Robredo camp briefed on vote recount process

By Raymund Antonio

The lawyers of Vice President Ma. Leonor ‘Leni’ Robredo on Monday got a glimpse of the venue where the ballot revision and recount process will be conducted in relation to the electoral protest filed by former Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.

Representatives from the Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, toured Robredo’s lawyers Romulo Macalintal and Beng Sardillo at the gymnasium in preparation for the recount of ballots that will happen in February next year.

The son and namesake of the late former president Ferdinand E. Marcos is contesting the votes in 132,446 established precincts.

He lost the vice presidential race to Robredo in 2016 by 263,473 votes.

The SC gymnasium will be used for the revision proceedings for the ballots from Camarines Sur, Iloilo, and Negros Oriental.

These are the provinces that Marcos cited for the initial ballot recount.

 “The reason we are here now is for us to see the venue and to know what are the other rules and regulations that will be implemented by PET,” Macalintal told reporters in Filipino before the tour.

The camp of Robredo has been looking forward to the revision and recount of votes to finally settle the electoral protest she is facing.

The Vice President wants a speedy resolution of the case since it will resolve doubts on her mandate.

Plan for new Senate building in BGC approved

By Mario B. Casayuran

The proposed new Senate building to be built at the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) will look like the traditional “bahay kubo’’ but it will be iconic and world-class.

The design will be done by a winner in an international competition to be spearheaded by the Senate Accounts Committee chaired by Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson.

This came after the Senate, by a majority vote, approved a resolution directing Lacson’s committee to conduct a feasibility study on the construction of a new Senate building and relocation of the Senate.

“The new edifice will incorporate Philippine identity,” he said.

In his speech, Lacson said the US Congress, the Palace of Westminster, the Hungarian Parliament Building and the Reichstag Building in Berlin are known globally not only for their architectural design but also for representing the dignity of the parliaments they house, “something which all of us in this august chamber will surely agree, is also fitting for the Senate of the Republic of the Philippines.”

The vote during a recent regular session was for the Senate to be transferred to a two-hectare lot at the BGC at a cost of R1.8 billion, payable in 10 years or more.

The Upper House initially rejected an offer by the Antipolo City Government of a 25-hectare lot located at the hilly area along the Marikina-Infanta Road in Barangays San Jose and Inarawan. It was for free.

Since the Senate leased six floors of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) complex at its southwestern portion, it has already paid R2.24 billion from May 1, 1996 to Dec. 31, 2017 for rental fee.

“The cost of our lease payments have probably become enough to construct an iconic, permanent Senate building,” Lacson explained.

In implementing the transfer plan, Lacson said his committee would follow the pattern used by the Supreme Court which awarded the contract after an international bidding.

“Such structures, needless to say, live up to the words of Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei when he stated that buildings are the true ‘reflection of society’ – that you have to cast your eyes on those structures in order to feel the presence of the past and the spirit of the place,” he said.

Based on the proposed timeline, construction of the new Senate building should start in the third quarter of 2018 and be finished by the third quarter of 2020.

Lacson said expanded land routes to the new Senate site are already being undertaken by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Lacson, Drilon push national ID system

SEN. Panfilo Lacson on Monday proposed the consolidation of all biometrics data already gathered by some government agencies to cut the costs in implementing the proposed national identification system.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said the government has to “start all over again” in terms of gathering biometrics. It has committed to undertake the initial phase with a P2 billion budget for 2018. This will be used for biometrics, verification and issuance of the ID.

The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs headed by Lacson conducted a public hearing on 11 pending measures calling for the establishment of a national ID system.

Lacson said the Social Security System, Commission on Elections, Land Transportation Office, and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) already spent public funds to “capture the biometrics of so many millions of Filipinos.”

“Baka p’wede i-consolidate, integrate, para makamenos sa gastos (Why not consolidate, integrate them to save funds?)” Lacson said in an interview.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon agreed with Lacson.

He said the existing system of various agencies such as the SSS, GSIS, Comelec, Department of Foreign Affairs, and Philhealth, among others, can be used and integrated. In total, these agencies have covered about 93 percent of the population.

Drilon said the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) should take the lead in interoperatibility and interconnectivity systems.

For the initial phase, those 18 years old and above should be covered, which account to about 62.6 million Filipinos.

The senator allayed fears that the ID system would compromise the citizens’ rights to privacy, saying the bill’s main objective is to enhance the delivery of basic services in the country.

“We want to debunk for the record the claim that the bill may affect data privacy as the pertinent provisions of the Data Privacy Act will still apply,” Drilon said during the public hearing.

He explained that the measure should not be viewed as a threat to security as the bill’s main objective is “to ease transactions with government agencies.

“There will be proper safeguards so as not to interfere with the individual’s right to privacy. It will also be ensured that unscrupulous persons will not have access to confidential information,” Drilon said.

The PSA, through Undersecretary Lisa Grace Bersales, also dispelled fears of a possible breach in privacy.

Drilon said the data that are being proposed to be included in the national ID system would not be different from the information that are currently present in all government-issued IDs.

Filipinos will be given a Common Reference Number (CRN) containing essential information such as full name, address, date and place of birth, sex, civil status, signature, CRN and date of card issuance, along with a recent photo.

The CRN/ID can be used by a citizen when he or she transacts business in government agencies.

Senate to pass national ID system bill by early 2018

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon allays fears that the national ID system would compromise citizens' right to privacy

The Senate is eyeing the passage of the bill seeking to create a national identification system for Filipinos by early 2018.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the subcommittee on the national ID system, said the proposed scheme would enhance the delivery of basic services to the public, as well as prevent crimes and expedite transactions in the private sector.

Lacson said the Philippines could be considered "primitive" for being one of the few countries that do not have national ID cards.

"I will make it a commitment to pass it at least sa (in the) first quarter," Lacson told reporters after the hearing on Monday, December 4.

"[The] budget, I think the President now – the current administration is in full support, unlike in previous administrations na talagang bogged down lagi (when talks always bogged down)," he said, adding that the measure had not even reached committee hearings in the past.

To prepare for the rollout, the government has allotted P2 billion to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) for 2018.

Back in September, the House of Representatives approved a similar national ID system bill on 3rd and final reading. The House version requires all Filipinos 21 years old and above, living here or abroad, to register personal data for their national IDs.

Under Lacson's proposal, however, such identification would not be mandatory.

The senator said it would take more than 5 years for the Philippines to roll out the national ID system because it does not have the required technology yet.

"Depende sa technology available, kasi minsan mapapadali kasi may mga agencies na nasa system na nila. It's just a matter of integrating them into one system called the national ID system. Right now, the PSA, 'yan ang agency in charge. But it takes a lot, kasi wala masyadong technical or IT capability ang PSA," he explained.

(It depends on the available technology because sometimes, it's expedited because there are agencies which already have the data in their system. It's just a matter of integrating them into one system called the national ID system. Right now, the PSA is the agency in charge. But it takes a lot because the PSA does not have the technical or IT capability yet.)

Privacy issues

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, who also backs the measure, addressed fears that it would violate the people's right to privacy.

Drilon said the data to be included in the national ID system would not be different from the sets of information that are already present in government-issued IDs.

"We want to debunk, for the record, the claim that the bill may affect data privacy, as the pertinent provisions of the Data Privacy Act will still apply," the senator said.

"There will be proper safeguards so as not to interfere with the individual's right to privacy. It will also be ensured that unscrupulous persons will not have access to confidential information," he added.

The PSA, through Undersecretary Lisa Grace Bersales, also dispelled fears of a possible breach of privacy. She said the agency has not had any breach in its data record.

