Fitness Fashion

Monday, February 5, 2018

ABS-CBN, GMA 7 ratings contest continues

Television broadcast giant GMA Network Inc. released January TV ratings that showed it ahead in certain Luzon urban areas while ABS-CBN claimed a nationwide lead in audience share.

In a statement, GMA said that for January 2018, it had recorded an audience share of 43.7 percent in National Urban Television Audience Measurement (Nutam) while ABS-CBN got 38.6 percent. GMA uses data from Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

ABS-CBN noted separately that it had cornered 46 percent across the Philippines, against GMA’s 34 percent, citing data from Kantar Media.

As in previous months, both companies highlighted their varying dominance. Ratings data are closely monitored by TV advertisers.

GMA, for example, said it was ahead of the competition in morning, afternoon and evening time blocks in NUTAM.

It highlighted bigger margins in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, which accounted for the majority of urban viewers in the country.

For Urban Luzon, GMA got 49.2 percent against 32 percent for ABS-CBN. In Mega Manila, including Metro Manila and nearby provinces, GMA got 51.9 percent against ABS-CBN’s 28.5 percent.

More Kapuso shows also made it to the list of top programs in NUTAM with the award-winning news magazine show “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho” being the most watched GMA program for January.

Joining KMJS as the Network’s ratings drivers for the month were “Magpakailanman,” “Celebrity Bluff,” “Sherlock Jr.,” “Pepito Manaloto,” “24 Oras,” “Super Ma’am,” “Kambal, Karibal,” “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko,” “All-Star Videoke,” and “Sirkus.”

Included in the list as well were weekend primetime newscast “24 Oras Weekend,” “Ika-6 na Utos,” “Impostora,” “Haplos,” “Tadhana,” “Wish Ko Lang,” “Imbestigador,” “Road Trip,” “The One That Got Away,” “My Korean Jagiya,” “Bubble Gang,” “Saksi,” “Eat Bulaga,” “Sunday Pinasaya,” “Dear Uge” and “Wowowin.”

GMA Network still ruled the list of top programs in Urban Luzon with 8 Kapuso programs making it to the top 10, while once again 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 most recent data from Nielsen Radio Audience Measurement. January ratings data show DZBB posting a total week average audience share of 48.6 percent in January, winning over DZMM’s 29.8 percent and DZRH’s 14.5 percent.

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

Meanwhile, DZBB also kept listeners tuned to its weekend line-up through its public service program “MMDA sa GMA” hosted by Orly Trinidad in partnership with MMDA; “Super Balita sa Umaga Saturday and Sunday Edition” with Sam Nielsen and Cecil Villarosa; “Super Radyo Nationwide” with Francis Flores, “Buena Manong Balita” presented by Rowena Salvacion, “Boses ng Balita” with Benjie Alejandro, “I M Ready sa Dobol B” with Nathaniel Cruz and “Ladies Room” with Norilyn Temblor and Tootie.

For its part, ABS-CBN said it was ahead in total Luzon, where it got 43 percent against GMA’s 35 percent. In Metro Manila, ABS-CBN said it was leading at 42 percent versus GMA’s 27 percent.

ABS-CBN was also ahead in Visayas and Mindanao.

ABS-CBN said it had lured the most viewers in the primetime block, with 50 percent versus GMA’s 32 percent.

Nine of the ten most watched programs in the country were produced by ABS-CBN, led by the long running police drama “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” the network said.

The series topbilled by Coco Martin recorded a national TV rating of 49.5 percent.

Variety show “It’s Showtime” is still the most watched noontime show in the country with a national TV rating of 46.7% on weekdays and 32.4% on Saturdays, against its rival “Eat Bulaga” which only got 43.4% on weekdays and 23.4% on Saturdays, ABS-CBN said.

Other programs that made it to the list include “Pilipinas Got Talent,” “TV Patrol,” “MMK,” “I Can See Your Voice,” “Gandang Gabi Vice,” “La Luna Sangre,” “The Good Son,” “Tonight with Boy Abunda,” “Bandila,” “Wansapanataym,” “Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin,” “Sana Dalawa ang Puso,” “Ipaglaban Mo,” the recently-concluded drama series “Pusong Ligaw,” “Asintado,” “Hanggang Saan,” “Wildflower,” “TV Patrol Weekend,” “Goin’ Bulilit,” “Home Sweetie Home” and “Rated K.”

http://business.inquirer.net/245365/abs-cbn-gma-7-ratings-contest-continues

SM hotel and conventions unit to invest in serviced apartments

THE robust domestic market continues to feed the properties of SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC), even as it develops its foreign travelers traffic.

In an e-mail interview with the BusinessMirror, SMHCC Executive Vice President Peggy Angeles said “the primary market for most of our properties is still the local market. But there has been a steady increase in bookings coming from the United States, China, South Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia attributed to our continuous efforts in developing these markets.”

She added that strong growth in Chinese tourists in the Philippines has mainly benefited SMHCC’s leisure properties like Pico Sands Hotel in Nasugbu, Batangas and Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City. “Taal Vista Hotel has recently been a popular stopover for Chinese tour groups for its lunch buffet cultural show.”

Last year Chinese arrivals grew by 43.3 percent to 968,447, helping lift total foreign visitor arrivals in the Philippines to 6.62 million. (See, “Arrivals up 11 percdnt in 2017 as China delivers on vow,” in the BusinessMirror, January 30, 2018.)

This developed as officials disclosed that the company will be investing P6.3 billion to expand its portfolio, doubling its current room inventory and increasing its leasable convention space by 2020. This includes branching out to the serviced apartment market.

In a news statement, SMHCC President Elizabeth Sy said the company “will be expanding in growth areas, which it deem can sustain the establishment of guestroom facilities. These include new hotels and a foray into the serviced-apartment market. These facilities will be located within the lifestyle cities being developed in key areas in the country by our parent company SM Prime Holdings Inc.”

She also said the addition of new SMX Convention Centers in key cities further cements SMHCC’s position as the country’s premier conventions and events destination.

Currently under way are six hotels in Quezon City, Iloilo, Angeles, Pasay, Bacolod and Baguio. These hotels have an average of 200 rooms each. In Quezon City, specifically, “the multi-tower North Edsa project is one of the current developments initiated by our parent company SM Prime Holdings Inc. One tower is earmarked for a 239-room hotel, which is slated to be completed by the first quarter of 2019,” Angeles said.

She added the hotel will be operated by the Carlson Rezidor hospitality group under the Park Inn by Radisson brand. But she declined to reveal the brands for the company’s other hotels in development due to ongoing discussions with potential operators.

With the allotted investment, “SMHCC developments will generate thousands of jobs from the onset of the construction and close to a thousand when the properties operate, definitely helping the local community where the developments are located,” Angeles said.

As for the serviced apartments, she said “we’re looking at a few locations but nothing has been finalized. The operator has yet to be identified.”

According to a global industry report by TAS Alliance for 2016/2017, while serviced apartments in Asia have been increasing, reaching almost 80,000 units in 2016, it still pales in comparison to the Americas (500,000 units) and Europe (125,000). The report also indicated some 62 percent of business travelers use serviced apartments, followed by those on temporary projects or assignments overseas (49 percent), and those relocating permanently (35 percent).

Along with the hotel projects, the company is also “strengthening our foothold in the conventions sector with new additions to our current portfolios of convention and trade halls,” Angeles added.

