Sunday, September 24, 2017
MMDA chair envisions a bigger ‘Mega Manila’
The man in charge of putting order in Metro Manila has unveiled a multi-pronged plan to resolve the traffic problem, which involves reducing the volume of vehicles on the street by building mass transport systems, creating layers upon layers of roads above the ground and underground and developing a much larger ‘Mega Manila’ to ease the population density.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Danilo Lim says the plan is in line with the Duterte administration’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program and strategy to spread economic activities outside the metropolis.
Lim, 62, says in an interview at MMDA headquarters in Makati City that while these long-term solutions are being undertaken, there is a need “to swallow a bitter pill” to unclog major thoroughfares and other roads in the 614-square-kilometer metropolis, which has a daytime population of over 20 million and a population density of over 20,000 people per square kilometer that ranks among the highest in the world.
“Let us develop a culture of discipline so that we can restore order in our streets. Of course, that does not address the problem of overcrowding. However, it can help mitigate the problems of Metro Manila,” says Lim, a retired brigadier general who was appointed to the MMDA post on May 22.
As MMDA chair, Lim has to contend with major concerns such as road congestion, flood during rainy days, garbage disposal, beautification of the streets and putting an order in the chaotic urban jungle where more than 20 million people produce over 10,000 tons of garbage daily.
“May hair is turning gray fast,” says Lim, the first non-elected politician to head MMDA, which is tasked to deliver metro-wide services to 19 cities and municipalities in the National Capital Region without undermining the autonomy of local government units.
Lim, who was born on June 2, 1955 in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, studied at the University of the Philippines, Philippine Military Academy and US Military Academy and is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Makatarungan Class 1978. He was incarcerated at Camp Crame for four years from 2006 to 2010 on rebellion charges in connection with the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny. He was freed on May 31, 2010 and joined the 2010 senatorial race, but lost. He briefly served as deputy commissioner at the Bureau of Customs, but resigned in 2013.
On his first day at MMDA, Lim vowed to cleanse the ranks of erring personnel and ordered a thorough inventory of equipment and physical assets.
“I felt older, but a little wiser and a lot more determined to confront the problems and challenges that come with the position,” says Lim, when asked how he coped with the job.
“It is easier in the military, because the soldiers will immediately obey your orders. Here, it is different. If you want something done, you have to study it carefully, you have to consult people. If you want to discipline someone, you have to deal with civil service eligibility of these people,” he says.
Lim says as MMDA chair, he cannot act on his own without consulting the mayors. “We work through the Metro Manila Council. If we have resolutions and we have to implement a new system, it needs the approval of MMC,” he says.
“The chairmanship is not enough, in truth. You have to deal with LGUs, especially the very established ones here in Metro Manila. They were elected by the people. They are independent and have their own authorities. So you have to work through them, with them,” says Lim.
MMDA has only 2,600 plantilla positions, excluding contractual employees to address the needs of over 20 million people. Its budget comes from the national government, local government units and the Road Board of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Lim considers traffic congestion as his biggest challenge. “The reality is it is really very hard to find a good solution to the traffic problem when your cars are multiplying, but the roads aren’t. Last year, vehicle sales hit a record 420,000 units. According to industry people, 65 percent of these vehicles found their way to Metro Manila. This year, we expect vehicle sales to reach not less than 450,000 units,” he says.
“You can just imagine the new vehicles that are added each day to Metro Manila roads. For the past several decades, there are no really big ticket infrastructure projects completed. We are four to five decades behind in infrastructure compared to other countries,” he says.
Lim says one solution is to create more space or roads. “People spend an inordinate amount of time going from one point to another. We need to add space. This is why we now build roads, bridges, subway, and bypass roads. This would have the effect of transforming a one-story house into a multi-level building. That’s what we are waiting for,” he says.
“In other countries, they have several layers of infrastructure above ground and below ground. Metropolises in other countries have never stopped putting up infrastructures,” he says.
Lim says to tackle the problem, the Duterte administration launched the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program. “We will have a longer Skyway. There will also be a first subway in the country from Mindanao Ave. in Quezon City to FTI to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. There will be MRT 7 along Commonwealth Ave. and there is the NLEx-SLEx Connector Road. The Philippine National Railways also plans to put up a rail line from Tutuban to Malolos to Clark,” he says.
“But for the meantime, while these projects are being built, we have to deal with the traffic problem. We need to take a bitter pill as a remedy to the traffic problem. Once these projects are completed hopefully within the term of President Duterte, the traffic congestion will ease,” he says.
Lim says there is also a plan to reduce the volume of vehicles on the street, such as retiring old vehicles and expanding the number coding scheme. “A congressman suggested that we expand the number coding scheme to reduce the number of vehicles on the road. We are open to the suggestion, but then again, I have to take this up with MMC,” says Lim.
“On the other side, some people oppose this, saying it is a violation of their rights. Those who are rich with more than two vehicles can also get around the number scheme. Two months ago, I actually floated the idea of implementing the coding scheme twice a week, instead of the current one day per week. I floated the idea to get the reaction, sentiment, feedback of our people, but there was a strong opposition to it, to the point that it was not tackled at MMC,” says Lim.
Lim says another solution is to start planning for a bigger ‘Mega Manila,’ a term first made popular by marketing agencies of consumer goods companies. Lim says Edsa, the main thoroughfare in Metro Manila, is heavily congested because there was no traffic impact assessment done before any structure was put up along its stretch. There are now 36 shopping malls and 45 bus terminals along Edsa, he says.
“We need to think of a solution. Let us look at areas outside Metro Manila. Instead of thinking of Metro Manila, let us begin thinking about Mega Manila. For example, from Calamba to Angeles and everything in between,” Lim says.
