniso, Simply Shoes, and BDO Unibank.

"The opening of SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown will provide SM Prime a sturdier foothold in the northeastern part of the Philippines, along with our other mall in the region, SM City Cauayan in Isabela," SM Prime president Jeffrey Lim said in the disclosure.

"We are very excited [for] how this new mall will give a unique shopping experience to this urbanized city in northern Luzon and how it will contribute further to the development of [Cagayan]," Lim added.

In 2017 alone, SM Prime has launched malls in Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Cagayan de Oro, Pasay City, and Antipolo in Rizal. (READ: Doing business under Duterte? Philippines' richest family shows how)

Mall operations remained the top contributor to the net income of SM Prime, which increased by 15% to P7.79 billion during the 2nd quarter of the year.

This brought the bottomline of the country's leading integrated property developer to P14.39 billion in the 1st half of 2017, 14% higher from P12.59 billion in the same period last year.

The SM group aims to have developed 10.96 million sqm of shopping malls; 139,000 residential units; 2,500 leisure homes; 460,000 sqm of leasable space; and 2,187 hotel rooms by 2018.

Duterte forms committee to organize papal visit and world youth day

The national committee is tasked with ensuring the smooth visit of Pope Francis in January 2018

About 3 months before the expected visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte formed a national organizing committee to ensure the smooth flow of his visit for the world youth day.

In a memorandum released Friday, October 3, Duterte called for the creation of the Papal Visit and World Youth Day 2018-National Organizing Committee (PVWYD-NOC) to coordinate preparations. The Committee is chaired by Executive Secretary Salvador Meldidea and vice-chaired by Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano.

Other members include:

• Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
• Interior and Local Government Secretary Catalino Cuy (OIC)
• Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar
• Health Secretary Herminigildo Valle
• Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade
• Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo
• Presidential Communications Operations Office
• Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt Gen Eduardo Año
• Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Danny Lim

On Wednesday, Duterte also announced that the Filipino peacekeepers, who successfully escaped a standoff with Syrian rebels in the Golan Heights, have been tasked to secure the Pope.

“As instructed by President Duterte, all heads of the different government departments, local governments as well as the private sectors are encouraged to participate and coordinate all efforts to make sure that the visit of His Holiness in our country next year will be well organized and peaceful,” Meldidea said in a statement.

Among the duties of the committee are ensuring cooperation between public and private sectors, particularly with the central committee of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP); peace and order; and traffic management.

The memorandum, effective immediately, also established two local executive committees – one in Manila and another in Leyte and Marawi – where the Pope is expected to visit. The local committees will “serve as the on-site full-time, day-to-day operations arms of the PVWYD-NOC,” said the statement.

Pope Francis will be making a stop in Leyte and Marawi to visit disaster-hit victims. His visit comes three years and eleven months after Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) killed more than 6,000 people, mostly in Tacloban City in Eastern Visayas and five months after Marawi siege killed 974 militants, 12 militants captured, 168 government forces killed (12 by friendly fire), 1,400+ government forces wounded and 87 civilians dead.

This will mark the first time in three years – only the third time ever – for a pope to go beyond the Philippine capital, Manila, as the first Latin American pontiff vows to reach out to the world's “peripheries.”

The Pope is expected to visit the Philippines on January 17 to 22, 2018. His trip will be the second by a Pope since Pope John Paul II's visit in 1995 and himself in 2015.

Committee approves bill promoting urban agriculture

The House special committee on food security chaired by Rep. Leo Rafael Cueva (2ndDistrict, Negros Occidental) on Tuesday approved a substitute bill seeking to promote integrated urban agricultural development in all metropolitan areas nationwide to address food security concerns.

The unnumbered bill titled “Integrated Urban Agriculture Act” substituted House Bills 2818, 4337, 4354 and 4422 authored by Reps. Estrellita Suansing (1st District, Nueva Ecija), Orestes Salon (Party-list, Agri), Michael Romero Ph.D. (Party-list, PBA), and Harlin Neil Abayon III (Party-list, Aangat Tayo), respectively.