A new SMX Convention Center is being constructed adjacent to the Park Inn by Radisson Clark in Angeles, Pampanga, with a leasable space of 3,800 square meters (sq m). The facility will have six function rooms, complemented by 14 smaller meeting rooms. Upon completion, SMX Convention Centers will have more than 41,800-sq-m leasable convention space across key cities—Manila, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, Davao and Bacolod. SMHCC also operates Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall, Cebu Trade Hall in SM City Cebu, and Sky Hall Seaside Cebu.

Meanwhile, officials also revealed the company will be spending some P510 million to renovate its existing hotels, namely, Taal Vista Hotel, Radisson Blu in Cebu and Pico Sands Hotel. The renovation program is part of the company’s four-year development plan, and will be undertaken in phases—starting in April and scheduled for completion by January 2023.

Angeles said: “The renovation plans include the 129 rooms of Taal Vista Hotel’s Mountain Wing scheduled to commence in the second quarter of 2018 and is anticipated to be completed before the end of the year. Also to be renovated are all 400 rooms of Radisson Blu Cebu phased over a couple of years, followed by Pico Sands hotel’s refurbishment in 2019.”

SMHCC was established in April 2008 to develop and manage the hotel and convention properties of SM Prime. Shares of the parent firm closed P36.95 last Friday, slightly higher than Thursday’s close of P36.50.

Estrada seeking reelection next year, denies Jinggoy after his post

MANILA Mayor Joseph E. Estrada laughed off rumors that his son, former Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, will be gunning for his position as chief executive of the country’s capital come next year’s polls.

The young Estrada has been frequently seen visiting the Manila City Hall, thus, fueling speculation that his father is planning to retire soon and put him in his stead for the mayoralty seat.

“Ako pa rin ang tatakbo sa 2019 elections [I will still run in 2019 elections],” the local chief executive said in a meeting with some barangay captains at his office in the city hall.

“Nobody can change my inspiration, no one can divert me on my mission, on my dream in Manila. I had already laid down my program of government to regain the lost pride and glory of Manila. I will fulfill my promises and with your help, with the support of the people of Manila, I know, we will win on my third run,” he noted.

Estrada stressed that rumors about his poor health are a mere ploy of his opponents in politics.

“That is an old issue… . No one believes that my health hinders the effective fulfillment of my honest service to you and the masses,” he said.

“I will not renege on my promise…. With the help of God, with the trust given to me by our people, we can make Manila a great city again,… If we’re together, if we remain united, we can make Manila a ‘first class city,’” he added.

The city mayor told barangay captains why addressing the problem of peace and order became one of his top priorities during his first term in 2013.

“We all know, we cannot achieve progress without peace and order. It will be hard for a town, city, province or nation without peace and order,” he explained.

Estrada pointed that because of the various programs and projects he initiated in Manila, the impossible dream to bringing back its old glory is “now at hand.”

“I am very happy to say that we are now seeing a new dawn, a new ray of hope for all Manileños. Little by little, I am seeing a ray of light in all I’ve started and now we are bringing back Manila’s former luster; we are seeing the rise in the living condition of Manileños,” he claimed.

Likewise, Estrada boasted his achievements in his six years in office, such as a better housing program for Manila’s informal settlers; more job opportunities and livelihood programs; accessible medical assistance to the poor and the anti-AIDS/HIV and tuberculosis services; improved education services at all levels, with emphasis on bringing quality education to the poor; and “arms of steel” against criminality.

He also cited his success in providing protection, safety and well-being for the youth, women and the senior citizens; massive cleanup project to make Manila Green; programs on correct ways of garbage disposal; renovation and modernization of public markets; seaports and tourist spots; anticorruption campaign and strict collection of correct taxes and transparency in governance; as well as Emergency Response Action Program in times of disaster and calamities.

While these projects continue to benefit his constituents, the mayor admitted that these are not enough to totally bring back the former glory of Manila.

“We should not stop…. I must confess, I cannot cover all these tasks of bringing back the old glory of Manila. But, I do know one thing: with your support, with your cooperation, if we are united to achieving this goal, we can make Manila a ‘first class city’ once again,” Estrada said. “I can’t do it on my own: I need the help of the people and the different sectors in out city.”

After suing Sumitomo, gov’t hiring it for MRT-3

The Dept. of Transportation is suing Japanese giant Sumitomo Corp. for alleged faulty maintenance of the MRT-3. Yet it is borrowing hundreds of millions of dollars from Japan to hire Sumitomo to rehabilitate the commuter railway.

DOTr accuses Sumitomo of unfulfilled upkeep obligations. Supposedly the Japanese firm failed to maintain the tracks and stinted on rail parts. This allegedly led to the deterioration of MRT-3 trains, power supply, signaling, and stations.

Procurement laws require agencies to blacklist contractors that fail to deliver the agreed goods or services. Such contractors may no longer deal even with other agencies. Yet DOTr, while suing Sumitomo, repeatedly is declaring to hire it for much-needed repair of MRT-3.

DOTr in its lawsuit is demanding monetary recompense for Sumitomo’s maintenance breaches. At the same time, it will make Filipinos repay the Japan loan it is taking out to hire that firm.

DOTr’s duplicity can jeopardize its ongoing loan negotiations with the Japan International Cooperation Agency. JICA and Sumitomo engineers presently are inspecting the MRT-3 to determine the extent of needed repairs. In three months they are to advise whether to lend to DOTr.

Any more delay in rehab would worsen MRT-3’s dilapidation. Ever since DOTr took over the railway’s daily upkeep from a Filipino group in Nov. 2017, the number of trains have dwindled. Sixteen three-coach trains used to run at ten-minute intervals on peak hours, serving 420,000 riders per day. Now it’s down to eight to ten trains at 15 minutes’ headway, taking in only 300,000 daily passengers.

Trains, power supply, and signaling break down twice to thrice a day, like under the old servicer. Hundreds of passengers perilously are offloaded on the tracks, to trudge to the nearest station. Tens of thousands of commuters along the 17-km line are inconvenienced. Traffic has worsened not only on E. delos Santos Avenue that MRT-3 traverses, but in the entire megalopolis.

The other week smoke from under a seat filled up a jampacked coach, panicking passengers. MRT-3 managers belittled the incident, falsely claiming there was no fire or spark. Firemen water-hosed the train, drenching the electricals, further reducing the coaches in service.

DOTr’s complaint against Sumitomo’s poor maintenance work is little known in the Philippines. It was filed in Singapore by DOTC Sec. Joseph Emilio Abaya on May 31, 2016, a month before leaving office.

Present Sec. Arthur Tugade is continuing the case. DOTr pays tens of millions of dollars, or hundreds of millions of pesos, for foreign lawyers. The legal fees are taken from Filipino taxpayers, who will also shoulder the loan from Japan to hire Sumitomo.

The case is in arbitration at the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, based in the island-state. Proceedings of the UN-CITL are strictly confidential. It is talked about only in whispers at DOTr.

Abaya filed the complaint against the Metro Rail Transit Corp., private owner-builder of MRT-3. But he blamed mainly Sumitomo for the maintenance breaches, since MRTC hired the Japanese for the railway upkeep for 12 years, 2000-2012. In pass-through arrangement, DOTr directly paid Sumitomo.

In press statements U-Sec. for Railways Timothy John Batan stresses the hiring of Sumitomo as justification for the Japan rehab loan. He says that Sumitomo, with partner Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, had designed, constructed, and equipped the commuter railway in 1997-2000, then maintained it in the subsequent 12 years. The Japanese giant is well-versed with MRT-3 needs, he also defends the hiring.