“From there, let us start planning. Our planning should already incorporate the projected economic growth and population growth over the next 40 years or 50 years. Infrastructure development should consider the projected population and economic growth so that we can spread out development. We are currently stuck with Metro Manila, so why not spread out to other areas,” Lim asks.
He says the government began creating new centers of activities outside Metro Manila, with DOTr already transferring to Clark, Pampanga. “Let us spread the development so that we can defeat the problem in details and parts by parts. Let us start planning. Our planning should be 40 to 50 years ahead, covering infrastructure, population growth, economic growth.”
For the meantime, Lim says MMDA is in talks with Metro Manila mayors to support the Kalayaan Lane as an alternative road to Edsa. He says the Department of Transportation also plans to adopt a Singaporean intelligent transport system using technology to mitigate traffic congestion.
MMDA also teamed up with the Department of Science and Technology to enhance the No-Contact Apprehension Policy using a technology-based application called Contactless Apprehension of Traffic Violators on 24-hours Basis, All Vehicle Detection System. The system will display the vehicle’s detection and tracking, profiling, plate localization and plate character recognition for more detailed traffic violation identification.
Lim says on the garbage problem, MMDA plans to tap waste-to-energy technologies to convert 10,000 tons of garbage that the metropolis produces daily into electricity. He says this would also free up space on landfills.
Lim says with the cooperation of local officials and basic discipline being observed by the people in Metro Manila, “somehow we can make this metropolis more livable and vibrant.”
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Danilo Lim says the plan is in line with the Duterte administration’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program and strategy to spread economic activities outside the metropolis.
Lim, 62, says in an interview at MMDA headquarters in Makati City that while these long-term solutions are being undertaken, there is a need “to swallow a bitter pill” to unclog major thoroughfares and other roads in the 614-square-kilometer metropolis, which has a daytime population of over 20 million and a population density of over 20,000 people per square kilometer that ranks among the highest in the world.
“Let us develop a culture of discipline so that we can restore order in our streets. Of course, that does not address the problem of overcrowding. However, it can help mitigate the problems of Metro Manila,” says Lim, a retired brigadier general who was appointed to the MMDA post on May 22.
As MMDA chair, Lim has to contend with major concerns such as road congestion, flood during rainy days, garbage disposal, beautification of the streets and putting an order in the chaotic urban jungle where more than 20 million people produce over 10,000 tons of garbage daily.
“May hair is turning gray fast,” says Lim, the first non-elected politician to head MMDA, which is tasked to deliver metro-wide services to 19 cities and municipalities in the National Capital Region without undermining the autonomy of local government units.
Lim, who was born on June 2, 1955 in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, studied at the University of the Philippines, Philippine Military Academy and US Military Academy and is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Makatarungan Class 1978. He was incarcerated at Camp Crame for four years from 2006 to 2010 on rebellion charges in connection with the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny. He was freed on May 31, 2010 and joined the 2010 senatorial race, but lost. He briefly served as deputy commissioner at the Bureau of Customs, but resigned in 2013.
On his first day at MMDA, Lim vowed to cleanse the ranks of erring personnel and ordered a thorough inventory of equipment and physical assets.
“I felt older, but a little wiser and a lot more determined to confront the problems and challenges that come with the position,” says Lim, when asked how he coped with the job.
“It is easier in the military, because the soldiers will immediately obey your orders. Here, it is different. If you want something done, you have to study it carefully, you have to consult people. If you want to discipline someone, you have to deal with civil service eligibility of these people,” he says.
Lim says as MMDA chair, he cannot act on his own without consulting the mayors. “We work through the Metro Manila Council. If we have resolutions and we have to implement a new system, it needs the approval of MMC,” he says.
“The chairmanship is not enough, in truth. You have to deal with LGUs, especially the very established ones here in Metro Manila. They were elected by the people. They are independent and have their own authorities. So you have to work through them, with them,” says Lim.
MMDA has only 2,600 plantilla positions, excluding contractual employees to address the needs of over 20 million people. Its budget comes from the national government, local government units and the Road Board of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Lim considers traffic congestion as his biggest challenge. “The reality is it is really very hard to find a good solution to the traffic problem when your cars are multiplying, but the roads aren’t. Last year, vehicle sales hit a record 420,000 units. According to industry people, 65 percent of these vehicles found their way to Metro Manila. This year, we expect vehicle sales to reach not less than 450,000 units,” he says.
“You can just imagine the new vehicles that are added each day to Metro Manila roads. For the past several decades, there are no really big ticket infrastructure projects completed. We are four to five decades behind in infrastructure compared to other countries,” he says.
Lim says one solution is to create more space or roads. “People spend an inordinate amount of time going from one point to another. We need to add space. This is why we now build roads, bridges, subway, and bypass roads. This would have the effect of transforming a one-story house into a multi-level building. That’s what we are waiting for,” he says.
“In other countries, they have several layers of infrastructure above ground and below ground. Metropolises in other countries have never stopped putting up infrastructures,” he says.
Lim says to tackle the problem, the Duterte administration launched the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program. “We will have a longer Skyway. There will also be a first subway in the country from Mindanao Ave. in Quezon City to FTI to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. There will be MRT 7 along Commonwealth Ave. and there is the NLEx-SLEx Connector Road. The Philippine National Railways also plans to put up a rail line from Tutuban to Malolos to Clark,” he says.
“But for the meantime, while these projects are being built, we have to deal with the traffic problem. We need to take a bitter pill as a remedy to the traffic problem. Once these projects are completed hopefully within the term of President Duterte, the traffic congestion will ease,” he says.
Lim says there is also a plan to reduce the volume of vehicles on the street, such as retiring old vehicles and expanding the number coding scheme. “A congressman suggested that we expand the number coding scheme to reduce the number of vehicles on the road. We are open to the suggestion, but then again, I have to take this up with MMC,” says Lim.