Suansing said the bill seeks to institutionalize integrated urban farming in the highly urbanized cities and municipalities nationwide. This in turn will help address food security concerns and regenerate ecosystem functions.

Suansing, chairperson of the committee on ecology, said world population has been projected to double in 50 years. Relatedly, studies have shown that new land will be needed to grow enough food for everyone, she said.

“Urban agriculture and vertical farming will not only clean our environment and further avoid climate change, but also provide residents with safer, healthier food, at the same time keep farmers in business. Furthermore, urban agriculture and vertical farming will help reduce poverty,” said Suansing.

Salon said that while the Philippines was hailed as one of the fastest growing economies in Asia for gaining 6.9 percent domestic growth product (GDP) in the first quarter of 2016, there is undeniable food shortage in the country as shown by its dismal ranking of 74th among 109 countries studied in the 2015 Global Food Security Index.

“Urban agriculture is a food-producing activity that is community-based and would definitely help an urban area in its quest for sustainable development,” said Salon.

The bill declares it is the policy of the State to reaffirm the fundamental right of every person to adequate food and be free from hunger. As such, the achievement of self-sufficiency and sustainability in food production and security is hence adopted as a primary State policy.

Toward this end, the State shall develop climate change resilient communities in the metropolitan areas through the promotion of modern, appropriate, cost-effective and environmentally safe agriculture technologies to ensure food security, promote a healthy citizenry, and advance an improved quality of life for urban dwellers.

The measure defines integrated urban agriculture as the development paradigm that encompasses principles, management, technologies, and the policies relating to the practice and application of agricultural production of food and goods in urban areas.

It refers to food security as a situation wherein foods are available and affordable at all times and where all people have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life.

The bill provides that urban agriculture shall apply to all urban spaces such as idle, government or private lots or buildings, available land resources in state or private universities and colleges suitable for growing crops and raising poultry and livestock, and for agriculture.

It mandates the Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary to establish an office to be known as the Office of Urban Agriculture (OUA) to be under the DA. The OUA shall formulate the implementing guidelines, programs and operating principles consistent with government policies and objectives of the Act.

It also mandates the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) to monitor and ensure proper implementation of the Act. The PCAF shall have as members the Department of Health (DOH) Secretary, National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Chairperson, Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) Chairperson, representative from the private sector who has expertise in urban farming and vertical farming, and Lead Convenor of the Urban Agriculture Practitioners Network of the Philippines.

The PCAF shall ensure that programs established by the Act are implemented in ways consistent with the goal of poverty reduction, food security and healthy eating habits in urban communities.

Meanwhile the OUA, in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the DOH shall develop the research agenda on urban agriculture in the country’s metropolitan areas.

Idle and/or abandoned government lots and buildings owned by either the national government or local governments or available land resources in state colleges and universities shall be considered for growing crops, raising livestock, and producing food.

Safety standards, good agricultural practices, and handling practices must be emphasized and promoted at all times. The OUA, DOST, DENR, DOH, and the local government units (LGUs), together with the pertinent agencies shall oversee the promotion of agriculture and minimize risks of microbial food hazards.

The bill also mandates the inclusion of urban agriculture in the academic curriculum for elementary, secondary and tertiary level students of both public and pivate academic institutions offering courses in Agriculture, Practical Arts, Home Economics and other agriculture-related subjects. A course curriculum on gardening shall be developed and included in the regular curriculum of elementary and secondary education.

For universities and colleges, urban agriculture shall form part of the required period of time spent by students in the National Service Training Program or the Citizens Military Training.

Salceda: PNR South long haul project on track for 2022 opening

LEGAZPI CITY — The Philippine National Railways (PNR) South Long Haul Project, spanning some 581 kilometers from Manila to Matnog, Sorsogon, is now on track towards its target opening by second quarter of 2022.

“Dagos po an Bicol Express (the Bicol Express pushes through),” Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda announced here last week.

He based his announcement on the project’s revised funding structure approved by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) board recently.

The project, originally proposed years ago by Salceda, now forms part of the Duterte administration’s flagship projects under the massive infrastructure “Build Build Build” program.