Batan has been with DOTr, formerly DOTC (Dept. of Transportation and Communications), since 2012. He was assistant of U-Sec. Rene Limcaoco, Abaya’s deputy for legal and operations. Batan knows about the Singapore arbitration against Sumitomo, insiders say, and of talks with JICA to hire it.

Sources say Abaya revived the arbitration at the 11th hour to cover his tracks. He and predecessor Mar Roxas had caused Sumitomo’s sudden removal in Oct. 2012. It was replaced by a series of unqualified, inept, undercapitalized outfits: PH Trams, then Global Epcom, and lastly Busan Universal Railway Inc. (BURI). Behind all three were Liberal Party mates of Abaya and Roxas, who served as LP presidents.

At least P3.5 billion was paid to the three LP companies from 2012 to 2017. They only took the money but did not maintain MRT-3, overhaul the trains, or buy necessary parts and components. Insiders say they even used up $17 million (P850 million) in parts and equipment left behind by Sumitomo in 2012.

Records show there were glitches during Sumitomo’s time, but minor and infrequent compared to the LP contractors and the present. It fielded up to 21 trains at five-minute intervals, serving 560,000 riders. Although MRTC got Sumitomo under a build-lease-transfer scheme, DOTr directly paid the Japanese $1.2 million to $1.4 million a month. In suing MRTC, Abaya in effect also sued the government, which in 2011, had taken over ten of its 15 board seats.

Sumitomo was the single point of responsibility to repair all subsystems and procure all parts. It supposedly charged little but staked its reputation in MRT-3 in order to bag other train contracts in Asia and America.

* * *

My piece last Wed. correctly was titled “Dengvaxia vaccinees need ‘lifetime watch’.” It was about public health specialists advocating lifelong monitoring of children harmfully injected with the vaccine. In the online edition “vaccinees” was altered to “vaccines,” so the title lost sense. Sorry for that.

* * *

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

Sunday, February 4, 2018

JICA research MRT-Three viability

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) started yesterday to conduct the due diligence and system audit for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) to determine what rehabilitation and restoration works need to be undertaken to bring in improvements to the train system.

In a statement yesterday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said a team of more than 50 railway engineers and experts from JICA started the due diligence and system audit of the MRT-3.

The system audit is being undertaken as the rehabilitation and restoration works for the MRT-3 would be undertaken by a JICA-nominated rehabilitation and maintenance provider that will be mobilized in May.

JICA’s system audit is different from the one being conducted by TUV Rheinland which was awarded by the DOTr the contract for the independent audit and assessment consultant for the entire MRT-3 system, including the 48 train cars from CRRC Dalian Co. Ltd.

TUV Rheinland expected to complete the audit by April.

“We obviously need all the help we can get and we are very grateful that the Japanese Government answered our call for assistance to rehabilitate and restore the MRT-3 system,” TJ Batan, DOTr officer-in-charge undersecretary for railways said.

He also said passengers could expect additional trains for the MRT-3 within the month as the first batch of spare parts ordered last December are scheduled to be delivered and installed this month.

The spare parts have a delivery lead time of 30 days to six months.

“We created a Special Bids and Awards Committee for MRT-3 to address the urgent need to restore its service, which require the expedited procurement of spare parts, among others,” Batan said.

At present, the DOTr is implementing a four-point strategy to rehabilitate and restore the MRT-3 system which spans North Ave. station in Quezon City until Taft station in Pasay City, and carries 500,000 passengers daily.

In particular, it started with promoting accountability through the termination of the contract with Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI), the former maintenance provider for the MRT-3 in November last year for failure to meet the performance indicators which include number of trains running, as well as inability to procure spare parts.

After the termination of BURI’s contract, the DOTr decided to pursue continued service delivery by setting up a maintenance transition team to maintain the MRT-3 while a new and qualified service provider is being procured.

Saturday, February 3, 2018

Globe rolls out over 1 M broadband lines ahead of schedule

Over the last two years, Globe Telecom, Inc. has deployed over one million new broadband lines, enabling more customers to enjoy video-streaming content.

Already, the telco is at half point in its goal of rolling out 2 million new broadband lines by 2020 as part of its commitment to creating an internet superhighway. Globe is also determined on develop its wired broadband coverage to improve customers’ quality of experience.

In terms of wired broadband facilities, Globe was able to deploy fiber broadband in 12 cities in Metro Manila, as well as in 19 provinces nationwide. Most of the company’s fiber build are located in Quezon City, Sta. Rosa and Calamba in Laguna as well as in Cebu and Davao.

Globe continues to deploy VDSL (Very-high-bit-rate digital subscriber line) and now includes 16 cities in Metro Manila and in 18 areas from Bulacan, Cavite, Baguio, Cavite, Cebu to Davao City.

VDSL technology provides high-speed Broadband service up to 200 Mbps using existing copper footprint.

The telco’s total deployment using various broadband technologies has reached more than 1 million lines since 2016, confirmed Joel Agustin, Senior Vice President for Program Governance, Network Technical Group.

The company’s bid to deploy 2 million broadband lines by 2020 will redefine home broadband experience for Filipinos amid growing customer demand for bandwidth-intensive multimedia content, he noted.

On the other hand, its deployment of massive MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) technology will also hasten its rollout of 2 million home broadband lines, with speeds of at least 10 Mbps by 2020.

Massive MIMO technology enables a mobile network to multiply the capacity of a wireless connection without requiring more antennas. The technology increases wireless throughput, accommodating more users at higher data rates with better reliability while consuming less power.

Soon on View on the 3rd - Jojo Bailon: El Shaddai Healing Message Throwback

Here is the El Shaddai Healing Message Throwback:

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July 24, 1999 - Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila
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Timeless OPM from music icons

‘TIMELESS OPM’ performers: Rico J. Puno, Imelda Papin, Rey Valera, and Claire dela Fuente

The music icons of the ’70s, Rico J. Puno, Imelda Papin, Claire dela Fuente and Rey Valera, join forces to make Valentine’s Day memorable with their hits “May Bukas Pa,” “Isang Linggong Pag-ibig,” “Sayang,” “Maging Sino Ka Man,” and many more. The Valentine show billed “Timeless OPM” is at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila on Feb. 14, 8 p.m.

The ’70s was considered the “Golden Era” of Pinoy music. It was when artists like Rico, Imelda, Rey and Claire emerged with their unique brands that made them widely popular among Filipinos here and internationally. Rico J. earned the title “Total Entertainer” for his soulful style of singing that was spiced with irreverent humor. He was Aliw Awards “Entertainer Of The Year” many times over.

On the other hand, Imelda Papin, known for her dynamic vocals and sentimental songs, was dubbed the “Sentimental Songstress” as well as Jukebox Queen. The country’s premiere composer-songwriter, Rey Valera, is known as “Mr. Hitmaker,” for obvious reasons. Claire dela Fuente, with her soothing voice, was dubbed the “Karen Carpenter of the Philippines” and “Asia’s Sweetest Voice.” Claire was also Jukebox Queen along with Imelda Papin.

“Timeless OPM” also features singer/actress Rita Daniela and rising star LA Santos as guest performers.

• • •

‘Sherlock Jr.’ enthralls viewers

Ruru Madrid

GMA series “Sherlock Jr.” has won the hearts of Kapuso viewers with its first few episodes. They can’t stop talking about the sweet moments between Jack (Ruru Madrid) and Irene (Janine Gutierrez), who effortlessly bring on kilig. Then again, cute wonder dog Siri aka Serena is not letting the two steal thunder under her nose.

