Government breaks ground for Central Luzon train project

Manila: Officials broke ground for the construction of the first phase of a train service linking provinces in Central Luzon to Metro Manila.

The event, which took place in Marilao, Bulacan, will be the second time in more than a decade that such a ceremony was held. A similar project during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had been dogged with problems prompting the government to cancel the endeavour that was undertaken by a Chinese government contractor.

A railway link between Metro Manila and provinces further north is critical in decongesting the already overpopulated national capital region and will be vital in spreading economic growth to other areas.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said since the important project had undergone failed starts, it is important that the endeavour be finished immediately.

“DoTr understands the need to complete this project faster. That is why we pursued these works parallel with the procurement of the general contractor, which is scheduled to be selected by the second quarter of 2018 for PNR Clark Phase 1,” Tugade said.

PNR is the state-run railway concern. Clark, in Pampanga province, was identified as the main station connecting it with Tutuban in Manila’s downtown area.

An old railway used to run from Tutuban until the early 1990s, however due to the PNR’s inability to generate funds for upkeep, the rail system fell into a state of disrepair.

During the ground breaking rites that were held last Friday, Tugade called on Bulacan’s local government officials help the department settle right-of-way concerns by telling their constituents the benefits of having a railway system.

Initially, the rail system will be constructed along the 38-kilometre segment from Tutuban, Manila, to Malolos, Bulacan. It will have 10 stations and is expected to service around 340,000 passengers daily. The phase linking the system to Clark will be implemented later.

Senator Joel Villanueva, a native of Bulacan, said a railway link between the national capital region (Metro Manila) will “increase connectivity” between the two economically critical areas.

“Not only will this afford convenience to our commuters but will also improve economic activity in the area,” he said.

The rail project, when finished will cut travel time from Tutuban to Bulacan’s Malolos City by 35 minutes.

Current travel by road to these two areas take between an hour to three hours.

The rail project will be undertaken by Japan’s Sumitomo Heavy Industries.

It will reach Malolos in 35 minutes.

Villanueva further underscored how the railway project can strengthen the economy and generate employment.

“One of the biggest benefits of this project, which is being undertaken under the government’s Build, Build, Build programme, is that it will generate employment aside from easing traffic congestion when it is already completed,” Villanueva said.

According to Senator JV Ejercito, the project would be a big boost to modernising the country’s transportation network.

“We are already 20 years behind in terms of infrastructure development and I would like to commend and congratulate Secretary Tugade that this is now being implemented,” Ejercito said.

Tugade said the contractors aim to finish the project’s first phase (Tutuban to Malolos) by 2020.

DOTr breaks ground for PNR project

THE Department of Transportation broke ground Friday for Phase 1 of the government’s Philippine National Railways line linking Metro Manila to Clark Field, with this first segment running from Tutuban station in Manila to Malolos City in Bulacan.

The groundbreaking was held for the Advance Construction Mobilization of Phase 1 of the Clark railway at an open area in Maria Socorro, Marilao, Bulacan, and attended by transportation and local officials.

Also gracing the event was Bulacan’s first senator in 20 years, Joel Villanueva, who cited the PNR Manila-Clark project as a boon to economic activity and to commuters.

The project is seen to ease the monstrous vehicular traffic in Metro Manila and speed up travel to north of the metropolis, particularly areas of Central Luzon where modern townships are being developed.

According to DoTr Assistant Secretary for Railways Timothy John Batan the pre-construction phase would be handled by an interagency group and the local government, particularly the site clearing, road levelling and the removal of structures that obstruct the rail lines.

Phase 1 of the PNR Clark project runs 38 kilometers from Tutuban to Malolos.

It has 10 stations and is expected to serve on average 340,000 people daily.

The project, envisioned to cut travel time from Tutuban to Malolos to only 35 minutes, is part of the Duterte administration’s flagship Build, Build Build program.

Villanueva lauded the start of the PNR Clark project linking Tutuban in Divisoria, Manila, to his home

“The construction of Clark Railway increases connectivity within Metro Manila and the Central [Luzon] Region. Not only will this afford convenience to our commuters but will also improve economic activity in the area,” Villanueva said.

Villanueva, an advocate of job creation, underscored how the railway project could strengthen the economy and generate employment.

In November last year, the DoTr took a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency to finance the north-south commuter railway project’s Tutuban-Malolos component.

The Tutuban to Malolos segment is targeted to be partially completed by 2020 and fully operational by 2021.

Preparation work gets underway on Manila-Clark railway

Preparation work has officially begun on a new Manila-Clark railway line that promises to cut the journey time to just one hour.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine National Railways (PNR) has got started on the first phase of the railway project between Tutuban in Manila to Malolos in Bulacan province.

Pre-construction work include site clearing, grading of unlevelled surfaces and demolition of obstructions to the new line.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the department was committed to pursuing measures, such as doing parallel activities, to fast-track the completion of the railway project.

Tugade added that that based on previous practices, site clearing works had to wait after the awarding of a project to a general contractor.

“DOTr understands the need to complete this project faster. That is why we pursued these works parallel with the procurement of the general contractor, which is scheduled to be selected by the second quarter of 2018 for PNR Clark Phase 1,” he said in his address during the commencement of works for the railway project in Barangay Tabing-Ilog in Marilao, Bulacan.

Tugade also appealed to Bulacan’s local government officials to assist the department in right-of-way issues by informing their constituents of the benefits of the Manila-Clark railway.

“We seek your help in settling right-of-way issues. We cannot do this alone. Help us inform those who might be affected by the construction of the railway project that this is for the benefit of our countrymen,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senators Joel Villanueva and JV Ejercito, who both attended the event, lauded the efforts of the DOTr and other government agencies in ensuring the completion of transportation projects that would bring the country inclusive economic growth.


“We are grateful that the vision of Secretary Tugade and other government officials is now being put into reality. We are expecting a ‘Jobs, Jobs, Jobs’ program to follow the ‘Build, Build, Build’ programme of the Duterte administration,” Villanueva said.

“We are already 20 years behind in terms of infrastructure development and I would like to commend and congratulate Secretary Tugade that this is now being implemented,” Ejercito said.