It is envisioned as a backbone of economic development designed to enhance the connectivity of major airports and seaports in Southern Tagalog and Bicol Region.

From a proposed budget of PHP171 billion originally, and later PHP185 billion, it is now allocated PHP299.4 billion, one of the government’s biggest infrastructure investments.

Salceda, who is senior vice chair of the House committees on appropriations and ways and means, said some PHP800 million and PHP7 billion have been appropriated for the project in the GAA 2016 and GAA 2017 budgets, respectively, of Department of Transportation’s (DOTr), not PNR’s as announced previously, and another PHP3 billion has been requested by DOTr for FY 2018.

The project is also included in the first basket of projects to be financed and built with the assistance of China. A Memorandum of Understanding setting out the scope of China’s assistance for the project will be signed during the ASEAN Summit in November 2017.

Proceeds from the loan will become available under GAA 2018’s ‘Unprogrammed Appropriations’ in addition to the PHP3 billion DOTr has already requested for 2018. Implementation works for the project are ongoing, especially for right-of-way acquisition.

Consultations have already been held with Bicol local chief executives and lawmakers, and the DOTr have been working with HUDCC, NHA, SHAFC, and PCUP towards implementing the resettlement of the families that will be affected by the project.

Based on recent changes, its Commuter Line segment which spans 72 kilometers with 23 stations, now starts from Solis-Hermosa in Manila to Los Baños, Laguna. The Long Haul segment picks up from Los Baños and runs through Batangas, Quezon and the Bicol provinces of Camarines Sur and Albay to Sorsogon.

Salceda said the PNR South Railways is now “a priority investment project of the government” and ia a vitally urgent infrastructure for Southern Luzon. It was approved and strongly recommended by the Bicol Regional Development Council in 2015, during Salceda’s term as chairman.

When completed, it will vastly improve connectivity and efficiency among Southern Luzon’s urban centers and regional growth hubs and thus enhance productivity in the industry, services and agriculture sectors.

It is seen to further boost Bicol’s tourism industry by as much as 30 percent which forms part of the predicted 24 percent economic returns it will bring to the countryside when fully operationalized, he added. (PNA-PR)

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5,000 laymen volunteer to help distribute Holy Communion during Luneta Mass

VOLUNTEER Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs) and ushers were reminded to safeguard the sanctity of the Eucharist during the Concluding Mass to be led by the Holy Father at Luneta Park on Jan. 21.

Fr. Genaro Diwa, liturgy head of the Archdiocese of Manila, told around 6,000 volunteers during their general assembly Saturday (Jan. 6) to emulate Pope Francis’ service to the Church.

“Ito po `yung ibig ng Simbahan lalo na sa ating mga maglilingkod, na bago tayo pumunta sa Luneta, ay napagnilayan na natin, para pagdating natin doon at pinakinggan natin ang Santo Papa, alam na natin, at maisasapuso na natin kung ano pang mapakikinggan natin sa kanya’t mapapalawig natin ang katotohanang ito: mercy and compassion … Hindi naman po lingid sa inyong kaalaman na si Pope Francis, magmula noong siya ay nagsimulang akayin tayo bilang isang Simbahang Katolika, ay ito na ang nangibabaw sa kanyang paglilingkod sa Simbahan,” Fr. Diwa said during the meeting at the El Shaddai International House of Prayer in Parañaque.

Mercy and compassion makes us “human,” Fr. Diwa said, citing the parable of the prodigal son. “Hindi porke’t naglilingkod tayo, bagama’t kayo ay naka-polo at nasa harap ng altar, animo tayong mga Diyos na at amoy Diyos. Madalas tumatakbo tayo sa Diyos palayo tulad ng alibughang anak. At ang bawat kasalanan [ay] paglayo sa Diyos [at] pagsira sa pagkatao,” he said. “Bago tayo pumunta sa Luneta sa darating na Jan. 18, sana maging tao tayo, may awa at habag.”

