MRT-3: Where did it all go wrong?

A lethal cocktail of bad engineering choices, politically driven decisions, and mismanagement made MRT-3 the mass-moving hazard it is today.

The series of errors started back in 1995. It was at that year that a consortium led by the Fil-Estate Group, along with Ayala Land, Ramcar and the Campos Groups — formed a company called the Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRTC). The consortium was awarded the contract to Build-Lease & Transfer the MRT-3 line traversing EDSA.

The contract called for MRTC to build the railway structure, construct twelve stations along its span, purchase the rolling stock (the trains), and install its signaling system. The deal also made MRTC responsible for maintaining the system and procuring its spare parts. Government, through the then Department of Transportation and Communications, was in charge of the daily operations of the system.

Government was to pay the MRTC a lease rate equivalent to the amortized cost of the train line, plus a 16% per annum return on capital. After a period of 25 years (ending in 2025), the ownership of the line would revert back to government.

While a 16% return on capital is unusually high for a standard Build-Lease & Transfer contract, it has no bearing on the maintenance woes of the system. The problem lies on the type of rolling stock selected by MRTC.

See, the Czech-made Tarta RT8D5M was not the appropriate choice for a high-volume line like MRT-3 in the first place. Its specifications are more akin to a tramway that runs on street level, rather than that of a metro rail. Tramways are designed to run at varying speeds, often stopping to give way to traffic lights, intersections, and pedestrian crossways. They are not designed to operate at maximum speed and at maximum capacity, all the time, like a metro system can. Pushed to the limit, the tramways were bound to break-down given the stress of usage — and break-down they did.

The correct choice of rolling stock would have been one using metro-technology, similar to LRT-2, which can withstand higher operating strain.

In 2001, MRTC awarded the maintenance and the procurement of spare parts to Sumitomo under a “pass-through” agreement. A “pass-through agreement” is one where government paid the cost of maintenance and spare parts to MRTC, who, in turn, would forward payment to Sumitomo. The system worked well as it allowed Sumitomo to purchase the spare parts it needed to keep both the trains and rails in good condition. Under this arrangement, MRT-3 operated with relative reliability from 2001 to 2010.

DOTC: THE MANAGEMENT FROM HADES

In 2010, newly elected President Benigno S. C. Aquino III appointed Ping de Jesus as the Secretary of the DoTC. It was the same year that the pass-on agreement with Sumitomo was set to expire. Sec. De Jesus extended the Sumitomo contract for one more year to give him time to formulate an alternative plan for the maintenance of the trail line.

In early 2011, the DoTC crafted a plan to integrate the operations of MRT-3 and LRT-1 in preparation for the eventual expansion of LRT-1 to Cavite. The plan would have unified the maintenance systems of both train lines, a move that would have resulted in massive savings on maintenance costs.

Sumitomo was qualified to bid for the contract along with other international engineering groups. The bidding was to be held on July 2011.

A few weeks before the bidding date, however, Sec. De Jesus resigned from his post due to health reasons. Mar Roxas was assigned as his replacement. Roxas’s first act as the new DoTC Secretary was to cancel the bidding exercise.

Roxas’s move proved to be catastrophic. In one fell swoop, not only did Roxas trash a perfectly good long term maintenance plan for both MRT-3 and LRT-1, he also left MRT-3 with no maintenance contractor. Remember, by this time, the Sumitomo contract had expired.

Realizing his mistake, Roxas scrambled to renew the Sumitomo contract on annual and six-month terms. This was a bad decision since Sumitomo (or any other maintenance contractor, for that matter) would naturally not invest in long term preventive maintenance programs given the short term nature of its contract. The rolling stocks, rails and signaling systems began to deteriorate. This is when system failures began to occur.

In October 2012, Roxas awarded the maintenance contract to a firm called PH Trams CB & T. One of PH Trams’ six incorporators-directors was Wilson T. De Vera. It will be recalled that De Vera was the man accused by the Czech Ambassador of attempting to extort $30 million from Czech train maker Inekon back in July 2012. Also among its directors were Marlo de la Cruz and Manolo M. Maralit.

By this time, Roxas was moved to the DILG and Sec. Jun Abaya took over the helm of the DoTC. Abaya’s first act was to ratify the contract of PH Trams even if the bidding process was allegedly a fluke.

The terms of PH Trams contract was problematic too.

It called for PH Trams to provide the manpower for the maintenance of MRT-3, while government was to handle the procurement of spare parts. This proved to be a bad formula considering the tedious process of government procurement.

In most cases, government could not provide the spare parts on time. This left PH Trams with no choice but to resort to remedial repair work or “band-aid solutions” to keep the trains running. This caused the entire system to deteriorate even more rapidly. This went on for three years.

In 2015, the maintenance contract was awarded to SBI CB&T a Filipino-German partnership, and then, to Busan Universal Rail, Inc. in 2016. Given the short term contracts given to these firms, neither invested in long term solutions for MRT-3. The trains deteriorated to point where they became safety hazards. This was when derailments of trains and uncoupling of cars began to occur.

With one error of judgment after another, the MRT-3 line was left in a pitiful state. Most trains were out of commission due to damage and lack of spare parts. In fact, only 13 out of 73 trains were working as of February 2015. Too, the rails were in need of rehabilitation and the signaling system needed to be replaced.

With its back against the wall, the DoTC purchased 48 new train cars from Dalian of China. The new trains were meant to augment the aging and dilapidated Czech-made units. By this time, it was 2015 and the presidential campaign was in full swing with Mar Roxas running as the administration’s candidate.

Roxas was getting a lot of flack for the MRT-3 mess. He was desperate — he needed to show the public that relief was on the way.

He had the trains delivered from Dalian even without its motor, its couplers and signaling system just to have something to show.

The public relations stunt was not enough to assuage the anger of the public over the MRT-3 mess. In many respects, it cost Roxas’s his presidential bid.

MRT-3 UNDER THE DOTR

This year, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) was able to repair and use nine more Czech-made trains. A total of 22 trains now ply the line during peak hours. This is the most number of trains that the MRT has deployed since February 2013. Still, it is pitifully insufficient.

The DoTr terminated the maintenance services of BURI last September and is now maintaining the system on its own. Time will tell if the DoTr can do a better job.

What must be done now to fix the MRT-3 mess? There is quick fix solution. It requires a rehabilitation of the rails, a replacement of the trains to metro-type units, an upgrade of the signaling system and widening of the ingress/egress facilities of the stations.

MRT-3 presently 350,000 to 400,000 passengers a day. City planners expect daily ridership to top 1.1 million passengers by 2025. Clearly, something must be done lest the system collapse on its own weight.

Extensive repairs will necessitate the closure of the line and this can only be done if government can provide an alternative mode of transport for the public. This is why the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) traversing EDSA needs to be put on line as soon as possible. Only then can repairs and upgrades to MRT-3 be done.

Unfortunately, construction of EDSA BRT will only take place in 2019, to be completed in 2021, if we’re lucky. From now until then, MRT-3 will remain as is, albeit with minor repairs to the rails and hopefully, the use of new Dalian-made trains. Meanwhile, let’s hope no more accidents occur.

Andrew J. Masigan is an economist.

A. Goninan (UGL)/CSR Phase IV Light Rail vehicle

A. Goninan (UGL)/CSR Phase IV Light Rail vehicle

Train interior

CCTV

Emergency call device

Wheelchairs with seat belts

Wheelchair parking spaces

‘Deadma Walking’ an MMFF comedy entry not to miss

Because it promises to be funny and entertaining, “Deadma Walking” is a must-watch movie during the forthcoming 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival. Actually, I think it will be the first movie I will watch, impressed as I was that the movie is based on a screenplay (by Eric Cabahug) that won second prize at the Palanca Awards for Literature, and the fact that it was the first film among the eight entries to this year’s MMFF that was given an “A” from the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB).