The event was also attended by PNR executives, including Chairman Roberto Lastimoso and General Manager Junn Magno, Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda, and Japan International Cooperation Agency country representative Susumo Ito.

Phase 1 of the PNR Clark Project involves the construction of the railway along the 38-kilometre segment from Tutuban, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan. Once completed in 2021, it will have 10 stations and is expected to serve an estimated 340,000 passengers daily.

The National Economic and Development Authority has already approved Phase 2 of the Manila-Clark railway, a 70-kilometre stretch from Malolos, Bulacan to Clark, Pampanga. This will be further extended north to La Union, Tuguegarao and Subic Freeport.

Malolos-Tutuban rail project to generate jobs

A senator on Friday hailed the official commencement of the construction of the railway that will link Tutuban in Divisoria, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan noting that it could generate employment.

The North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) inauguration was led by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade Friday morning.

Senator Joel Villanueva, who was present during the inauguration, said that aside from increasing connectivity within Metro Manila and Central Luzon, it would also improve economic activity.

“Not only will this afford convenience to our commuters but will also improve economic activity in the area,” Villanueva, who hails from Bulacan, said in a press statement.

“One of the best results of Build, Build, Build, are Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. The train brings us more jobs, business, and progress,” he added.

According to the DOTr, the 38-kilometer railway system will transport commuters from Tutuban to Malolos in 35 minutes.

DOTr expects the railway system to be partially completed by 2020 and fully operational by 2021.

DoTr starts Manila-Clark railway project

The Department of Transportation (DoTr) kicked off on Friday pre-construction activities to start the PNR North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project Phase 1.

The NSCR is a 38-kilometer railway that will connect Tutuban, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan, and is expected to accommodate around 340,000 passengers daily once it starts operations in 2021.

The project, which costs $3-billion, will be funded through official development assistance from Japan.

The initial works include clearing the site, grading of uneven surfaces and the demolition of obstructing structures.

“Manila will be within 35 minutes from Malolos,” DoTr Assistant Secretary for Rails Timothy Batan said during the ceremony.

The second phase of the project, which will connect Malolos to Clark, will be completed in 2022, Batan said.

The NCSR is part of the mass transit backbone forming the North-South Corridor advocated in the National Economic and Development Authority’s 2014 Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development Study for Metro Manila and its Surrounding Areas.

“The ceremony will allow people to see actual clearing of the site and witness the project entering the implementation stage,” Japan International Cooperation Agency Chief Representative Susumo Ito said.

PHL, Japan move closer to signing a deal on MRT3 rehab

The Philippines and Japan have exchanged notes on a government-to-government agreement for Sumitomo Corp. and its technical partner, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries,  to take over the maintenance and rehabilitation of glitch-plagued Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3).

“The Japanese government already sent their note verbale to us,” Department of Transportation (DOTr) director for Communications Goddess Hope Libiran told GMA News Online on Thursday.

It was an exchange of notes between the Government of the Philippines, via the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Government of Japan, Libiran noted.

“The GOP, through DFA, issued its note verbale to GOJ last December 28," she said.

The diplomatic note embodies the arrangements between the Philippines and Japan regarding the MRT3 rehabilitation project, Libiran said.

The signing of an agreement between the Philippines and Japan was supposed to take place before the end of 2017.

The New Year holidays got in the way, considering that government offices in Japan closed on Dec. 29, 2017 and resumed normal operation on Jan. 4, 2018.

Libiran said the Transportation department will soon issue a statement on when and where the signing will take place.

The DOTr has terminated the MRT3 maintenance contract with Busan Universal Railways Inc. (BURI) due to “poor performance,” and sought to entice Sumitomo to replace BURI.

Sumitomo and Mitsubishi were the original MRT3 maintenance providers from 2003 to 2012. Sumitomo also designed and built the system from 1998 to 2000. — VDS, GMA News

Pinoy chef joins ‘Let It Snow’ in Canada

Anton Amoncio is still in high spirits after participating in “Let It Snow,” a chef exchange program by the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence held in Calgary, Canada. It’s the first time a Filipino chef joined the exchange. His trip was made possible through the Culinary Exchange program of the Canada Beef Centre of Excellence in partnership with Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

Anton, together with other world-renowned chefs, whipped up appetizing recipes using Canada beef.

The week-long event was in celebration of the 150th founding anniversary of Canada. Three events were held at different Canadian luxury resorts, highlighting the seasons of Canada: At the Fairmont Banff Springs in early summer, Fairmont Royal York Toronto in harvest season, and Chateau Lake Louise for winter.  Anton’s visit to the famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is the finale of Canada Beef’s Canada 150 celebrations this year.

Anton had his share of the limelight when he presented his own recipes using the best quality Canada beef: Beef Morcon Sliders, Bistek on Green Onion Blinis, and Beef Shortribs Sinigang in Green Mango. He proved once more that Filipino chefs are at par with the best of them when it comes to culinary artistry.

Anton is a talent of Asian Artists Agency.

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WishCard for free

All-hits FM radio station Wish 107.5 launched the WishCard a few weeks ago at the Power Mac Center Spotlight in Circuit Makati.

Spearheading the launch of the WishCard and WishApp were Joseph Miranda, VP for Engineering, BMPI; Noel Peralta, CEO, 1K Solutions; Dr. Sarah Barba-Cabodil, host of the morning show in UNTV, “Good Morning Kuya;” Gerardo Etorma III, VP for Radio, BMPI; and Jay Eusebio, VP for Marketing & TV.

Wish 107.5 followers can get the WishCard by downloading the Wish App for free via Google Play for Android phones. Apple users can also avail of the App soon.

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Authentic Japanese cuisine

There’s a new Japanese eatery worth visiting and it’s called Tokio Café at Twin Oaks Place at Greenfield District in Mandaluyong City.

The chefs are Filipinos who trained under the finest Japanese chefs. Tokio, a wordplay for Tokyo, aims to give its patrons a “Tokyo-feel” experience with its signature dishes as Shu No Zensai, Wagyu Steak, Obento, Sushi, Sashimi, among others.