“On the other side, some people oppose this, saying it is a violation of their rights. Those who are rich with more than two vehicles can also get around the number scheme. Two months ago, I actually floated the idea of implementing the coding scheme twice a week, instead of the current one day per week. I floated the idea to get the reaction, sentiment, feedback of our people, but there was a strong opposition to it, to the point that it was not tackled at MMC,” says Lim.
Lim says another solution is to start planning for a bigger ‘Mega Manila,’ a term first made popular by marketing agencies of consumer goods companies. Lim says Edsa, the main thoroughfare in Metro Manila, is heavily congested because there was no traffic impact assessment done before any structure was put up along its stretch. There are now 36 shopping malls and 45 bus terminals along Edsa, he says.
“We need to think of a solution. Let us look at areas outside Metro Manila. Instead of thinking of Metro Manila, let us begin thinking about Mega Manila. For example, from Calamba to Angeles and everything in between,” Lim says.
“From there, let us start planning. Our planning should already incorporate the projected economic growth and population growth over the next 40 years or 50 years. Infrastructure development should consider the projected population and economic growth so that we can spread out development. We are currently stuck with Metro Manila, so why not spread out to other areas,” Lim asks.
He says the government began creating new centers of activities outside Metro Manila, with DOTr already transferring to Clark, Pampanga. “Let us spread the development so that we can defeat the problem in details and parts by parts. Let us start planning. Our planning should be 40 to 50 years ahead, covering infrastructure, population growth, economic growth.”
For the meantime, Lim says MMDA is in talks with Metro Manila mayors to support the Kalayaan Lane as an alternative road to Edsa. He says the Department of Transportation also plans to adopt a Singaporean intelligent transport system using technology to mitigate traffic congestion.
MMDA also teamed up with the Department of Science and Technology to enhance the No-Contact Apprehension Policy using a technology-based application called Contactless Apprehension of Traffic Violators on 24-hours Basis, All Vehicle Detection System. The system will display the vehicle’s detection and tracking, profiling, plate localization and plate character recognition for more detailed traffic violation identification.
Lim says on the garbage problem, MMDA plans to tap waste-to-energy technologies to convert 10,000 tons of garbage that the metropolis produces daily into electricity. He says this would also free up space on landfills.
Lim says with the cooperation of local officials and basic discipline being observed by the people in Metro Manila, “somehow we can make this metropolis more livable and vibrant.”
Saturday, September 23, 2017
MRT-3 trains go slow
Trains of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) are travelling at a slower pace today.
From the regular speed of 40 kilometers per hour (kph), the trains are moving slower at 30 kph.
Transportation Assistant Secretary Cesar Chavez says, this will mean longer travel time for passengers.
Chavez explains, the adjustment is being done to minimize the vibrations and lateral movements when the trains are passing through old railways.
The trains will go slow especially along some portions such as from the area of Quezon Avenue to Cubao, from Guadalupe to Buendia and from Buendia to Taft Avenue and vice versa.
http://thestandard.com.ph/news/metro/247649/mrt-trains-go-slow.html
From the regular speed of 40 kilometers per hour (kph), the trains are moving slower at 30 kph.
Transportation Assistant Secretary Cesar Chavez says, this will mean longer travel time for passengers.
Chavez explains, the adjustment is being done to minimize the vibrations and lateral movements when the trains are passing through old railways.
The trains will go slow especially along some portions such as from the area of Quezon Avenue to Cubao, from Guadalupe to Buendia and from Buendia to Taft Avenue and vice versa.
http://thestandard.com.ph/news/metro/247649/mrt-trains-go-slow.html
‘UNCERTIFIED’ EQUIPMENT MRT train part bought from Bangkal auto repair shop–DOTr Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/932770/mrt-dotr-cesar-chavez-usec-aquino-administration#ixzz4tVboiTmb Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
The government cannot pay a maintenance contractor of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 because of a number of irregularities, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Friday.
For one, DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez said maintenance contractor Busan Universal Rail Inc. (Buri) was billing the government P4 million for uncertified equipment.
Chavez said in a statement that the DOTR would be remiss in its duties and would be violating many laws if it paid Buri, which was contracted by the Aquino administration, for the 17-kilometer line.
“In short, Buri is asking the government to reimburse it for its deficiencies, compensate it for its failures and pay it for its nonperformance,” Chavez said.
Buri is demanding reimbursement for its purchase of a P4-million vehicle logic unit (VLU), a highly specialized equipment that functions as the train’s automatic protection system, made by Canadian multinational Bombardier.
“But Bombardier claimed that no such equipment had been ordered from them,” Chavez said.
Same owners
Chavez said the DOTr discovered that the VLU was purchased from an undercapitalized shop, called Diamond Pearl, in Bangkal, Makati’s automotive repair row.
“And who owns Diamond Pearl? The same characters associated with Buri,” Chavez said.
The DOTr later learned that one of Diamond Pearl’s incorporators was Marlo dela Cruz, whom lawmakers blamed for the malfunctions plaguing MRT 3.
In a House hearing, Rep. Jericho Nograles tagged Dela Cruz as one of the people who allegedly tried to extort $30 million from Czech train maker Inekon.
Nonperformance
“The COA (Commission on Audit) rule is that spare parts procured must have a certificate of origin, manufacturer’s inspection report, certificate of warranty, invoice receipt, inspection report,” Chavez said.
“In the absence of any of this, there is no green light to proceed with payment. Or the government official who will order the payment will be liable for graft,” he said.
More importantly, the DOTr cannot approve Buri’s demands for payment because of Buri’s “performance or the lack of it.”