Responding to a question from Lacson, Bersales said the issue is "a misplaced concern."

Drilon explained that a Common Reference Number (CRN) will be given to all Filipinos. The national ID will contain the CRN, along with essential information such as the person's full name, address, date and place of birth, sex, civil status, signature, and date of card issuance, along with a recent photo.

Drilon emphasized that a citizen would be able to use the national ID in transactions with all branches of government, making it more convenient for Filipinos to avail of public services.

The senator expressed confidence that the measure would be signed into law and implemented in 2018.

Both chambers of Congress have identified the bill as a priority measure of the 17th Congress.

Robredo camp confident recount will affirm victory over Marcos

Vice President Leni Robredo’s camp has expressed confidence that the results of the ballot recount sought by defeated vice presidential candidate former Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will come out in favor of Robredo.

“We are very confident that the results of the ballot recount from the three pilot provinces of Camarines Sur, Iloilo and Negros Oriental which were personally chosen by Marcos as the ‘best provinces’ where he could prove the irregularities alleged in his protest, will confirm and affirm the victory of Robredo as the duly elected Vice President in the 2016 elections,” lawyer Romulo Macalintal said in a statement on Monday.

This is because, Macalintal said, since 2010, more than 500 automated election protests involving ballot recounts for local posts had been unsuccessful.

“All of them were dismissed because the results of the physical count of the ballots tallied exactly with the results of the count made by the vote counting machines (VCMs) and the consolidated canvassing system,” Macalintal said.

He explained there would be no reason the physical recount for ballots for the national position would be different “if the results in the recount of ballots for local elective officials were accurate.”

“The ballots used for the local and national elective positions were the same and they were likewise counted and tallied by the same VCMs and CCS [consolidation and canvass system],” he said.

Marcos alleged that Robredo won the vice presidency due to electoral frauds, anomalies and irregularities. He also accused the Liberal Party (LP) of electronic cheating.

Robredo won the vice presidential seat with 14,418,817 votes, more than 200,000 votes against the 14,155,344 votes secured by Marcos. /atm


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Senate eyes nat’l ID system bill approval by early 2018

The Senate is targeting the approval of the proposed national identification system by the first quarter of 2018, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Monday.

Lacson, one of the authors of the proposal and chairman of the Senate subcommittee on the national identification system, said the Philippines might as well be considered “primitive” for being one of the few countries that do not have national ID cards.

“I will make it a commitment to pass it at least sa first quarter,” Lacson said in an interview.

“Ang budget, I think the President now – the current administration is in full support, unlike in previous administrations na talagang bogged down lagi,” he said.

Apart from enchancing the delivery of basic services, Lacson explained that the national ID system can also be used to prevent crime, as well as for transactions with private institutions like banks.

Under his proposal, national IDs will not be mandatory. The House approved version however mandates all Filipinos residing in the Philippines or abroad, upon reaching 18 years of age, to register their personal data under the Filipino Identification System (FilSys).

Fully implementing a national ID system however will most likely take more than five years, Lacson said, as the Philippines does not have the needed technology yet.

“Depende sa technology available kasi minsan mapapadali kasi may mga agencies na nasa system na nila. It’s just a matter of integrating them into 1 system called the National ID system. Right now, the PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority), 'yan ang agency in charge. But it takes a lot, kasi wala masyadong technical or IT capability ang PSA,” he said.

Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, also an author, meanwhile allayed fears that the proposal would compromise the citizens’ rights to privacy.

“There will be proper safeguards so as not to interfere with the individual’s right to privacy. It will also be ensured that unscrupulous persons will not have access to confidential information,” Drilon said.

Drilon said the data that are being proposed to be included in the national ID system would not be different from the information that are currently present in all government-issued IDs.

Drilon explained that a Common Reference Number (CRN) will be given to all Filipinos containing essential information such as full name, address, date and place of birth, sex, civil status, signature, CRN and date of card issuance, along with a recent photo.

He emphasized that the CRN/ID can be used by a citizen in transactions with all branches of the government, thereby making it more convenient for Filipinos to avail of government services.

“The Philippine Statistics Authority has committed to undertake the initial phase with a P2 billion budget for 2018. This will be used for biometrics, verification and issuance of the ID,” Drilon said. —KBK, GMA News

1st phase of Manila-Clark rail project to start January ’18

The Department of Transportation said it would soon start the first phase of a massive train line linking Manila to Clark in Pampanga City where the Clark International Airport is located.

The first phase of the project is the 38-kilometer line from Tutuban in Manila to Malolos in Bulacan. This is set to begin by no later than Jan. 6, 2018, the DOTr said.

The project is part of the 106-km Manila to New Clark City train line, which will cost more than P300 billion and will be funded by a loan from the Japanese government.

The Tutuban-Malolos segment will be completed by 2021 while the Malolos to Clark section will be done by 2022, the DOTr said.

“The DOTr will continue ensuring successful, competitive and corruption-free bidding processes as we deliver on the Duterte administration’s Build Build Build program,” DOTr assistant secretary for railways John Batan said in a statement.

The department said it signed an agreement Friday with NSTren Consortium as project construction supervision consultant.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the project was long overdue.

Also known as the North-South Commuter Railway Project (NSCR), the Tutuban-Malolos segment was approved by the board of the National Economic and Development Authority in early 2015.

The Philippines and the Japan International Cooperation Agency signed an almost $2-billion loan agreement for the Tutuban to Malolos stretch that same year.

According to the DOTr, the NSTren consultancy was originally programmed to be procured over a period of one and a half years, or from October 2015 to March 2017.

“With the joint efforts of DOTr, Philippine National Railways and Department of Budget and Management-Procurement Service (DBM-PS), a successful and transparent bidding was completed in four months, with a final contract price that is 20-percent lower as budgeted in the loan agreement,” the DOTr said.

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Zamora to tap China firms for $1.5-B LRT 4 proposal

Businessman Salvador B. Zamora II is in talks with Chinese groups for a plan to build and operate the $1.5-billion Light Rail Transit Line 4 (LRT 4) in Metro Manila.

In a recent interview, Zamora said he was open to multiple partners, and that there were ongoing discussions with a Chinese company for the engineering procurement for and construction of the proposed 20-kilometer project.


With the railway line, Zamora hopes to link densely populated areas in Taytay, Rizal, and the Ortigas Business District.

He said the group was prepared to submit an unsolicited offer to the Department of Transportation in early 2018. Also being evaluated was a path toward getting a Congressional franchise.

“It has [to be submitted] pretty soon,” Zamora said.

The LRT 4 marks Zamora’s latest foray into the railway sector after he sold all of his interests in the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 to San Miguel Corp. last year.

Under an unsolicited proposal, a proponent would need to undergo a Swiss challenge. This gives rival bidders the opportunity to submit better offers. The original proponent, under the rules, holds the right to match those offers and win the project.

The LRT 4 project used to be part of the Public Private Partnership program under the Aquino administration.

It was approved by the board of the National Economic and Development Authority in 2015. That approval was good for only six months and it lapsed in early 2016.

Based on a project brief dated November 2015, the LRT 4 hoped to address limited transportation options for residents in Taytay and nearby areas.

“Ortigas Avenue is highly congested; with over 4,000 public transport passengers every hour and travel speeds during peak hour of around 12 kilometers/hour—much lower than the average for Metro Manila,” according to the brief prepared by the then Department of Transportation and Communications.

The department said most districts had more than 100,000, with some areas topping 200,000. The Taytay area was also growing at least 3 percent yearly.


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Mitsubishi set to deliver 120 new LRT vehicles until 2021

The Department of Transportation said it signed a deal with Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp. for the procurement of 120 new light rail vehicles for Light Rail Transit Line 1 extension from Baclaran to Bacoor in Cavite.