Eight billion people are expected to flock to Luneta for Pope Francis’ final Mass in the country before he leaves for the Rome the following day. Around 500,000 priests from all over the the world and 250 local and foreign bishops will be con-celebrating the Holy Father.

Priests will give Holy Communion near or around Luneta’s Quirino Grandstand, while 5,000 EMHCs will be spread throughout the park. EMHCs from the Archdiocese of Manila and the dioceses of Novaliches, Caloocan, Cubao, Pasig, Parañaque, and Antipolo offered help to give Holy Communion to an estimated 2.5 million faithful.

Fr. Marthy Marcelo, coordinator of the liturgy committee of the Papal Visit Central Committee, said the goal of the volunteer EMHCs would be to give Holy Communion in an orderly manner, protect the consecrated hosts from desecration, and secure the “communion tents.”

The following communion tents, each named after the different titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary, will be installed from Roxas Boulevard to Maria Orosa Street and other areas: Tent 1 (Our Lady of Guadalupe) at the elevated area near the food court and Parade Grounds; Tent 2 (Ina Poon Bato) at the middle portion of the elevated area near the statue of San Lorenzo Ruiz; Tent 3 (Our Lady of Peñafrancia) on Roxas Boulevard and South Drive; Tent 4 (Nuestra Señora de Guia) near Manila Hotel and Burgos Street; Tent 5 (Neustra Señora del Pilar) at the right side of the San Lorenzo Ruiz statue; Tent 6 (Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu) at the Burgos area; and Tent 7 (Our Lady of Piat) in front of Manila Hotel.

Tent 8 (Our Lady of Caysasay) will be on Kalaw Street; Tent 9 (yet to be named) also on Kalaw Street near the National Historical Commission; Tent 10 (Our Lady of La Naval) at the Noli Me Tangere Garden; Tent 11 (Immaculate Conception) at the National Library; Tent 12 (Our Lady of Lourdes) behind the Rizal Monument; Tent 13 (Our Lady of Manaoag) near the Central Lagoon Fountain; and Tent 14 (Our Lady of Assumption) at the end of Maria Orosa Street.

Tent 15 (Our Lady of Mt. Carmel) will also be located on Maria Orosa Street; Tent 16 (Our Lady of the Abandoned) opposite the Central Lagoon Fountain; Tent 17 (Nuestra Señora de Salvacion) near the Chinese Garden; Tent 18 (Our Lady of Consolacion) on Burgos Street near Rizal Park Library; Tent 19 (Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje) on Roxas Boulevard at the end of Burgos Street near the Light and Sound Theater; and Tent 20 (Our Lady of Peace) near the statue of Jaime Cardinal Sin.

Each tent will have 3,000 EMHCs and 3,000 ushers, and will serve around 4,968,000 communicants. Portable restrooms and medics will also be stationed near the communion tents. Gena Myrtle P. Terre

Netizens weigh in on Ubial’s CA rejection

Minutes after Dr. Paulyn Jean Ubial’s rejection as Secretary of Health (SOH), the words “DOH Sec” landed fifth spot on Twitter’s list of trending topics.

Social media users have different reactions on the rejection of Ubial, who has been a public health servant for nearly 30 years.

Many expressed sadness over the rejection of Ubial, including Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito.

“I am biased for career individuals who have already given many years of service to the gov’t. Sad that Sec. Ubial was rejected by the CA,” the politician tweeted using his verified Twitter account, @jvejercito.

“It was expected but still shocking for politicians to reject appointment of Ubial as Secretary of Health. She is the best that we can have,” wrote Twitter user @monsplp.

“COA rejected Gina Lopez, Ma’am Judy Taguiwalo, Ka Paeng Mariano and now, Dra. Paulyn Ubial. And we have Mocha Uson as ASec? Get outta here,” said @thegiogeorge.

“She was very supportive of HIV/AIDS campaign in DOH,” @vinceliban stated with a sad face.

Some, on the other hand, approved of the decision of the CA.

“DOH deserves a far better head,” wrote F. Tree Hugger.

“For once, I agree with CA. Good riddance!” said FB user J. Capistrano.