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GMA, ABS-CBN vie for 2017 ratings leadership

Media giants GMA Network Inc. and ABS-CBN Corp. welcomed 2018 by both claiming leadership in last year’s nationwide television ratings.

Citing data from Nielsen TV Audience Measurement, GMA said on Thursday that it continued to dominate in 2017 with a 42.5-percent audience share in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (Nutam), 5.7 percent ahead of its rival’s 36.8 percent.

For its part, ABS-CBN said data from Kantar Media showed that it gathered an average audience share of 46 percent in the same period, 12 points higher than GMA’s 34 percent.

Both networks highlighted where they excelled in 2017, citing the same market research firms.

GMA said it beat ABS-CBN in all time blocks in both Urban Luzon and Mega Manila at 76 percent and 59 percent, respectively.

In Mega Manila, the Kapuso network posted a 51.9-percent audience share, compared with ABS-CBN’s 26.7 percent.

GMA also disclosed data on December ratings, noting that it again topped nationwide ratings with 44.3 percent, compared with ABS-CBN’s 37.2 percent.

Overall, the Network dominated NUTAM's list of top programs for 2017 with 20 out of 30 programs coming from GMA. Reigning supreme in the list is the well-loved Kapuso primetime series “Encantadia,” which became the number one program for two consecutive years.

Award-winning magazine program “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” grabbed the second spot as the most-watched Kapuso program for the year followed by the Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza-starrer “Destined To Be Yours.”

Joining them in the list of most watched Kapuso shows were “Pepito Manaloto,” “Magpakailanman,” “Full House Tonight,” “Celebrity Bluff,” “24 Oras,” “Super Ma'am,” “Mulawin vs Ravena,” “Alyas Robin Hood,” “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko” and “All-Star Videoke.”

Also included were “My Love From the Star,” “Kambal Karibal”, “Meant To Be”, “I Heart Davao”, “My Korean Jagiya”, “Kapuso Movie Night”, “24 Oras Weekend”, “Someone To Watch Over Me”, “Hay Bahay!,” “Wowowin,” “Eat Bulaga,” “Sunday PinaSaya,” “Ika-6 Na Utos,” “Hahamakin ang Lahat,” “Legally Blind,” “Impostora,” “D'Originals,” “Karelasyon,” “Tadhana” and “Tsuperhero”.

Notably, GMA's exclusive free TV telecast of Manny Pacquiao's last fight, dubbed the "Battle of Brisbane: Pacquiao vs Horn", was the most watched TV special for the year.

More Filipinos also tuned in to GMA’s live telecast of President Rodrigo Duterte’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 24. GMA Network’s “SONA 2017” became the most watched coverage nationwide with 37.4 percent people audience share; outranking ABS-CBN’s “Pangako ng Pagbabago: SONA 2017,” which only got 34.3 percent. GMA-7’s coverage registered an even bigger margin in Urban Luzon with 43.2 percent people audience share versus competition’s 26.2 percent.

The broadcast network said it once again “proved to be the Filipino viewers’ network of choice” as the GMA-7’s live telecast of the Miss Universe 2016 pageant on January 30 rated highest nationwide with a 57.1% people audience share, higher than ABS-CBN’s 28% and TV5’s 8.4%. 

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN said it remained unbeatable across all time blocks. On its primetime block (6 p.m. to 12 a.m) in the January-to-December period, the Kapamilya network registered an average audience share of 50 percent versus GMA’s 32 percent.

On its morning block (6 a.m. to 12 noon), ABS-CBN recorded a 39-percent audience share, compared with its rival’s 32 percent; on the noontime block (12 noon to 3 p.m.), 45 percent versus GMA’s 36 percent; and on the afternoon block (3 p.m. to 6 p. m.), 43 percent against the Kapuso network’s 38 percent.

ABS-CBN said it led the race in Total Balance Luzon with an average national audience share of 48 percent, compared with GMA’s 36 percent; in Total Luzon, 42 percent versus GMA’s 36 percent, in Total Visayas, 53 percent, compared with GMA’s 28 percent; and in Total Mindanao, 53 percent versus GMA’s 31 percent.

The Kapamilya network also claimed to lead nationwide TV ratings in December with an average audience share of 45 percent, compared with GMA’s 34 percent.

Coco Martin still holds the primetime king bragging rights, as his “Ang Probinsyano” topped the TV ratings for this past year. The beloved cop drama, which has been on-air since 2015, came in first with a 38.6% average nationwide rating for the past 12 months, data from Kantar Media released Thursday showed.

The family-friendly reality talent contests, “Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids” and “The Voice Teens” were second and third, respectively, followed closely by Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo's fantasy series, “La Luna Sangre”. 

“TV Patrol” was fifth in the list, which featured only shows from the Kapamilya network. 

Also making to the list are "Langit Lupa,” Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson's reunion drama “Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin,” noontime shows “It’s Showtime” and “ASAP,” drama anthology “Ipaglaban Mo,” afternoon dramas “Doble Kara,” “The Better Half,” “The Promise of Forever,” “Hanggang Saan,” “The Greatest Love,” and “Pusong Ligaw,” primetime drama series' “Wildflower,” “My Dear Heart,” “A Love to Last” and “The Good Son,” “Home Sweetie Home,” “Little Big Shots,” “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” “I Can Do That,” “I Can See Your Voice,” “Wansapanataym” and “Rated K.”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Jan. 6, go to Sharon Cuneta, Marissa Delgado, Cesar Gaupo, Chito Puato, Melchor Dee, Star Villareal, Vilma Dimacuha, Adele-Marie Almontero, Charlie Arcega, Rhea Mae Violon Panganiban, Maria Lourdes Rebato, Rey Villareal Seneres, Edith Galve, Nharen Real, New York-based Shelly Guillermo, Angela Garchitorena and Bathazar Valenzuela… Jan. 7: Rep. Dante Liban, Councilor Lou Veloso, Apa Ongpin, Rosemary Lopez, Zenas Lozada, Ina Bautista, Tootsie Eduque, Louisebelle Hubert, Ditas Rodriguez, Ana Marie Lomboy, Jecelyn Macahindog-Leobrera, Eden Miro, Gina Onrubia, and Maddie Samonte… Jan. 8: Dr. Jaime Laya, Benjamin Yap, Judge Aurora Recina, Amparo Aspiras, Rowena Mendiola, Louismil Gala, Frances Alincastre, Carrie Javier, Graham Buenaseda, Tom Canchela,  Dennis Evangelista, Irish Joy Abarquez, Bernie Espiritu, Manny Hernandez, Mrs. Carmencita Valentino, Erwin Balines, Dra. Shyla Samson, Jim Sarthou, Ariel Dim Borlongan,Tom Canchela, Joselito Testa, Norsel del Rosario, Graham Rae Buenaseda, MB’s Ramir Medino and Robert de Luna and Tanya Scaife…