According to Chavez, there were 3,824 instances of train removals, 833 cases of unloading incidents, 98 service interruptions and 6 derailments from January 2016 to July 2017.
“If you look into the particulars of each, almost all can be attributed to maintenance neglect,” Chavez said, adding that six cases of train derailment is “unacceptable and unprecedented.”
Zero derailment
“There is only one standard here: zero derailment. In the aviation industry, this is the equivalent of a plane crash,” he said.
According to Chavez, the company has racked up P27.5 million in penalties for “substantial failure to meet [key performance indicators] like failure to deploy 20 trains during peak hours.”
“You are so slow to serve. And yet, you want your payment to be railroaded? That is unfair to the people,” Chavez said.
Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/932770/mrt-dotr-cesar-chavez-usec-aquino-administration#ixzz4tVbiWiPN
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
For one, DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez said maintenance contractor Busan Universal Rail Inc. (Buri) was billing the government P4 million for uncertified equipment.
Chavez said in a statement that the DOTR would be remiss in its duties and would be violating many laws if it paid Buri, which was contracted by the Aquino administration, for the 17-kilometer line.
“In short, Buri is asking the government to reimburse it for its deficiencies, compensate it for its failures and pay it for its nonperformance,” Chavez said.
Buri is demanding reimbursement for its purchase of a P4-million vehicle logic unit (VLU), a highly specialized equipment that functions as the train’s automatic protection system, made by Canadian multinational Bombardier.
“But Bombardier claimed that no such equipment had been ordered from them,” Chavez said.
Same owners
Chavez said the DOTr discovered that the VLU was purchased from an undercapitalized shop, called Diamond Pearl, in Bangkal, Makati’s automotive repair row.
“And who owns Diamond Pearl? The same characters associated with Buri,” Chavez said.
The DOTr later learned that one of Diamond Pearl’s incorporators was Marlo dela Cruz, whom lawmakers blamed for the malfunctions plaguing MRT 3.
In a House hearing, Rep. Jericho Nograles tagged Dela Cruz as one of the people who allegedly tried to extort $30 million from Czech train maker Inekon.
Nonperformance
“The COA (Commission on Audit) rule is that spare parts procured must have a certificate of origin, manufacturer’s inspection report, certificate of warranty, invoice receipt, inspection report,” Chavez said.
“In the absence of any of this, there is no green light to proceed with payment. Or the government official who will order the payment will be liable for graft,” he said.
More importantly, the DOTr cannot approve Buri’s demands for payment because of Buri’s “performance or the lack of it.”
According to Chavez, there were 3,824 instances of train removals, 833 cases of unloading incidents, 98 service interruptions and 6 derailments from January 2016 to July 2017.
“If you look into the particulars of each, almost all can be attributed to maintenance neglect,” Chavez said, adding that six cases of train derailment is “unacceptable and unprecedented.”
Zero derailment
“There is only one standard here: zero derailment. In the aviation industry, this is the equivalent of a plane crash,” he said.
According to Chavez, the company has racked up P27.5 million in penalties for “substantial failure to meet [key performance indicators] like failure to deploy 20 trains during peak hours.”
“You are so slow to serve. And yet, you want your payment to be railroaded? That is unfair to the people,” Chavez said.
Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/932770/mrt-dotr-cesar-chavez-usec-aquino-administration#ixzz4tVbiWiPN
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
2017 MBC National Choral Competition opens auditions
Manila Broadcasting Company invites ensembles from schools, churches, residential communities, offices, and special interest groups to take part in the 2017 MBC National Choral Competition.
Considered the biggest all-inclusive choral competition in the Philippines today, it has two divisions: Children’s choirs (where the winner will receive P100,000) and the open category (whose champion will bring home P150,000).
Live auditions will be conducted in Cebu on Sept. 30, General Santos City (Oct. 1), Lucena (Oct. 7), Iloilo (Oct. 14), Star Theater (Oct. 15), Zamboanga (Oct. 20), Laoag (Oct. 27), and Cauayan (Oct. 29).
Choirs from other provinces outside Mega Manila may also send an application packet consisting of a high-quality audition video and the attached application form, which must be received at the MBC head office in Pasay on or before Oct. 16.
Provincial choirs that qualify will each receive a travel subsidy to help defray costs of competing in the national championships to be held at the Aliw Theater on Dec. 5 to 9, 2017.
Detailed mechanics are downloadable from the official Facebook page of the MBC National Choral Competitions.
Last year’s winners were Voices Of The South Children’s Choir and Ligao National High School Voice Chorale.
• • •
New venue for ‘Best Of Aliw’
Aliw Awards Foundation’s “Best Of Aliw,” set on Oct. 10, will be presented at the Star Theater instead of the CCP Main Theater as announced earlier. This is according to AAFI Founding and current President Alice H. Reyes and the 40th anniversary Executive Committee Chairman Bing N. Carreon.
Directed by Freddie Santos, and opening AAFI’s 40th anniversary festivities, it features some of the country’s top entertainers such as Celeste Legaspi, Rico J. Puno, Freddie Aguilar, Jose Mari Chan, Imelda Papin, Sarah Geronimo, John Lesaca, Mitoy Yonting, Spirit of ’67, Merjohn Lagaya, the Halili-Cruz Dance Company. It is supported by PAGCOR and the Quezon City government under Mayor Herbert Bautista.
• • •
Considered the biggest all-inclusive choral competition in the Philippines today, it has two divisions: Children’s choirs (where the winner will receive P100,000) and the open category (whose champion will bring home P150,000).
Live auditions will be conducted in Cebu on Sept. 30, General Santos City (Oct. 1), Lucena (Oct. 7), Iloilo (Oct. 14), Star Theater (Oct. 15), Zamboanga (Oct. 20), Laoag (Oct. 27), and Cauayan (Oct. 29).