“Good. So many competent than Ubial. She is intelligent but her approach to health care and governance in the ground is not effective. They need someone brilliant but strong person to implement properly,” M. Paredes stated.

While some wondered about the next head of the Department of Health (DOH).

“With Ubial’s rejection by the CA, I wonder who becomes the next health secretary,” @mockingjason tweeted.

Others have been mentioning names of “doctors who deserve to be the next DOH chief,” including DOH Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag and social media personality and public health servant Dr. Willie Ong.

The Commission on Appointments (CA) today rejected the ad interim appointment of Ubial. Senator Gregorio Honasan, chair of the CA health committee, said 13 CA members voted “not to proceed” with Ubial’s confirmation. Honasan stated that Ubial’s achievements were outweighed by the issues raised by her oppositors.

Caloocan fire linked to MRT-7 project? Residents think so

Fire hit a barangay in Caloocan City early Sunday morning, with residents blaming it on arsonists and linking it to the MRT-7 project, GMA News' Bernadette Reyes reported on 24 Oras on Monday.

Four suspicious looking men were suspected to have started the fire that occurred in Barangay Pangarap Village in Caloocan past 2 a.m. on Sunday.

"May apat na kalalakihan — 'yung isa po parang medyo mga military cut po ang buhok — naglagay po ng anim na galon ng mga gasolina na may halo po na pulbura, ignition equipment, 'yung parang mitsa, and then sinindihan po nila 'yun," Barangay 182 Councilor Emmanuel Llorca said.

Llorca said the fire could have been started by a local developer to evict the residents in the area and clear the way for the construction of the planned MRT-7.

"Gusto nila, lahat ng madadaanan ng MRT-7, matanggal po 'yan along Araneta Avenue and Banaba Street," Llorca said.

Transportation officials and private concessionaire Universal LRT Corp. BVI Limited (ULC) in 2016 broke ground for the MRT-7, which will link North Avenue in Quezon City to San Jose del Monte in Bulacan.

Concrete pouring for the foundation of the Batasan Station of the rail line along Commonwealth Avenue began on Saturday.

The 24 Oras report said developers denied any knowledge and involvement in the fire incident, but said they are open to communicating with barangay officials to help investigate the matter. They did not give any further comment.

For its part, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said several similar incidents have already been reported, but no cases have been filed yet.

"Iniimbestigahan po namin 'yan lahat, kung anong pinagmulan. Kung ito'y sinadya, kailangan namin ng witness kung namukhaan nila 'yung nag-sunog. Kasi kung na-find out namin na arson 'yung kaso, sasampahan namin ng kaso," FO1 Ronald Samillano said. —Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/KBK, GMA News

Best Aliw ever

“Best Of Aliw 2017” is tonight at the Star Theater at the CCP Complex as part of the Aliw Awards Foundation’s 40th anniversary celebration.

To be featured are past Entertainer Of The Year awardees Rico Puno, Celeste Legaspi and Freddie Aguilar. The show is directed by Hall of Famer Freddie Santos.

The other performers are Imelda Papin and John Lesaca, Lifetime Achievement awardees and Hall of Famers Jon Santos, Mitoy Yonting, Spirit of ’67, the Angelos and the Halili Dance Company, with the special participation of Merjohn Lagaya. Theater groups, also Aliw awardees, will also perform surprise numbers.

“Best Of Aliw 2017” is supported by the Department of Tourism, the Quezon City government under Mayor Herbert Bautista, PAGCOR and PCSO.

Other anniversary events, according to Founding President Alice H. Reyes and Executive Committee Chairman Ma. Rosa Bing Carrion, are the Annual Aliw Awards Night on Nov. 20, the Walk of Fame at Rizal Park on Nov. 23 and the launch of the Coffee-Table Book on AAFI, its history, awardees and benefactors.

• • •

Most watched

GMA Network, Inc. (GMA) has kept its nationwide ratings advantage over its nearest rival in September, according to Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

From Sept. 1-27 (with Sept. 17-27 based on overnight data), GMA garnered more viewers in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM) with an average total day people audience share of 41.9 percent.