The CEB commended “Deadma Walking” for its fine direction, editing, script, acting and heartwarming message. The CEB summation also stated: “Director Julius Alfonso has an auspicious debut film in ‘Deadma Walking,’ which is brilliantly visualized and combines, humor, drama and camp to come up with the right mix seldom seen in the year-end festival.” And according to a CEB member, “the comic timing and musical numbers give the film an engaging energy.”

The CEB praised the performance of the entire cast, citing the lead stars Joross Gamboa and Edgar Allan Guzman as “obvious standouts,” and Dimples Romana who, according to CEB “puts in a good turn.”

“Deadma Walking,” produced by T-Rex Entertainment, tells the story of two gay best friends, Joross and Edgar Allan, who mount a fake wake and funeral. “We thought of faking my death and wake because I want to know and hear about what my friends would say about me when I die, during my wake,” Joross said.

While “Deadma Walking” is about dying, the CEB highlighted that it celebrates life and friendship byn reiterating that “the tragicomedy is a different fare for the filmfest and doesnot disappoint.”

“Deadma Walking” opens in cinemas nationwide starting on Dec. 25.

• • •

30th Aliw Awards

The 30th Aliw Awards is slated tonight at the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel. Applause trophies will be given to the winners of over 40 categories of life entertainers. From them will be chosen the “Entertainer of the Year,” according to Ms. Alice H. Reyes, founder/president of the Aliw Awards Foundation.

Highlights of the event is the presentation of Lifetime Achievement Awards to Celeste Legaspi, Claire dela Fuente, Hajji Alejandro, Jun Polistico, Geleen Eugenio, Onofre Pagsanjan, Spirit of ’67 and George Yang; and the Alice H. Reyes Achievement Awards to Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto, Mayor Herbert Bautista and Jomari Chan; the elevation to the Hall of Fame of Ricky Abad, Pinky Amador, Joel Lamangan, Rockin’ ’60s and Vince Tañada; and the presentation of Special Awards to Solaire’s The Theater, the Halili Cruz Junior Ballet Company, Sonny Alvendia, Dean Amado Valdez and Patrick Michael Vargas.

Posthumous awards will also be given to Agileo Baluyut, former AAFI president, and Bong Carrion, former governor of Marinduque.

Manila Bulletin is among media partners. Showtime is 7 p.m.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 19, go to Erlinda “Liding” Oledan, Lyanne Gonzalez, Efren Cruz, Abraham Divina, Jr., Junie Siytangco, and Rep. Baby Pizarro… Dec. 20: Ricky Alegre, Jim Greene, Cathy Nazareno Revilla, Neneng David, Marilú Velez, Rosie Bitong, Tim Espinosa, Anna Romulo, Jobert Brillantes, JC Crisostomo of Bay, Laguna, Mariel Lopez, "Tonight with Boy Abunda" editor Jok Tan, Philip "Dada" Roxas,  Ronald Dominguez and Maybeline dela Cruz…

Tacloban airport fully operational

The Tacloban Airport in Leyte province resumed normal operations Sunday morning, lifting the temporary suspension order occasioned by heavy rains brought about by Tropical Storm Urduja, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) announced.

CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said the Tacloban Airport was fully operational as of 5 a.m. yesterday.

“We have experienced already before ‘di ba ‘yung kay ‘Yolanda’ so ngayon meron na kaming procedure dyan, bago pa lang dumating yung bagyo naka-safety procedure na kami. ‘Yung mga communications equipment, everything, so far ngayon naman walang malakas na hangin,” Apolonio said.

Tacloban Airport was closed to air passengers around 5 a.m. Saturday in anticipation of the landfall of Typhoon Urduja.

It was temporarily opened around 11 a.m. because the weather turned out to be fine and accommodated several flights but had to be closed again at 1 p.m.

“Kahit may bagyo pwede naman lumipad ang eroplano sa area especially yung malalaki dahil kaya naman nila ‘yan. Ang problema lang ang airport mismo kung doon dadaan so hindi makakaiwas yung eroplano, talagang hindi siya makakababa,” he said.

Typhoon Urduja landed over Eastern Samar Saturday afternoon and placed Leyte and other nearby areas under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 2.

Apolonio explained that Tacloban Airport had to be closed because of safety precautions since its location is near a sea.

“Yung Tacloban Airport beside the sea ‘yan eh so talagang diretso yan kapag tumama dyan, wipeout. But luckily for us now medyo lihis doon sa airport at puro ulan lang, kaya walang masyadong problema,” he said.

The CAAP spokesperson also assured that the airports in Region 8 affected by Typhoon Urduja suffered “minimal” damages only and were fully operational.

“‘Yung mga airports natin sa Visayas, halos ang mga nada-damage lang naman ay mga perimeter fence. Siyempre ‘yun ang unang babagsak,” he said.

Aside from Tacloban Airport, other airports in Region 8 are: Calbayog, Catarman, Catbalogan, Borongan, Guiuan, Biliran, Ormoc, Maasin and Hilongos.

CORPORATE SECURITIES INFO: Confusing TV ratings

The ratings war between the country’s top television networks—ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network Inc.—has become tighter, and confusing, as the year nears its end.

Citing data from research company Kantar Media, ABS-CBN said it had an average audience share of 46 percent in last November’s national TV ratings as against GMA’s 34 percent.

Kantar data showed ABS-CBN had an audience share of 51 percent during primetime, where most Filipinos watch TV, compared to GMA's 32 percent, the network said. ABS-CBN also took the lead in the morning (6 a.m to 12 p.m.), noontime (12 p.m. to 3 p.m.) and afternoon (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.).

Nine of the ten most watched programs in the country were produced by ABS-CBN, led by the long running police drama “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” topbilled by Coco Martin recorded a national TV rating of 41.1 percent.

Variety show “It’s Showtime” is still the most watched noontime show in the country with a national TV rating of 38.6% on weekdays and 30.2% on Saturdays, against its rival “Eat Bulaga” which only got 20% on weekdays and 13.2% on Saturdays, ABS-CBN said.

Other programs that made it to the list include “La Luna Sangre,” “The Good Son,” “Tonight with Boy Abunda,” “Bandila,” “TV Patrol,” “Little Big Shots,” “Wansapanataym,” “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” “Rated K,” “I Can See Your Voice,” “Gandang Gabi Vice,” “Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin”, “ASAP,” “Pusong Ligaw,” “The Promise of Forever,” “Hanggang Saan,” “Ipaglaban Mo,” “Banana Sundae,” “Wildflower,” “Home Sweetie Home,” and “Goin’ Bulilit.”

ABS-CBN said it led ratings in other parts of the country.

For “total Luzon,” ABS-CBN said it got an audience share of 44 percent for November while GMA got 35 percent. For total Visayas, ABS-CBN cornered 54 percent versus GMA’s 27 percent, and for total Mindanao, it secured 49 percent against GMA’s 34 percent.

On the other hand, relying on data submitted by Nielsen Philippines, GMA said it had an average total day people audience of 43.2 percent, which is above ABS-CBN’s 38.2 percent.

GMA said it led in all time blocks in urban Luzon and mega Manila, which accounted for over half of all viewers in the country.

GMA said it had cornered 48.8 percent of the market in urban Luzon, versus 32.6 percent of ABS-CBN, and 51.1 percent in mega Manila, against its ABS-CBN’s 28.5 percent.

More Kapuso shows also made it to the list of top programs in NUTAM with the award-winning weekly family sitcom “Pepito Manaloto” still reigning as the most watched Kapuso program nationwide in November.

Included in the list as well were “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko,” “Magpakailanman,” “24 Oras”, “Super Ma’am,” “All-Star Videoke,” “Road Trip,” “24 Oras Weekend” and “Alyas Robin Hood” which concluded last November 24.