Work starts on $3-billion North-South Rail project

By Emmie V. Abadilla

Advance site clearing works  on the  USD$3 Billion Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded North-South Rail Commuter Railway project (NSCR) started yesterday,  led by Department of Transportation (DOTr) and local government officials from Marilao and Bocaue, Bulacan.

This includes clearing the site, grading of unleveled surfaces and demolition of obstructing structures of the NSCR, a 38-kilometer railway.

Along with the Metro Manila Subway Project, NSCR is part of the mass transit backbone forming the North-South Corridor advocated in the Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development Study for Metro Manila and its Surrounding Areas, a study under the National Economic Development.

Already, the DOTr has marked the railway’s stations middle of last year at Marilao and Meycauayan in Bulacan, and Valenzuela, Caloocan and Tutuban in Metro Manila.

The agency has also awarded the contract of the construction supervision consulting services for the project to NS Tren, a consortium led by Oriental Consultants Global in December, 2017.

Furthermore, the DOTr has partnered with local government units (LGUs) to address right of way acquisition so the construction can begin on time.

Then the JICA  handed the detailed engineering design of the project to DOTr, signaling the project’s transition from planning to actual construction. This will expedite the construction work of contractors to be employed using the JICA loan.

“We will continue supporting the Philippine government’s efforts to ensure that the future generation reaps the benefit of an integrated, seamless, and resilient transport infrastructure system through the NSCR project, “ remarked JICA Chief Representative Susumu Ito.

JICA believes that the project is a ‘game changer in Philippine transport infrastructure by helping kick start the administration’s large-scale investments in modern railways.’

The new railway will also use Japanese seismic designs to ensure commuter safety low emission electric trains for sustainability.

The 3-billion dollar project should be completed within the current administration and is expected to reduce travel time from two hours via traditional transportation to 35 minutes from City of Malolos, Bulacan to Tutuban, Manila.

“In the future, we are confident that this project, once completed, will help improve mobility and connectivity of emerging growth centers near Metro Manila while also creating jobs and attracting investments in other areas,” Ito added.

Since the 1960s, JICA has been supporting Philippine transport infrastructure system through hundreds of roads and bridges to encourage investments and sustain economic growth.

(UPDATED) The detailed design study of the North-South Commuter Railway Project (Malolos-Tutuban) using the System Map, courtesy: OpenStreetmap, while the all stations architectural - key and setting out plan and section, also the Site Development Plan - Ground Level, Architectural Plan - Ground Level, Concourse and Platform Level.

Transportation dept clears site for North-South commuter railway

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) led the ceremony on Friday that marked the start of its pre-construction activities for the mobilization of the PNR North-South Commuter Railway Project Phase 1.

The NSCR is a 38-kilometer railway that will connect Tutuban, Manila to Malolos City, Bulacan, and is expected to accommodate around 340,000 passengers daily once it starts operations in 2021.

The work includes clearing the site, grading of uneven surfaces and the demolition of obstructing structures.

“Manila will be within 35 minutes from Malolos,” Transportation Assistant Secretary for Rails Timothy Batan said.

The second phase of the project, which will connect Malolos to Clark, will be completed in 2022, according to Batan.

The NCSR is part of the mass transit backbone forming the North-South Corridor advocated in the Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development Study for Metro Manila and its Surrounding Areas, by the National Economic and Development Authority in 2014.

The project, which costs $3-billion, will be funded through official development assistance from Japan.

“The ceremony will allow people to see actual clearing of the site and witness the project entering into the implementation stage,” Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) Chief Representative Susumo Ito said.  REICELENE JOY IGNACIO

TRAIN TO BULACAN | DOTr breaks ground for Tutuban-Malolos segment of PNR Clark project

The Department of Transportation broke ground Friday (Jan. 5) for Phase 1 of the Philippine National Railways line linking Metro Manila to Clark Field, with this first segment running from Tutuban station in Manila to historic City of Malolos in Bulacan.

The groundbreaking was held Friday morning for the Advance Construction Mobilization for Phase 1 of the Clark railway at an open area in Maria Socorro, Marilao, Bulacan, and graced by transportation and local officials.

Also gracing the event was Bulacan’s first senator in 20 years, Joel Villanueva, who cited the PNR Manila-Clark project as a boon to economic activity and to commuters.

The project is seen to ease the legendary vehicular traffic in Metro Manila and speed up travel to north of the metropolis, especially key areas of Central Luzon where modern townships are being developed.

According to DOTr Assistant Secretary for Railways Timothy John Batan the pre-construction phase will be handled by an interagency group and the local government, particularly the site clearing, road levelling and the removal of structures that obstruct the rail lines.

Phase 1 of the PNR Clark project runs 38 kilometers from Tutuban to Malolos.

It has 10 stations and is expected to serve on average 340,000 people daily.

The project, envisioned to cut travel time from Tutuban to Malolos to only 35 minutes, is part of the Duterte administration’s flagship Build, Build Build program.

‘FINALLY, A TRAIN TO BULACAN’

Senator Villanueva lauded the start of the PNR Clark project linking Tutuban in Divisoria, Manila, to his home province Bulacan.

“Sa wakas, mayroon nang ‘Train to Bulacan’ at malaking ginhawa po ito sa ating mga kababayan sa Gitnang Luzon higit lalo sa minamahal nating mga Bulakenyo [Finally we have a Train to Bulacan that brings relief to our people in Central Luzon, especially our fellow Bulakenyos],” said Villanueva, first Bulakenyo in more than 20 years to become a senator.