Jessica Soho

The Kapuso Network ruled both morning and afternoon time blocks in NUTAM, and in Urban Luzon, the Network maintained its dominance across all time blocks with a total day people audience share of 48 percent.

The Kapuso Network also posted an impressive lead in Mega Manila.

Similarly, Kapuso shows dominated the list of top programs in NUTAM with “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” still reigning as the most watched GMA program nationwide during the said period.

Other top-rating Kapuso shows include “24 Oras,” followed by “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko,” “Pepito Manaloto,” and “Magpakailanman.”

Also in the list are the newly launched “Super Ma’am,” bannered by Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera-Dantes, “All-Star Videoke, now hosted by the comedic duo of Solenn Heussaff-Bolzico and Betong Sumaya; “Alyas Robin Hood,” “Mulawin Vs. Ravena,” “Eat Bulaga,” “Ika-6 Na Utos,” “Impostora,” “Haplos,” “Wowowin,” and “24 Oras Weekend.”

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Oct. 10, go to Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, columnist Neal Cruz, Keiko Gardiner, Buboy Garovillo, Ms. Yaying Dragon, Malou Maglutac, Vivian Uy, Michelle Puzon, Encarnacion “Lovely” R. Santos, Ben Nery, Jennefe Cezar, Ayze Querejero, Billy Joe Leones, Mrs. Fely Gupit, Frederick Farell, Mrs. Laura del Rosario Milo, Vic Brita, Ricky Alvaran, Anna Vitta-Lim Galagnara, New York-based Luisa Velasco-Datiles, Joanne Marie A. Henson and Nash Aguas of Star Magic…Belated b-day greeting to "ASAP" associate producer Ritchel Rosales and Juliet Gatchalian (Oct. 9)… Happy wedding anniversary to Dr. Adrian Buensalido and wife Joy…Oct. 11: Kuya Daniel Razon, twins Richard and Ricardo Cepeda, Dr. Miles dela Rosa, Ed Santillan, Terry Lim, Baby Aguilar, Dianne Eugenio, Jan Carlo Tobias, Johnson Robert, Tina M. Ejercito, Wu Elsie, Pat Cabiling, Pilar Gozum, MB’s Myra Liezl Abando and Ronald Jeffrey Lim, Jason Francisco, Erlinda Romey and Bobbit Vidanes… Happy wedding anniversary to Amb. & Mrs. Roy Seneres; and Oscar and Bootsie Violago…

China funding for long-haul rail project seen available in 2018

The Department of Transportation is targeting to secure loan commitments from China in 2018 for the funding of a long-haul railway line that will connect Manila to Matnog, Sorsogon, in the Bicol region of southern Luzon.

Cesar Chavez, DOTr undersecretary for rails, said the project, formally known as the Philippine National Railways South Long Haul project, was among the “first basket” of infrastructure deals to be funded and built with China’s help.

He said on Friday that a memorandum of understanding between Manila and Beijing would be signed during the Asean Summit in November this year.

“After the loan agreement for the project is signed in 2018, the loan proceeds will become available under GAA [General Appropriations Act] 2018 unprogrammed appropriations,” Chavez said, referring to funding for the 2018 national budget.

On the government’s “Build, Build, Build” online portal, the PNR South Long Haul is expected to cost around P151 billion to build. It is a 581-kilometer standard gauge railway line, which mainly involves the “complete reconstruction of the legacy PNR railway into a single track, at-grade railway.”

“The railway will connect cities, international seaports and economic zones, allowing for faster transportation of passengers and freight,” according to the government website.

Chavez said the PNR South Long Haul project would be operational by the second quarter of 2022, or before President Duterte’s term ends.

“Implementation works for the project are also ongoing, especially for right-of-way acquisition,” he said. Chavez noted that between P800 million and P7 billion have been appropriated for the project for the 2016 and 2017 budgets, respectively. He said another P3 billion had been requested for 2018.

The PNR South Long Haul project is one of three railway projects approved by the board of the National Economic and Development Authority last Sept. 12.