“Sherlock, Jr.” airs weeknights after “24 Oras” on GMA Telebabad.

• • •

GMA Network secures top spot in nationwide TV ratings

GMA Network posted a strong start for 2018 in the nationwide television ratings competition after securing the top spot anew based on the latest data from Nielsen TV Audience Measurement, the industry’s widely-trusted ratings service provider.

For the full month of January (with January 21 to 31 based on overnight data), GMA registered winning numbers in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM) with an average of 43.7 percent total day people audience share, beating ABS-CBN’s 38.6 percent.

The Kapuso Network reigned supreme across all day parts in NUTAM. In the morning block, GMA recorded a 42.3 percent people audience share versus ABS-CBN’s 35.4 percent.

GMA’s afternoon line-up, which garnered 47.3 percent, was way ahead of rival network’s 36.8 percent.

Continuing well into the evening block, the Network maintained a leading share of 41.5 percent as against competition’s 41.2 percent.

The Kapuso Network similarly dominated all time blocks with bigger margins 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, GMA registered a total day people audience share of 49.2 percent; besting ABS-CBN’s 32 percent.

Likewise in Mega Manila (with official data from January 1 to 20), the Kapuso Network upheld its strong showing with 51.9 percent total day people audience share while ABS-CBN only managed to get 28.5 percent.

More Kapuso shows also made it to the list of top programs in NUTAM with the award-winning news magazine show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) being the most watched GMA program for January.

Joining KMJS as the Network’s ratings drivers for the month were Magpakailanman; Sherlock Jr.; Pepito Manaloto; 24 Oras; Super Ma’am; Kambal, Karibal; Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko; All-Star Videoke; and Sirkus.

Included in the list as well were weekend primetime newscast 24 Oras Weekend; Ika-6 na Utos; Imbestigador; The One That Got Away; My Korean Jagiya; Bubble Gang, Saksi, Tadhana; Eat Bulaga; and Wowowin.

GMA Network still ruled the list of top programs in Urban Luzon with 8 Kapuso programs making it to the top 10, while once again sweeping Mega Manila’s top 10 list.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Feb. 3, go to Dulce Lucban, Marilou Cayton, Rafael Dulalia, Jude Digao, Lorna Molina, Ety Fariñas, Virgie Fantilagan, Alex Vergara, Timmy Boy Sta. Maria, Rosie Bernabe, Lito Miranda and Star Cinema’s Ms. Malou Santos…Feb. 4: Jun Polistico, Tony Villareal, Aida Jalandoon, Amelia Consul, Ethel de Chavez, Myrna Tadigue, Susan Bautista, Beth Custodio, Piedad Dy Liacvo and Remar de Leon…Feb. 5: Freddie Aguilar, twins Martin and Vicky Nievera, Myra Manibog, Cesar Campos, Abraham de Vera, MB’s Ed Bartilad, Joel Cruz of Aficionado, Jenny Miller, Cristine Reyes and Ms. Baby Go of BG Productions Int’l…

Friday, February 2, 2018

Several DPWH PPP projects for immediate implementation

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) aims to immediately implement at least six (6) solicited Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects that are now under or will undergo feasibility studies.

DPWH Undersecretary for Planning and PPP Maria Catalina E. Cabral said priority projects this year that are expected to decongest major highways in Luzon and Mindanao include the: Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) Phase 2; Quezon-Bicol Expressway; Batangas City - Bauan Toll Road Project; Davao-Digos Expressway; TPLEX Extension; and Delpan-Pasig-Marikina Expressway.
“Our government is pushing for the realization of these major road projects that are necessary to ease traffic congestion within city roads,” said Undersecretary Cabral.

According to Undersecretary Cabral, the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) Phase 2 which will be 35.7-kilometer extension of the existing CLLEX Phase I from Cabanatuan City and San Jose City is now under procurement of Transaction Advisory (TA) Services and Feasibility Study (FS).
The feasibility study of the approximately 180 kilometers Quezon-Bicol Expressway which will start at Pagbilao, Quezon and will end at Maharlika Highway in San Fernando, Camarines Sur will be completed by third quarter of 2018.

DPWH is likewise preparing the Terms of Reference (TOR) and Estimated Budget for the contract (EBC) of three (3) other projects namely: Batangas City - Bauan Toll Road Project which is a 10-kilometer road from Batangas City to Bauan, Batangas traversing the municipality of San Pascual, Batangas; 60-kilometer Davao-Digos Expressway, which will start from Bukidnon-Davao National Highway in Davao City to Digos-Sultan Kudarat Road in Digos City ; and the 24.72-kilometer Delpan-Pasig-Marikina Expressway that will start in Manila, pass through Makati, and terminate at Marcos Highway in the city of Marikina through the Pasig River.

The EBC of TPLEX Extension which is an approximately 54-kilometer toll road starting from the end of TPLEX Section 3B in Rosario, La Union to F. Ortega Highway at San Fernando, La Union is also being prepared by the DPWH while its TOR has been transmitted for approval.

Aside from the 6 projects, DPWH PPP Service is also supervising the implementation of 3 on-going projects namely: TPLEX which Pozorrubio to Rosario subsection is now 14 percent completed; Cavite-Laguna Expressway which construction has now reached 6 percent accomplishment on Laguna segment; and the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road which construction is aimed to start within first quarter of 2018.

MMDA: Around 40,000 affected by Sevilla Bridge reconstruction

By Jel Santos

Around 40, 000 motorists are expected to be affected by the five-month-long reconstruction of Sevilla Bridge as its construction will start tomorrow at 10 p.m., the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said today.

The reconstruction of the bridge coincides with the construction of Skyway 3, the contractor said

The bridge connects the cities of Mandaluyong and Manila.

Jojo Garcia, MMDA general manager for planning, said the construction of Sevilla Bridge will certainly cause heavy traffic congestion, but he said that once it’s complete, the public will surely benefit.

MMDA’s Sevilla Bridge reconstruction project plan (photo by Jel Santos)

“Around 40,000 motorists ang dumadaan diyan sa Sevilla Bridge a day…Definitely [we are ready for the criticism of the public.] Pros and cons ‘yan. Kapag may ginawa ka, may maapektuhan.– after naman ng paghihirap ay may kaginhawahan (Around 40,000 motorists are using that bridge…If you are going to do something, there are always people who will get affected—but after the burden, relief will follow),” he said.

“Ang repair ng tulay is five months. Kapag nagawa natin itong section na ito, all the way ma-connect na natin ‘yung Skyway from South Luzon to North Luzon. [The construction] of the Skyway will take 17 months (The repair of the bridge is five months. When the Skyway is already done, South Luzon and North Luzon will be connected),” Engr. Rey Luna, general manager of SUNMARU, the contractor of the Skyway 3 and Sevilla Bridge project, said

According to Luna, the lane which will be closed today is the one from Manila to EDSA, from P. Sanchez to Shaw Boulevard at 10 p.m.

“Bukas if magsara kami ng lane ito po [ay] ‘yung from Maynila to EDSA (vice versa), from P. Sanchez to Shaw Boulevard at 10 p.m. [on Saturday]. Equipment namin is nasa ilalim ng tulay, may barge kami sa ilalim ng tulay. Sa ilog ang equipment,” the contractor said.