Newly launched primetime series “Kambal, Karibal” immediately made its way to the list of most watched Kapuso programs in NUTAM along with consistent ratings drivers “Ika-6 na Utos”, “Tadhana,” “Wowowin”, “My Korean Jagiya”, “Bubble Gang”, “Saksi”, “Imbestigador,” “Eat Bulaga,” “Sunday PinaSaya,” “Dear Uge,” “Celebrity Bluff,” “Haplos” and “Impostora”.

GMA Network again dominated the list of top programs in Urban Luzon with 8 of the top 10; while sweeping Mega Manila’s top 10 list.

GMA Network’s flagship AM radio station DZBB 594 is still the most listened to AM radio station in Mega Manila based on the most recent data from Nielsen Radio Audience Measurement.

November ratings data show DZBB posting a total week average audience share of 33.3 percent in November, winning over DZMM’s 28.8 percent and DZRH’s 11.2 percent.

From Monday to Friday, DZBB’s ratings dominance was driven by its topnotch delivery of news and fearless commentaries through “Saksi sa Dobol B” hosted by Mike Enriquez; Sino?” with Mike, Arnold Clavio, and Ali Sotto; “Super Balita sa Umaga Nationwide” with Mike and Joel Reyes Zobel; and “Dobol B Balitang-Balita” hosted by Melo del Prado.


Meanwhile, DZBB also kept listeners tuned to its weekend line-up through its public service program “MMDA sa GMA” hosted by Orly Trinidad in partnership with MMDA; “Super Balita sa Umaga Saturday and Sunday Edition” with Sam Nielsen and Cecil Villarosa; “Super Radyo Nationwide” with Francis Flores, and Buena Manong Balita” presented by Rowena Salvacion.

GMA Network’s Vice President for Radio Operations Glenn Allona expressed his utmost gratitude for the listeners’ continuous support. “Ang pagiging number one ng DZBB ay patunay na mas marami pang mga Pilipino ang tumatangkilik sa balitang walang kinikilingan at walang pinoprotektahan. As our way of appreciation here at DZBB, mas lalo pa namin pagsisikapang makapaghatid ng Serbisyong Totoo sa ating mga Kapuso,” he added.


Recognized as one of the most awarded radio stations in the country, DZBB recently won as the Radio Station of the Year in the 7th People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) Makatao Awards for Media Excellence.

Both companies have claimed conflicting superiority in viewership ratings in urban Luzon, Mega Manila, total Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The “one-upmanship” contest is mind-boggling because the two networks have cited research data collected and evaluated by reputable research firms to justify their respective claims.

Based on the limited information released by the survey companies on how they gathered information and arrived at their findings, it is difficult to say which TV network is telling the truth or is misinterpreting the figures.

The methodology used in determining TV viewing preference is different from that employed by research companies that monitor public reaction to government-related issues, e.g., trust rating of top government officials and contentious government actions.

The two TV companies’ fight for viewership superiority is understandable. It is crucial to their bottom line (and their stockholders) as the ratings play a significant role in determining the rates they can impose on advertisements, especially during the evening prime time.

For their operations and creative staff, the spike or decline in ratings could spell the difference between continued employment or promotion and loss of jobs.

The competition for advertising revenue has become more critical lately for ABS-CBN and GMA in the wake of the proliferation of national and local cable TV companies that offer a variety of programs to different audiences at reasonable prices.

Although cable TV was originally promoted in the country as advertisement-free, with the cable rental fees supposedly making up for the loss in advertising revenue, the cable companies have been allowed by the government to accept advertisements on top of rental fees.

To the chagrin of the two networks, cable TV companies can air the former’s programs without paying royalty fees since these are considered “free programs” that are available to everybody, as ruled by the National Telecommunications Commission.

As if the financial threat from cable TV is not enough, ABS-CBN and GMA have to contend also with internet websites and other social media facilities that can provide similar (if not more interesting) levels of information and entertainment.

Despite the poor state of broadband facilities in the country, more people, the millennials in particular, have taken to computers, laptops and smartphones to satisfy their information or recreation needs.

On account of this development, many commercial advertisers have—like ants attracted to sugar—moved some of their placements and other promotional activities from TV to internet-based portals that are attractive to millennials or people who have extra income to buy their products or services.

With the challenges from cable TV and the internet expected to further grow in the coming years, the two networks have their work cut out for them if they want to remain financially viable.

They have to substantially increase their viewership to take advantage of whatever advertisement revenues can still be squeezed from the commercial sources that have not yet been poached by the competition.

So what can we make out of the ongoing ratings war between ABS-CBN and GMA? It’s simply a promotional stunt aimed at drawing attention to their programs.


Read more: http://business.inquirer.net/242703/confusing-tv-ratings#ixzz53KMpgmhb 
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Barangay LS 97.1 Jingle

TugsTugan (7x) Tugstugan Na.

Kapotpot sa umaga, naka-talk to papa

todo ang saya, everyday parang fiesta

Sa Balita, Chika ang kasamang barkada, sobra ang tuwa

Isang Bansa, Isang Barangay!

Everybody nakabarangay makinig sa pinakamakulay.

Tugstugan at Tawanan walang humpay

"Isang Bansa, Isang Barangay!"

Si papa at si mama na may ngiti sa labi 

Feel na feel na alaala sa love story.

Isama mo si sweetheart isama-sama ang lahat isigaw kumaway habang buhay

TugsTugan (7x) Tugstugan Na.

Kapotpot sa umaga, naka-talk to papa

todo ang saya, everyday parang fiesta

sa Balita, Chika ang kasamang barkada, sobra ang tuwa

Isang Bansa, Isang Barangay!

Everybody nakabarangay 

Makinig sa pinakamakulay.

Tugstugan at Tawanan walang humpay

VO: "Isang Bansa, Isang Barangay!"

Si papa at si mama na may ngiti sa labi 

Feel na feel na alaala sa love story.

Isama mo si sweetheart isama-sama ang lahat isigaw kumaway habang buhay 

Everybody nakabarangay 

Makinig sa pinakamakulay.

Tugstugan at Tawanan walang humpay

Barangay LS 97.1

VO: "Sa Mega Manila!"

Barangay LS 97.1

SUPER RADYO DZBB 594 JINGLE

Tapat sa balita

Ito ang aming panata!

D-Z-Double-B Super Radyo

Singko-Nuebe-Kuatro

Laging naka-alerto, serbisyong totoo

D-Z-Double B

Kapuso niyo, sa radyo!

Walang kinikilingan, walang pinoprotektahan,

Serbisyong totoo lamang, walang iwanan!

May paninindigan, matatag, maaasahan

D-Z-Double-B Super Radyo

Singko-Nuebe-Kuatro

Kapusong Pilipino, Lahat Super Radyo

D-Z-Double-B

Serbisyong Totoo

Walang kinikilingan, walang pinoprotektahan,

Serbisyong totoo lamang, Walang iwanan!

Serbisyong totoo lamang, Walang iwanan!

D-Z-Double-B Super Radyo

Daegu Metropolitan Transit named preferred bidder for Philippines’ LRT maintenance project

South Korea’s Daegu Metropolitan Transit Corporation (DTRO) was chosen as the preferred bidder for a project worth 39 billion won ($35.7 million) to do maintenance work of the Manila Light Rail Transit (LRT) System Line 2, the company said Friday.

Once the two parties sign on a final agreement, DTRO is expected to be in charge of supporting maintenance work of the LRT Line 2 connecting the east and west of Manila, the capital of the Philippines, for the next five years. It is scheduled to sign an official contract with the Philippines’ Light Rail Transit Authority early next year after going through a qualification review around the end of this month.