Transportation Assistant Secretary for railways Timothy John Batan said the final contract price for the procurement of new trains was not only within budget, but was also about 20 percent lower than the offer of the next-ranked bidder.

The agency did not provide the actual bid of Mitsubishi, but data showed the budget for the acquisition of new trains was about P30 billion.

The 120 LRVs are designed with four-LRV configuration. Each train set would have a minimum of 1,388 passengers, sitting and standing. They are expected to be energy efficient and have low maintenance cost.

The first four LRVs are expected to be delivered on Aug. 31, 2020 while the next delivery of 40 LRVs are due on Dec. 31, 2020.

Mitsubishi Corp.- Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarrile, the project sub-contractor based in Spain, is expected to complete the delivery of 120 LRVs on Dec. 31, 2021.

The LRT-1 Cavite Extension project is currently on the final design stage and pre-construction activities. Actual construction will start next year and will be completed within the term of President Duterte.

Light Rail Manila Corp.  won the bidding for the 11.7-kilometer project and took over the operation of LRT Line 1 on Sept. 12, 2015.

The LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension would serve an additional 300,000 commuters and would significantly reduce travel time from Bacoor, Cavite to Manila from about two hours to 40 minutes.

The 11.7-kilometer Cavite extension will connect into the existing system immediately south of the Baclaran station and run in a generally southerly direction to Niyog, Cavite.

It will consist of elevated guideways throughout most of the alignment, except for the guideway section at Zapote which will be located at grade.  It will consist of the satellite depot and new station.

The new stations will be named Aseana, MIA, Asia World, Ninoy Aquino and Dr. Santos Stations in Paranque City, Las Pinas and Zapote Stations in Las Pinas City and Niog Station in Bacoor, Cavite.

http://thestandard.com.ph/business/biz-plus/253168/mitsubishi-set-to-deliver-120-new-lrt-vehicles-until-2021.html

GMA Network tallies bigger TV ratings lead in November

Media giant GMA Network, Inc. (GMA) strengthened its nationwide ratings lead based on the latest data from Nielsen Phils.TV Audience Measurement.

For the month of November (with November 19 to 30 based on overnight data), the Kapuso Network ruled over its counterparts in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM) with an average total day people audience share of 43.2 percent, leading ABS-CBN’s 38.2 percent.

GMA also posted winning numbers across all day parts in NUTAM. The Network recorded 38.8 percent people audience share in the morning block versus ABS-CBN’s 35.9 percent.

GMA’s afternoon line-up consistently dominated the 12 noon to 6 p.m. block with 47 percent; way ahead of ABS-CBN’s 36.2 percent.

The Kapuso Network’s strong showing continued in the evening block with 42.1 percent versus competition’s 40.8 percent.

Likewise, GMA toppled its rival network in all time blocks in both Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, which respectively account for 76 and 59 percent of all urban viewers in the country.

In Urban Luzon, the Network registered a total day people audience share of 48.8 percent; besting ABS-CBN’s 32.6 percent.

Similarly, in Mega Manila (based on November 1 to 18 data), the Kapuso Network continued its dominance with 51.1 percent total day people audience share as against competition’s 28.5 percent.

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

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

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

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

Further, GMA’s flagship AM radio station Super Radyo DZBB was also hailed as the listeners’ number one choice in Mega Manila proving GMA’s dominance both in TV and radio. Based on the latest data from Nielsen Radio Audience Measurement, DZBB garnered a total day average audience share of 32.3 percent in October, which toppled DZMM’s 27.5 percent and DWWW’s 12.6 percent.

In 2016, Nielsen TV Audience Measurement increased its client pool to a total of 36 clients/subscribers consisting of 12 local TV networks including TV5, Aksyon TV, CNN Philippines, Net 25, Solar Entertainment Corporation, Viva Communications Inc., among others; 5 regional clients; 2 blocktimers and 17 media agencies. 

Villar: TPLEX-Pozorrubio section to open December 6

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar announced the opening of the 10.10 km segment of Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Toll Expressway (TPLEX) spanning from Binalonan to Pozorrubio, Pangasinan this December 6.

Villar said works for the 10.10 kilometer segment is almost complete and Private Infra Dev Corp. (PIDC), the concessionaire of the project, has already committed to finish the segment in time to provide ease to motorists during the Christmas season.

“The additional 10 kilometer road would ease traffic and significantly reduce travel time from Tarlac to Pozorrubio from 2 hours and 30 minutes to just 45 minutes,” Villar noted.

The completion of the new segment will make TPLEX a 78.39-kilometer expressway, connecting provinces of Tarlac and Pangasinan.

Secretary Villar said its last section – the 10.92 kilometer Pozorrubio, Pangasinan to Rosario, La Union segment is set for completion in June 2019.

“Upon full completion, TPLEX would reduce travel time from Tarlac to Rosario, La Union from 3.5 Hours to just an hour, benefitting an average of 20,000 vehicles per day,” he noted.

MANILA TO BULACAN PNR-Clark phase 1 deal signed

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Friday signed a contract with a consulting group for the construction, supervision and bidding assistance of Phase 1 of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark project linking Tutuban in Divisoria, Manila, to the City of Malolos in Bulacan province.

Tugade said construction will begin before the end of December at the earliest and Jan. 6 at the latest.

Tugade and Yuji Asano, general manager of the Manila office of Oriental Consultants Global Ltd., signed the contract at the Department of Transportation (DOTr) office in Clark Freeport.

The DOTr took a loan on Nov. 27 from the Japan International Cooperation Agency to finance the north-south commuter railway project’s Tutuban-Malolos component.
According to the consulting deal, the project cost will not exceed $52,175,124 (P2,023,739,834).

The PNR Clark project takes the place of the defunct Northrail project, which was scuttled after the government and its Chinese contractor agreed to an out-of-court settlement, ending years of arbitration proceedings, according to the DOTr.  —TONETTE OREJAS

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Uy group to undertake P62-B reclamation project

THE dealmaking rush continues for Davao-based businessman Dennis A. Uy after his consortium was awarded a P62-billion reclamation project in Pasay City.

Udenna Development Corp. (UDEVCO), Ulticon Builders, Inc. and China Harbour Engineering Company Limited submitted an unsolicited proposal to reclaim and develop 265 hectares of foreshore and offshore areas of Manila Bay located at the western part of Pasay City, Lawrence G. Velasco, project development director of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center, said in the second Philippine Construction Congress on Tuesday.

Sought for comment, Pasay City Chief Legal Officer Severo C. Madrona, Jr. said in an e-mail on Wednesday the city government and the consortium signed on Nov. 8 the contractual joint venture agreement, which was ratified by the Sangguniang Panlungsod on Nov. 10.

Both parties sealed the deal after the Pasay City Public Private Partnership Selection Committee received no counter-offer to challenge the unsolicited proposal of Pasay Harbor City Consortium, which was submitted on March 6, Mr. Madrona added.

The Pasay City government published an invitation for competing proposals last September.

Before the consortium could proceed with the project, it would have to go through several government agencies for evaluation, including the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) upon recommendation of the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA).

Mr. Madrona said the new reclamation project is situated in a different area from that of the 300-hectare reclamation project of the SM Group, which sealed an agreement with the city government in 2013 but has yet to clear all regulatory hurdles.

Based on the terms of the agreement, the Pasay Harbor City Consortium will shoulder the entire cost of the project, which will be completed within four years from issuance of the notice to proceed.