He said that 50 workers will work together in reconstructing half of the bridge.

Garcia said MMDA has been conducting clearing operations to the alternative routes to make sure the traffic congestion expected to be caused by the bridge would be diminished.

“We have been removing illegally parked vehicles and other obstructions along alternative routes for the past three weeks,” Garcia said.

MMDA has already initiated its clearing operations a few weeks before the DPWH would begin repairing the Sevilla Bridge to open alternate routes for commuters affected by it.

Alternate routes

Motorists coming from Shaw Boulevard are advised to turn right to F. Blumentritt St., then left to F. Manalo St., right to Old Sta. Mesa, left to Araneta Avenue and right to Aurora Boulevard going to destination.

From Shaw Boulevard they can also turn right to F. Blumentritt St. left to Manalo St. right to Old Santa Mesa to destination; right to F. Blumentritt St., left to F. Manalo St., right to Old Santa Mesa, left to Araneta Avenue going to destination.

As such, from Shaw Boulevard, motorists can also turn right to F. Blumentritt St., left to F. Manalo St., left to Old Santa Mesa, right to V. Mapa, left to Aurora Boulevard, heading to their destination.

Eastbound motorists, meanwhile, from Magsaysay Boulevard can turn right to Valenzuela St., right to Cordillera, left to Lubiran to Boni Avenue to Maysilo roundabout and exit to FB Martinez St., then right to Shaw Boulevard going to destination.

Also, motorists from Magsaysay Boulevard can go to V. Mapa, right to Old Sta. Mesa, left to Reposo St., left to Valenzuela, right to V. Mapa, right to Bagumbayan St., left to Lubiran, left to Kalentong then right to Shaw Boulevard to destination.

From New Panaderos Extension turn right to Shaw Boulevard heading to their destination.

Garcia said the reconstruction of the bridge will be undertaken by a private contractor which will work 24/7 a day.

The reconstruction intends to strengthen its capacity and increase its water elevation to allow barges to pass underneath that will cater to equipment and remove debris during dredging periods.

MMDA said the truck ban along Shaw Boulevard will be adjusted from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. while the reconstruction takes place.

MMDA is asking the public for understanding, saying that the constructions will benefit commuters as soon as it’s done.

Website of alternative news outfit attacked

NUJP sees the attack on Kodao as part of the Duterte government’s “efforts to silence critical media, as seen in the continuing attempt to shut down Rappler, threaten other news outfits, and other voices of dissent.”

By BULATLAT

MANILA — The website of alternative news outfit Kodao Productions (www.kodao.org) was attacked, rendering it inaccessible.

The website was subjected to a code injection attack through online publishing platform WordPress around midnight last night, Feb. 2, that prevents its website technicians from logging in.

In a statement, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) condemned the attack on the alternative news outfit’s website, noting that the attack came when other media organizations are also “under relentless attacks from enemies of press freedom and other human rights.”

Last month, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) revoked the registration of Rappler, an online media outfit. At least 54 radio stations under the country’s Catholic Media Network (CMN) are in danger of being silenced as its application for renewal of franchise remains pending at the Lower House.

NUJP sees the attack on Kodao as part of the Duterte government’s “efforts to silence critical media, as seen in the continuing attempt to shut down Rappler, threaten other news outfits, and other voices of dissent.”

Established in 2000, Kodao is the second oldest existing alternative media outfit in the country. It is known for its comprehensive coverage of the GRP-NDFP peace process, indigenous peoples struggles, human rights, environment and other social issues.

This is not the first time that Kodao was targeted. In 2006, when Gloria Arroyo declared a State of National Emergency, Kodao was the first media victim when its award-winning daily show “Ngayon na, Bayan” in DZRJ was suddenly prevented from airing. Kodao was also wrongfully accused and charged with rebellion, which was subsequently dismissed for lack of merit.

“The NUJP stands with Kodao Productions and all other legitimate media outfits that only seek to amplify the voice of the people against tyranny, neglect and abuse by those in power,” NUJP Acting Chair Atty. Jocelyn Clemente and Secretary General Dabet Panelo said. (http://bulatlat.com)

DPWH lists 6 road projects as its PPP priorities

THE DPWH has identified six priority public-private partnership (PPP) projects for this year.

DPWH Undersecretary for Planning and PPP Maria Catalina E. Cabral said in a statement that priority projects this year, expected to decongest major highways in Luzon and Mindanao, include the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) Phase 2; Quezon-Bicol Expressway (QuBEX); Batangas City-Bauan Toll Road Project; Davao-Digos Expressway; Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union (TPLEX) Extension; and Delpan-Pasig-Marikina Expressway.

Ms. Cabral said the CLLEX Phase 2, a 35.7-kilometer extension of the existing CLLEX Phase I from Cabanatuan City and San Jose City, is now under procurement of Transaction Advisory (TA) Services and Feasibility Study (FS).

The feasibility study of the around 180-kilometer QuBEX will be completed by third quarter of 2018. The project will start at Pagbilao, Quezon and will end at Maharlika Highway in San Fernando, Camarines Sur.

For the Batangas-Bauang Toll Road Project, Davao-Digos Expressway, TPLEX Extension, and Delpan-Pasig-Marikina Expressway, the DPWH is preparing the terms of reference (TOR) and the estimated budget for the contract (EBC).

The Batangas City-Bauan Toll Road Project is a 10-kilometer road traversing the municipality of San Pascual, Batangas. The 60-kilometer Davao-Digos Expressway will start from Bukidnon-Davao National Highway in Davao City to Digos-Sultan Kudarat Road in Digos City; and the 24.72-kilometer Delpan-Pasig-Marikina Expressway will start in the City of Manila, pass through Makati City, and terminate at Marcos Highway in Marikina City through the Pasig River.

The EBC of TPLEX Extension is also being prepared by the DPWH while its TOR has been transmitted for approval, the agency said. The extension is a 54-kilometer toll road starting from the end of TPLEX Section 3B in Rosario, La Union to F. Ortega Highway in San Fernando, La Union. — Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo

White elephant

NEDA may yet frustrate President Duterte’s desire to bring about a golden age of infrastructure. NEDA has through the years shown a bias for ODA and GAA and against PPP and unsolicited proposals.

President Duterte has said he is in favor of the unsolicited proposal and Swiss challenge mode for his infra projects. But it will take a stronger presidential expression of preference for NEDA to see the light.

President Duterte is right. Private sector proponents of infra projects under the unsolicited mode are more likely to deliver projects on time and on budget. Only the failure of DPWH to deliver right of way on time can cause delays and cost overruns in private sector-led projects.

Over the last week, NEDA announced that two projects have passed their screening and awaiting President Duterte’s approval. One is the Mindanao Railway and the other is the Subic-Clark railway. Both are funded by ODA which means taxpayers will eventually pay their costs.

It is because public funds are involved that NEDA should more carefully screen such projects as to viability and need. Experts I have talked to think these two rail projects are potential white elephants.

Indeed, when the staff of the Foundation for Economic Freedom asked for a copy of the Subic-Clark feasibility study approved by NEDA, the request was declined. Confidential daw. The truth is, they can’t let a bunch of independent economists review it because it is indefensible. Freedom of Information be dammed.

As I reported last Monday, a transport expert familiar with government’s projects commented that “the feasibility study for Mindanao Railway is very raw, and flawed but NEDA approved it (political pressure). Just to cite a few: timetable is fantasy - completion in 2020 when ROW for 105-km has not yet been surveyed.”