Following the latest deal, the company plans to expand its overseas business. It is currently seeking to win a project for operation and maintenance of Singapore’s Sentosa Monorail and plans to tap into overseas monorail construction business in the Philippines and Thailand. DTRO President Hong Seung-hwal said that the company will work hard to secure various projects based on its 20-year-long experience of running Daegu Metro.

Duterte to attend Pacquiao's birthday bash

President Rodrigo Duterte is set attend the 39th birthday celebration of Senator Manny Pacquiao in General Santos City, Sunday.

Police and soldiers have set up checkpoints across the southern city to ensure the safety of the President and Pacquiao's 2,000 other guests.

Among those expected at the party are several senators and singers Freddie Aguilar, Victor Wood and Joey Genoroso.

GMA may digital TV signal na!

Mas makulay, mas malinaw, at mas maganda na ang Digital TV signal ng GMA Network sa Mega Manila, dahilan upang mas lalong kagiliwan ng mga Kapuso viewers ang mga inaabangang programa sa GMA at GMA News TV.

Ang mga loyal na Kapuso mula sa buong Metro Manila at sa mga kalapit na probinsya ng Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, at Pampanga ay maaari nang makapanood ng kanilang paboritong Kapuso shows nang libre mula umaga hanggang gabi sa kanilang digital converter boxes.

Para sa mga Kapuso viewers na may digital TV boxes, mae-enjoy n’yo na ang full digital broadcast ng GMA at GMA News TV in three easy steps. Pindutin ang Menu, pumunta sa Settings, at sa loob Installation piliin ang Auto Search o Auto Scan. Hintaying matapos ang scanning.

Pindutin ang OK o Exit at maaari n’yo nang hanapin ang GMA at GMA News TV gamit ang up and down buttons ng inyong remote control.

Para sa karagdagang katanungan at impo­rmasyon ukol sa digital feed ng GMA, maaa­ring tumawag sa hotline ng GMA DTV 462-8177, mag-email sa signalreception@gmanetwork.com, bisitahin ang @gmatvsignal Facebook page, o maglog-on sa www.gmanetwork.com/digitalhowto.

Enhancing beauty

Wellness and technology came together at the recent launch of Skin Rejuve Elite-Alabang held at the Grand Ballroom of The Bellevue Manila in Muntinlupa City.

Led by Skin Rejuve Inc. CEO Prescy Yulo and Skin Rejuve Elite-Alabang president Crystal Jacinto, the event was a fashion show topbilled by empowered women who are not afraid to embrace technology in order to maintain their youthful glow.

The women gave testimonials about the effectiveness of Skin Rejuve’s state-of-the-art procedures and machines, invented by Sybaritic Inc. chairman, lawyer Steve Daffer, who was also a guest of honor.

During the event, many guests won exciting prizes like free sessions for face lifting and body contouring as well as treatments from the Cocoon Wellness Pro Hot Sculpt, a machine that offers a revitalizing, rejuvenating and relaxing experience for the mind, body and spirit.

Congratulations to Skin Rejuve for a successful launch party!

Greetings

Happy birthday to our celebrator today, Edwina Litton Ortigas.

Advance birthday greetings to Cesar Buenaventura, Hoseki founder Faico and Lali Herrera, Dec. 18; Muebles Italiano president and chief executive officer Noel Gonzales, Dec. 19; Pie Gaspar, Dec. 20; Maritess Lopez, Fritz Azanza, Wellington Soong and STAR’s Mary Ann Reyes, Dec. 21; socialite Dely Ongsiako, Marion Salonga, Anna Sobrepeña and palangga Maurice Arcache, Dec. 22.

So, how was your week?

(For comments and inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com.)

Under-designed

My mouth was probably agape as I listened intently while San Miguel CEO Ramon Ang briefed us about what he was doing with the MRT-7 project. He had his fingers in every aspect of the undertaking.

He told us he asked added gauges for the rails, intervened in the design of the rail cars to make them lighter by using aluminum bodies and specified the highest standard steel for the bogeys that linked the rail cars. He made sure the elevated structure was better than specification, added the depth of the gravels ballasts to reduce damage to the rails. He ordered a third more cars than specified so that the trains could go on periodic maintenance servicing like jet planes do.

Will this not make the project costlier? “It is first and foremost a public service,” he said. This system will not burden commuters with frequent breakdowns.

As for the costs, he says they will still be lower than if government built the system. The over-designed MRT-7 will run smoothly for decades.

That is the opposite of the attitude taken by those who built the MRT-3. In the first 15 days of December, the MRT-3 operations broke down 16 times. It will not get better anytime soon. It can only get worse.

Every aspect of the MRT-3 appears under-designed. Corners were cut on nearly every aspect.

MRT-3 uses overweight trams converted into rapid transit trains by lifting the cars to align with the stations. There was a mismatch from the very start.

A few months after it started operating, maintenance provider Sumitomo discovered several cracked bogeys. The engineers suspected that either inferior steel was used for them or the Czech supplier delivered refurbished parts.

As early as the first year of operations, the rail system experienced too much shelling and damage to the tracks. Two things explain this: the rails were of inferior quality and the gravels ballasts were too thin to soften the impact of train wheels. Those train wheels wore out easily, explaining the swaying motion of the MRT-3.

In the Makati area, the rails were found to be misaligned, causing the trains to twist and vibrate. Engineers surmise the reason for this is that two separate contractors built the rails and failed to align them properly.

In 2003, the Czech suppliers were summoned to examine the flaws in the system. They recommended horizontal dampers be installed to absorb the excessive lateral vibrations and mitigate damage to the rail cars. Sumitomo took no corrective action. We inherit rolling wrecks as a consequence.

Cesar Chavez, before he resigned as DOTr Undersecretary for Rails, was obsessed with getting maintenance provider Busan out and bringing Sumitomo back in. He succeeded in getting Busan out, but did nothing about the structural flaws in this system. He withheld monthly payments to Buri from September last year and expected the company to deliver.

In the meantime, in-house crews do the sophisticated maintenance work needed on a daily basis. Less than a third of the trains are in use, causing the long queues and the overcrowding that further deteriorates the system.

Since Abaya’s mis-designed Dalian trains are unusable, we could run out of trains for this dinosaur of a mass transit system. Good luck to all of us.

Singing soldier realizes dreams

When Mel Sorillano won in the Grand Battle of Singing Soldiers Champions in 2012, we judged him on the basis of one song. It was only recently, when he launched his debut album “Dinggin Mo Bayan” at RJ Bistro at Dusit Thani Hotel Makati, that we found out his awesome range of musicality.

He, together with guests Haydee Manosca, Gem Mascarinas, Sheila Reyes and Ann Diglasan, the singing policewoman, all award-winning singers, sang English songs (proving he is worthy of the title given him by RJ Jacinto as the Nat King Cole of the Philippines). And then Mel performed the Tagalog songs in his album, three of them he wrote: “Kawal Ng Bayan,” “Dinggin Mo Bayan” and “Ang Bayani Ay Ikaw,” which he dedicates to the gallant men in uniform. His special guests were Dulce and Token Lizares.

Mel has gone a long way since leaving his hometown of Nabua, Camarines Sur after high school. Endowed with a rich singing voice, Mel used his talent to help his impoverished family by joining amateur singing contests. Almost always, he would win and bring home the bacon, so to speak. But his big dream then was to sing on a bigger stage in televised events in Manila.

Mel fulfilled this dream when he won in “Eat Bulaga!”’s AFP Singing Soldiers Amateur Contest in 1986. Acknowledged as the AFP Singing Ambassador, he has performed before Malacanang foreign guests during the administrations of former Presidents Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Cory Aquino and Gloria Arroyo.

• • •

Winners of LRTArt

A nationwide painting competition was held to mark the 37th anniversary celebration of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA). Dubbed “LRTArt 2017” with the theme “LRT – Sasakyan Ko Sa Magandang Kinabukasan” (LRT – My Ride To A Better Future), the announcement of the winners was held recently at the LRTA Social Hall in Pasig.

