Fitness Fashion

Monday, February 19, 2018

Jesus Is Lord Church Worldwide: Local and International Chapters

The movement has the following chapters nationally and internationally:

Philippines

Manila
Quezon City
Caloocan City
Las Piñas City
Makati City
Malabon City
Mandaluyong City
Marikina City
Meycauayan City
Muntinlupa City
Navotas City
Parañaque City
Pasay City
Pasig City
San Juan City
San Pedro City
Taguig City
Valenzuela City
Obando
Pateros
Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Sur
La Union
Pangasinan
Abra
Baguio City
Benguet
Kalinga
Apayao
Mountain Province
Ifugao
Santiago City
Isabela
Tuguegarao City
Cagayan
Batanes
Quirino
Nueva Vizcaya
Angeles City
Mabalacat City
City of San Fernando
Pampanga
Tarlac City
Tarlac
Olongapo City
Zambales
Balanga City
Bataan
Malolos City
City of San Jose Del Monte
Bulacan
Cabanatuan City
Nueva Ecija
Aurora
Antipolo City
Rizal
Bacoor City
Imus City
Dasmariñas City
General Trias City
Cavite
Biñan City
Santa Rosa City
Cabuyao City
Calamba City
San Pablo City
Laguna
Batangas City
Lipa City
Batangas
Lucena City
Quezon
Puerto Princesa City
Palawan
Occidental Mindoro
Oriental Mindoro
Marinduque
Romblon
Camarines Norte
Camarines Sur
Albay
Catanduanes
Sorsogon
Masbate
Aklan
Antique
Capiz
Iloilo City
Iloilo
Guimaras
Bacolod City
Negros Occidental
Cebu City
Lapu-lapu City
Mandaue City
Cebu
Bohol
Negros Oriental
Siquijor
Ormoc City
Tacloban City
Biliran
Leyte
Southern Leyte
Northern Samar
Eastern Samar
Western Samar
Isabela City
Zamboanga City
Zamboanga del Norte
Zamboanga del Sur
Zamboanga Sibugay
Cagayan de Oro City
Camiguin
Misamis Occidental
Misamis Oriental
Iligan City
Lanao del Norte
Bukidnon
Davao City
Tagum City
Compostela Valley
Davao del Norte
Davao del Sur
Davao Occidental
Davao Oriental
General Santos City
Cotabato City
Cotabato
Sarangani
South Cotabato
Sultan Kudarat
Butuan City
Agusan del Norte
Agusan del Sur
Dinagat Islands
Surigao del Norte
Surigao del Sur
Basilan
Lanao del Sur
Maguindanao
Shariff Kabunsuan
Sulu
Tawi-Tawi

China

North China

Beijing Municipality
Tianjin Municipality
Hebei Province
Shanxi Province
Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

Northeast China

Liaoning Province
Jilin Province
Heilongjiang Province

East China

Shanghai Municipality
Jiangsu Province
Zhejiang Province
Anhui Province
Fujian Province
Jiangxi Province
Shandong Province

South Central China

Henan Province
Hubei Province
Hunan Province
Guangdong Province
Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
Hainan Province

Southwest China

Chongqing Municipality
Sichuan Province
Guizhou Province
Yunnan Province
Tibet Autonomous Region

Northwest China

Shaanxi Province
Gansu Province
Qinghai Province
Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region
Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Island

Central and Western
Eastern
Southern
Wan Chai

Kowloon and New Kowloon

Kowloon City
Kwun Tong
Sham Shui Po
Wong Tai Sin
Yau Tsim Mong

New Territories (excluding New Kowloon)

Islands
Kwai Tsing
North
Sai Kung
Sha Tin
Tai Po
Tsuen Wan
Tuen Mun
Yuen Long

India

North India

Jammu and Kashmir
Himachal Pradesh
Punjab
Chandigarh
Uttarakhand
Haryana
Delhi
Uttar Pradesh

Northeast India

Arunachal Pradesh
Assam
Manipur
Meghalaya
Mizoram
Nagaland
Sikkim
Tripura

East India

Bihar
Jharkhand
Odisha
West Bengal
Andaman and Nicobar Islands

South India

Andhra Pradesh
Karnataka
Kerala
Tamil Nadu
Telangana

Western India

Gujarat
Maharashtra
Goa
Daman and Diu
Dadra and Nagar Haveli

Indonesia

Sumatra

Aceh
Bangka–Belitung Islands
Bengkulu
Jambi
Lampung
North Sumatra
Riau
Riau Islands
South Sumatra
West Sumatra

Java

Banten
Central Java
East Java
Jakarta
West Java
Yogyakarta

Kalimantan

Central Kalimantan
East Kalimantan
North Kalimantan
South Kalimantan
West Kalimantan

Lesser Sunda

Bali
East Nusa Tenggara
West Nusa Tenggara

Sulawesi

Central Sulawesi
Gorontalo
North Sulawesi
Southeast Sulawesi
South Sulawesi
West Sulawesi

Maluku

Maluku
North Maluku

Western New Guinea

Papua
West Papua

Japan

Hokkaido
Hokkaido
Tōhoku
Aomori
Iwate
Miyagi
Akita
Yamagata
Fukushima
Kantō
Ibaraki
Tochigi
Gunma
Saitama
Chiba
Tokyo
Kanagawa
Chūbu
Niigata
Toyama
Ishikawa
Fukui
Yamanashi
Nagano
Gifu
Shizuoka
Aichi
Kansai
Mie
Shiga
Kyoto
Osaka
Hyōgo
Nara
Wakayama
Chūgoku
Tottori
Shimane
Okayama
Hiroshima
Yamaguchi
Shikoku
Tokushima
Kagawa
Ehime
Kōchi
Kyushu
Fukuoka
Saga
Nagasaki
Kumamoto
Ōita
Miyazaki
Kagoshima
Okinawa

Jordan

North Region

Ajloun

Irbid

Jerash

Mafraq

Central Region

Amman

Balqa

Madaba

Zarqa

South Region

Aqaba

Karak

Ma'an

Tafilah

Kazakhstan

Akmola

Aktobe

Almaty

Atyrau

East Kazakhstan

Karaganda

Kostanay

Kyzylorda

Jambyl

Mangystau

North Kazakhstan

Pavlodar

South Kazakhstan

West Kazakhstan

Kuwait

Capital (Asima)

Hawalli

Farwaniya

Ahmadi

Jahra

Mubarak Al-Kabeer

Kyrgyzstan

Batken

Bishkek (city)

Chuy

Issyk-Kul

Jalal-Abad

Naryn

Osh

Osh (city)

Talas

Laos

Attapeu

Bokeo

Bolikhamxai

Champasak

Houaphan

Khammouan

Luang Namtha

Louangphabang

Oudomxai

Phongsali

Sainyabuli

Salavan

Savannakhet

Sekong

Vientiane (Viengchan)