As for the P57.6 billion Subic-Clark Railway, it is being justified as a part of a rail network connecting Subic with the Manila and Batangas ports. But an expert I consulted remains unconvinced it should be built.

“I’m still not convinced it makes sense for cargo. You still need double handling with rail; and you still don’t get the efficiency of long haul travel—whether its 70 km or 500 km plus. There’s no long haul for the Philippines; the country doesn’t have the scale of India or China. If decent roads (not congested) parallel a railway, general cargo is typically dominated by trucking.”

“Note that railways were built in the country before decent roads were built. That’s when PNR freight traffic thrived. Once roads were built and truck-bus competition was in place, the PNR lost most of its market share.”

I am told by experts that traditionally, and in general, cargo movements less than 1,000 km are moved thru highways. Said one: “Cargo rail for that distance of 70 kilometers will be more expensive than trucking.”

Honestly, we are really only talking of the Subic-Clark leg. Absolutely nothing will happen to connect that to Manila, much less to Batangas in the next five years or more. If a stand alone is all we are talking about, this is one project that should be left in the back burner.

Experts also point out that our railway lines are heavily subsidized. If all of those railway dreams get built, all the TRAIN packages won’t be able to raise enough money for the required subsidies.

Said one expert: “Yes, we need to spend more on infrastructure—the right kind that is needed by the country, not what politicians want. If the add-on revenues from TRAIN 1-4 would only be squandered on wrong railway projects, we might as well derail the next packages.”

“The only comfort I get from these rail obsessions is that DOTr’s execution ability is so bad, most of them won’t happen anyway.”

Indeed, SCTEX and the Angeles to Dinalupihan national highway can very well handle the cargo traffic between Subic and Clark for quite a while.

These two haphazard approvals are getting some economists who supported TRAIN worried that bureaucrats who think they have so much money to squander are going to build white elephants.

They should remain focused on completing the basic railway projects (PNR’s commuter and Bicol lines as well the Manila to Clark lines) instead of dissipating funds and attention on Subic-Clark railway whose usefulness is doubtful.

While NEDA quickly approved these two questionable projects that will waste our tax money, it seems they are making San Miguel sweat it out on its unsolicited proposal for a new international airport in Bulacan.

I don't understand why NEDA should worry about San Miguel's airport having a good financial return or not. Unlike the railway projects, not a centavo of government money is at stake. If San Miguel is wrong about its financial assumptions, that’s their problem.

The fact that San Miguel has proposed it must mean they have crunched their financial numbers and are confident about the project’s viability. I am not sure it is right for NEDA to ask San Miguel to share their financial details because that’s proprietary information that could be used by rivals in the Swiss challenge.

But San Miguel quickly shared their financial model and other details with NEDA anyway. Hopefully, this gesture of goodwill will be reciprocated with an early approval of the airport proposal.

Of course the project requires some amount of government regulation, notably as it refers to CAAP and the CAB. But financial viability should be left to San Miguel.

I am just worried that NEDA may want to protect the government owned and managed NAIA and Clark and consider San Miguel’s proposal as a threat. The way I look at it, the more the merrier! A private sector owned international airport will force NAIA and Clark to compete by vastly improving services.

It has already happened at Mactan… private management has noticeably improved services even in the old terminal building. The new terminal is to be inaugurated this June and it looks good.

People deserve the best service, something bureaucrats find difficult to provide.

The bitter pill

It’s just the second month of the year but already, an assortment of both man-made and natural misfortunes have come our way. The top two most pressing issues in our midst are the continuing restiveness of the majestic Mt. Mayon and the effects in the implementation of the TRAIN (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) Law.

We have yet to feel the full impact of TRAIN implementation in our day-to-day existence. This early, however, vehicle owners are already feeling its effects with the seemingly unceasing increase in the prices of petroleum products. TRAIN is not only the cause of the rise. Major oil players point to the upward adjustments in the prices of oil per barrel in the international market. The peso depreciation, too, has influenced the hike in the pump prices in the domestic market. Wait ‘til the transport sector, which like Mt. Mayon is, also, restive, demands higher fare.

The specter of a domino effect on the prices of basic commodities is facing us consumers as illustrated by my tax guru, my neighbor, Dr. Milwida Guevara in her column Wednesday. Ms. Nene, as we business journalists call her, breaths taxation. She was the person behind the 1997 Comprehensive Tax Reform Package (CTRP). She was finance undersecretary then. The CTRP is the precursor of the TRAIN law that is now chugging down our daily lives with its smoke billowing, affecting our subsistence.

Lest we forget, there are three more of the TRAIN cars coming our way – packages 2, 3, and 4 which Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez unveiled at the general membership meeting of the Management Association of the Philippines a couple of weeks ago.

Although, I recoil at the sting of the black smoke the TRAIN emits, I agree with certain reservations that it is a bitter pill we have to take to support the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program. The government needs to get these major infrastructure projects going, a vital component in pushing the domestic economy to the next level, keep it up to speed with the rest of the economies in the region.

Good road networks are essential in bringing products from the source to the distributors to the consumers. This may be the rationale behind the move of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) President Ramon S. Ang to venture into the another construction project. The visionary that he is, Mr. Ang took another leap with the construction of a new expressway designed to link the north and the south. At the onset of the year, SMC-Citra, in partnership with the government, disclosed it will carry out the first phase of the Southeast Metro Manila Expressway, otherwise known as C6. The interconnection spans 34 kilometers from Skyway/FTI (Food Terminal, Inc.) to Batasan.

While SMC’s bottomline is most desirable to bankroll the estimated P45- billion project cost, the conglomerate is set to tap the market to issue debt instruments.

The issuance of the debt securities will be done by drawing from its shelf-registration filed before the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in September last year amounting to P60 billion. SMC has yet to satisfy the full amount of the shelf-registration, there’s still a balance of P30 billion.

BDO Capital and Investments Corporations, BPI Capital Corporation, ING Bank, China Bank Capital Corporations, First Metro Investments Corporation, Security Bank Capital Investment Corporation, and Standard Chartered Bank have been engaged to underwrite the offering with tenors of 5-7-10 years.

“By any standard San Miguel has the money. The prevailing low interest regime, however, is ripe for the SMC to tap the market for an issue for re-financing,” says a banking source.

Let us not be overwhelmed by the incredible gridlocks that we have to brace up for arising from all these Build, Build, Build projects. Looking ahead, they will ease the ride around the metropolis. And, more importantly, they will diminish the supply bottleneck.

No pain, no gain.

Talk back to me at sionil731@gmail.com

House to approve bill mandating setup of new housing agency

A Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council priority measure seeking to address the basic housing needs and requirements of the Filipino family through the creation of a new housing department has been approved on second reading in the House of Representatives.

Voting through viva voce, lawmakers approved the passage of the House Bill (HB) 6775, or An Act Creating the Department of Human Settles and Urban Development (DHUD), late Wednesday.

House Committee on Housing and Urban Development Chairman Rep. Alfredo B. Benitez of the Third District of Negros Occidental said the bill would address the worsening housing problem in the country.

The lower chamber is expected to approve the bill next week.

The measure aims to establish an efficient, effective, comprehensive and integrated national and local housing and urban development program.

It also seeks to rationalize, and coordinate the functions and powers of the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. (NHMFC), Home Guaranty Corp.(HGC), Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) and the National Housing Authority (NHA).

The bill calls for the establishment of the DHUD by merging the Housing Urban Development Coordinating Council and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board.