As part of its proposal, the consortium will allocate at least 135.15 hectares or 51% of the area to be reclaimed, including roads and open spaces, for the Pasay City government or PRA.

“Reclamation deals in the Bay area are attractive for companies because it commands a certain premium in terms of unobstructed view of the Manila Bay,” Claro dG. Cordero, Jr., head of Jones Lang LaSalle’s research, consulting and valuation advisory services, said in a mobile phone message.

“The relatively low density of developments in reclaimed areas is also an added feature that certain businesses/companies are looking for,” Mr. Cordero said.

The Bay Area has seen increased activity with the opening of several multibillion integrated resort and casino projects at the Entertainment City, a gaming hub organized by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to rival Macau and Las Vegas.

UDEVCO, which is developing its own $300-million integrated resort and casino in Cebu, is owned by Mr. Uy, while Davao-based Ulticon Builders is owned by Carlos “Charlie” S. Gonzalez.

A known friend of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, Mr. Uy has been on an aggressive acquisition binge to expand his business beyond Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc.

This year alone, Mr. Uy secured a license to develop the first integrated resort and casino outside Manila, acquired Bonifacio Global City-based school Enderun Colleges, purchased the company developing a 177-hectare logistics hub in Clark and took over the local operator of FamilyMart convenience stores.

His logistics company Chelsea Logistics Holding Corp. made its debut on the stock exchange last June, using the proceeds of the offer to expand his fleet and further acquire more shipping companies.

http://bworldonline.com/uy-group-undertake-p62-b-reclamation-project/

DOTr signs contracts for PNR, LRT-1 extension projects

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) and consultants of the NSTRen Consortium signed on Friday a contract for construction of the Philippine National Railway Clark Phase 1, connecting Tutuban and Malolos.

Prior to the contract signing, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) representative Tetsuya Yamada said the PNR Clark Phase 1 or the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project, which it will finance, will be a “game changer” for public transportation.

The project is expected to break ground either by yearend or by January.

Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd., Katahira & Engineers International, Tonichi Engineering Consultants, Inc., Pacific Consultants Co., Ltd., Nippon Koei Co., Ltd. serve as the main consultants, while DCCD Engineering Corp., Engineering and Development Corporation of the Philippines, J.F. Cancio & Associates, Schema Konsult, Inc., SMEC Philippines, Inc. and TCGI Engineers are the sub-consultants for the project.

According to the contract signed by DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade and Oriental Consultants Global Co., Ltd. Manila office general manager Yuji Asano, the payment for these consultants shall not exceed $52,175,124.00.

DOTr also signed a procurement contract with Mitsubishi Corp. on the same day for an additional 120 Light Rail Vehicles with a minimum capacity of 1,388 passengers, to extend the Light Rail Transit Line 1 to Cavite. This will add 12 more kilometers to LRT-1, which has undergone a lengthy bidding process since October 2016.

“The final contract price is not only within budget, but is also approximately 20% lower than the bid price of the next-ranked bidder,” DOTr assistant secretary Timothy John R. Batan said in a statement.

The Cavite extension project will finally start construction next year and is expected to be completed by 2022.

Four coaches are expected to reach the Philippines by Aug. 31, 2020, while the next 40 LRVs are scheduled to arrive in December that same year. Spanish firm Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarrile, which serves as the project’s sub-contractor, will complete the delivery by Dec. 31, 2021. — A.G.A. Mogato

‘Kambal, Karibal’ another riveting tale of family, love

GMA Network premiered last Nov. 27 its newest primetime drama series “Kambal, Karibal” about family and love that crosses over into the supernatural realm.

Crisanta and Criselda are twins. Unfortunately, Criselda dies from a rare disease and remains a spirit that only appears to Crisanta. However, their close bond falls apart when they both fall in love with the same guy, Diego.

Headlining this series are Miguel Tanfelix and Bianca Umali both excited and ready to take on more mature roles.

Also in the cast are Jean Garcia, Marvin Agustin, Alfred Vargas, returning Kapuso Carmina Villarroel; Gloria Romero, Christopher de Leon, Jeric Gonzales, Pauline Mendoza, Rafa Siguion Reyna, Sheree, Racquel Montessa, and introducing Kyline Alcantara with the special participation of Katrina Halili and Gardo Versoza.

“Kambal, Karibal” airs weeknights after “Super Ma’am” on GMA Telebabad.

• • •

Bayanihan marks 60th anniversary

The Bayanihan Philippine Dance Co. marked recently its 60th anniversary with a week-long celebration culminating with a grand ball. Alumni came home from all parts of the world just to attend the unforgettable event.

Among them were Ruby Benitez, Bayanihan Alumni Association president, Maribel Dario, Sylvia Olimpo, Tony Boy de la Rea, Dan Carrasco, Lina Winebrenner, Paquto and Peeney Abacan, Bobby and Polly Herrera, Angie Toral, and several others. Former Miss RP Joy Conde also attended the event.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Dec. 2, go to Vivian Velez, Nora Daza, Dolor Guevarra, Mila Magsino, Shirley Bantayan, Mark Parlade, Rogelio Belen, Frederick Bonoan, Edmar Estabillo of DZRH, Davao del Sur Governor Douglas RA Cagas, Bernie Belen and Lyn Ching Pascual of ‘Unang Hirit’… Dec. 3: F. Sionil Jose, Ronnie Ricketts, Perla Ocampo, Jodie Lacsa, Carmen Gabriel, Antonio Seva, Mita Montinola, Rep. Albertito Lopez, Rep. Raul Gonzales, Jr., Amb. Filemon Cuevas, and Jessy Mendiola … Dec. 4: Ramir Arce Romero, Oskar Peralta, Rep. Venice Agana, Ruby Amoranto, Gilda Salonga, Dinggay Espiritu, Bobby Ongkiko, Sharon Almonte, Rosario Ng, Rep. Ronnie Zamora, Jennifer de Silva, Yeng Constantino, and  my son Walden Sadiri M. Belen… World Premier Prebio will present this year’s search for Empowered Men and Women to be held at the Teatrino Promenade in Greenhills tonight at 7…Jardine Cordero- Pagunsan of California, U.S.A. and Kar Rorlin Advincula of Pasay City a Belated Happy Birthday (Nov. 30)

DoTr signs deal for Clark Phase 1 train project

The Department of Transportation (DoTr) signed a contract on Friday for bid supervision and consultancy services in connection with the 38-kilometer (km.) Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark Phase 1 Project that will first connect Tutuban to Malolos, Bulacan.

The portion covered by the deal with NSTren Consortium would form part of the 106-km. PNR Clark Project connecting Tutuban Center in Manila to Clark, Pampanga.

The Tutuban-Clark line is expected to carry 350,000 passengers daily once it starts operations in 2021.

Also known as the North-South Commuter Railway Project, it will cost P105 billion and will be funded by official development assistance from Japan.

“Actual start of construction of the Malolos-Clark Railway is before the end of December 2017, at the earliest, and at the latest, January 6, 2018,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

The DOTr has also signed a contract with Mitsubishi-CAF for the supply of 120 light rail vehicles (LRVs) for the Light Rail Transit-1 Cavite Extension Project.

The 120 LRVs worth P30 billion will be configured in 30 four-car train sets to allow the rail line to accommodate up to 750,000 passengers daily.

Construction of Manila-Clark Railway to Start Soon

The Philippine National Railways (PNR) is finally being revived with the impending construction of the Manila – Clark Railway.

The contract for the construction supervision and tender assistance consultant for PNR Clark Phase 1 (Tutuban-Malolos) has been signed in a ceremony at the DOTr Central Office in Clark, Pampanga. This paves the way for the start of construction of the 38-km. Tutuban-Malolos segment of the 106-km system that will connect Manila with New Clark City.