Vientiane

Xiangkhoang

Lebanon

Beirut

Beqaa

Mount Lebanon

Nabatieh

North

South

Macau

Macau Peninsula

N. Sra. de Fátima

Sto. António

S. Lázaro

Sé

S. Lourenço

Taipa and Coloane

N. Sra. do Carmo

S. Francisco Xavier

Malaysia

Peninsular Malaysia

Northern Region

Perlis

Kedah

Penang

Perak

East Coast Region

Kelantan

Terengganu

Pahang

Central Region

Selangor

Kuala Lumpur

Putrajaya

Southern Region

Negeri Sembilan

Malacca

Johor

East Malaysia

Sabah

Sarawak

Federal Territory of Labuan

Maldives

Haa Alif

Haa Dhaalu

Shaviyani

Noonu

Raa

Baa

Lhaviyani

Kaafu

Alif Alif

Alif Dhaal

Vaavu

Meemu

Faafu

Dhaalu

Thaa

Laamu

Gaafu Alif

Gaafu Dhaalu

Gnaviyani

Malé

Addu

Mongolia

Arkhangai

Bayankhongor

Bayan-Ölgii

Bulgan

Darkhan-Uul

Dornod

Dornogovi

Dundgovi

Govi-Altai

Govisümber

Khentii

Khovd

Khövsgöl

Ömnögovi

Orkhon

Övörkhangai

Selenge

Sükhbaatar

Töv

Ulaanbaatar

Uvs

Zavkhan

Nepal

Province No. 1

Province No. 2

Province No. 3

Province No. 4

Province No. 5

Province No. 6

Province No. 7

North Korea

North Hwanghae

South Hwanghae

North Hamgyong

Kangwon

South Hamgyong

Ryanggang

Chagang

North Pyongan

South Pyongan

Oman

Ad Dakhiliyah

Ad Dhahirah

Al Batinah North

Al Batinah South

Al Buraimi

Al Wusta

Ash Sharqiyah North

Ash Sharqiyah South

Dhofar

Masqat

Musandam

Pakistan

Balochistan

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Punjab

Sindh

Islamabad Capital Territory

Federally Administered Tribal Areas

Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Gilgit-Baltistan

Palestinian territories

West Bank

Jerusalem (al-Quds)