Choirs from other provinces outside Mega Manila may also send an application packet consisting of a high-quality audition video and the attached application form, which must be received at the MBC head office in Pasay on or before Oct. 16.
Provincial choirs that qualify will each receive a travel subsidy to help defray costs of competing in the national championships to be held at the Aliw Theater on Dec. 5 to 9, 2017.
Detailed mechanics are downloadable from the official Facebook page of the MBC National Choral Competitions.
Last year’s winners were Voices Of The South Children’s Choir and Ligao National High School Voice Chorale.
• • •
New venue for ‘Best Of Aliw’
Aliw Awards Foundation’s “Best Of Aliw,” set on Oct. 10, will be presented at the Star Theater instead of the CCP Main Theater as announced earlier. This is according to AAFI Founding and current President Alice H. Reyes and the 40th anniversary Executive Committee Chairman Bing N. Carreon.
Directed by Freddie Santos, and opening AAFI’s 40th anniversary festivities, it features some of the country’s top entertainers such as Celeste Legaspi, Rico J. Puno, Freddie Aguilar, Jose Mari Chan, Imelda Papin, Sarah Geronimo, John Lesaca, Mitoy Yonting, Spirit of ’67, Merjohn Lagaya, the Halili-Cruz Dance Company. It is supported by PAGCOR and the Quezon City government under Mayor Herbert Bautista.
• • •
Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Sept. 23, go to Mrs. Socorro Ramos of National Book Store, Jenine Desiderio, Lynnette Punzalan, Zenia Co, Grace de Asis Ilagan, Rose S. Vellas, Avelino P. Basa, Danny Carvajal, Salve Asis, Dr. Mariano Co, Johnelle Marie M. Galigaro, Elmer Reyes, Arjhay Dilan, Arnold Hernandez, Erica Montano, Ed Mercuryo, Roger German, Rizabel Gonzales Zafe, Trixia Mae, Thomas Lee of Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Kitkat and Mikee Tanael…Sept. 24: Manila Bulletin Chairman Dr. Emilio Yap, Sen. Edgardo Angara, Gerry Katigbak, Larry Silva, Julia Clarete, Mercedes S. David, Susan Priscilla Reyes, Lydia Astudillo, Lorna Viernes, Malie Gatchalian, Merceditas Cruz, Emma Yuhico, Baby Alfonso, Mi Enriquez, Jose Dizon Jr., Nonietta Diga, Dr. Gem Reyes, Nena Rodriguez, Noel Valenzuela, Bulgin Manapat, Isabel Tapia Bernal, Avon Dadang of Cagayan de Oro City, Ivy Lo of PSBank, Pearlie Arcachie Morales, Ronald Arguelles, Sammy Taunan, Dave Valerio, Cedes Brin, and Zia Quizon... Happy wedding anniversary to Bong and Cecilia Aquino, and Tots and Babic Tolentino...Sept. 25: Sen. Bong Revilla, Bobby Velasco of Café de Malate, Carla Martinez, Sandra Garcia, Salvador Bigay, Guia Castillo, Tess Lapuz-Lardizabal, Jimmy Vicente, Cory Elizabeth Endozo, Aldin B. Pastrano, Edwin Galvez, Jun Nardo, Carlo Guevarra, Alex Roces, Angelo Luis Manlapaz, Mercy S. Duran, Ellaine Amora, Enj Millar, Jelo Honrado, and Orlando Q. Yaneza of SEC… Happy wedding anniversary to Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Pilapil…Belated b-day greetings to Marina Zulueta Pates and Dona Zulueta Pates (Sept. 20) and Paul Manto, Hazel Anne Lopez-Ferrer, Juan Gabriel Ma. Guerrero, Dessiree Lubiano-Jusayan (Sept. 22)…
Friday, September 22, 2017
Gov. Espino to sign MOA with DOH for hospitals upgrading worth P67.8M
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan-The provincial board led by Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. unanimously approved a resolution that allows Governor Amado I. Espino III to enter into and sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Health Regional Office 1 for the implementation of the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) for 2017 in seven provincial government hospitals.
Authored by Sanggunian Panlalawigan Member Jeremy Agerico Rosario, Provincial Resolution No. 1020-2017 which was approved by the august body on September 18, to cause the seven hospitals avail of a total project cost amounting to P67.8 million.
The seven hospitals are as follows: Urdaneta District Hospital, P20M; Bayambang District Hospital, P6M; Lingayen District Hospital, P10M; Asingan Community Hospital, P2M; Dasol Community Hospital, P11.8M; Manaoag Community Hospital, P8M; and Umingan Community Hospital, P10M.
As stated in the resolution, the HFEP is a DOH program that aims to improve and upgrade health facilities in order to sufficiently provide emergency and primary health care services to people.
BM Baniqued noted that the HFEP’s budget has been allocated for infrastructure projects for local government units in the country to include Pangasinan as one of the beneficiaries for three years now.
Dr. Cielo Almoite, Asst. Provincial Health Officer, disclosed that the other seven provincial hospitals have earlier received the same projects in the past year. Cost of funding per hospital, she added, depends on the identified needs each hospital as assessed by the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO). Copy of approved program of works and detailed estimates, plans and specifications will be forwarded to the DOH regional office.
The following are the projects to be undertaken in the aforementioned hospitals:
HFEP was crafted in 2008 mainly to align the nationwide government hospital system with the Health Reform Sector Agenda. Priorities for funding were the upgrade of licensing classification and PhilHealth accreditation of government hospitals and expansion of services in tertiary hospitals to provide higher quality care. (Ruby R. Bernardino /Photos by RPGIII)
Authored by Sanggunian Panlalawigan Member Jeremy Agerico Rosario, Provincial Resolution No. 1020-2017 which was approved by the august body on September 18, to cause the seven hospitals avail of a total project cost amounting to P67.8 million.