NSTren Consortium, the project’s construction supervision consultant, will supervise the construction which will start in December-January.

The NSTren consultancy was originally programmed to be procured over a period of 1.5 years, from October 2015 to March 2017. With the joint efforts of DOTr, PNR, and Department of Budget and Management – Procurement Service (DBM-PS), a successful and transparent bidding was completed in four months, with a final contract price that is 20% lower as budgeted in the loan agreement.

“The DOTr will continue ensuring successful, competitive, and corruption-free bidding processes, as we deliver on the Duterte Administration’s Build Build Build program,” said Assistant Secretary for Railways TJ Batan.

DoTr seals deal for new trains for LRT-1

The Department of Transportation inked a contract with Mitsubishi Corp. Friday for the acquisition of 120 new rolling stocks for the Light Rail Transit-Line 1, the oldest of three light rail lines in Metro Manila.

Mitsubishi will supply train cars to LRT-1 from 2020 to 2022. Four rolling stocks are expected to be delivered by August 2020.

The 120 light rail vehicles will be used for the LRT-1 South Extension project, which will extend the existing line from Baclaran in Parañaque City to Bacoor in Cavite and increase the system’s capacity from 500,000 to 800,000 passengers per day.

Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade said the government has finally brought life to the much delayed project.

“No way I will delay this activity any further. No way I will procrastinate. No way I will spend much talks and discussion. It is high time that we put this project into high motion,” Tugade said during the contract signing.

The acquisition of new rolling stocks is part of the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s ¥43.252-billion official development assistance loan for “Capacity Enhancement of Mass Transit Systems in Metro Manila Project,” which aims to support quality transport infrastructure in the country.

JICA Senior Representative Tetsuya Yamada said the project will help decongest the traffic-choked streets of Metro Manila.

At present, the LRT-1 has 20 stations from Roosevelt Station in Quezon City to Baclaran Station in Parañaque City.

Based on government data, LRT-1 carries an average of 500,000 commuters daily.

The government first conducted the bidding for the supply of 120 new light rail vehicles for the LRT-1 in March last year but it was declared a failure as no offer was given by Japanese firms.

Former Transport Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya attributed the lack of bids from Japanese firms to the surge in demand of rolling stocks in Japan as Tokyo prepares to host the 2020 Olympics.

The second bidding was conducted for the procurement of LRT-1’s trains earlier this year.         

DOTr also signed a contract with NSTren Consortium for the construction of the Philippine National Railway Clark Phase 1 from Tutuban in Manila to Malolos in Bulacan province.

Tugade said the actual construction of the Tutuban-Malolos project will start by December 2017 or January 2018.

Manila’s other train system—MRT-3—has been heavily criticized for technical glitches which inconvenience the riding public daily.

Palace not looking for scapegoats in MRT-3 mess

Roque says previous administration 'destroyed' MRT

Malacañang lamented the remarks made by Vice President Leni Robredo about the Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) where she cast doubt on the reason why the Department of Transportation (DOTr) filed plunder charges against former Cabinet members of the Aquino administration.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the Duterte administration is doing its best to address the problem which its predecessor created.

The Vice President was earlier reported to have said that the DOTr should file charges against former government officials based only on evidence and not just to look for a scapegoat.

“Dapat kung mag-file ng kaso, ito ay base sa ebidensya na mayroon talagang pagkakasala na ginawa (When they file a case, they should base it on evidence that there was really a misdeed).

“Hindi siya ginagawang dahilan para lang maghanap ng scapegoat para sa mga bagay na hindi nagagawa (I hope they are not using that just to look for an excuse for failure to address the issue),” Robredo said.

“We find the Vice President’s remarks unfortunate. With all due respect to Vice President Robredo, the MRT-3 issue is not about covering up shortcomings,” Roque countered in a statement Friday.

Roque said the administration has been dealing with the problem and that the President even apologized for the inconvenience the MRT mess has caused the riding public.

“The Administration has faced the MRT-3 mess squarely. The President has even apologized over a recent train mishap.  Transport officials admitted that while they cannot solve the problems overnight, they are working double time to restore the convenience and reliability of the MRT-3 by getting a proven maintenance firm and buying needed parts,” the Palace official said.

Roque also hit the previous administration for ‘destroying’ the MRT.

“We cannot deny the fact that these are cumulative problems that the Administration inherited, and the long-suffering commuters of Metro Manila have known for years how the past government destroyed the MRT,” he said.

Roque added that the filing of charges for plunder against officials of the previous administration was done to hold them accountable.

“These officials facilitated the negotiated procurement of long-term maintenance contracts to BURI (Busan Universal Rain Inc.), which as per the Supplemental Complaint Affidavit filed by the DOTr, ‘turned the DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications) into a bottomless cash cow entering into one anomalous procurement project,'” he said.

“We cannot simply sweep the sins of incompetence and corruption under the rug with the harsh reality of half a million MRT-3 passengers suffering daily staring us in the face,” he added.

Last month, the DOTr filed plunder complaints against nine top Cabinet members of former President Benigno Aquino III over the alleged anomalous contract for the maintenance of the MRT.

Among the respondents were former DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and former Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, who served as DOTC chief before Abaya.

Former Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad, former Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, former Energy secretary Jericho Petilla, former Science and Technology chief Mario Montejo, former Defense secretary Voltaire Gazmin, former Public Works and Highways secretary Rogelio Singson, and former National Development and Economic Administration secretary Arsenio Balicasan were also charged.

Prior to this, the DOTr has filed on October 2017, a separate graft complaint against three former officials, along with other BURI officials.

Last week, Roque rode the MRT himself and found the experience “not that bad.”

UNTV: First phase of a new terminal at Clark Int’l Airport to begin next month

PAMPANGA, Philippines — Airport officials believe there is a need to construct new airport terminals in Clark, Pampanga due to the increasing number of passengers at the Clark International Airport.

According to the figures of the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), the said airport has 1.4 million passengers this year, bigger than last year, which was at 1.3 million passengers.

Due to the increase, officials of CIAC believe there is a need to build another airport terminal.

“We are at the first phase. What does the first phase contain? The first phase contains a new terminal project. This means we will build a new terminal, new passenger terminal building,” CIAC CEO Mr. Alexander Cauguiran said.

“Aside from this building, we will construct as well a secondary road network that would connect the terminal to the SCTEX so that passengers will no longer have to pass through the middle of the zone. And then of course the transportation hub and the horizontal project. These five components are incorporated in the first phase,”  he added.

The said project will begin in December of this year and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2020.

“The government, President Duterte, and DOTR want the BCDA to finish it by the first quarter of 2020. From there, once the market becomes vibrant, we can see its results. It will take years before we can implement the second phase,” Cauguiran said.

The soon to be constructed terminal is expected to accommodate up to 8 million passengers.

With a second terminal, the Clark Airport can accommodate a total of more than 12 million passengers.

The construction of the new terminal is expected to cost the government P12 to P15 billion.

https://www.untvweb.com/news/first-phase-of-a-new-terminal-at-clark-intl-airport-to-begin-next-month/

MPIC expects CALAx contract inked next year

Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) unit MPCALA Holdings Inc. is looking to sign the contract for the construction of the Cavite segment of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAx) by early next year.

“We will sign possibly in January,” MPCALA Holdings president and chief executive officer Luigi Bautista said in a text message.

MPCALA Holdings signed in March the agreement with D.M. Consunji Inc. (DMCI) for the construction of the 18-km Laguna segment of the CALAx.

MPCALA Holdings’ contract with DMCI for the Laguna segment is worth P7.2 billion.