Bethlehem

Hebron

Jenin

Jericho

Nablus

Qalqilya

Ramallah and al-Bireh

Salfit

Tubas

Tulkarm

Gaza Strip

Deir al-Balah

Gaza

Khan Yunis

North Gaza

Rafah

Qatar

Al Daayen

Ad Dawhah

Al Khor

Al Wakrah

Al Rayyan

Madinat ash Shamal

Umm Salal

Saudi Arabia

Al Bahah

Northern Borders

Al Jawf

Al Madinah

Al Qasim

Riyadh

Eastern Province

'Asir

Ha'il

Jizan

Makkah

Najran

Tabuk

Singapore

Aljunied

Ang Mo Kio

Cheng San

Chong Boon

Kebun Baru

Teck Ghee

Anson Road

Ayer Rajah

Balestier Road

Bartley

Bedok

Bedok Reservoir

Bedok Town Park

Shunfu Estate

Sin Ming

Boon Keng

Bugis-Kampong Glam

Bencoolen

Rochor

Sungei Road

Bukit Batok

Bukit Gombak

Hillview

Hume Estate

Bukit Panjang

Bukit Timah

Dunearn

Toh Tuck

Watten

Buona Vista

Ghim Moh

Holland Drive

Holland Village

one-North

Chinatown

Clarke Quay

Choa Chu Kang

Yew Tee

Clementi, Singapore

Dover

Pandan Valley

West Coast

Geylang

Geylang East

Geylang Serai

Geylang West

Hougang

Buangkok

Jalan Kayu-Seletar

Jurong Residential

Boon Lay

Gek Poh Ville

Jurong Central

Jurong Green

Jurong Spring

Nanyang

Pioneer

Yuhua

Jurong Industrial

Chin Bee

Joo Koon

Lok Yang

Pioneer Sector

Jurong Island

Ten mile Junction

Kallang

Kallang Bahru

Kallang Basin

Lavender

Kembangan

Fidelio Estate

Frankel Estate

Kent Ridge

Labrador Park

Little India

Boon Keng

Farrer Park

MacPherson

Mattar

Mandai

Marina Bay

Esplanade

Marina Centre

Marina East

Marina South

Marine Parade

North-Eastern Islands

Pulau Tekong

Pulau Ubin

Novena

Orchard Road

Cairnhill

Dhoby Ghaut

Emerald Hill

Somerset-Killiney

Tanglin

Pasir Panjang

Pasir Ris

Elias

Lorong Halus

Loyang

Paya Lebar

Potong Pasir

Bidadari

Mount Vernon

Punggol

Queenstown

Commonwealth

St Michael's

Seletar

Sengkang

Sennett Estate

Serangoon

Serangoon Gardens

Serangoon North

Simpang

Singapore City

Somapah

Tai Seng

Tampines

Simei

Tanjong Pagar

Teban Gardens

Telok Blangah

Bukit Chandu

Bukit Purmei

HarbourFront

Radin Mas

Tengah

Tiong Bahru

Bukit Ho Swee

Bukit Merah

Toa Payoh

Bukit Brown

Caldecott Hill

Mount Pleasant

Thomson

Tuas

Tuas Crescent

Tuas Link

Tuas South

Tuas West

Western Water Catchment

Lim Chu Kang

Murai

Pasir Laba

Sarimbun

Sungei Gedong

Wrexham

Woodlands

Admiralty

Innova

Marsiling

Woodgrove

Yishun

Chong Pang

Yew Tee

Sri Lanka

Central

Eastern

North Central

Northern

North Western

Sabaragamuwa

Southern

Uva

Western

Syria

Aleppo

Damascus

Daraa

Deir ez-Zor

Hama

Al-Hasakah

Homs

Idlib

Latakia

Quneitra

Ar-Raqqah

Rif Dimashq

As-Suwayda

Tartus

Tajikistan

Sughd Region

Khatlon Region

Districts of Republican Subordination

Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region

Taiwan

Changhua County

Chiayi City

Chiayi County

Hsinchu City

Hsinchu County

Hualien County

Kaohsiung City

Keelung City

Kinmen County

Lienchiang County

Miaoli County

Nantou County

New Taipei City

Penghu County

Pingtung County

Taichung City

Tainan City

Taipei City

Taitung County

Taoyuan City

Yilan County

Yunlin County

Thailand

Northern Thailand

Chiang Mai

Chiang Rai

Lampang

Lamphun

Mae Hong Son

Nan

Phayao

Phrae

Uttaradit

Northeastern Thailand

Amnat Charoen

Bueng Kan

Buriram

Chaiyaphum

Kalasin

Khon Kaen

Loei

Maha Sarakham

Mukdahan

Nakhon Phanom

Nakhon Ratchasima

Nong Bua Lamphu

Nong Khai

Roi Et

Sakon Nakhon

Sisaket

Surin

Ubon Ratchathani

Udon Thani

Yasothon

Western Thailand

Kanchanaburi

Phetchaburi

Prachuap Khiri Khan

Ratchaburi

Tak

Central Thailand

Ang Thong

Chai Nat

Kamphaeng Phet

Lopburi

Nakhon Nayok

Nakhon Sawan

Phetchabun

Phichit

Phitsanulok

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

Samut Songkhram

Saraburi

Sing Buri

Sukhothai

Suphan Buri

Uthai Thani

Eastern Thailand

Chachoengsao

Chanthaburi

Chonburi

Prachinburi

Rayong

Sa Kaeo

Trat

Southern Thailand

Chumphon

Krabi

Nakhon Si Thammarat

Narathiwat

Pattani

Phang Nga

Phatthalung

Phuket

Ranong

Satun

Songkhla

Surat Thani

Trang

Yala

Vietnam

Northwest

Điện Biên

Hòa Bình

Lai Châu

Sơn La

Lào Cai

Northeast

Bắc Giang

Bắc Kạn

Cao Bằng

Hà Giang

Lạng Sơn

Phú Thọ

Quảng Ninh

Thái Nguyên

Tuyên Quang

Red River Delta

Bắc Ninh

Hà Nam

Hải Dương

Hưng Yên

Nam Định

Ninh Bình

Thái Bình

Vĩnh Phúc

Ha Noi (municipality)]]

Hai Phong (municipality)

North Central Coast

Hà Tĩnh

Nghệ An

Quảng Bình

Quảng Trị

Thanh Hóa

Thừa Thiên–Huế

South Central Coast

Đà Nẵng

Quảng Nam

Quảng Ngãi

Bình Định

Phú Yên

Khánh Hòa

Ninh Thuận

Bình Thuận

Central Highlands

Đắk Lắk

Đắk Nông

Gia Lai

Kon Tum

Lâm Đồng

Southeast

Ho Chi Minh City

Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu Province

Bình Dương Province

Bình Phước Province

Đồng Nai Province

Tây Ninh Province

Mekong Delta

Cần Thơ (Municipality)

An Giang

Bạc Liêu

Bến Tre

Cà Mau

Đồng Tháp

Hậu Giang

Kiên Giang

Long An

Sóc Trăng

Tiền Giang

Trà Vinh

Vĩnh Long

Asia

Abkhazia

Afghanistan

Akrotiri and Dhekelia

Armenia

Azerbaijan

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Bhutan

British Indian Ocean Territory

Brunei

Cambodia

China

Christmas Island

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Cyprus

East Timor (Timor-Leste)

Egypt

Georgia

Hong Kong

India

Indonesia

Iran

Iraq

Israel

Japan

Jordan

Kazakhstan

Kuwait

Kyrgyzstan

Laos

Lebanon

Macau

Malaysia

Maldives

Mongolia

Myanmar

Nagorno-Karabakh

Nepal

North Korea

Northern Cyprus

Oman

Pakistan

Qatar

Russia

Saudi Arabia

South Korea

South Ossetia

Sri Lanka

Palestine

Syria

Taiwan

Tajikistan

Turkey

Turkmenistan

United Arab Emirates

Uzbekistan

Yemen

Oceania

American Samoa

Ashmore and Cartier Islands

Australia

Baker Island

Christmas Island

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Cook Islands

Coral Sea Islands

Federated States of Micronesia

Fiji

French Polynesia

Guam

Howland Island

Jarvis Island

Johnston Atoll

Kingman Reef

Kiribati

Marshall Islands

Midway Atoll

Nauru

New Caledonia

New Zealand

Niue

Norfolk Island

Northern Mariana Islands

Palau

Papua New Guinea

Pitcairn Islands

Samoa

Solomon Islands

Tokelau

Tonga

Tuvalu

Vanuatu

Wake Island

Wallis and Futuna

North America

Anguilla

Antigua and Barbuda

Aruba

Bahamas

Barbados

Belize

Bermuda

British Virgin Islands

Canada

Cayman Islands

Clipperton Island

St. Martin

Costa Rica

Cuba

Curaçao

Dominica

Dominican Republic

El Salvador

Greenland

Grenada

Guatemala

Haiti

Honduras

Jamaica

Mexico

Montserrat

Navassa Island

Nicaragua

Panama

Puerto Rico

St. Barthélemy

St. Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

St. Pierre and Miquelon

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Sint Maarten

Trinidad and Tobago

Turks and Caicos Islands

United States Virgin Islands

United States

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

Washington, D.C.

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Mexico

Baja California

Baja California Sur

Chihuahua

Durango

Sinaloa

Sonora

Coahuila

Nuevo León

Tamaulipas

Aguascalientes

Guanajuato

Querétaro

San Luis Potosí

Zacatecas

México

Mexico City

Morelos

Colima

Jalisco

Michoacán

Nayarit

Hidalgo

Puebla

Tlaxcala

Veracruz

Campeche

Quintana Roo

Tabasco

Yucatán

Chiapas

Guerrero

Oaxaca

Panama

Bocas del Toro

Chiriquí

Coclé

Colón

Darién

Herrera

Los Santos

Panamá

Panamá Oeste

Veraguas

Emberá

Guna Yala

Ngäbe-Buglé

Kuna de Madugandí

Kuna de Wargandí

South America

Argentina

Bolivia

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Ecuador

Guyana

Paraguay

Peru

Suriname

Uruguay

Venezuela

Argentina

Buenos Aires City

Buenos Aires

Catamarca

Chaco

Chubut

Córdoba

Corrientes

Entre Ríos

Formosa

Jujuy

La Pampa

La Rioja

Mendoza

Misiones

Neuquén

Río Negro

Salta

San Juan

San Luis

Santa Cruz

Santa Fe

Santiago del Estero

Tierra del Fuego

Tucumán

Bolivia

Beni

Chuquisaca

Cochabamba

La Paz

Oruro

Pando

Potosí

Santa Cruz

Tarija

Brazil

Acre

Amapá

Amazonas

Pará

Rondônia

Roraima

Tocantins

Alagoas

Bahia

Ceará

Maranhão

Paraíba

Pernambuco

Piauí

Rio Grande do Norte

Sergipe

Distrito Federal

Goiás

Mato Grosso

Mato Grosso do Sul

Espírito Santo

Minas Gerais

Rio de Janeiro

São Paulo

Paraná

Rio Grande do Sul

Santa Catarina

Fernando de Noronha

Rocas Atoll

Saint Peter and Saint Paul

Trindade and Martim Vaz

Chile

Aysén

Antártica Chilena

Antofagasta

Arauco

Arica

Bío Bío

Cachapoal

Capitán Prat

Cardenal Caro

Cauquenes

Cautín

Chacabuco

Chañaral

Chiloé

Choapa

Coyhaique

Colchagua

Concepción

Copiapó

Cordillera

Curicó

El Loa

Elqui

General Carrera

Huasco

Iquique

Isla de Pascua

Limarí

Linares

Llanquihue

Los Andes

Magallanes

Maipo

Malleco

Marga Marga

Melipilla

Ñuble

Osorno

Palena

Parinacota

Petorca

Quillota

Ranco

San Antonio

San Felipe de Aconcagua

Santiago

Talagante

Talca

Tamarugal

Tierra del Fuego

Tocopilla

Última Esperanza

Valdivia

Valparaíso

Colombia

Amazonas

Antioquia

Arauca

Atlántico

Bogotá

Bolívar

Boyacá

Caldas

Caquetá

Casanare

Cauca

Cesar

Chocó

Córdoba

Cundinamarca

Guainía

Guaviare

Huila

La Guajira

Magdalena

Stock exchange closes Ayala offices to transfer to BGC

Traders bade goodbye to Philippine Stock Exchange's Ayala trading floor in Makati on Thursday as the bourse prepared to transfer its operations to Bonifacio Global City.