According to LRTA Administrator Gen. Reynaldo I. Berroya, LRTArt aims to recognize Filipino artistry and to inform people that its train systems not only bring its passengers to their destinations but more importantly, into their journey towards their dreams and aspirations.

In the Main Competition, Robert Tiano and Juan Aguasito Jr. won the 2nd and 3rd prize and received P100,000 and R200,000 respectively. In the Junior Division, Jheco Lorica, Bianca Dominique Verano and Brahm Daniel Verano, clenched the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize, and received P150,000, P100,000, and P50,000 respectively.

Ralph Allen Semilla, the grand winner, received P300,000 and a trophy. His painting will be displayed inside the LRTA Depot.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greeting today, Dec. 16, go to Ms. Gloria Romero, Kerima Tuvera, Mila Limgenco, Catherine Santos, Tessie & Iris Benito, Annie Vergara, Dr. Randy Dellosa, Jay Gonzales and Frankie Pangilinan…Dec. 17: Sen. Manny Pacquiao, Mel Valic, Dr. Vivian Sarabia-Ong, Ernani Cuenco Jr., Elmie Roldan, Henrietta Mendez, Leon Miguel, Winnie Mariano, Aiko Melendez and Michael V.…Happy 4th wedding anniversary to Regina Mae Parungao and Daryll James Juan…Dec. 18: Frank Evaristo, Cesar Buenaventura, Jojo dela Cruz, Luna Viernesto, Anita Carlo, Roberto Tabor, Vivian Cajucom, Atty. Cirilo Tolosa and Gen. Narciso Cabrera…

LRT-1 shift to LED system seen to promote energy efficiency

The Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) is investing PHP20 million for all stations of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) to shift to light emitting diode (LED) systems as part of efforts to improve passenger safety.

The LRT-1 operator has installed LED systems at six stations, namely, Doroteo Jose, Abad Santos, R. Papa, Gil Puyat, Pedro Gil, and UN Avenue with its complete installation on all stations expected by end of 2018.

“More than the benefits of lower energy cost and the elimination of mercury-containing fluorescent lights, the LED lighting marks a big improvement in illumination quality and thus enhances safety for our passengers,” LRMC Chief Operating Officer Rodolfo Chansuyco said in a statement.

“The lighting system replacement shift is in line with our Biyaheng Better Everyday commitment to the LRT-1 passengers—a step towards a safer and better riding experience for the commuters. This is also our way of ensuring that LRT-1 stations run under environment-friendly operations, with the significant reduction in toxic elements emissions,” he added.

Meanwhile, LRT-1’s 106 light rail vehicles (LRVs) will also be retrofitted with the LED system starting 2018.

LRT-1 this year received the ISO certifications Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001:2015) and Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001:2015), following a two-year, company-wide program to improve operational efficiencies in Manila’s oldest light rail system.

SM Center Moonwalk Paranaque

P1T worth of projects OKd by Neda board in 2017

The National Economic and Development Authority Board chaired by President Duterte approved P1 trillion in projects so far this year, with the rollout of up to a dozen infrastructure projects next year expected to create more jobs.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia told reporters yesterday that at least six projects would be implemented starting early next year. These are mainly big-ticket projects such as the Clark airport expansion; the Metro Manila subway; the north-south railway projects connecting Los Baños, Laguna, Tutuban, Manila and Clark free port; the 130-kilometer first phase of the Mindanao railway connecting Digos, Davao City and Tagum; Chico River dam; Kaliwa water supply, and the Cavite flood control project.

Pernia, who heads the National Economic and Development Authority, said the Neda Board had approved this year 20 projects—14 new and six existing projects with changes in scope or financing, bringing to 36 the total number of projects approved by the Duterte administration in its first 18 months in office.

Most of these projects will be financed through the national budget or official development assistance (ODA), he said.

Neda Assistant Secretary Jonathan L. Uy said the projects approved this year cost a total of P1 trillion, higher than the P400 billion total cost of the 17 projects approved last year.

Uy said they were planning to seek Neda Board approval for six more projects, including three new, and tweaks to three ongoing projects.

The three new projects include a peace and order project in a command center in Davao City to be funded by China; the purchase of helicopters for marine disaster response, and a bridge construction acceleration project, Uy said.

Pernia said that amid political instability in the Middle East, the government’s massive “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program was expected to generate more jobs that could absorb overseas Filipino workers who might be repatriated.

Neda Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon said the jobs requirement for the “Build, Build, Build” would be integrated in the portal Philjobnet to make them accessible to applicants.

Noting that the “flagship” infrastructure projects would be implemented 24/7, Pernia said jobs in construction, engineering and design would be in demand next year.

Read more: http://business.inquirer.net/242554/p1t-worth-projects-okd-neda-board-2017#ixzz51iRInOP5
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Tugade now a PAF reserve lieutenant colonel

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade formally joined the Philippine Air Force (PAF) reserves as a lieutenant colonel during short ceremonies Tuesday.

Donning ceremonies were held at the Hall of Flags, Department of National Defense (DND) Building, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said in a statement Thursday.

The ceremonies were spearheaded by DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and AFP Chief-of-Staff Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, he added.

The two officials also formally donned the DOTr chief his lieutenant colonel rank.

LRT-1 operator to spend P20M for shift to LED lights

THE Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), operator of the Light Rail Transit 1 (LRT-1), has allocated P20 million to shift to light-emitting diode (LED) systems for all of its 20 LRT-1 stations.

“So far, we have completed the installation of LEDs at six stations: Doroteo Jose, Abad Santos, R. Papa, Gil Puyat, Pedro Gil and UN Avenue stations. The installation will be completed in all stations by end-2018,” LRMC Chief Operating Officer Rodolfo Chansuyo said in a statement.

According to Chansuyo, using LED will not only result in lower energy cost but would also eliminate the use of mercury-containing fluorescent lights.

“The lighting system replacement shift is in line with our Biyaheng Better Everyday commitment to the LRT-1 passengers, a step towards a safer and better riding experience for the commuters,” Chansuyo said.

“This is also our way of ensuring that LRT-1 stations run under environment-friendly operations, with the significant reduction in toxic elements emissions,” Chansuyco explained,” he added.

LRMC said that its 106 light rail vehicles will also be retrofitted with LED systems starting in 2018.

LRMC is a joint venture company of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation’s Metro Pacific Light Rail Corporation (MPLRC), Ayala Corporation’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation (AC Infra), and the Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure’s Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) Pte. Ltd. (MIHPL).

DM Consunji returns after 26 years

CONSTRUCTION giant DM Consunji Inc. is back in Cebu to build one of the biggest infrastructure projects, the Cebu Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX). DM Consunji president Jorge A. Consunji said the 8.5-kilometer tollway bridge connecting Cebu City and the town of Cordova will be the fourth construction project of the company in Cebu. “The reason we were unable to return was because we suddenly had so many projects and we also became busy with the projects we did outside (overseas),” the executive said. Consunji said his company was commissioned to construct SM City Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu, and the first building of Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa in 1991, its last project in the province. It’s been 26 years. Now that it has returned to the Queen City of the South for the construction of a P22.6-billion toll bridge, Consunji sees a more buoyant environment. “The market has changed. The local contractors are also strong now. The business is very competitive and there are so many players,” Consunji said. With the Build Build Build program of the Duterte administration, Consunji is optimistic about having more infrastructure projects in the country. “We are very optimistic but it’s how the government will sequence that. It’s not for us to see where it’s gonna be. Everybody, all the contractors, are very hopeful,” he said. The five-decade-old construction company claims to have constructed the largest number of commercial establishments, high-rise offices and residential condominiums and infrastructure projects in the country, as it has literally created today’s Makati Central Business and Ortigas Center financial districts, and continues to do so. Some of the notable commercial buildings it constructed include the Philippine Stock Exchange Plaza and Roxas Triangle; Makati Shangri-la Hotel, SM Megamall, Glorietta 4, and Alabang Town Center, among others. For infrastructure, its portfolio includes the Carmen Bridge, and the three interchanges on Manila’s main thoroughfare and, the LRT Line 1 North Extension Project and Trackworks on LRT-2. It is also involved in the industrial sector with the building of five semi-conductor facilities namely, Intel, NEC, Analog Device, Motorola and Philips; Enron Power Plant in Subic and Pinamucan, Batangas and recently the Panay Power Plant and Dingle Power in Iloilo. Overseas, the company constructed the Istana Nurul Iman (The Royal Palace) in the Sultanate of Brunei and got involved in the building of numerous bridges in Saudi Arabia as well as interchanges and bridges in Kuwait and an irrigation structure in the Kirkuk-Adhaim Irrigation Project in Iraq. To date, Consunji said his company has not yet made a bid for a new project in Cebu. (JOG)