“The construction of Clark Railway increases connectivity within Metro Manila and the Central Region. Not only will this afford convenience to our commuters but will also improve economic activity in the area,” Villanueva added.

Villanueva, an advocate of job creation, further underscored how the railway project can strengthen the economy and generate employment.

“Ang pinakamagandang magiging bunga po ng Build, Build, Build ay Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. Dala po ng tren na ito ay trabaho. Dala po ng tren na ito ay negosyo. Dala po ng tren na ito ay progreso [The best fruit of Build Build Build is Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. This train brings jobs. It brings commerce. It brings progress],” Villanueva said.

He said it will also ease congestion and traffic in Metro Manila.

In November last year, the DOTr took a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to finance the north-south commuter railway project’s Tutuban-Malolos component.

The Tutuban to Malolos segment is targeted to be partially completed by 2020 and fully operational by 2021.

Stations list:

1. TUTUBAN 
2. Mayhaligue (PNR Tutuban Executive Building) 
3. Tayuman 
4. SOLIS 
5. Hermosa 
6. C3 
7. Asistio Avenue (named after the first general of MRR) 
8. CALOOCAN
9. Acacia-Malabon 
10. Tinajeros (Goldendale Busineess Park) 
11. Tugatog
12. Malinta 
13. Dalandanan 
14. VALENZUELA 
15. Meycauayan College (Calvario) 
16. MEYCAUAYAN 
17. Saluysoy 
18. SM Marilao 
19. Saog 
20. Lolomboy 
21. Bunio 
22. BOCAUE 
23. Bigaa (Original stations site) 
24. BALAGTAS (Closer to Cabanatuan Line Junction) 
25. Cruz Guiguinto (Original Guiguinto station) 
26. GUIGUINTO 
27. Tabang 
28. Bulacan Industrial City 
29. Bulacan Sports Complex 
30. Cofradia 
31. MALOLOS

Commencement of Works for PNR Clark Phase 1 ( Tutuban-Malolos ) Railways Project.

CLARK, Pampanga, Jan 5 --Today, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine National Railway (PNR) will be undertaking advance construction mobilization for PNR Clark Phase 1 (Tutuban-Malolos), which includes pre-construction activities such as site clearing, grading of unleveled surfaces, and demolition of obstructing structures in the PNR alignment.

To realize early completion of infrastructure projects under the Build Build Build program, the DOTr continuously explores and pursues acceleration measures, such as doing in parallel activities that were previously done sequentially.

This event is an example of DOTr’s acceleration measures.

As compared to previous practice, site clearing works had to wait for the general contractor, but, since DOTr understands the need to complete this project faster, DOTr pursues these works in parallel with the procurement of the general contractor, which is scheduled to be selected by the 2nd quarter of 2018 for PNR Clark Phase 1.

Phase 1 of the PNR Clark Project entails the construction of the rail systems along the 38-kilometer segment from Tutuban, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan. It will have 10 stations and is expected to service around 340,000 passengers daily during its opening.

Once this project is completed, commuters from Tutuban will reach Malolos in 35 minutes. (DOTr)

Clearing ops for Tutuban-Malolos railway start

Clearing operations for the construction of the railway that will link to Central Luzon to Metro Manila begin.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade is inaugurating the project in Bulacan today.

Phase 1 starts in Marilao, Bulacan.

The project is called the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) that begins from Tutuban in Manila to Malolos.

It is funded by a $1.99-billion loan deal granted to the Philippine National Railways (PNR) by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The contract was signed in November 2015.

Construction will be in full blast by 2019.

DOTr expects the NSCR to be in operation in 2021 and 2022.

Tugade says, the 38-kilometer railway project will reduce travel time from Manila to Bulacan to 35 minutes.

About 34,000 commuters will benefit from the new transportation system.

Kapuso programs, naghari sa nationwide TV ratings sa buong 2017

Wagi ang mga programang Kapuso sa buong taon ng 2017 batay sa nationwide television ratings ng pinagkakatiwalaang Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

Mula Enero hanggang Disyembre, nakapagtala ang GMA Network ng 42.5 percent total day people audience share sa National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM), kumpara sa 36.8 percent ng kalabang estasyon.

Ang naturang kalamangan na 5.7 points ay mas malaki kumpara sa 0.2 share point lead na nagawa ng GMA noong 2016.

Mula umaga hanggang gabi, panalo ang mga programang Kapuso sa Urban Luzon at Mega Manila, na bumubuo ng 76 at 59 percent ng lahat ng Urban viewers sa Pilipinas.

Nagtala ng 48.8 percent ang GMA sa Urban Luzon, kontra sa 31 percent ng kalabang network. Una rin ang Kapuso sa Mega Manila na 51.9 percent, na 26. 7 percent ang kalamangan sa kabilang estasyon.

Noong Disyembre, nagtala ang GMA ng 44. 3 percent sa NUTAM, na mas mataas kumpara sa 37.2 percent ng karibal na network.

Sa listahan ng top programs para sa 2017, 20 sa 30 programa ang mula sa GMA.

Nanguna ang "Encantadia," na dalawang magkasunod na taon na naging number one, na sinundan ng "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," "Destined To Be Yours," "Pepito Manaloto," "Magpakailanman," "24 Oras," "Super Ma'am," "Mulawin Vs Ravena," "Alyas Robin Hood," "Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko," at "All-Star Videoke."

Pasok din ang "My Love From the Star," "Kambal Karibal, "Meant To Be," "Kapuso Movie Night," "24 Oras Weekend," Someone To Watch Over Me," "Hay Bahay!," "Wowowin", "Eat Bulaga", "Sunday Pinasaya", "Ika-6 Na Utos," "Hahamakin ang Lahat," "Legally Blind", "D'Originals", "Haplos" at "Tsuperhero."

Naging most watched tv special naman ang "Battle of Brisbane: Pacquiao Vs. Horn."