The seven hospitals are as follows: Urdaneta District Hospital, P20M; Bayambang District Hospital, P6M; Lingayen District Hospital, P10M; Asingan Community Hospital, P2M; Dasol Community Hospital, P11.8M; Manaoag Community Hospital, P8M; and Umingan Community Hospital, P10M.
As stated in the resolution, the HFEP is a DOH program that aims to improve and upgrade health facilities in order to sufficiently provide emergency and primary health care services to people.
BM Baniqued noted that the HFEP’s budget has been allocated for infrastructure projects for local government units in the country to include Pangasinan as one of the beneficiaries for three years now.
Dr. Cielo Almoite, Asst. Provincial Health Officer, disclosed that the other seven provincial hospitals have earlier received the same projects in the past year. Cost of funding per hospital, she added, depends on the identified needs each hospital as assessed by the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO). Copy of approved program of works and detailed estimates, plans and specifications will be forwarded to the DOH regional office.
The following are the projects to be undertaken in the aforementioned hospitals:
- Urdaneta District Hospital- construction of two storey OPD and Public Health, construction of CSSR and dialysis building, extension of laboratory, rehabilitation of pharmacy are/old CSSR and construction of nurses’ quarters.
- Bayambang District Hospital- construction of warehouse/central storage building, construction of elevated water tank, construction of septic vault for infectious and hazardous waste, construction of holding area.
- Lingayen District Hospital- construction of pedia ward and isolation room for pedia, construction of hospital sewage treatment plan.
- Asingan Community Hospital- construction of Philhealth ward (male and female), construction of patient-watcher area, construction of laundry area, expansion/rehabilitation of hospital building.
- Dasol Community Hospital- construction of additional isolation room, patients’ waiting area, TBDOTS and Animal Bite, cadaver holding area/morgue, concrete vault for sharps and infectious waste, elevated concrete water tank and paraphernalia; repair of roofing system, re-tiling and repainting of main building; expansion for additional medical ward; provision of FDAS, paging system and CCTV.
- Manaoag Community Hospital- construction of hospital sewage treatment plant, renovation/improvement of hazardous waste holding facility (solid waste), renovation of OR/DR Complex, provision of additional medical ward/retrofitting of existing ward.
- Umingan Community Hospital- construction of additional ward (2nd floor due to limited space with roof deck) and retrofitting of pedia ward, private ward, male surgical ward and female surgical ward.
HFEP was crafted in 2008 mainly to align the nationwide government hospital system with the Health Reform Sector Agenda. Priorities for funding were the upgrade of licensing classification and PhilHealth accreditation of government hospitals and expansion of services in tertiary hospitals to provide higher quality care. (Ruby R. Bernardino /Photos by RPGIII)
Political will… daw!
DEMAND AND SUPPLY By Boo Chanco (The Philippine Star)
Updated September 22, 2017 - 12:00am
It is probably just as well that Transport Secretary Art Tugade didn’t get his emergency powers from Congress. Now he has an excuse for having obligated only 18 percent of his 2017 budget with less than four months to go. Having obligated one’s budget, in bureaucratese, means wala pang nagawa... plano pa lang.
xxx
One other major project that needs strong political will is the connector road project from NLEX to SLEX. Once completed, it is supposed to absorb as much as 50 per cent of EDSA traffic. It is supposed to be completed next year but is now indefinitely delayed due to right of way issues. Here are specifics:
1. For section 1 from Buendia to Quirino - ROW is yet to be secured over property owned by Sincere Lumber Corp. TRB and DPWH still negotiating.
2. For section 2 from Plaza Dilao to SM Centerpoint, nothing is happening on ROW negotiations between government and affected private land owners. There is a pending San Juan River realignment proposal with DPWH to hasten the construction in this particular section to avoid ROW problems and meet completion targets. DPWH Sec Mark Villar can’t seem to make the decision to allow the diversion even as he also can’t deliver the ROW.
3. For section 3 from Aurora Blvd to Balintawak - ROW issues include various residential and commercial properties plus those of NGCP and Meralco. Tugade has to get Villar to act faster so this extremely vital project can be completed sooner.
xxx
Tugade seems to be concentrating more on PR than actually groundbreaking projects. That isn’t going to work. Sen Legarda already exposed him for underperforming, if the non use of his budget is an indication.
Sing Philippine anthem properly or face jail
Philippine legislators have backed a proposed law which could see performers jailed for two years for disrespecting the national anthem by singing off-key or deviating from the song's original martial tempo.
Members of house of representatives were incensed at the way "Lupang Hinirang" (Revered Homeland) was sung at the boxing matches of seven-time Filipino world champion Manny Pacquiao, Teddy Atienza of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines said.
"Our national anthem is always being vulgarised," said Atienza, head of the government commission's heraldry division.
The proposal aims to toughen up a 1998 flag and heraldic law under which performing the anthem inappropriately can be punished with a year's prison and a small fine, officials said.
The new bill, passed on Monday by a parliament that now includes Pacquiao himself, would double the jail term and raise the fines to a maximum of 100,000 pesos ($2,285).
But it will only take effect if the Senate passes a similar version and President Benigno Aquino III signs it. Atienza admitted a similar Senate bill has not made much progress.
He said the government had filed a suit in Manila against Christian Bautista, who forgot several lyrics of the anthem at the exhibition match of Gerry Peñalosa and Bernabe Concepcion in September 2007 and Filipino-American singer Martin Nievera, who is alleged to have taken liberties with his performance of the anthem at Pacquiao's May 2009 fight against Briton Ricky Hatton.