Read more: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2017/12/14/dm-consunji-returns-after-26-years-579875
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Duterte to ABS-CBN: Promote federalism, we’ll settle case

President Rodrigo Duterte has said he was willing to have a compromise with television network ABS-CBN in one condition: promote federalism.

“Kung magtulong kayo diyan sa federal system campaign at gawain ninyong slogan also for the unity and to preserve this republic, makipag-areglo ako,” Duterte said in a speech during the PDP-Laban Christmas Benefit Dinner on Wednesday night.

Duterte had previously threatened to block the renewal of ABS-CBN television’s franchise when it expires on March 30, 2020.

ABS-CBN was now revamping its content strategy to compete with other stations.

“I think the entertainment, lifestyle and news and current affairs will stay, substantially as it is. The sports content will still be there and we’re expanding the sports content. Then there will be some entertainment shows that we will be putting in,” he said.

“It’s not a shutdown situation for ABS-CBN. I think it’s a selective kind of programming. I think it’s the only way for ABS-CBN to compete. The viewing habits for video are slowly changing, so we want to move in the direction rather than stay with the legacy where we are not competitive,” the network said.

He has accused the giant network of estafa for supposedly not providing him the airtime he had paid for during the election period.

During his speech, the President again slammed the Lopezes, which owns ABS-CBN for its supposed debt with the government.

Duterte said he had not forgotten the debt of ABS-CBN but said he was willing to talk and shake hands with the owners of ABS-CBN.

“But kayo, may mali man rin kayo, may utang rin kayo sa gobyerno, do your part and maybe we can talk about it,’ he said.

“I will go to you and say… Wala akong hingiin. Just dedicate a portion of your time, your expensive and precious time on TV, help us promote federalism, only the good ones. But if you think that it is not into your system, fine,” he added.

But said he wasn’t asking for anything but to support his agenda on federalism.

“Pero kung suportahan lang ninyo ang… Kayong mga network, wala kayo. Wala akong hingiin, ‘yan lang. And I said, I’m willing to shake hands with you,’ he said.

Duterte assured he wasn’t asking the giant network to stop its criticisms on corruption.

“You can continue with your criticisms about corruption. Pareho tayo ayaw ng corruption and wrongdoing,’ he said.

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/952371/breaking-news-rodrigo-duterte-abs-cbn-federalism-lopez#ixzz51FfQOvxm
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Duterte says he’s willing to settle beef with ABS-CBN if...

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said he was willing to enter into a compromise deal with broadcast network ABS-CBN if the company would promote his bid for a shift to a federal form of government.

"Kung magtulong kayo diyan sa federal system campaign at gawain ninyong slogan also for the unity and to preserve this Republic, makipag-areglo ako," Duterte said in a speech at the PDP-Laban's Christmas Benefit Dinner for Marawi at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City.

"Just dedicate a portion of your time, your expensive and precious time on TV, help us promote federalism, only the good ones. But if you think that it is not into your system, fine," he added.

In Malacañang, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte was "inviting media to be his partner in disseminating the benefits of federalism."

"So there will be intensified dissemination activities to explain to the people the need for federalism," Roque said at a press briefing on Thursday.

ABS-CBN has been a frequent target of Duterte's rants, with the President accusing the network of accepting funds from him without airing his political advertisements.

He had also threatened to block the renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise, which is set to expire in 2020.

In his speech, Duterte again hit the Lopez Holdings Corp., which controls ABS-CBN, for allegedly not paying its debt to the state-run Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

"DBP, kayong mga negosyante, alam naman ninyo DBP pabangkarote, why? Because the Lopez Group of Companies and their debts were condoned, not paid," Duterte said.

"Kaya ‘wag ninyo ako bolahin mga ABS-CBN...you know he who comes to equity must have clean hands. When you talk of righteousness, be sure that you are right," he added.

Lopez Holdings Corp. earlier said it does not have any unpaid obligations to the DBP or other government financial institutions after Duterte announced on August 30 that he was going after holdings company over supposed debt to the state owned lender.

GMA News Online is still trying to get ABS-CBN's side as of posting time.

12 to 15 major infra projects to roll out in 2018, says NEDA

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board is targeting the approval of 26 projects worth P1-trillion before 2017 ends, a sign of the administration's commitment to rev up its infrastructure program.

So far, 20 projects have been approved, said NEDA during its 2017 year-end briefing. The agency hopes to approve six more projects.

In total, all 26 projects are worth nearly P1-trillion, a figure bigger than the infrastructure programs in previous years.

Among the approved projects are the Clark International Airport expansion project, the Metro Manila Subway project, the Chico River Dam project, and the Mindanao Railway project.

These are among the 12 to 15 projects expected to roll out next year.

NEDA said these projects will help generate jobs for Filipinos who may be displaced in the Middle East as well as the introduction of artificial intelligence mainly in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector next year.

NEDA, however, did not give estimates as to how many new jobs will be created by these 26 projects.

Budget Secretary Ben Diokno earlier said, the Build, Build, Build program is seen creating at least 1 million new jobs every year.

List of 20 approved projects:
1. Mindanao Railway Project (MRP) Phase 1 Tagum – Davao - Digos Segment
2. Malolos - Clark Railway Project (PNR North 2)
3. Cavite Industrial Area Flood Risk Management Project
4. Clark International Airport (CIA) Expansion Project
5. Education Pathways to Peace in Conflict-Affected Areas of Mindanao (PATHWAYS)
6. Australia Awards and Alumni Engagement Program Philippines
7. Project Approval and Change in Financing of Chico River Pump Irrigation Project
8. New Communications, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) Systems Development Project: 30-Month Loan Validity Extension and Reallocation of Funds
9. New Configuration of the LRT Line 1 North Extension Project Common Station / Unified Grand Central Station (North Extension Project)
10. Change in Scope, Cost, and Financing Arrangements for the Arterial Road Bypass Project Phase II
11. Change in Financing of the New Centennial Water Source Kaliwa Dam Project
12. Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP)
13. Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project
14. Binondo - Intramuros and Estrella - Pantaleon Bridges Construction Project
15. Lower Agno River Irrigation System Improvement Project
16. Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility
17. Philippine National Railway-South Line*
18. ADB loan validity extension for the Road Improvement and Institutional Development Project*
19. Increase in cost of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit*
20. Conflict Sensitive Resource and Asset Management (COSERAM) Programme - Financial Cooperation (FC) Measure

Projects pending approval:

1. "Safe Philippines Project" which will be supported by China, this will provide CCTV support, overall command centers for peace and order (under DILG)
2. Improvement of capacity of PH Coast Guard
3. Bridge Construction Acceleration Project of DPWH (between PH and Australia)
4. New Bohol Airport
5. Completion of Circumferential road of Samar Pacific Coastal Project
6. IloIlo irrigation Project (Jalaur Dam) 

Duterte to ABS-CBN: Help promote federalism

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said he is willing to compromise with ABS-CBN if the network helps promote his campaign to shift to a federal form of government.