Kabilang naman sa progmang kagigiliwan at tutukan ngayong 2018 ang "The One That Got Away," "Sherlock Jr.," "Contessa," "The Stepdaughters," "Hindi Ko Kayang Iwan Ka," at "Sirkus." -- FRJ, GMA News

GMA, ABS-CBN vie for 2017 ratings leadership

Media giants GMA Network Inc. and ABS-CBN Corp. welcomed 2018 by both claiming leadership in last year’s nationwide television ratings.

Citing data from Nielsen TV Audience Measurement, GMA said on Thursday that it continued to dominate in 2017 with a 42.5-percent audience share in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (Nutam), 5.7 percent ahead of its rival’s 36.8 percent.

For its part, ABS-CBN said data from Kantar Media showed that it gathered an average audience share of 46 percent in the same period, 12 points higher than GMA’s 34 percent.

Both networks highlighted where they excelled in 2017, citing the same market research firms.

GMA said it beat ABS-CBN in all time blocks in both Urban Luzon and Mega Manila at 76 percent and 59 percent, respectively.

In Mega Manila, the Kapuso network posted a 51.9-percent audience share, compared with ABS-CBN’s 26.7 percent.

GMA also disclosed data on December ratings, noting that it again topped nationwide ratings with 44.3 percent, compared with ABS-CBN’s 37.2 percent.

Overall, the Network dominated NUTAM's list of top programs for 2017 with 20 out of 30 programs coming from GMA. Reigning supreme in the list is the well-loved Kapuso primetime series Encantadia, which became the number one program for two consecutive years.

Award-winning magazine program Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho grabbed the second spot as the most-watched Kapuso program for the year followed by the Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza-starrer Destined To Be Yours.

Joining them in the list of most watched Kapuso shows were Pepito Manaloto, Magpakailanman," "Full House Tonight," "Celebrity Bluff," "24 Oras," "Super Ma'am," "Mulawin vs Ravena," "Alyas Robin Hood," "Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko," and "All-Star Videoke."

Also included were "My Love From the Star," "Kambal Karibal," "Meant To Be," "I Heart Davao," "My Korean Jagiya," "Kapuso Movie Night," "Bubble Gang," "Saksi," "24 Oras Weekend," "Someone To Watch Over Me," "Hay Bahay!," "Wowowin," "Eat Bulaga," "Sunday PinaSaya," "Dear Uge," "Ika-6 Na Utos," "Legally Blind," "Impostora," "D'Originals," "Haplos," "Karelasyon," "Tadhana" and "Tsuperhero."

Notably, GMA's exclusive free TV telecast of Manny Pacquiao's last fight, dubbed the "Battle of Brisbane: Pacquiao vs Horn", was the most watched TV special for the year.

More Filipinos also tuned in to GMA’s live telecast of President Rodrigo Duterte’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 24. GMA Network’s “SONA 2017” became the most watched coverage nationwide with 37.4 percent people audience share; outranking ABS-CBN’s “Pangako ng Pagbabago: SONA 2017,” which only got 34.3 percent. GMA-7’s coverage registered an even bigger margin in Urban Luzon with 43.2 percent people audience share versus competition’s 26.2 percent.


The broadcast network said it once again “proved to be the Filipino viewers’ network of choice” as the GMA-7’s live telecast of the Miss Universe 2016 pageant on January 30 rated highest nationwide with a 57.1% people audience share, higher than ABS-CBN’s 28% and TV5’s 8.4%. 

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN said it remained unbeatable across all time blocks. On its primetime block (6 p.m. to 12 a.m) in the January-to-December period, the Kapamilya network registered an average audience share of 50 percent versus GMA’s 32 percent.

On its morning block (6 a.m. to 12 noon), ABS-CBN recorded a 39-percent audience share, compared with its rival’s 32 percent; on the noontime block (12 noon to 3 p.m.), 45 percent versus GMA’s 36 percent; and on the afternoon block (3 p.m. to 6 p. m.), 43 percent against the Kapuso network’s 38 percent.

ABS-CBN said it led the race in Total Balance Luzon with an average national audience share of 48 percent, compared with GMA’s 36 percent; in Total Luzon, 42 percent versus GMA’s 36 percent, in Total Visayas, 53 percent, compared with GMA’s 28 percent; and in Total Mindanao, 53 percent versus GMA’s 31 percent.

The Kapamilya network also claimed to lead nationwide TV ratings in December with an average audience share of 45 percent, compared with GMA’s 34 percent.

Coco Martin still holds the primetime king bragging rights, as his "Ang Probinsyano" topped the TV ratings for this past year. The beloved cop drama, which has been on-air since 2015, came in first with a 38.6% average nationwide rating for the past 12 months, data from Kantar Media released Thursday showed.

The family-friendly reality talent contests, "Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids" and "The Voice Teens", were second and third, respectively, followed closely by Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo's fantasy series, "La Luna Sangre". 

"TV Patrol" was fifth in the list, which featured only shows from the Kapamilya network. 

Also making to the list are "Langit Lupa," the Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu’s reunion drama "Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin," "It’s Showtime," "ASAP"," "Banana Sundae," "Ipaglaban Mo," "The Better Half," "The Promise of Forever," "Hanggang Saan," "The Greatest Love," "Pusong Ligaw", "Wildflower," "My Dear Heart," "A Love to Last," "The Good Son," "Home Sweetie Home," "Little Big Shots," "Maalaala Mo Kaya," "I Can Do That," "I Can See Your Voice," "Gandang Gabi Vice," "Wansapanataym" and "Rated K".

http://www.manilatimes.net/gma-abs-cbn-vie-2017-ratings-leadership/372313

QUirino Grandstand, World Youth Day 1995

House: No-El likely if Cha-Cha happens

SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez on Wednesday said it is possible that there will be no elections in 2019 if a federal system of government is installed as President Rodrigo Duterte wants.

He added that nothing is impossible if lawmakers work on it.

He said a proposed amendment to the Constitution by way of a constituent assembly could be submitted to a plebiscite simultaneously with barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on May 14, 2018.

The House is hoping to approve a resolution calling for a constituent assembly this month.

“If we can convene by January, we can submit that to a referendum during the barangay elections by May. If we work on it, nothing is impossible,” Alvarez said.