The commission has also criticised other prominent entertainers for the "wrong" way they sang the anthem at previous Pacquiao fights.
They include Arnel Pineda, a Filipino who was taken to task for going off key during Pacquiao's fight against Ghana's Joshua Clottey in Texas last March.
Members of house of representatives were incensed at the way "Lupang Hinirang" (Revered Homeland) was sung at the boxing matches of seven-time Filipino world champion Manny Pacquiao, Teddy Atienza of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines said.
"Our national anthem is always being vulgarised," said Atienza, head of the government commission's heraldry division.
The proposal aims to toughen up a 1998 flag and heraldic law under which performing the anthem inappropriately can be punished with a year's prison and a small fine, officials said.
The new bill, passed on Monday by a parliament that now includes Pacquiao himself, would double the jail term and raise the fines to a maximum of 100,000 pesos ($2,285).
But it will only take effect if the Senate passes a similar version and President Benigno Aquino III signs it. Atienza admitted a similar Senate bill has not made much progress.
He said the government had filed a suit in Manila against Christian Bautista, who forgot several lyrics of the anthem at the exhibition match of Gerry Peñalosa and Bernabe Concepcion in September 2007 and Filipino-American singer Martin Nievera, who is alleged to have taken liberties with his performance of the anthem at Pacquiao's May 2009 fight against Briton Ricky Hatton.
The commission has also criticised other prominent entertainers for the "wrong" way they sang the anthem at previous Pacquiao fights.
They include Arnel Pineda, a Filipino who was taken to task for going off key during Pacquiao's fight against Ghana's Joshua Clottey in Texas last March.
Thursday, September 21, 2017
A free world is expensive
RODY orders ban on street drinking. Munich’s Oktoberfest is set to violate the restriction.
* * *
Chief presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza relayed the successful rescue of Fr. Teresito Soganub to the media. One soldier died and several were wounded. Expect CBCP to thank CHR’s Chito Gascon for a job well done.
* * *
UN is running out of sanctions. Nokor not running out of missiles. Nokor’s neighbors are running scared. War of bullies.
* * *
Drug trade is not governed by law of supply and demand. It does not follow that if the demand is nil, supply will cease. With billions of money involved, drug lords will always create the demand no matter what. Easy prey are the youth as users and the poor or unemployed will always be attracted to quick bucks. Equally vulnerable are corrupt cops who need extra money to maintain their extravagant lifestyle supported by fat wallets. Once these people are hooked, they will always work to increase the demand to keep their benefactors alive and well to sustain their normal compensation and addiction.
* * *
An appeal to the following:
Mayors of Sta. Maria and Bocaue, Bulacan, NLEX management, governor of Bulacan, congressman of the 4th district—we badly need another toll entrance/exit to supplement our present Bocaue-Sta. Maria exchange. Entering NLEX takes 30 minutes to one hour.
* * *
Bad driving habits of tricycles, pedicabs and motorcycles:
– overtaking on the right side even on corners when a car is about to make a right turn.
– occupying more than their allotted space as if they’re driving a dump truck.
– they never look at their side mirrors.
– they use their foot to signify a left turn.
– they make “balagbag” too, worse than buses.
– they rarely use their brakes and expect cars to slow down and give way.
– they never care for potholes while passengers accumulate headbumps.
– they usually overload and overcharge when there’s just one passenger.
– they drive as if their time is more important than everyone else’s.
– on national roads, they arrogantly occupy car lanes even if there are service lanes.
* * *
Toys ‘R’ Us files for US bankruptcy protection as online competition bites. We in Southeast Asia should assume the trademark everytime the POTUS and Kim Jon-un are both in a playful mood.
* * *
The UP Beta Sigma Fraternity condemns hazing and violence in the campus. We recruit members who will be icons of productivity and academic excellence. We are currently the trailblazers in the field of environmental protection and health assistance.
* * *
Government work and classes in public and private schools are suspended after President Duterte declared Thursday, September 21, a “National Day of Protest”. With the suspension of classes, movie theaters are not protesting.
* * *
News: Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has been directed by her colleagues in the Supreme Court to respond to a lawyer’s plea to release her psychiatric and psychological evaluation results. Sereno was given five days to comment on the request of lawyer Lorenzo Gadon, who has filed an impeachment complaint against her before the House of Representatives.
– Do not be mistaken. No, she is not filing an annulment of her marriage to the high tribunal by reason of psychological incapacity.
* * *
Entire Caloocan police force sacked – NCRPO. Police Director Oscar Albayalde is right. BandAid is not the cure to a recurring illness.
* * *
After a decade, construction of MRT-LRT Common Station to begin in September.
* * *
Sen. Richard Gordon is right in slamming the delay in the destruction of the almost 900 kilograms of illegal drugs seized in San Juan last December. He was shocked to know that the judiciary is sitting on the case.
I cannot blame him for his outrage. While his committee was constantly pounding on law enforcement agencies in fast-tracking investigations and speedy filing of cases, the judicial body assigned is strolling in the park without any sense of urgency. One can almost smell that “justice delayed is justice for sale”.
“PDEA files drug raps vs Faeldon, 11 BOC execs over smuggled shabu.”
“Expel Lacson, Faeldon asks Senate.”
Democracy is overworked. Taxpayers’ fatigue is an expected result.
Lawmakers should not seek “special treatment,” says Palace. It’s unfair. They should treat “special members” with kindness as they need medical help.
* * *
I have been a ramen lover all my life. I have to share what I googled in case you want to try preparing one.
“5 Expert Tips for Making the Perfect Bowl of Ramen
1. It’s all about the noodles and broth. Focus on getting your broth full of flavor and richness, and take your time doing it. If you’re not making noodles from scratch, source the best possible ones you can find and buy them fresh.