Ayala Corp chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala led the final ceremonial ringing of the closing bell at the PSE Plaza.

PSE chairman Jose Pardo thanked the Ayala group for their continued support over the past two decades.

Last week, traders from the PSE's trading floor at the Tektite building in Ortigas also packed their bags to relocate to the new PSE offices at One Bonifacio High Street in BGC.

DoTR evaluating P350-b Naia offer

The Department of Transportation said it expects to complete in two months the evaluation of the proposed P350-billion rehabilitation and expansion of Ninoy Aquino International Airport submitted by seven of the country’s biggest conglomerates.

“The proposal was submitted. I haven’t gone through it but if it’s unsolicited, we have look at the merits of it, advantages of it. We have to study it in short. It will have to go through the usual process, evaluated initially by MIAA [Manila International Airport Authority],” Transportation Undersecretary for aviation Manuel Antonio Tamayo said.

“MIAA will go through it, make recommendation to us. We’ll study it as well, meet with proponents and again submit it to Neda [National Economic and Development Authority ],” Tamayo said.

Tamayo said he the evaluation was expected to be completed in two months .

The consortium’s members are Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., AEDC, Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

The proposal involves expanding and interconnecting the existing terminals of Naia, upgrading airside facilities and developing commercial facilities to increase airline and airport efficiencies, enhance passenger comfort and experience and improve public perception of Naia as the country’s premier international gateway.

The project is divided into two phases. Phase 1 includes improvements and expansion of terminals at the current Naia land area, while Phase 2 involves the development of an additional runway, taxiways, passenger terminals and associated support infrastructure.

The group proposed a 35 year concession period. It committed to spend P100 billon for Phase 1 and P250 billion for Phase 2.

Construction of the additional runway will ensure the ability of Naia to serve as Manila’s gateway for years to come, bringing potential capacity up to 100 million passengers per year from over 40 million passengers last year.

The upgrades will elevate Naia to the level of major regional airports such as Changi in Singapore and Suvarnabhumi in Bangkok and will become a viable transit hub for the Asean region

Naia Consortium tapped world’s premier airport operators, Changi Airports International Pte. Ltd., to provide technical support in the areas of master planning, operations optimization and commercial development.

The proposed Naia expansion will increase it capacity from 40 million passengers a year to 100 million passengers.

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Nike Legend 2.0 Tee White

‘Corruption real cause of traffic gridlocks’

Lawmakers should not allow themselves to be stampeded into approving House Bill (HB) 4334 or the Traffic Crisis Act of 2016 that would give emergency powers to different departments of the government to address the seemingly unsolvable traffic mess.

“Let’s go slow on this bill’s approval. This is not the solution. This would only aggravate the situation since it does not address the real cause of the traffic gridlocks in Metro Manila and other urban cities [and the real cause is]corruption,” Lito Atienza, Buhay party-list representative and senior deputy minority leader, said in a statement over the weekend.

Giving emergency powers that would suspend laws on bidding and procurement, he warned, might only open the floodgate to more corruption.

“Traffic enforcers are not enforcing the law. They are looking the other way and allowing corrupt interests to take precedence over performing their sworn task,” according to Atienza.

He cited as an example the continued proliferation of illegal bus and jeep terminals.

“On several major intersections, they [traffic enforcers]let private motorists wait for 5 to 10 minutes while they give priority to buses and jeepneys coming from the perpendicular roads. Bakit, dahil may lagay ba sa kanila [Why, are they bribed by the bus and jeepney drivers]? … why don’t we install intelligent traffic lights systems that utilize actual road conditions and allow smoother flow of traffic?” Atienza said.

He pointed out that aside from corruption, another cause of the gridlocks is the apparent refusal of authorities to clear alternate routes to alleviate congestion on major roads.

Secondary roads that can serve as alternate routes, Atienza said, are still littered with illegally parked vehicles, basketball courts, and even houses in the middle of the streets.

Aside from the continued presence of so many obstructions on these alternate routes, barangay [villages]are being allowed to put up gates within their communities, closing roads that should be open 24 hours a day to serve as alternate routes, he added.

“Our main mass transport system that serves Metro Manilans, the Metro Rail Transit 3 [MRT 3], has badly deteriorated and continues to bog down everyday, sometimes leaving thousands of commuters with only 3 to 4 working coaches at any shift instead of the needed 15 to 17. How can we expect commuters and motorists to again make sacrifices [when no train authorities have been arrested or punished]. Why has no one been punished for the purchase of 48 trains that are not fit for our rails? Neither the maintenance contractor nor the government officials responsible for this anomalous transaction have been punished. They should be languishing in jail by now. The MRT 3 is the only fast and usable mass transport system we have, it should have been protected from corruption,” Atienza said.

“Instead of asking for emergency powers, the government should do its job and exhaust all means to address the traffic mess in Manila and other urban areas. Efficient and honest-to-goodness enforcement of existing laws is what’s needed. But as long as corruption exists, there will be no solution to this problem. We reiterate our advice to our colleagues, HB 4334 is not the solution. This would only aggravate the problem. President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly said, and he is correct in saying that corruption remains one of the biggest problems of the nation,” he added.

Poe to spill beans on MRT-3 mess

Senator Grace Poe said she will name those who are supposedly responsible for the worsening state of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) as the Senate resumes its investigation on the troubled rail system next week.

The Senate Committee on Public Services, chaired by Poe, will continue probing the MRT-3 mess on February 20, where she will name more personalities who should be blamed for the frequent glitches.

“Sa aming pagdinig, ilalabas na namin talaga yung mga may kasalanan nito kaya tayo nagka-abot-abot sa ganito (In our hearing, we will expose those who should be blamed why it has led to this),” Poe said.

Poe was shocked to have learned that only three MRT-3 trains ran early morning of Wednesday, February 14.

She reiterated that the defective MRT-3 service resulted from the negligence and alleged corruption of concerned officials.

The public services panel in May last year probed the R3.8-billion procurement of light rail vehicles (LRVs) which remain unused due to incompatibilities with the MRT-3 system, where former Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) officials were grilled.