“Let us be practical. If we shift to a different form of government, unitary to federal, you need a transition government,” Alvarez said of a proposal that could lead to the abolition of the Senate.

Alvarez said senators worried about their political careers would run for election to the new legislature.

He said some senators’ terms expired in 2019 while other would do so in 2022.

“In fareness, maybe it would be better if they all expire in 2022,” he said in Filipino.

But Alvarez acknowledged that convening Congress as a constituent assembly would face rough sailing, particularly over whether the senators and congressmen should vote jointly or separately.

Alvarez said he believed the assembly should vote jointly, a move that would give the House more clout over the Senate.

He said convening Congress as a constituent assembly was a House priority and said he was confident the Senate would cooperate with the effort to advance the President’s legislative agenda.

Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, meanwhile, said the House’s hard work in 2017 has allowed it to focus on its mission in 2018 to adopt a federal system of government.

“The primary mission for us lawmakers in the 17th Congress is to usher in a federalized Philippines in 2018,” Nograles said.

“Over 16 million Filipinos gave their stamp of approval to this endeavor when they elected President Rodrigo Duterte who has championed federalism since Day One,” Nograles added.

This developed as Camariñes Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte welcomed President Duterte’s completion of a 25-member constitutional commission that would propose amendments to the Constitution.

Villafuerte said Alvarez and Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III were set to meet to decide when the two chambers of Congress could convene as a constituent assembly to draft a new Constitution for a federal system of government.

The committee on constitutional amendments of the Lower House of also recently created four technical working groups that would draft a proposed Philippine Federal Constitution.

“All these positive developments mean that the process to shift to federalism is now in full throttle. As I have been saying all along, federalism will only fulfill its goal of redistributing wealth to the countryside if it is accompanied by moves to liberalize the Constitution’s restrictive economic provisions,” Villafuerte said.

Villafuerte also proposed that the Constitution be amended to remove limits to foreign ownership of various sectors of the economy.

Under a constituent assembly, the lawmakers would serve as delegates who will propose amendments to the Constitution. This is in contrast to a constitutional convention in which delegates will be elected.

“This will save the government millions of pesos since we no longer need to elect delegates for the task of amending the Charter. And since we lawmakers have fixed terms, we will have a definite time period to finish the job. This means we will achieve our goal faster. Anyway, all the proposed amendments we will come up with will be subject to ratification by the people. It’s by far the less complicated method,” Nograles said.

“I am hopeful that 2018 would be the year that the Philippines begins its long-awaited journey toward progress via the federalism superhighway,” he added.

SPEAKER FLOATS NO-ELECTION SCENARIO IN 2019: Duterte rules out term extension

MALACAÑANG said on Wednesday the midterm elections would push through in 2019 as scheduled unless the Constitution was amended.

The Palace issued the statement through Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque Jr., who told a press conference: “The President always looks to the Constitution as his guiding document. The Constitution sets the date for the next elections in 2019. So unless the Constitution is amended ahead of the 2019 elections, it will have to push through.”

“The role of the President is to implement the Constitution and the law. As I said, it is the Constitution that sets when the next election is. The law required of Congress for election purposes will only enable the spending of public funds in that regard,” he added.

Roque issued the statement following pronouncements by House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez in a television interview early Wednesday that there would be no need for mid-term elections in 2019 if there would be a shift to a federal form of government from the current presidential system.

Moreover, the President’s term could be extended because of changes to the Constitution.

“Anything is possible. You know why? Let’s be practical. If you shift into a different form of government – unitary to a federal – you need a transition government. You cannot approve [federalism]by May [of this year]and implement it immediately,” Alvarez said in an interview on the ABS-CBN News Channel.

Alvarez said that the proposal could be submitted to a plebiscite and if the public would agree, there would be no elections in 2019.

Senate President Aquino Pimentel 3rd said Congress could extend the term of the President only if it was necessary, and if the President was amenable to it.

“Since that extension will be part of the new constitution, the new constitution is approved by the people themselves,” Pimentel said.

Pimentel also said the scheduled 2019 mid-term elections would still push through even if Congress managed to come up with the new constitution this year.

“What is important are the transitory provisions that will govern the terms and duties of those elected and the last election under the 1987 Constitution,” he said.

Congress leaders float idea of Duterte term extension

Leaders of Congress are floating the idea of either extending the term of President Rodrigo Duterte or those of lawmakers.

Mr. Duterte’s term may be extended beyond 2022 if the country becomes a federal state, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said on Wednesday.

Pimentel made the statement after Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said a “no-election (No-El)” scenario was possible.

Alvarez said dispensing with elections in May 2019 would extend the terms of lawmakers up for reelection.

This assumes Congress would succeed in amending the Constitution and switching to a federal form of government and the public would approve it in a plebiscite, the Speaker said.

As Congress prioritizes the shift to federalism through a constituent assembly (Con-ass) this year, the timetable of upcoming elections will be affected, particularly the 2019 elections, Alvarez said in an interview on ANC.

He said the two chambers of Congress could convene themselves into a Con-ass in January and complete the revision of the 1987 Constitution by the middle of this year.

The proposed Constitution will then be put to a plebiscite coinciding with the barangay and youth council elections in May, Alvarez said.

The transitory provisions approved in the plebiscite may render the elections for lawmakers unnecessary as the government shifts to the new system, the Speaker said.

Pimentel is against scrapping the elections if the government would shift to federalism.

“That is not an ‘either-or’ situation. We can shift to federalism and allow all scheduled elections under the existing Constitution to go on and be held,” the Senate President said in text messages to reporters.

Asked whether the shift to another form of government would allow Mr. Duterte to extend his term in a transition government, Pimentel said it “depends on the transitory provisions” and “depends, too, on when we approve the new Constitution.”

“We can extend the President’s term,” Pimentel said “if [the President] is amenable to it and since that extension will be part of the new Constitution, the new Constitution is approved by the people themselves.”

No intention to stay

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Mr. Duterte had no intention to extend his stay in power.

“I can categorically state that [President Duterte] does not want that (a term extension). He wants to cut short his term rather than lengthen it,” Roque said in a statement.

Roque said Mr. Duterte would strictly follow the Constitution, including its schedule for elections.