"[P]ero kung magtulong kayo diyan sa federal system campaign at gawain ninyong slogan also for the unity and to preserve this Republic, makipag-areglo ako," he said during his speech at the PDP-Laban's Christmas Benefit Dinner for Marawi at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza.

"I will go to you and say...Wala akong hingiin. Just dedicate a portion of your time, your expensive and precious time on TV, help us promote federalism, only the good ones," he said.

"But if you think that it is not into your system, fine."

The President again lashed out at ABS-CBN and the Lopez group of companies, accusing the group of not paying its debts to the Development Bank of the Philippines.

"DBP, kayong mga negosyante, alam naman ninyo DBP pabangkarote, why? Because the is the Lopez Group of Companies and their debts were condoned, not paid," he said, without providing further details about the alleged debt.

"Huwag tayong magbolahan dito. If you want to --- lahat tayo may... You expose my wrongs and I will strip you naked in public. Hubaran ko kayo at hubaran ninyo ako. No quarters asked, no quarters given. Kung 'yan ang gusto ninyo. At hindi rin ako gusto maghingi sa inyo ng pabor. Never had," he added.

Duterte made these comments in the context of touting his victories in tax collection, specifically mentioning the recovery of the Mile Long property.

Lopez Holdings Corp earlier said it did not have unpaid debts with the DBP or any government institution. "All debt papers, including those sold by DBP to the were eventually settled by the company," the company said last August.

Duterte has previously attacked ABS-CBN for allegedly failing to air his campaign ads, and for reporting allegations on his bank accounts.

Duterte to Lopezes: If ABS-CBN promotes federalism, I'll shake hands with you

President Rodrigo Duterte has a proposal for ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio "Gabby" Lopez III: If his television network promotes federalism, Duterte is willing to call it quits.

"Kung magtulong kayo diyan sa federal system campaign at gawain ninyong slogan also for the unity and to preserve the republic, makipag-areglo ako," said Duterte on Wednesday night, December 13, during the PDP-Laban Christmas Benefit Dinner.

(If you can help with the federal system campaign and you make a slogan also for unity and to preserve the republic, I'll make amends with you.)

He said this right after repeating his usual rant against Lopez and the "debt" that the ABS-CBN chairman's family owes the government.

"Just dedicate a portion of your time, your expensive and precious time on TV, help us promote federalism...I'm willing to shake hands with you," said Duterte.

About the Lopezes' "debt," the President stressed he hasn't forgotten about them but he'd be willing to discuss the issue with them.

"But you've done a wrong. You still owe the government. Do your part, maybe we can talk about it," said Duterte.

He gave assurances that he isn't asking for ABS-CBN to stop reporting on corruption or wrongdoing in government.

"You can continue with your criticism about corruption. We both don't like corruption and wrongdoing," said Duterte.

Towards the end of his speech, he seemed to say he was offering his proposal to other networks he has a beef with.

"If you support this, you networks, I won't ask for anything else, that's it," said Duterte.

The previous night, the President had noted that Filipinos appear not to be ready for a shift to a federal form of government, a longtime advocacy of his and among his major campaign promises.

He has long issued threats against the Lopezes and ABS-CBN, starting with his vow to block the TV network's franchise renewal.

For supposedly not airing his political advertisements during the 2016 campaign season, Duterte has also threatened to file multiple estafa charges against the network.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/191299-duterte-lopez-abs-cbn-federalism?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=nation

‘Larawan’ features historic La Naval

The last La Naval procession in Intramuros has been recreated in the movie “Ang Larawan,” an official entry to the 2017 MMFF. The La Naval tradition had its roots in Intramuros in Old Manila where the Santo Domingo Church was located prior to the bombing of Manila during World War II.

The La Naval procession is one of the highlights of “Ang Larawan,” which was based on Nick Joaquin’s play “A Portrait Of The Artist As Filipino” and starring Joanna Ampil, Rachel Alejandro and Paulo Avelino. It was for the procession scene that the movie got a grant from the Quezon City Film Development Commission.

Culturtain Musicat Productions executive producer Celeste Legaspi said “We are very blessed and thankful for all their support. But the biggest blessing is that Santo Domingo Church allowed us to use the decades-old image of the Virgin of La Naval which was carefully transported from QC to Intramuros. What viewers will see onscreen is truly a wonderful and breathtaking sight!”

Along with the other 2017 MMFF entries, “Ang Larawan,” co-produced by Harlene Bautista, opens Dec. 25 in cinemas nationwide.

• • •

Showbiz comeback

His name may not ring a bell to some but Kuya E (Neo de Padua) has been in show business in various capacities – as singer, performer and talent coordinator/provider. For a while though his work in showbiz was sidetracked by an illness, the Dreaded C no less. But he is well now prompting him to return to the music scene.

“Yes, I am a cancer survivor, dumaan ako sa isang malaking pagsubok and through faith in God nalagpasan ko naman ito,” Kuya E said.

He will continue his self-imposed mission “to inspire people and promote love in all walks of life.”

His concert “Miracle, Music And Love” is tonight at the Music Museum. Produced by Big Eyes Events and Productions, the concert also features E4 Band, Ani Pearl, Kath Loria, Rapido and Himig Handog 2017 awardee Aikee.

Kuya E also released the song “Ako’y Nangarap.”

Part of Kuya E’s comeback agenda is talk show “RYTS (Rule Yourself To Success)” for airing next month.

Kuya E is known in the business sector as the “Millionaire Maker of MLM Industry in the Philippines.”

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 14, go to CCP Chairman Nick Lizaso, Leo Valdez, Phillip Juico, Nancy Chiongbian, Shielah Martinez, Danilo Clarino, Grace Tapia, Vergel Danaytan, Ryan Palma, Joshua Dionisio, Domingo Pabalate, Atty. Dan de Padua and Mark Herras…Dec. 15: Rosie Castro, Cara Cristobal, Caroline Ortega, Minda Azarcón, Josephine Manuel, Manny Martinez, Jay-O Bonachita, Evelyn Trinidad, Leticia Belen, John Stevens, Nena Santiago, Thelma Velasco, Lita Reyes, Jet Valle, Dianne Landingin, Valeriana Silvania, Oj Mojo,  and Nikki Coseteng…Happy wedding anniversary to Bobby and Ida Joseph…

New Joaquin album

Singer Joaquin is back in the music scene with the launch of his album recently through a mini-concert at the Resorts World Manila.

The album has five original tracks – “Kahit Kailan,” “Ayoko Na,” “I’m Sorry,” “And If Only” and “I Will Love You Till The End” – and the Minus One of the songs. He filmed the music video of “Kahit Kailan” with noted indie actress Althea Vega as his leading lady. The proceeds of the album goes to Bahay Pag-ibig Foundation in Angeles, Pampanga.

“The foundation helps the elderly. Laking lola kasi ako that’s why malapit sa puso ko mga lolo at lola. It was for them that I did my best to finish my album.”

Joaquin said “every song has a story to tell.”

“My album is about courting someone, or parents na nasaktan mo like what the song ‘I’m Sorry’ conveys. I was once upon a time a ‘bad boy’ too, we always learn the hard way. Dumaan din ako sa bandang gusto ko na mag-give up, so I needed to change my perspective in life.”

Joaquin, who was once a member of German Moreno’s “That’s Entertainment,” and once managed by Pilita Corrales, said one of his favorite songs is “Christmas Won’t Be The Same Without You” which he offers to OFWs whenever he sings it. “Because I was once an OFW myself,” he said. Joaquin worked as a singer in Japan when he was about 15 or 16.