Also given the go-ahead was the PNR South Commuter line, a 72-km railway system that will run from from Manila to Los Baños, Laguna. The PNR South Commuter project, which will also be financed via an official development assistance (ODA) loan of yet to be determined origin, has a budget of P134 billion and is slated for completion by December 2021.

Also approved by the Neda Board chaired by President Duterte was the P355.6-billion Metro Manila subway project, which will run from Quirino Highway in Quezon City, to Taguig and end at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport complex in Parañaque City.

The DOTr said the plan was to start construction by end-2018, with completion seen by 2025.

The country’s first subway will be funded by a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, with signing targeted around November this year. It will be a 40-year loan with an interest rate of 0.1 percent and a 12-year grace period.


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DOTr eyeing blacklist of MRT maintenance provider

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is considering to blacklist Metro Rail Transit (MRT) maintenance provider Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI) from entering into any contract with the government amid the recent breakdowns of the railway system.

The DOTr has reiterated its position that it will terminate the maintenance contract of BURI, arguing that it was void from the beginning.

In an inquiry by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability last week , DOTr Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Procurement Reinier Paul Yebra said his office has already recommended the termination of the BURI contract and is now awaiting report verification by the MRT-3 management.

The department also plans to file charges against those involved in the MRT maintenance contract before the Office of the Ombudsman.

MRT officials likewise denied the claims of BURI that it did not bill the government for two Vehicle Logic Units (VLU) amounting to P4 million.

During the hearing, they presented documents from BURI that would prove that the firm has billed the government for the 2 VLUs and installed them in cars no. 6 and 63.

A VLU, which costs P2 million each, is part of the Automatic Train Protection system which controls the speed and brakes of a train to avoid overspeeding, keeps safe distance between trains, and applies brakes to avoid collisions.

It was also disclosed that BURI was only issued its Certificate of Incorporation from the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) after it was awarded the MRT maintenance contract.

“DOTC awarded the maintenance contract to BURI on Dec 23, 2015 but such consortium was only registered with SEC January 4, 2016. Hindi lang fake ang spare parts. Fake din ang contract (Not only the spare parts are fake but also the contract),” Pampanga Rep. Aurelio ‘Dong’ Gonzales said.

The committee asked the MRT-3 management to submit all documents including the maintenance contract signed during the previous administration and a list of names involved in the approval of the contract for the next hearing.
It also directed the MRT management to submit its own investigation report.

The DOTr recently withheld the payment of the VLUs due to the failure of BURI to provide the necessary supporting documents such as the Factory Inspection Report and Certificate of Origin.

SKYdirect "Bahay Namin" with Judy Ann Santos

DOTr clarifies Metro Manila subway project sked

The Department of Transportation on Sunday clarified that the construction of Metro Manila’s first subway system would start in the latter part of next year, contrary to reports that it would already start next month and aggravate traffic conditions in the coming holiday season.

The DOTr was reacting to social media posts and comments saying residents and motorists should brace themselves for monstrous traffic jams because of the project, with the worst supposedly expected in Parañaque City.

In a statement, the department said the groundbreaking for the depot, training center and the first stations of the Japan-funded Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) is scheduled in the third and fourth quarters of 2018, after which construction will follow.

What will happen next month, it said, is the signing of the exchange of notes (EN) between the Japanese and Philippine governments on the MMSP, after the project was approved by the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) board on Sept. 12.

The signing will take place at the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in Manila, with President Duterte and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as witnesses.

“The EN will set out Japan’s commitment to finance MMSP, including the terms for such financing,” the DOTr said.

The 30-km MMSP is among the flagship infrastructure projects under the Duterte administration’s Build Build Build Program. The subway is expected to be running partially by 2022, and fully operational by 2025.

The proposed route of the MMSP Phase I or the Central Zone starts at Mindanao Avenue-Quirino Highway in Quezon City and ends in FTI, Taguig City, with a proposed depot in Barangay Ugong, Valenzuela City.

There will be 13 underground stations traversing six cities: Valenzuela (for the depot), QC, Pasig City, Makati City, Taguig, and a small portion of Parañaque City. —Jerome Aning


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