According to Benitez, the current Republic Act 7279, or the Urban Development Housing Act, has apparently overlooked the enormous demands in the housing sector.

“Neither did Executive Order 9, which created a coordinating body for shelter agencies of the government, address the housing backlog that stood at 3 million in 1992,” he said.

The measure said the department shall be headed by a secretary and assisted by four undersecretaries and four assistant secretaries to be appointed by the President.

The bill added functions of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board shall be transferred to the Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC) that will be created under this Act.

It also said the NHA, HGC, NHMFC, HDMF, Social Housing Finance Corp. and HSAC are hereby attached to the housing department for policy and program coordination, monitoring and evaluation. All these agencies shall continue to function according to existing laws and their respective charters.

Under HB 6775, the agency will not only provide for housing but will also “focus on building communities and habitats in both rural and urban areas.”

The lawmaker said the department shall act as the primary national government entity responsible for the management of housing, human settlement and urban development.

“It will not only deal with the physical element of housing but likewise provide the necessary link to community services and components, such as education, health, culture, welfare, recreation, food and nutrition,” Benitez said.

He added the agency shall be the sole and main planning and policy-making, regulatory, program coordination and performance-monitoring entity for all housing, human settlement and urban-development concerns, primarily focusing on the access to and the affordability of basic human needs.

Benitez said the new department shall develop and adopt a national strategy to immediately address the provision of adequate and affordable housing to all Filipinos, and shall ensure alignment of all the policies, programs and projects of all its attached agencies to facilitate the achievement of this objective.

Earlier, the solon said the housing needs of Filipinos could balloon to 6.8 million before President Duterte’s term ends on June 30, 2022.

He added there will be an estimated 774,441 housing needs in 2018; 788,773 in 2019; 803,405 in 2020; 818,363 in 2021 and 833,619 in 2022.

GMA Network secures top spot in nationwide TV ratings

GMA Network posted a strong start for 2018 in the nationwide television ratings competition after securing the top spot anew based on the latest data from Nielsen TV Audience Measurement, the industry’s widely-trusted ratings service provider.

For the full month of January (with January 21 to 31 based on overnight data), GMA registered winning numbers in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM) with an average of 43.7 percent total day people audience share, beating ABS-CBN’s 38.6 percent.

The Kapuso Network reigned supreme across all day parts in NUTAM. In the morning block, GMA recorded a 42.3 percent people audience share versus ABS-CBN’s 35.4 percent.

GMA’s afternoon line-up, which garnered 47.3 percent, was way ahead of rival network’s 36.8 percent.

Continuing well into the evening block, the Network maintained a leading share of 41.5 percent as against competition’s 41.2 percent.

The Kapuso Network similarly dominated all time blocks with bigger margins 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, GMA registered a total day people audience share of 49.2 percent; besting ABS-CBN’s 32 percent.

Likewise in Mega Manila (with official data from January 1 to 20), the Kapuso Network upheld its strong showing with 51.9 percent total day people audience share while ABS-CBN only managed to get 28.5 percent.

More Kapuso shows also made it to the list of top programs in NUTAM with the award-winning news magazine show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho (KMJS) being the most watched GMA program for January.

Joining KMJS as the Network’s ratings drivers for the month were Magpakailanman; Sherlock Jr.; Pepito Manaloto; 24 Oras; Super Ma’am; Kambal, Karibal; Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko; All-Star Videoke; and Sirkus.

Included in the list as well were weekend primetime newscast 24 Oras Weekend; Ika-6 na Utos; Impostora; Haplos; Imbestigador; The One That Got Away; My Korean Jagiya; Bubble Gang; Saksi; Tadhana; Eat Bulaga; and Wowowin.

GMA Network still ruled the list of top programs in Urban Luzon with 8 Kapuso programs making it to the top 10, while once again sweeping Mega Manila’s top 10 list.

Nielsen data is gathered through a greater number of sampled homes nationwide in comparison to Kantar Media. With approximately 900 more homes surveyed in Total Urban and Rural Philippines compared to Kantar, Nielsen data is statistically considered more representative of the total TV population.

In 2017, Nielsen TV Audience Measurement increased its client pool to a total of 41 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; 21 agencies (18 media agencies, 2 consulting agencies, 1 digital agency); and 1 advertiser.

LRMC to raise LRT1 train speed to 60 kph

Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) is targeting to increase the train speed of Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1) to 60 kilometers per hour (kph) by the second quarter of the year.

The plan to raise the speed is now possible since company has been able to complete the 26.5-kilometer rail replacement last year.

“From 40 kph magiging 60 kph na, probably in the second quarter,” LRMC chief operating officer Rodolfo Chansuyco told reporters on the sidelines of a forum in Makati City on Thursday.

“So, completed na ‘yung mga rails and we still need to do some tests. We need to ensure that they can run at 60. So there will be testing,” he said.

“We are just fulfilling some tests, improvements, commissioning, quality check. We also have a ‘quality team’ to certify na all things are done there and complied with the checklist ang ... process, then we go ahead,” Chansuyco noted.

With the trains running at a top speed of 60 kph, the number of trips per day will increase by 15 percent. LRMC president and CEO Juan Alfonso said.

Since it took over the maintenance and operation of the mass rail system on September 12, 2015, LRMC was able to increase the number of light rail vehicles running from 77 to 109 coaches or from 25 trains to around 30, he said.

“With this, the headway or the waiting time for commuters to ride a train was reduced to 3.5 minutes from between 5 and 6 minutes when we took over,” Chansuyco noted.

A study commissioned by the LRMC showed that LRT-1 ridership increased by 16 percent in 2015 to 2017.

“Before we took over, nasa around 400,000 passengers average per day. Now, it is around 500,000,” Chansuyco said.

Clean trains and stations and better ticket-buying efficiency, helped increase the number of commuter on the LRT1, according to LRMC. —VDS, GMA News

50 railway engineers start audit of MRT 3

More than 50 railway engineers and experts from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) kicked off on Thursday a system audit of the Metro Rail Transit 3, according to the Department of Transportation (DoTr).

“We obviously need all the help we can get and we are very grateful that the Japanese government answered our call for assistance to rehabilitate and restore the MRT 3 system,” Undersecretary for Railways TJ Batan said in a statement.

“Additional trains on the MRT 3 may be expected within February since the first batch of spare parts that were ordered last December are scheduled to be delivered and installed this month. The spare parts that were already ordered have a delivery lead time of 30 days to 6 months,” Batan added.

The DOTr noted that the system audit is an important part in determining the rehabilitation and restoration needed.

The maintenance provider will be nominated by JICA and will be mobilized in May, it said.

Earlier, the DoTr announced that it will pursue a 30-year unsolicited proposal to take the maintenance and operation of the MRT 3, of which original proponent status was given to the Metro Pacific Light Rail Corporation.

LRT-1 extension works set to begin by mid-year

Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) plans to commence actual construction works for the extension of the existing Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) by the middle of the year.

“We want the actual construction to start if we can, by the middle of this year. If we can do it quicker, if issues are solved faster, we’ll do it quicker,” LRMC president and chief executive officer Juan Alfonso told reporters yesterday on the sidelines of the presentation of a study on profiles and preferences of LRT-1 passengers.

He said there are issues which are still being ironed out before actual construction could begin.

“It’s more than just the right of way. It’s really clearing the path for the actual construction because sometimes, they say the right of way is completed but actual structures have to be completed and moved, whether it’s residents or utility lines or sometimes, alignments,” Alfonso said.