MPCALA Holdings broke ground for the Laguna segment of the CALAx in June.

MPCALA Holdings bagged the contract for the P35.43 billion CALAx under the public-private partnership program in 2015.

The CALAx is a four-lane 45-km expressway linking Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway (CAVITEX) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX).

It will start from CAVITEX in Kawit, Cavite and end at the SLEX-Mamplasan interchange in City of Biñan, Laguna.

There will be eight interchanges in locations such as Kawit, Open Canal, Governor’s Drive, Aguinaldo Highway, Silang East, Sta.Rosa-Tagaytay Road, Laguna Blvd. and Technopark.

The concession period will be for 35 years including five years for design and construction.

Bautista said CALAx is expected to be completed by the end of 2020.

Once completed, it is seen to reduce travel time from CAVITEX to SLEX by 45 minutes.

At present, MPIC operates the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and CAVITEX through tollways arm Metro Pacific Tollways Corp.

Aside from the CALAx, MPIC is working on other tollway projects such as the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road, NLEX-Harbor Link Segment 10, C-5 South Link, and Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway.

http://www.philstar.com/business/2017/12/01/1764015/mpic-expects-calax-contract-inked-next-year

DOTr, Mitsubishi Corp. Sign Contract for Procurement of Light Rail Vehicles

The contract for the acquisition of new Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) for the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) south extension project has been signed.

In a signing ceremony today, Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Mitsubishi Corp. Senior Vice President Tetsuji Nakagawa sealed the agreement for the procurement of 120 new LRVs for the line’s 12-kilometer extension from Baclaran to Bacoor, Cavite.

The contract signing was also witnessed by Ambassador of Spain Luis Calvo Castano, representatives from the Embassy of Japan, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Light Rail Manila Corporation, and ranking officials of the DOTr.

In his speech, Secretary Tugade said it is time to put meaning and reality to a project that has been delayed for so long.

“It is a beautiful day because we are putting life to a project that has been delayed for a long time. No way will I delay any further. No way will I procrastinate. It is high time to put this project in high motion,” said Secretary Tugade.

The Cavite Extension project was first approved by the NEDA-ICC in 2000 as an unsolicited proposal, and later approved by the NEDA Board in 2012 and 2013 as a combined Public Private Partnership (PPP) and Official Development Assistance (ODA) project.

The first bidding for the 120 LRVs from October 2015 to February 2016 failed, causing further delays. Upon assuming office, Secretary Tugade strongly negotiated with the Japanese government on some requirements in the ODA loan to ensure a successful and competitive second bidding.

“We are particularly proud of two things. First, the active participation of Japanese, Spanish, and Korean firms demonstrates the openness, transparency, and efficiency of the bidding process. Second, the final contract price is not only within budget, but is also approximately 20% lower than the bid price of the next-ranked bidder,” added Assistant Secretary for railways Timothy John Batan.

The 120 LRVs are designed with four-LRV configuration. Each train set would have a minimum of 1,388 passengers, sitting and standing. They are expected to be energy efficient and have low maintenance cost.

The first four LRVs are expected to be delivered on August 31, 2020 while the next delivery of 40 LRVs are due on December 31, 2020. Mitsubishi Corp.- Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarrile, the project sub-contractor based in Spain, is expected to complete the delivery of 120 LRVs on December 31, 2021.

The LRT-1 Cavite Extension project is currently on the final design stage and pre-construction activities. Actual construction will start next year and will be completed within the term of President Duterte.(DOTr) 

Memorized mo ba "Ang Pasko ay Sumapit", "Namamasko" at "Noche Buena"?

Memorize mo ba ang mga ito? 

ako kasi, kahit Disyembre namin itong kinakanta sa caroling sa bahay

Ito isa-ulo mo na:

Ang Pasko ay Sumapit

Ang Pasko ay sumapit tayo ay mangagsi-awit 
Ng magagandang himig dahil sa ang Diyos ay pag-ibig 
Nang si Kristo ay isilang may tatlong haring nagsidalaw
At ang bawat isa ay nagsipaghandog ng tanging alay

Bagong taon ay magbagong-buhay nang lumigaya ang ating bayan
Tayo’y magsikap upang makamtan natin ang kasaganaan
Tayo’y mangagsi-awit habang ang mundo’y tahimik
Ang araw ay sumapit ng Sanggol na dulot ng langit
Tayo ay magmahalan ating sundin ang gintong aral
At magbuhat ngayon kahit hindi Pasko ay magbigayan

Namamasko

Sa maybahay ang aming bati, Merry Christmas na maluwalhati,
Ang pag-ibig 'pag siya'y nag-hari, araw-araw ay magiging Paskong lagi,
Ang sanhi po ng pag-parito, hihingi po ng aginaldo,
Kung sakali kami'y perwisyo, pasensya na ngayo't kami'y namamasko,

Noche Buena

Kay sigla ng gabi ang lahat ay kay saya
Nagluto ang ate ng manok na tinola
Sa bahay ng kuya ay mayro'ng litsonan pa
Ang bawat tahanan may handang iba't iba
Tayo na giliw magsalo na tayo
Mayro'n na tayong tinapay at keso
Di ba noche buena sa gabing ito
At bukas ay araw ng Pasko

Pasko na naman

Pasko na naman, O kay tulin ng araw
Paskong nagdaan, tila ba kung kailan lang
Ngayon ay Pasko, dapat pasalamatan,
Ngayon ay Pasko tayo ay mag-awitan

Pasko! Pasko! Pasko na namang muli!
Tanging araw na ating pinakamimithi,
Pasko! Pasko! Pasko na namang muli!
Ang pag-ibig naghahari.

Mano Po Ninong, Mano Po Ninang!

Maligaya, maligayang Pasko kayo'y bigyan
Masagana, masaganang Bagong Tao'y kamtan
Ipagdiwang, ipagdiwang araw ng Maykapal
Upang manatili sa atin ang kapalaran
At mamuhay na lagi sa kapayapaan

Mano po Ninong, mano po Ninang
Narito kami ngayon humahalik sa inyong kamay
Salamat Ninong, salamat Ninang

Sa aginaldo pong inyong ibinibigay

isaulo din:

Jingle Bells

Dashing through the snow on a one-horse open sleigh,
Over the fields we go, laughing all the way;
Bells on bob-tail ring, making spirits bright,
What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight.

Chorus:
Jingle bells, jingle bells, Jingle all the way!
O what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh.

2. A day or two ago, I thought I'd take a ride,
And soon Miss Fanny Bright was seated by my side;
The horse was lean and lank; misfortune seemed his lot;
He got into a drifted bank, and we, we got upsot. (Chorus:)

3. A day or two ago, The story I must tell
I went out on the snow and on my back I fell;
A gent was riding by in a one-horse open sleigh,
He laughed as there I sprawling lie,
But quickly drove away. (Chorus:)

4. Now the ground is white go it while you're young,
Take the girls tonight and sing this sleighing song;
Just get a bob-tailed bay two-forty as his speed
Hitch him to an open sleigh and crack! you'll take the lead. (Chorus:)

Joy to the World
Joy to the world, the Lord is come let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room and heaven and nature sing
And heaven and nature sing and heaven and heaven and nature sing

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns let men their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy

No more let sins and sorrows grow nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found.
Far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found

He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love
And wonders of His love and wonders, wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders of His love and wonders, wonders of His love

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

Good tidings to you, and all of your kin,
Good tidings for Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

We all know that Santa's coming,
We all know that Santa's coming,
We all know that Santa's coming,
And soon will be here.

Good tidings to you,
And all of your kin,
Good tidings for Christmas,
And a Happy New Year.