Joaquin was also a WCOPA (World Championship of the Performing Arts) winner in 2007. He won in four categories including Original Composition, Contemporary and Gospel. There was no cash prize, he said, just the prestige. “It was like an international recital this competition.”

His ultimate dream is “to help and inspire others in whatever I do.”

• • •

Solaire to receive Special Aliw Award

Solaire Resort & Casino’s The Theater will be the recipient of Aliw Awards Foundation’s Special Award on Dec. 19, at the Manila Hotel’s Fiesta Pavilion during the annual Aliw Awards Night, part of the 40th year celebration of the Foundation.

The award, according to Founding President Alice H. Reyes, is in recognition of the outstanding support given by The Theatre management to Filipino live entertainers and for its promotion of Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

The anniversary festivities are supported by the Department of Tourism, the Quezon City Government, PCSO, PAGCOR and San Miguel Corp.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings, Dec. 12 goes to Bobby Joseph, Pops Fernandez, Carlos Agassi, Emil Venus, Jr., Roger Begre, Fe Ng, Winnie Noriega, Ben Martillo, Lillie Anne Pájaro, Dante Lagana, Rogel Velasco, Gil Ortiz, and Joan Roncan…Dec. 13: Former Sen. Manny Villar, Robert Yupangco, Charlie Agatep, Mario Katigbak, Robert Castaneda, Luz Caparanga, Nicolo Pili, Mely Fernandez, Efren Ocampo, Jennifer Strachan, Dr. Hermogenes Jarin, Fe delos Reyes, Allan K., and Amy Austria…

Duterte forms committee to organize papal visit and world youth day

The national committee is tasked with ensuring the smooth visit of Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in January 2023

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.

In a memorandum released Friday, October 6, Duterte called for the creation of the Papal Visit and World Youth Day 2023-National Organizing Committee (PV-NOC) to coordinate preparations. The Committee is chaired by Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea and vice-chaired by Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano.

Other members include:

• Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
• Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano
• Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar
• Health Secretary Dr. Francisco Duque III
• Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade
• Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo
• Presidential Communications Operations Office
• Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff
• Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Danilo Lim
• National Youth Commission Chairman Cariza Seguerra

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,” Medialdea 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 – 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 PV-WYD-NOC,” said the statement.

Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will be making a stop in Leyte to visit disaster-hit victims. Their visit comes nine years after Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) killed more than 6,000 people, mostly in Tacloban City in Eastern Visayas.

This will mark the first time in 3 decades – only the second 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 12 to 16, 2023. His trip will be the first by a Pope since Pope John Paul II's visit in 1995 and himself in 2015. 

Nagrenew ng kontrata ang ABS-CBN, kaya di magsasara yan sa 2020.

A provincial’s hope for the ‘dead city’

There are many who reacted negatively to statements calling Metro Manila a “dead city.” This description may not exactly be inaccurate, and reflect the opinion of many experts over the last decades, making it tough to dispute.

This also forces us to face obvious truths that Metro Manilans can no longer deny, and consider suggestions we once thought were not possible.

As a non-resident, outsider and frequent visitor, I offer the observations from the outside looking in that residents may not realize:

Traffic has defined the daily life of Metro Manilans. Studies say it has slowed to about 30 km per hour, the once-hour long journey to traverse a 15km distance is now a three-hour grind.

Thus, visitors like us can only manage one appointment per half day when we could previously handle two to three to maximize our stay. We now need to spend longer days in the metro to get the same amount of work or business done, transacting with partners and/or government officials that previously liked to concentrate processes and decisions to higher echelons in Manila.

Add to that the higher cost of food and accomodations compared with where we come from, and the transaction costs when dealing with Metro Manila can drain meager pockets.

While these are costs business people can bear, woe to those seeking medical treatment in Metro Manila’s big hospitals. They need to wade through this traffic for doctors appointments and medical tests and procedures.

To be sure, sitting in traffic isn’t relaxing as other studies like that of JICA in 2015 claim a daily loss of 2.4 billion pesos a day to traffic alone. The staggering cost represents externalities that past governments failed to manage while pushing high economic growth targets.

All of these make a visit to Metro Manila a necessary pain we in the provinces have to bear, as a lot of what we need to do was concentrated in Metro manila.

Hopes for opening up the Metro

But recent events represent hopes for many of us and may help ease Metro Manila in the process.

For one, the announcement of a government satellite system and Internet backbone will do well to make online transactions easier and faster. This dovetails with recent announcements to speed up permit acquisitions and do them through online systems, negating the need to go to Metro Manila just to transact. This is a relief for many of us, easing the work of doing business.

At the same time, this lets also allows many business process outsourcing companies and home based workers to obtain livelihoods online, removing the need to travel to and from offices.

Second, the re-emphasis on rail systems with the MRT-LRT common station, the Mega Manila subway, and the MRT-7, LRT-1 Cavite and LRT-2 East extensions will allow suburban dwellers from Mega Manila to go to and from the Metro easily on a daily basis, removing the need for them to rent bed spaces and apartments in the business districts. this also tempers runaway speculation that jacks up Metro property prices to a level beyond the reach of most people.

This also allows us from the provinces to travel within Metro Manila more seamlessly, lessening our dependence on taxis and more expensive TNVs systems like Grab and Uber that in recent experience has not exactly delivered as well on their promises of a hassle-free experience as the wait for booking on these apps has grown longer. With a better light rail system, we’d rather get on a train as many of us do in Singapore or Hong Kong.

Third, the coming of government heart and kidney centers in Cagayan de Oro and Davao already under construction, and heightened specialty medical services in places like iloilo and Bacolod give many of us the opportunity to obtain speciaity services and advanced facilities we could only avail of in Manila. this lowers the cost of specialty care, and lessens our need to fly to the Metro for this care.

Government investment in this type of health care encourages specialists to relocate from Metro Manila to these cities, spurring the investment of other private medical establishments like St. Luke’s in Davao, for instance.

Deconcentrating the Metro will decongest and revive it

In these three examples, we see the possibility of reviving the dead city by investing wisely in things that will allow the rest of the country to build their own capabilites and partake of the processes that were once exclusive to Metro Manila. This also encourages private investment to move into the provinces, creating employment and income opportunities in a manner that reduces the over all cost of doing business.

This deconcentrates power and decongests its corridors that only a few of us from elsewhere in the archipelago can pass through.In the process, the metro will begin to breathe again.

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Duterte predicts Metro Manila’s decay in 25 years

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has obviously given up on any possible way of improving Metro Manila as he predicted that it will soon become a “dead city” in at least 25 years. "Manila, I think, in about 25 years, will be a dead city. It will start to decay," he said before a crowd of mostly Kapampangans inside Clark on Thursday. "Ten years from now, they should close Manila and start to develop this, this is the best. Something similar to Clark in other places – Batangas, Cavite," said Duterte, lamenting that Manila is among the few places in the world without adequate sewerage system. Duterte proposed closing factories and opening them elsewhere. He seemed to allude for the need to decongest Metro Manila all the while lauding the possible developments for Clark. Duterte said that there is a need for mass transport systems so as not to replicate the situation in Metro Manila. “You rehabilitate the place, you have to, baklasin mo ang Maynila (break Manila apart) to do that," Duterte added, stressing the need to develop other key cities in the country. It could be remembered that since 2015, leaders of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (PamCham) have been reiterating the need to decongest Metro Manila. However, the need to make Clark and neighboring cities infrastructure-ready has become a key issue with rapid developments in Pampanga already causing traffic and raising issues on proper urban planning. The country is also in the risks of paralysis if a magnitude 7.2 earthquake or other large scale disasters hit the country’s the financial and governing center in Metro Manila.

Read more: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2017/12/09/duterte-predicts-metro-manilas-decay-25-years-579011
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