2. Flavor and body in the broth come from lots of ingredients.
3. Never season your broth.
4. Never salt the ramen noodle cooking water.
5. Cook the noodles properly. Undercooked noodles will be floury and tough, but overcooked noodles will be soggy and pasty. Cook your noodles at the last second when everything else is ready, keep a watchful eye on the time, and make sure you keep tasting the noodles so that the second they are ready, they come out of the water.”
* * *
There was a statement relayed that the House justice committee is inclined to view the impeachment complaint against Comelec Chairman Andy Bautista as “dismissable”. Rejecting the complaint will give Mr. Bautista a breathing space of another year before any similar complaint is allowed. What is going on, Mr. Rey Umali? Is the “small lady” bothering you again?
Good work, good deeds and good faith to all.
http://www.manilatimes.net/free-world-expensive/351824/
* * *
Chief presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza relayed the successful rescue of Fr. Teresito Soganub to the media. One soldier died and several were wounded. Expect CBCP to thank CHR’s Chito Gascon for a job well done.
* * *
UN is running out of sanctions. Nokor not running out of missiles. Nokor’s neighbors are running scared. War of bullies.
* * *
Drug trade is not governed by law of supply and demand. It does not follow that if the demand is nil, supply will cease. With billions of money involved, drug lords will always create the demand no matter what. Easy prey are the youth as users and the poor or unemployed will always be attracted to quick bucks. Equally vulnerable are corrupt cops who need extra money to maintain their extravagant lifestyle supported by fat wallets. Once these people are hooked, they will always work to increase the demand to keep their benefactors alive and well to sustain their normal compensation and addiction.
* * *
An appeal to the following:
Mayors of Sta. Maria and Bocaue, Bulacan, NLEX management, governor of Bulacan, congressman of the 4th district—we badly need another toll entrance/exit to supplement our present Bocaue-Sta. Maria exchange. Entering NLEX takes 30 minutes to one hour.
* * *
Bad driving habits of tricycles, pedicabs and motorcycles:
– overtaking on the right side even on corners when a car is about to make a right turn.
– occupying more than their allotted space as if they’re driving a dump truck.
– they never look at their side mirrors.
– they use their foot to signify a left turn.
– they make “balagbag” too, worse than buses.
– they rarely use their brakes and expect cars to slow down and give way.
– they never care for potholes while passengers accumulate headbumps.
– they usually overload and overcharge when there’s just one passenger.
– they drive as if their time is more important than everyone else’s.
– on national roads, they arrogantly occupy car lanes even if there are service lanes.
* * *
Toys ‘R’ Us files for US bankruptcy protection as online competition bites. We in Southeast Asia should assume the trademark everytime the POTUS and Kim Jon-un are both in a playful mood.
* * *
The UP Beta Sigma Fraternity condemns hazing and violence in the campus. We recruit members who will be icons of productivity and academic excellence. We are currently the trailblazers in the field of environmental protection and health assistance.
* * *
Government work and classes in public and private schools are suspended after President Duterte declared Thursday, September 21, a “National Day of Protest”. With the suspension of classes, movie theaters are not protesting.
* * *
News: Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has been directed by her colleagues in the Supreme Court to respond to a lawyer’s plea to release her psychiatric and psychological evaluation results. Sereno was given five days to comment on the request of lawyer Lorenzo Gadon, who has filed an impeachment complaint against her before the House of Representatives.
– Do not be mistaken. No, she is not filing an annulment of her marriage to the high tribunal by reason of psychological incapacity.
* * *
Entire Caloocan police force sacked – NCRPO. Police Director Oscar Albayalde is right. BandAid is not the cure to a recurring illness.
* * *
After a decade, construction of MRT-LRT Common Station to begin in September.
* * *
Sen. Richard Gordon is right in slamming the delay in the destruction of the almost 900 kilograms of illegal drugs seized in San Juan last December. He was shocked to know that the judiciary is sitting on the case.
I cannot blame him for his outrage. While his committee was constantly pounding on law enforcement agencies in fast-tracking investigations and speedy filing of cases, the judicial body assigned is strolling in the park without any sense of urgency. One can almost smell that “justice delayed is justice for sale”.
“PDEA files drug raps vs Faeldon, 11 BOC execs over smuggled shabu.”
“Expel Lacson, Faeldon asks Senate.”
Democracy is overworked. Taxpayers’ fatigue is an expected result.
Lawmakers should not seek “special treatment,” says Palace. It’s unfair. They should treat “special members” with kindness as they need medical help.
* * *
I have been a ramen lover all my life. I have to share what I googled in case you want to try preparing one.
“5 Expert Tips for Making the Perfect Bowl of Ramen
1. It’s all about the noodles and broth. Focus on getting your broth full of flavor and richness, and take your time doing it. If you’re not making noodles from scratch, source the best possible ones you can find and buy them fresh.
2. Flavor and body in the broth come from lots of ingredients.
3. Never season your broth.
4. Never salt the ramen noodle cooking water.
5. Cook the noodles properly. Undercooked noodles will be floury and tough, but overcooked noodles will be soggy and pasty. Cook your noodles at the last second when everything else is ready, keep a watchful eye on the time, and make sure you keep tasting the noodles so that the second they are ready, they come out of the water.”
* * *
There was a statement relayed that the House justice committee is inclined to view the impeachment complaint against Comelec Chairman Andy Bautista as “dismissable”. Rejecting the complaint will give Mr. Bautista a breathing space of another year before any similar complaint is allowed. What is going on, Mr. Rey Umali? Is the “small lady” bothering you again?
Good work, good deeds and good faith to all.
http://www.manilatimes.net/free-world-expensive/351824/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)