The DOTC, under then Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, in 2016 purchased 48 LRVs from Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stocks Co. of China.

The coaches, however, were found to be incompatible with the MRT-3’s maintenance facilities and signaling system, and was also found to be too heavy to be supported by existing for rails.

Down to 8 trains: How the MRT3 packs 260,000 commuters daily

Working trains are now down to 8. When the unthinkable happens, 260,000 commuters pack themselves into 6 or 7 trains daily

When the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) averaged 7 running trains, it served around 263,000 passengers to various destinations.

In the first two weeks of February, 267,000 passengers rode the MRT3 on average as 8 to 9 trains operate daily, based on MRT3 data sent daily to reporters.

The number is not promising. Back in 2017, the MRT3 has an average daily ridership of 463,000 from 20 operational trains.

The train system had 20 running trains daily until November 2017, but this was later adjusted to 15 to ensure the safety of passengers after anomalies with former maintenance provider Busan Universal Rail Incorporated's (BURI) performance.

From 15 working trains by the end of 2017, the MRT3 management now scrambles to maintain 10 trains at most to serve the commuting public daily.

But working trains are now down to 8. When the unthinkable happens, 260,000 commuters pack themselves into 6 or 7 trains daily.

February ridership

Less commuters have been using the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) as it suffered almost daily breakdowns since 2018 started.

On February 1, the month opened with 10 working trains at 6 am. By 8 am, it was down to 9. The MRT3 averaged 9 working trains that were able to serve 313,616 passengers that day, despite two glitches that unloaded some 1,800 passengers.

On February 2, the number of trains was down to 8. The MRT3 management was able to keep the same number of operating trains that day, servicing some 286,000 passengers.

On February 6, the train system opened with 7 running trains. The management was able to add another train by 8 am but it was back to 7 trains by 10 am. By 12 noon, 8 trains were up and running again but was down to 7 again in time for the rush hour at 6 pm. It served about 274,000 passengers that day.

On February 8, MRT3 had 6 running trains by 6 am but was later increased to 8 by 7 am. After a glitch involving electrical failure at 10:37 am, the number of operational trains was at 7. The day averaged 8 running trains servicing 278,000 passengers.

On February 12, the MRT3 had only 7 running trains the entire Monday. Ridership was down close to 259,000.

On February 13, it opened with 8 trains at 6 am but went down to 7 at 2 pm. It averaged 7 trains again that day, servicing 263,000 passengers.

On February 14, MRT3 was able to keep 8 trains running the entire day. Ridership was up to 286,000.

The table below shows the daily ridership of the MRT3 vis-a-vis the average number of trains running that day:

As less trains become available in the MRT3, the DOTr deployed point-to-point buses to help augment its operations. (READ: Surviving MRT3: Worst train fails in 2017)

According to the DOTr, 28,825 passengers were served from February 1 to February 13 during the morning rush hour. The buses pick up passengers from North Avenue Station that stops only at either Ortigas and Ayala Stations.

Deteriorating

In a DzRH interview on Thursday, February 15, Transportation Undersecretary TJ Batan acknowledged the worsening problem of the MRT3.

"The condition of the MRT3 is really bad right now. In the past two weeks, we average only 8 to 9 working trains per day. We should have 20 trains per day instead of 8, making the availability of trains really low," Batan said in Filipino.

He attributed the problem to lack of spare parts that can be used to replace the worn-out parts of the 18-year-old train system and the need for a general rehabilitation of trains which should be done every 8 years.

"We found out when we did an inventory after we took over in November 6, 2017, that the spare parts left by the former maintenance provider Busan Universal Rail Incorporated (BURI) was not in the right condition needed. This is one of the primary reasons why the number of available trains went down," Batan said.

A portion of the spare parts needed to rehabilitate the trains arrived on Tuesday, February 13.

Batan added that the last general overhaul of MRT3 trains were done in 2007 and 2008. The next general rehabilitation should have been done in 2016 but BURI was able to only overhaul 3 trains when the DOTr terminated its contract.

Since 2018 started, the MRT3 suffered a total of 34 glitches – 22 of which involved electrical failure in the train's motor. (READ: MRT3 suffers almost daily breakdowns since start of 2018)

On February 1, a system audit by engineers from Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has already started. JICA is expected to determine all restoration works needed for the train system.

In January, German-based TUV Rheinland was tapped to evaluate the unused MRT3 trains delivered by China-based CRRC Dalian Company Limited.

The MRT3 management is expected to conduct full rehabilitation of its trains from March 28 to 31, promising the public better services after.

Saturday, February 17, 2018

Producer’s birthday wish: To put out more movies

Baby Go

When she marked her birth anniversary recently with a formal dinner affair at the Marco Polo Hotel Ortigas, Baby F. Go, dubbed the “Queen of Maindie Movies,” revealed her birthday wish is to live long enough to be able to produce more movies. Right now, since the inception of her film production company BG Productions International in 2014, she has produced 12 films.

Not all of these films have been shown, but those that were won various major awards in different international film festivals. This encouraged Go to keep her production wheels churning for more movies, both indie and mainstream.

She admitted she’s not making much money yet, but the awards and recognitions more than make up for the monetary rewards. Every time she goes onstage to receive awards for her films, “nakakataba ng puso, very fulfilling.”

Among her forthcoming projects that is exciting her so much are film projects each starring Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, and Charo Santos-Concio. Negotiations are underway between her directors and the above-named stars.

In the works is “Almost A Love Story” starring Derrick Monasterio and Barbie Forteza, and directed by Louie Ignacio. Shot almost entirely in Italy in cooperation with an Italian film company, this is BG Productions’ first mainstream movie.

Ignacio is also directing the first BG Productions entry to this year’s Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.

• • •

‘Buhay Na Buhay’

The recently launched docu-series “Buhay Na Buhay” is hosted by Sen. Loren Legarda for the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). The engaging and informative series introduces the eight living cultures of the Philippines.

Sen. Legarda presents the groundbreaking study of former NCCA Chairperson, Professor Felipe De Leon Jr., in this eight-part weekly series written by Floy Quintos, directed by Jeypi Salonga of Business Unusual Media Solutions (BUMS) Inc., and produced by the NCCA.

SEN. LOREN LEGARDA (seated in pink) with Mother Lily (in red), Roselle Monteverde and daughter and some members of the entertainment press: Ricky Lo, Ronald Constantino, Lolit Solis, Aster Amoyo, Shirley Pizarro, Mario Dumaual, Jojo Gabinete, and Crispina Belen

The docu-series airs on GMA News TV Saturdays at 5:45 p.m.

De Leon’s academic work was first staged as a concert titled “Mga Kulturang Filipino… Buhay Na Buhay” at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in 2013 as part of the NCCA’s 25th anniversary celebration.