We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas,

And a Happy New Year

SENATORS TO TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT: Make sure Sumitomo contract aboveboard

SENATORS Grace Poe and Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday urged transport officials to ensure that the new maintenance deal for the rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) would be aboveboard and advantageous to the government.

The Department of Transportation (DoTr) announced on Wednesday that it was set to enter into a three-year contract with Sumitomo Corp. to rehabilitate the MRT.

Sumitomo has a respectable reputation in the industry, Gatchalian noted. “However, DoTr should still exercise prudence in setting the terms of the agreement.”

“Let us bear in mind, however, that Sumitomo may not be the only maintenance provider or even the best one,” said Poe, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Services.

She added, “Thus, the government must ensure that the terms of the contract for whichever provider is hired, are not disadvantageous to the people and should be FOI (Freedom of Information)-compliant.”

“Given the good track record of Sumitomo when it maintained the MRT for the first 12 years before the system went through a ‘teleserye’ (television series) of unfortunate events, the prospect of having a reputable maintenance provider back is encouraging and a step in the right direction,” Poe said.

Gatchalian said the privatization of the MRT remains to be to most viable long-term option to improve the quality of its service.

“A short-term contract with Sumitomo would be best, so that potential private buyers will be able to have a free hand regarding future maintenance operations,” he said.

“I welcome the possible return of Sumitomo Corp. to its previous role as the maintenance service provider of the MRT3. As the original maintenance provider of MRT-3, they must surely be equipped with necessary expertise to help fix the recurring ailments of the rail system,” he said.

The Manila Times: Tapping Japan, Sumitomo for MRT-3 a sound solution

The plan of the Department of Transportation (DoTr) to tap Japanese assistance and Sumitomo’s re-engagement to rehabilitate Metro Rail Transit Line 3 is the wisest and most practical idea by far for quickly restoring the rail commuter service’s capability to serve its half-million passengers daily.

The MRT line has broken down badly and frequently, and too much time and money have been wasted on the wrong and unavailing solutions by the previous administration. The incumbent government of President Rodrigo Duterte must not gamble on a wrong-headed and untested solution, lest failure break the patience of the Filipino riding public and provoke disorderly protests.

The DoTr has announced ongoing high-level discussions with the government of Japan seek to pave the way for the Philippine government’s direct engagement of Sumitomo Corp. and technical partner Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the MRT rehabilitation. They are working on a government-to-government agreement for the provision of official development assistance (ODA) by Japan.

The DOTR says that once the G2G agreement for an ODA is signed, Sumitomo, the maintenance and rehabilitation service contractor will be contracted pursuant to the rules of the government of Japan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.


The department explained the plan as follows:

“The joint venture of Sumitomo Corp. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is being closely considered due to their background and experience with the MRT-3 – they designed and built the system from 1998 to 2000, and maintained the system from 2000 to 2012.”

It said that the proposed new maintenance and rehabilitation contract prescribes a term of three years and covers the rehabilitation and restoration of the system to its original performance standards.

The DOTr terminated the three-year maintenance contract of Busan Universal Rails Inc. on Nov. 6 because of its alleged inability to meet the performance indicators in the contract and failure to procure spare parts.

The department also disclosed that it is studying an unsolicited proposal for the 30-year operation and maintenance of MRT-3. An original proponent status was given to the proponent, AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp and Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp., and the proposal would soon be endorsed to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for further evaluation.

The two schemes do not conflict. They can complement each other. The DoTr explains it thus:
“The maintenance and rehabilitation service provider will be contracted ahead of the O&M provider to allow for the NEDA approval and Swiss Challenge process. When the O&M provider assumes the operation of MRT-3, they will also take in the maintenance and rehabilitation service provider that will be contracted earlier by DoTr.”

Ayala-Metro Pacific has said that it plans to invest up to P20 billion in the rehabilitation, operations and maintenance of MRT-3.

Both legs of the DoTr plan merit serious consideration.

The point that must not be missed is that the MRT Service should be restored to full capability at the quickest possible time. The disastrous mistakes of the past must be permanently left behind.

The Philippine government and its prospective partners should not lose sight of the stakes involved. MRT-3 today runs along EDSA from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City. It serves more than 500,000 passengers daily, beyond its rated capacity of 350,000 passengers. The line has a fleet of 73 Czech-made air-conditioned rail cars.

The riding public and the metropolis have a right to demand and get an improved and better metro rail service.

Solon pushes state takeover of MRT 3

A LAWMAKER on Thursday renewed his call to the government to take over the operations of Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 to arrest the deterioration of its facilities and services.

“We urge the Duterte government to take over the transport system and nationalize and establish a local industry for its sustainability,” Rep. Ariel Casilao said.

“The Filipino commuter has had enough of an import-dependent system.”

Casilao made his statement even as the National Bureau of Investigation failed to find any mechanical or electrical defects in the coupling devices involved in the decoupling incident at MRT 3 on Nov. 16.

NBI Special Action Unit head Joel Tovera made the assessment Wednesday after his team inspected the coupling devices involved in the incident in which an MRT coach got detached from two front cars.

“We found no defects insofar as the electrical and mechanical aspects of the coupler assembly is concerned,” Tovera said.

Casilao said tapping Sumitomo, the contractor removed by the officials of former President Benigno Aquino III, would not solve the problem.

He said resigned Transport undersecretary for Rail Cesar Chavez had already revealed that even under Sumitomo’s term, the number of passenger unloading incidents had increased from 457 to 539 in 2011, while the incidents under the Busan Universal Rail Inc. peaked at 576 in 2016. 

“As Usec Chavez was transparent enough to reveal this, we are starting to understand why he resigned, and after his resignation all this buzz about Sumitomo replacing BURI took over,” Casilao said.

Chavez said the government was paying MRTC P610 million monthly in equity rental payment.  The MRT’s total cost was $675.5 million in 2000 or about P30.2 billion, while the investors’ equity was at $190 million in 1996 or about P5 billion.

Manila Bulletin: Hopes up for MRT-3 with Sumitomo deal

By Vanne Elaine Terrazola

Senator Grace Poe described as “encouraging” the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) move to consider hiring Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation anew to handle the maintenance requirements of the troubled Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3).

“Given the good track record of Sumitomo when it maintained the MRT for the first 12 years before the system went through a teleserye of unfortunate events, the prospect of having a reputable maintenance provider back is encouraging and a step in the right direction,” Poe, chairperson of the Senate committee on public services, said in a statement Thursday.

On Wednesday, the DOTr announced conducting high-level discussions with the Japanese government to pave way for a three-year contract with Sumitomo and its technical partner Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which both designed,  built and maintained the MRT-3 in its first 12 years of operations.

The agency said the deal it eyes with Sumitomo and Mitsubishi would include the rehabilitation and restoration of the MRT-3 system’s original performance.

Poe, however, prodded the DOTr to be transparent in sealing its deal with the Japanese companies.

She likewise reminded the agency to consider expanding its options in choosing the next MRT maintainance providers.

“Sumitomo may not be the only maintenance provider or even the best one. Thus, the government must ensure that the terms of the contract for whichever provider is hired, are not disadvantageous to the people and should be FOI (freedom of information)-compliant,” she said.

Early November, the DOTr terminated its contract with Busan Universal Rails, Inc., blaming its “poor performance” for the frequent train breakdowns when it handled the MRT-3’s maintenance in the last two years.

While awaiting a new maintenance provider, the DOTr created a Maintenance Transition Team (MTT).

An official of the DOTr reportedly said Sumitomo could take over anew over the maintenance of beleaguered railway by the second quarter of 2018.