“So, unless the Constitution is amended, which includes being ratified by the people prior to the date set in the Constitution, elections will have to push through,” he added.

An opposition congressman expressed suspicion about the real motive behind the No-El scenario.

Incumbent officials favored

“The cat is out of the bag. It reveals the true intentions of the Duterte administration to perpetuate themselves in power,” said Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin.

In the ANC interview, Alvarez acknowledged the point that a No-El scenario would favor incumbent officials like himself, but he said this was a necessary step in changing the structure of the government.

“When you shift [to] a federal system of government, you change the structure of the government. You will create states … you will elect governors in each state. You don’t know yet the setup in provinces, towns and cities. We still do not know,” Alvarez said.

Asked about a term extension for Mr. Duterte, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said: “[T]he real purpose of federalism is out—term extension!”

“The Liberal Party (LP) will oppose such immoral proposition,” Drilon said.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan, the LP president, wondered whether Congress could be trusted with changing the Constitution.

“After witnessing the congressional hearings on extrajudicial killings, on Sen. Leila de Lima’s alleged connection with drug syndicates, on the P6.4-billion Bureau of Customs ‘shabu’ smuggling scandal allegedly involving the Davao Group, the impeachment [complaint against] Chief Justice Sereno, the approval of the one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao, the slashing of the Commission on Human Rights budget to P1,000, will you trust Congress with Charter change?” Pangilinan said in a statement.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson expressed doubt the Duterte administration would be able to push for Charter change.

Three modes

“Easier said than done, especially with the timeline that they’re looking at, which is the conduct of a plebiscite in May this year. Time is not on the side of those advocating for change of our Constitution,” Lacson said.

The Constitution identifies three ways by which it may be changed or revised: by Congress acting as  Con-ass, by Con-con (constitutional convention whose delegates are elected), or by a people’s initiative through a petition by 12 percent of the electorate.

Under Con-ass, the Senate and House, acting as one body, will introduce and approve changes to the Constitution by an absolute three-fourths vote and subject to a national referendum.

The constitutional amendments committee is in the middle of deliberations on two proposed drafts of a new Constitution, one prepared by two House members and the other drafted by a study group of the PDP-Laban Federalism Institute.

Not ready

Mr. Duterte lamented last month that Filipinos were “not ready” for a federal form of government.

He said the government campaign for federalism was not catching fire in places where he had expected strong public support.

“It does not seem to ring a bell in the Visayas and Mindanao or if at all [only among] those who are really dedicated and are thinking Filipinos,” he added.

The administration is pushing for a federal form of government  as this would help resolve the secessionist conflict in Mindanao.

Malacañang is also pushing for Congress to approve the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, which will give flesh to peace agreements signed by the government and Moro rebels. —REPORTS FROM DJ YAP,  CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO AND PHILIP C. TUBEZA



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Church all set for Black Nazarene

THE Catholic Church said Wednesday it is hopeful that Filipinos will be bold enough in 2018 to do what is morally right.

“We pray and work for a Philippines prosperous in human and spiritual values, committed to eradicate poverty and corruption, dedicated in upholding human rights and the sacredness of life, unflinching in its fights against illegal drugs and human trafficking, enlightened to choose worthy leaders, and a Philippines proud of its heritage, yet open to the family of nations,” Archbishop Rolando Tria Tirona, chairman of the National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace said.

He said that alhough 2017 was full of challenges that almost divided the nation, there were many things for which to be thankful.

The archbishops statement came as the Catholic Church began preparations for the arrival of millions of pilgrims to the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Jan. 9.

“An overnight vigil will be held at the Luneta evening of Jan. 8. A Holy Mass will be celebrated for the public morning of Jan. 9 followed by the procession of the image back to the basilica,” the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said in a statement.

The CBCP said the procession, or “Traslacion,” is a reenactment of the transfer of the image of the Black Nazarene from Luneta to Quiapo, both in Manila, in 1787.

Quiapo Church rector and parish priest Msgr. Hernando Coronel reminded the faithful with health conditions to stay home instead of joining the procession as it will be shown live on television and on the Internet.

The prelate also discouraged parents from bringing their children because they might get lost.

He urged children and teenagers not to climb on the Anadas, especially since a number of girls were recorded as suffering difficulty breathing during the thanksgiving procession held by Quiapo Church on Dec. 31.

Coronel also asked devotees to report anything suspicious persons to the police.

About 18.9 million devotees are expected to participate in the 10-day series of activities in observance of the annual Feast of the Black Nazarene this year in Manila, the Manila Police District said on Tuesday.

MPD Supt. Lucille Faycho said last year’s crowd of around 18 million is projected to increase by 5 percent this year.

The activities related to the feast started on Dec. 31, 2017 and will last until Jan. 9, 2018, ending with the procession for the Quiapo Church’s Black Nazarene or Traslacion.

Faycho said that while the MPD is on alert, they have not monitored any specific threat to the feast.

The crowd count started on Dec. 31’s thanksgiving procession, which kicked off Traslacion 2018’s activities.

The thanksgiving procession was immediately followed by nine-day novena Masses for the Black Nazarene, which will last until 5:45 p.m. of Jan. 8.

A procession of all replicas of the Black Nazarene from various parts of the country will take place on Jan. 7.

The Traslacion will start at 6 a.m. on Jan. 9.

Coronel said about 40 minor injuries were recorded during the thanksgiving procession.

Fr. Douglas Badong said an estimated 2 million devotees are expected to join the Traslacion, which will start from the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park and end in Quiapo Church.

Badong said the duration of the procession should not be a problem. He said they are most concerned about the safety of the devotees.

The Metro Manila Development Authority said it will deploy a total 1,300 of its personnel beginning Friday this week in preparation for the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago said the agency personnel will be deployed around Quirino Grandstand, Quiapo Church, and along the procession routes to help in traffic management, public safety, and emergency response operations of the Manila city government and other concerned agencies.

The agency will also put up its emergency response tent at the Quirino Grandstand as early as Saturday.

MPD and church officials on Wednesday inspected the route that devotees would take.

A total of 5,700 police personnel will be deployed to provide security for the Black Nazarene Feast.