This is Sen. Loren’s last term as senator and at a recent b-day lunch at Gloria Maris Greenhills with friends from the entertainment press, she discussed her political options. She is being convinced to run for a congressional seat in her mom’s (the late Bessie Legarda) province. If not, she could accept a cabinet post. Or, get married! Which she nixed, considering her passion for public service.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Feb. 17, go to Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, awarded actress Anne Curtis, former actor-singer-turned evangelist Eddie Mesa, former GMA Network PR exec Butch Raquel, PR man Oscar San Pedro, Maria Lourdes Reynoso, Angelo Alba, Amor Antonio, Avon Garcia, Rolan Derek Gabayno, Dr. R. Slotta of Jamaica General Hospital, New York; comedian Baleleng, Eleanor Calma Visaya, Nini Salinas-Veloso of Filibeans Coffee Tagaytay, Rose Pedersen, Snap Lopa, Nicanor Perlas, Kevin Michael Carl, Rhythm Jude “Ryde” V. Losorata, Jomar Labasag, Jessica Besa, Malou Cabral, Jean Chan of Camarines Sur and Ramon Francisco... Belated b-day greetings to Kithy Pontrias (Feb. 16)...Feb 18: Perla Bautista, Robert Campos, Ret. Judge Prudencio Altre Castillo, Christopher Michael A. Zamora, Lydia C. Tensuan, Norma Razo, Ester Banzon-Parungao, Carlito Pascual, Dr. Bernadette Coden, Atty. Felipe “Jun” Medina, Arleen V. Asuncion, Grace Nartates, Jenny Pantoja, Ida Trikler, TJ Orilio, Isabelle Alejandria-Reyes, Roda dela Serna, Coco Nicanor, Nila Dazer, Clarence Jacob Martinez who turns 12 today, Coleen Nacion who turns 19, MB’s Marjorie Duran and Brenan Espartinez… Feb. 19: US-based singer Carina Afable, Lulu Ng de Leon, Lettie Fuentes, Louie San Juan, Ronald Campos, Darwin Chiang, Elvie Regala, Viktor Santillan, Eng. Santiago Pascual, Dr. Nena Veloso Mewshew, Alice Coronel, Suzette Uy, Jun Escarez, Mylene Padilla, Hesus Emma Bondoc, of Group 1 Operation Tulong, Joselito Guillermo Villegas, Samuel Gaupo of Group 18, Ronald McDo Cumuyog, Ronia Bernardo, Raul Leyros, Danielle Adave, Edgar Jevin Curay III, Elizar Rosani, Erik Dacua, Nanay Ebeb Doyohilm, Rev. Fr. Oscar Camomot, Ritchie Saranza, Rolan Unabia, Socorro Hermosilla and Empress…

Friday, February 16, 2018

P753B worth of infra projects up for Japan funding

Japan will finance 19 infrastructure projects worth at least P753 billion under the Duterte administration’s ambitious “Build, Build, Build” program.

During the Fourth Philippines-Japan Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation Meeting in Lapu-Lapu City on Monday, the two sides discussed 11 projects in the pipeline to be financed by firm loans from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), six pitched for soft loans also from Jica, and three eyed for grants from the aid agency.

Documents showed that the biggest project to be funded by the Japanese government would be the P356.9-billion Metro Manila Subway Project Phase 1, which would primarily connect Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City and Food Terminal Inc. in Taguig City, with a spur line to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III last Monday said the loan agreement for the country’s first underground rail system would be signed in March, with partial operations by the second quarter of 2022.

The construction of the 25.3-kilometer subway, whose rollout was already green-lighted by the National Economic and Development Authority Board chaired by President Duterte in September last year, would start next year and is scheduled for completion in 2025.

Jica will also finance the P211.4-billion Philippine National Railways North 2 project connecting Malolos, Bulacan, and Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.

The loan agreement for PNR North 2 is expected to be signed by the fourth quarter of this year, following the Neda Board approval in June last year.

Construction of the 69-km railway with seven stations passing through Clark International Airport will start in January next year to commence operations by the second quarter of 2022.

Another big-ticket project to be funded by a Jica loan is the P124.1-billion PNR South Commuter or the North-South Railway Project (NSRP)-South Line, which will run between Tutuban, Manila, and Los Baños, Laguna.

The Philippine and Japanese governments are hoping to sign the loan agreement for the 72-km PNR South Commuter project also in the fourth quarter.

Approved by the Neda Board in September last year, the commuter railway would be constructed starting January 2019, with operations to commence in the second quarter of 2022.

The Philippines and Japan last November signed the loan agreement for the P9.9-billion Cavite Industrial Area Flood Management Project. Of the amount, P7.1 billion will be financed by Jica, while the remainder will be shouldered by the government.

Also up for Jica loan financing are: the P5.3-billion Arterial Road Bypass Project Phase 3 (formerly Plaridel Bypass); P5.4-billion Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project Phase 2; P4.8-billion Dalton Pass East Alignment Alternative Road Project; P9.9-billion Road Network Development Project in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao; P26.8-billion Pasig River-Marikina Channel Improvement Project Phase 4; as well as the three-year Metro Rail Transit 3 Rehabilitation and Maintenance, which the Department of Transportation said would start in May.

A P1.2-billion supplemental loan is also being eyed for the P7.8-billion New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environment Protection Project.

Soft loans from Jica are being sought for the P10.5-billion Circumferential Road 3 Missing Link Project; P9.9-billion Parañaque Spillway Project; New Manila International Airport Project; Third Mandaue-Mactan Bridge Project in Cebu; Natural Gas Pipeline Construction Project connecting Batangas and Manila, and a Drainage System in Metro Manila.

Read more: https://business.inquirer.net/246079/p753b-worth-infra-projects-japan-funding#ixzz57FleaE1M
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Erap eyes 3rd term as mayor, sees Isko, Lim, Villar as rivals

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada on Thursday announced his intention to seek a third and final term in elections next year.

“Definitely, I will run again,” Estrada said in a statement.

The 80-year-old mayor and former president said he might be pitted against former Senator Manuel Villar, former Mayor Alfredo Lim and former Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno.

“The more the merrier, right?” Estrada said, adding he had “nothing to prove anymore” as he had beaten Lim and Villar in different elections.

Estrada defeated Lim in two consecutive mayoral contests. Villar, meanwhile, placed third in the 2010 presidential race where Estrada landed second after Benigno Aquino III.

“At this point, only my esteemed rival, Mayor Lim, has announced a plan to campaign for the mayor’s office. If Mayor Lim finally decides he will seek another term, I welcome his decision. I’m excited,” Estrada said. —AIE BALAGTAS SEE

Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/969158/erap-eyes-3rd-term-as-mayor-sees-isko-lim-villar-as-rivals#ixzz57Fg7Xh5U
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Poe to public: Give MRT until March to improve rail system

Senator Grace Poe appealed to the public on Thursday to give the Department of Transportation (DOTr) until March to fulfill its promise of improved Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) services.

The DOTr has repeatedly promised better services for MRT riders by end of February as new spare parts for the ageing trains start to arrive this week.