Erap, DILG stage brgy anti-drug symposiums

Persistent in his vision of a “drug-free” Manila, Mayor Joseph Estrada has initiated symposiums in the city’s barangays to educate residents about the adverse effects of illegal drug use.

Estrada has collaborated with the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Manila in this program, targeting to cover at least 90 of the city’s 896 barangays by Dec. 16.

“Drug addiction has serious health and psychological effects and often leads to crimes. It is important that as many people as possible are aware of this,” the mayor pointed out.

Meant as a drug use prevention strategy, Estrada said the seminars focus on the harmful effects of drug dependence not only to physical and mental health but also to the users’ families and to society and government in general.

“Here, we will project drug users as victims that need professional help and community and family support. We want them to realize that continued drug use won’t do good to them, and that it’s never too late to quit,” Estrada stressed.

The anti-drug symposium started last Monday, Nov. 27, in Barangays 833 and 834 in District 5, followed by Barangays 66, 67, 69, 72, and 73 in District 1 and Barangays 393, 394, and 387 in District 3 yesterday, November 28, according to DILG-Manila Field Office Director Rolynne Javier.

On Wednesday, the activity will move to Barangays 107, 112, 118, and 123 in District 1; Barangays 866, 867, 858, 889, and 879 (District 6); Barangays 423, 424, and 425 (District 4); and Barangays 716 to 721 in District 5.

As the head of the Advocacy Cluster of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs, DILG is tasked to lead the anti-drug symposium in priority barangays in the National Capital Region in coordination with the local government units.

“We intend to do this every day to achieve our initial target of 90 barangays before the end of December, with the rest of the 800 plus barangays by next year,” Javier said.

At least 50 residents from each barangay will be selected to join the program along with their respective barangay officials and other volunteers.

“Our priority will be the families or relatives of the drug dependents and, of course, the drug dependents themselves,” Javier said.

Resource persons from the DILG, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Manila Health Department, Manila Social Welfare Department, and Manila Police District, will be invited to discuss various topics about drug and substance abuse, its severe effects, how could it be prevented or stopped, and how to avail of government help and services, the DILG official added.

Aside from increasing public awareness about the bad effects of drug use, Javier said the symposium also aims to educate the residents on their role to “proactively address” the problem on illegal drugs.

“We want to elicit community-based initiatives through exchange of ideas and heighten collaborative efforts of barangay officials, local functionaries and national agencies,” the DILG-Manila official explained.

“Our main objective,” Javier further pointed out, “is to minimize drug dependence in the barangays by letting the people know that it will not in any way beneficial to them, and it will only destroy them and their family.”

The anti-drug use symposium is the Estrada administration’s latest effort to realize its vision of a “100 percent drug-free” City of Manila.

Estrada has recently allied with PDEA in the continuing barangay drug-clearing operations; the agency has just officially certified Barangay 663-A in District 5 as the city’s first-ever drug-free community.

Estrada has also ordered the revitalization of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils that are supposed to be the frontline units of the city government’s anti-drug war.

The city government is also implementing the Drug Abuse Resistance Education in local elementary and secondary schools to keep away the youth from the influence of drugs.

SM Tuguegarao to launch own solar energy facility

ROOFTOP POWER ENERGY – The 564.48 kW-solar energy facility at the rooftop of SM Tuguegarao City in Cagayan, will be launched on December 7, as part of the SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SMPHI) commitment to make its operations sustainable and environment friendly as the world prepares for the effects of climate change.

Tuguegarao City – The rooftop of the newly opened SM Center Tuguegarao Downtown in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan has been fitted with 1,764 solar panels and the 364.48 kW solar energy facility is set to be launched on December 7.

According to SM Public Relation Officer Prince Lou Lauiagan, the latest solar energy facility at SM Supermalls was part of SM Prime Holdings’ “commitment towards making its operations sustainable and environment-friendly as the world prepares for the effects of climate change.

The panels can produce approximately 1,524 MWH annually, enough to energive up to 56 escalators at the same time.

The project capacity has an avoidance of 1,143.072 tons of CO2 emission per year which is equivalent to the planting of 5,715.36 trees per year.

These panels are also expected to save the mall more than P5 million in electricity costs per month.

She said, the solar rooftop will be the second industrial solar project in Cagayan, aside from St. Paul University Philippines.

Other environmental efforts is the mall’s use of a water recycling facility that uses sewage treatment as part of water conservation effort, and recycles non-potable water for malls’ lavatories.

Solid waste management will also be highlighted in mall operations with the “Trash to Cash” program allowing the community and mall tenants to convert their scraps into cash.

SM Supermalls aspires to be exemplary for commercial and industrial establishments, this latest milestone on green energy projects reaffirms SM Prime’s commitment to its role as a catalyst for economic growth, delivering innovative and sustainable lifestyle cities that enrich the quality of life of millions.

‘Tatak Rico J,’ a tribute to the Total Entertainer

Rico J. Puno, known as Total Entertainer for four decades now, headlines a concert on Dec. 2 at The Theater at Solaire Resort and Casino. Dubbed “Tatak Rico J,” it is expected to be fun-filled, what with his inimitable singing style and irreverent adult humor.

 Presented by Starmedia Entertainment, the concert also features his friends in the entertainment industry including Willie Revillame, Ogie Alcasid, Randy Santiago, Imelda Papin, Claire dela Fuente, and Ai Ai delas Alas.

Rico J. popularized many songs including “The Way We Were,” “Kapalaran,” “Macho Guwapito,” Buhat,” and “Lupa.” He recorded best-selling albums beginning with “The Way We Were” in 1973, “Kapalaran” in 1976 and “Rico Baby” in 1977.

 A multi-awarded live performer, Rico J. also appeared in movies, and in 1998, he entered politics and was elected councilor of Makati’s 1st District.

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Four Pinay beauties compete in China

Four Filipina beauties – Melissa Esguerra, Velinnette Quiat, Timikko Santos and Norge Reichenbach – are in Shanghai, China to compete in the Mrs. Asia International on Dec. 2.

The four “senior” beauties were chosen by Mrs. Philippines Asia International, the biggest pageant in the country for married women. Franchisee is Alex Liu.

Melissa, 37, is Mrs. Philippines Asia Int’l Globe 2017. A former marketing executive in Dubai, she is a free-lance make-up artist and photography enthusiast and a mother of two boys. Velinnette, 36, is Mrs. Philippines Asia Int’l Tourism, a former educator and chemist, and a certified health and fitness buff. A mother of two sons, she believes that empowered women make strong families.

 Timikko, half-Filipino and half-Japanese, 27, is the first millennial winner of the title “Woman of Substance” from Mrs. Philippines Globe. She is a certified Six Sigma Yellow Belter and is taking up Masters in Information at UP. She is a single mom to a don. Norge, Mrs. Philippines Asia Int’l is 57, and is a painter, culprit, golfer and scuba diver. She is president of Rotary Club of Makati Bel-Air.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Nov. 30, go to Justice Andres Narvasa, Rosalinda Orosa, Kristine Yang, Justa Tantoco, Ladine Roxas, Norma Funtanilla, Ma. Martha Sibal-Bonoan, Bon Lasaga, Dr. Alex Tensuan, Atty. Rudegelio & Ronald Tacorda, Ellen Sevilla, Lutgarda Landingin, Vincent Tuazon and Cristina Decena… Dec. 1: Pauleen Barreiro, Candy Cuazon, Ruby Salcedo, Junjun Sarino, Romeo Mananquil, Pilar Hilario, Lilia Derige, Jovan Doria, Michelle Limboy, Tina di Ciccio and Peachy Guioguio…