He said LRMC is optimistic the issues would be resolved soon.

“We are now entering the detailed design phase with our EPC (engineering, procurement, construction) contractor,” he said.

LRMC earlier signed the EPC contract with French firms Bouygues Travaux Publics and Alstom Transport for the construction of the LRT-1 Cavite extension.

The consortium composed of Metro Pacific Investments Corp.’s Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp., Ayala Corp.’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd., broke ground on the P65 billion LRT-1 Cavite extension in May last year.

It bagged the contract to operate, maintain and extend the train line until Cavite, under the public-private partnership program during the previous administration.

In September 2015, it took over the operations of the train line which currently covers Roosevelt station in Quezon City until Baclaran station in Pasay City.

LRT-1’s extension would cover eight new stations such as Aseana, MIA, Asia World, Ninoy Aquino and Dr. Santos Stations in Parañaque City, Las Piñas and Zapote Stations in Las Piñas City and Niog Station in Bacoor, Cavite.

Alfonso said LRMC is planning to increase the trains’ speed to 60 kilometers per hour (kph) from the current 40 kph, to have more trips and enable faster commute for passengers.

“We feel if the system is more efficient then, people will use it more. It’s going to drive itself,” he said.

“We’re trying to improve infrastructure that goes along per station with the trains. So, that will improve the customer experience as well and hopefully drive traffic more,” he said.

LRT 1 riders jumped 16% in last three years–study

GIVEN the perennial traffic problem faced by Filipino commuters on a daily basis, the riding public has remained confident of the pioneering Metro system in the country as a reliable mode of transportation, a study released on Thursday by PHAR Philippines Inc. and TNS of Kantar Media showed.

In a sideline interview during the research results’ announcement in Makati City, TNS Business Director Jose Mari Villabroza told the BusinessMirror that from a satisfaction rate of 40 when they first conducted the survey in 2015, Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT 1) got a score of 52 in 2017.

While the rating for the second installment of the study is not “exemplary” yet, he emphasized, though, that it’s still “a good number” considering the it’s an improvement from a low score three years ago.

“This is actually telling us that people are happy with LRT 1. The main reason they’re happy is because they feel it’s cleaner now, it’s safer and its more convenient. And I think that resulted to more patronage, especially in 2017,” he said.

Due to improved commuting experience of the riding public on the back of developments happening at LRT 1, the Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) has seen a 16-percent increase in the number of daily riders between the two periods in review.

Likewise, passengers belonging to socioeconomic classes A, B and C1 also grew by 37.5 percent between 2015 and 2017.

“Before, we had an average number of passengers reaching 400,000 per day. And now, it’s 500,000 plus. So there’s a big increase,” LRMC COO Rodolfo Chansuyco said.

The top executive attributed this to their improved fleet, wherein the number of light rail vehicles now operating from the time they took over the management of LRT 1 three years ago had increased from 77 to 109.

Alongside the enhanced capacity is the reduction in the length of time of commute. Per the results, the average passengers spend about 62 minutes per day in LRT 1 trains and stations.

Chansuyco revealed that peak hours in the morning and in the evening span for four hours, with the foot traffic becoming heavier on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Among the 20 stations, he cited that Monumento, Gil Puyat, Edsa and United Nations are the routes where the bulk of the passengers come from.

What make the commuters to continue to ride on LRT 1 to their destinations is the spic and span condition and improved operation of the system.

In the study, there was an improved cleanliness factor by 177 percent, with Abad Santos and Gil Puyat garnering the highest scores.

The respondents have also agreed that the entry to LRT 1 has also become more efficient. In fact, it was rated with 260 percent improvement in terms of queues for tickets, wherein the Vito Cruz station was singled out as the most improved in terms of convenience in train-ticket purchasing.

“We’re focused on improving the customer service,” LRMC President and CEO Juan F. Alfonso said of the company’s effort to further improve the riding experience in LRT 1.

As part of their strategic plan, he bared that they will enhance further the speed of their trains this year.

“The new thing that we’re going to implement is what we call the 60 kph. The trains currently are running at 40 kilometers per hour. So we’ll run the trains faster,” Alfonso said.

The increase in speed, according to him, will be adding about 10 percent or 15 percent more trips per day using the same trains.

“So people will be spending less time at the station,” the president and CEO said.

“We feel that if the system is more efficient, then people will use it more. So it’s going to drive [our growth].”

Titled “Unlocking LRT 1 Riders: Research and Data on Consumers,” the sophomore edition of the research was done in 2016. About 5,500 LRT 1 passengers were interviewed between 2015 and 2017.

In the latest research, about 65 percent of the riders are aged 18 to 29 years old. The gender ratio is 50 percent male and 50 percent female.

Thursday, February 1, 2018

Construction of LRT1 Cavite extension to start mid-2018

The Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1), Southeast Asia's 1st rail transport line, is finally set to start the construction of its extension from Baclaran to Cavite in the middle of 2018, after it tapped French rail experts Bouygues Travaux Publics and Alstom Transport Private Limited to help with the structure.

"We have signed an EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) contract with Bouygues. We are trying to do this as soon as possible. We can by the middle of this year," Juan Alfonso, president and chief executive officer of Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), told reporters on the sidelines of a forum in Makati City on Thursday, February 1.

"It is more than just right of way but more of clearing the path. If we can do it quicker, then we will do it faster," Alfonso added.

LRMC took over the operations, maintenance, and extension of the LRT1 in September 2015, after bagging the P64.9-billion ($1.36-billion) LRT1 Cavite Extension deal. (READ & WATCH: Engineers racing to fix LRT1)

LRMC is a consortium of Ayala Corporation, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), and the Macquarie group.

The 11.7-kilometer Cavite extension will link with the existing system immediately south of the Baclaran Station, and run all the way to Niog, Bacoor City, Cavite.

Eight new stations will be provided with 3 intermodal facilities across Pasay City, Parañaque City, Las Piñas City, and Cavite.

The new stations are Aseana, MIA, Asia World, Ninoy Aquino, Dr Santos, Las Piñas, Zapote, and Niog. The intermodal facilities will be located in Dr Santos, Zapote, and Niog.

The commercial speed of the Cavite extension trains will be 60 kilometers per hour (km/h).

Alfonso said the LRT1 Cavite extension is targeted for completion in about 4 years or in 2021.

No fare hike surprises

Alfonso added that his firm is in constant talks with the government on how to move forward with a pending fare hike, as stipulated in their concession agreement (CA).

Instead of a fare hike which would be a burden to commuters, the LRT1 operator had suggested that the government subsidize the company's nearly P300-million claim.

"Fare increase is in the provision of CA. When the agreement for LRT1 was signed between LRMC and government, it contained a schedule of fare increases to allow us to fund the transactions," Alfonso told reporters.

"We need to keep our covenance to our lenders. We are discussing this with the government, on the schedule. There is no surprise that is coming. All fare adjustments are coursed through the Department of Transportation (DOTr)," he added.

LRMC had said that the pending fare increase for the LRT1, which should have taken effect on August 1, 2016, would push fees "5% higher" than they were in January 2015.

In December 2014, then-DOTC implemented fare hikes for the 3 major train lines in Metro Manila, including the LRT1, after several years of postponement.

Under Department Order No. 2014-014, the uniform distance-based fare scheme for all 3 train lines – or an P11 base fare plus P1 per kilometer – was adopted. – Rappler.com