“Talagang malaki ang problema diyan at alam naman natin iyon, dumadating na ang mga parts,” Poe said in an interview in the Senate when told that the number of MRT trains running went down to only three at one point.

(The problem there is really big and we know that, spare parts are now arriving.)

“Binibigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang DOTr na ikabit iyang mga parts na iyan pero siyempre hindi naman pwedeng isaksak na sabay-sabay iyan. So realistically siguro sinasabi nila end of February, bigyan naman natin sila ng hanggang March.”

(We are giving the DOTr a chance to install these parts but of course it will not be done all at the same time. So realistically they are saying by end of February, but let’s give them until March.)

“Alam kong napakainit na ng ulo natin. Pero sa aming pagdinig, ilalabas na namin talaga yung mga may kasalanan nito kaya tayo nagka-abot abot sa ganito,” added Poe, who has been conducting hearings on the country’s transport services as chair of the Senate committee on public services.

(I know that we already hot-headed. But in our hearing, we really need to expose the ones who made a mistake that’s why we reached this point.)

The senator reiterated that the MRT-3 mess was a result of alleged corruption by some government officials.

“Pati yung mga Dalian trains, ako gusto ko na nga ipasauli yan e. Kailangan pang i-audit kasi kung isasauli natin at tayo ay magkakaso sa kanila, baka matalo pa tayo kung hindi makumpleto ang audit na sinasabi na talagang certifiable na hindi pwedeng gamitin ang mga ito,” Poe said.

(Even the Dalian trains, personally I want those units to be sent back. It just really needs some auditing when we are going to send them back and we will file a case against them, we may lose the case if the auditing is not finished. Auditing will certify the trains are not compatible to be used here.)

Poe was referring to the P3.8-billion worth of 48 MRT coaches from China’s Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co.

“Napakalungkot ng sitwasyon ng ating mga pasahero dahil dito at talagang dapat may magbayad at makulong na,” she added.

(Our passengers really expressed sadness on this and someone has to pay and go to jail. /jpv

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/969072/poe-to-public-give-mrt-until-march-to-improve-rail-system-poe-senate-dotr-mrt#ixzz57FeGVPeC
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Thursday, February 15, 2018

Gift for motorists

In Photo: Expressway bridge number 14, currently under construction, is part of the 7-km stretch targeted to be finished by end of this year.

Story & photo by Ronald Rey M. de los Reyes

IN a recent ocular inspection of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Calax) project site in Laguna, Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar said, “We asked Metro Pacific Investments Corp. [MPIC] if we can expedite it to December 2018 so we have a Christmas gift for the motorists. The original target was to open it in February next year, as a Valentine’s Day gift. But I said, it is more proper to give it as a Christmas present.”

The first 7 kilometers of Calax—which runs from the Mamplasan Interchange in Biñan, Laguna, to Laguna Boulevard—is deemed targeted to be completed by December of this year instead of the initial goal of February 2019.

In total, this toll road is a 44.6-kilometer, four-lane toll road between the Cavite Expressway in Kawit, Cavite, and the South Luzon Expressway (Slex)-Mamplasan Interchange.

The whole Calax project, which will have eight interchanges and one main toll barrier, is foreseen to reduce travel time from Cavitex to Slex by 45 minutes.

“The road-construction project from Tirona Highway to the end of Greenfield near Mamplasan Exit in Laguna will be closely monitored so that by 2020, our travel time from Cavitex to Slex will be reduced to only 45 minutes,” Villar added.

The said project is part of the closed system modern tolled expressway awarded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to private concessionaire MPCala Holdings Inc. of the Metro Pacific Group.

“The objective here is to decongest roads leading up to Metro Manila, especially in this part of Cavite. You know traffic in Metro Manila is very dense and very soon congestion will go here. In fact, we can already see that in the toll plazas,” Holdings President Luigi Bautista said. “It also aims to link Metro Manila to Cavite as well as Laguna.”

For him, the said flagship toll road being built in partnership with the government is a connection that will very much aid the growth in these areas.

“If link is being made to these parts, motorists and any road user will eventually see progress,” he said.

“Calax will be one of the most advanced highway in the Philippines. It is expected to ease traffic congestion along Governor’s Drive, Aguinaldo Highway and Santa Rosa Tagaytay Road,” Villar, divulged, further supporting Bautista’s statement.

“The 44.6-kilometer road project will connect nearby industrial zones to the capital of one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies.”

It was to be remembered that back in March of 2017 MPCala signed a P7.2-billion agreement with DM Consunji Inc. (DMCI) for the construction of the 18-km Laguna side of CALAX.

For the 27-km Cavite side, on the other hand, they hired the services of Australia’s Leighton Holdings in a deal worth P7.3 billion.

On top of the project’s P35.42-billion construction cost, the company shelled out the competitive premium bid of P27.3 billion to win the CALAX contract.

With this, MPCala will operate and maintain CALAX for 35 years before turning it over to the government’s hands after the term.

“As of now, the government has delivered about 60 percent right-of-way for the entire toll-road project,” the DPWH head honcho said.

In progress

“We are scheduled to finish by 2020, but before that we plan to open the roads by sections. So this 7 km portion we intend to finish by end of this year. Right behind me is the expressway bridge number 14,” doled out Bautista, referring to the structures being built within the area.

“Right now, we’re building about eight structures within this stretch. And all of the bridges being done right now are being built simultaneously so contractor has mobilized for each of the seven bridges.

For them, they want everything to be finished as quickly as possible without sacrificing quality. “Board piles are already being built and the columns are being poured. Pretty soon, by around May, we will see the bridge eventually taking shape.”

DOTr sees ‘improvement’ of MRT 3 service with delivery of spare parts

The initial batch of spare parts for the Metro Rail Transit Line (MRT 3) are set to be delivered starting Wednesday until Friday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.

The spare parts are vital in increasing the number of trains to reduce the waiting time for passengers on MRT 3 platforms.

“We expect that there will be an improvement in the services of the MRT within the next few months,” the DOTr said in a news statement.

Last December a Special Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) created by the MRT 3 management has procured a total of 18,579 spare parts, broken down as follows: rolling stock, 9,515; tracks, 7,776; overhead catenary system (OCS), 1,109; and power, 179.

The suppliers for the spare parts include Pink Armour Corp. for power and OCS, Linkers Enterprises for rolling stock and Nikka Trading for the railway tracks.

Meanwhile, more than 28,000 passengers have availed of the point- to-point (P2P) buses deployed by the DOTr as an alternative mode of transportation to the MRT since it was launched on February 1.

According to the DOTr, 389 buses made 521 trips and served 28,825 passengers under the MRT 3 bus-augmentation project.

The P2P buses are deployed on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the North Avenue station with drop-off points in Ortigas and Ayala.

DOTr has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Canadian firm Bombardier for the procurement of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the signaling spare parts and signaling maintenance for MRT 3.

Under the MOU, the DOTr will procure an OEM signaling spare parts and two-year signaling maintenance contract from Bombardier via direct contracting and emergency procurement, pursuant to the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 9184, otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act.

The Platters at Kia Theatre

The Platters

The Platters, the first-ever African American group to achieve international stardom, is coming to Kia Theatre tomorrow, 8 p.m.

They are known for their classic hits “Only You,” “The Great Pretender,” “I’m Sorry?,” “My Prayer,” “Twilight Time,” “Harbor Lights,” “The Magic Touch” and “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.”

The Platters has been to Manila several times in the past.

The guest performers are JV Decena and Lilibeth Garcia, World Karaoke Philippine champions and country representatives in Finland, and commercial model, actor and grand winner of World Championships of the Performing Arts in Hollywood Joaquin Garcia.

• • •

Shocking twists

“Kambal, Karibal” presents scientific stories and spiritual topics, delivered interestingly, like the “spiritual liberation” of Crisel (Pauline Mendoza) from Cheska’s (Kyline Alcantara) body.

Crisan (Bianca Umali) now jobless, as she was fired by her boss Geraldine (Carmina Villaroel), gets the support of her best friends Diego (Miguel Tanfelix) and Makoy’s (Jeric Gonzales).

The show airs weeknights after “Sherlock Jr.” on GMA Telebabad.

• • •

Happy b-day greetings today, Feb. 15, goes to Princess Monjera Disini, Lovejoie G. Juan, Annabelle Francisco, Victoria Velasco, Emarie Martinez, Mandy Navasero and Roxanne Guinoo… Feb. 16: Jeweller Mrs. Erlinda “Liding” Oledan, actress-singer Sharmaine Santiago, Joji Dingcong, Arnel Natividad, Robert M. Young, Winston Marbella, Tessie Luz, Mrs. Lily A. Foronda of San Esteban, Ilocos Sur, Lulu Reyes, Julie Esguerra, Bob Velasco, Jr., Grace Ramirez, Thelma Matias, Rafael C. Aquino, Joji Villascusa, Mary Jane Papin, and Joanne M. Eugenio of Sampaloc, Manila… Happy wedding anniversary to Gabriel and Margott Ripoll…Condolences to the family of Francisca Buban, who passed away last February 10.

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

House OKs creation of new gov’t housing body

The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a measure creating the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.

Voting 196-6, lawmakers approved House Bill 6775, which seeks to create the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development by merging the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB).

The new department is mandated to act as the primary national government entity responsible for the management of housing, human settlement, and urban development.

It shall be responsible for the implementation of a rational, well-balanced, orderly and efficient redevelopment of urban communities and the development of new settlements in rural and non-farm areas to assure dwellers of decent and affordable housing, job and livelihood opportunities, efficient mass transit, public safety, health care, educational opportunities, and clean environment.

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 proposes to reconstitute the HLURB into an adjudicatory body called Human Settlements Adjudication Commission, which shall adjudicate on all issues and controversies arising from the interpretation and implementation of the “Urban Development and Housing Act” (Republic Act No. 7279).

The bill also aims to rationalize and coordinate the functions of the National Home Mortgage Finance Corporation (NHMFC), Home Guaranty Corporation (HGC), Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), and National Housing Authority (NHA).

House OKs creation of housing department

The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading the bill creating the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development to govern the country’s basic housing needs.

House Bill No. 6775 was passed on Tuesday with 193 votes in its favor. Six members of the Makabayan bloc cast votes against it.

The proposed department would take over the functions of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) and act as the primary agency responsible for the management of housing, human settlements and urban development.

HUDCC would be abolished, while HLURB would be reconstituted as the Human Settlements Adjudicatory Commission, an independent quasi-judicial body within the department that would resolve issues and disputes in the implementation of the Urban Development and Housing Act.

The National Housing Authority, the Housing Guaranty Corp., the National Housing Mortgage Finance Corp., the Home Development Mutual Fund, and the Social Housing Finance Corp. would be the department’s attached agencies.

It would also establish Socialized Housing One-Stop Processing Centers to process and issue all required housing-related permits, clearances and licenses.

The bill would mandate the implementation of a rational, well-balanced, orderly and efficient redevelopment of urban communities and the development of new settlements in rural and non-farm areas.

At the same time, the bill would mandate the State to guarantee the preservation of agricultural lands necessary for food security.

“Human settlements” was defined under the bill as the “integrative concept” composed of shelter and infrastructure, and community services such as education, health, culture, welfare, recreation, food and nutrition.

Housing and urban development committee chair Negros Occidental 3rd Dist. Rep. Alfredo Benitez said the bill was “not just about putting a roof over the head, but about building homes and building communities.”

However, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate, one of the bill’s opponents, said the bill was still designed under the current framework laid down by the 1992 Urban Development and Housing Act.

“We can, thus, expect nothing substantially new as far as improving the dire situation of the millions of our homeless people are concerned. There would still be more unutilized housing projects while many remain homeless,” Zarate said.

“The homeless and informal settlers do not need a new layer in our already cluttered bureaucracy. What they need are public and affordable mass housing programs that are available to them which have basic utilities and are near their sources of income,” he added.

Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/968796/house-oks-creation-of-housing-department#ixzz575b7QrDy
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Once more, with feeling: DOTr promises improved MRT 3 operations

For the nth time, transportation officials promised long-suffering riders of the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT 3) of improved train services in the coming days.

On Tuesday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) vowed that the public could expect better service from the MRT 3 with the expected arrival of spare parts needed to repair and maintain defective trains. The bulk of the first batch of spare parts were expected to arrive today until Friday.

The rolling stock and track parts set to be received today by DOTr are from Linkers Enterprises and Nikka Trading, respectively.

The two were tapped by the government in December to supply the close to P16 million worth of spare parts needed by Metro Manila’s busiest railway system.

With the delivery of the spare parts, the public would “slowly experience better service at the MRT 3,” the DOTr said.

The oft-repeated promise was made as operations of the MRT 3 continued to deteriorate.

At 5 p.m. on Monday, the number of operational trains dropped to just seven, resulting in an 11-minute wait for passengers at the different stations.

Normally, the MRT 3 should have 15 trains in operation during rush hour and 12 trains at off-peak hours.

The deteriorating services and the long wait in between trains have led to a drop in ridership.

On Monday, the MRT 3 served close to 259,000 passengers, a steep drop from last year’s daily average of 463,000 passengers.

To help augment its operations, transport authorities have redeployed point-to-point or P2P buses during the morning rush hour.

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/968589/once-more-with-feeling-dotr-promises-improved-mrt-3-operations#ixzz5761jyYVz
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DOTr sees ‘improvement’ of MRT 3 service with delivery of spare parts

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Portion of spare parts for MRT3 rehab arrives

The spare parts delivered on Tuesday will address electrical, mechanical, and signalling problems of the train system

SUB-COMPONENTS. Spare parts for worn-out train sub-components have been delivered, the MRT3 management announced. Photo courtesy of the MRT3 management

Spare parts for the rehabilitation of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) train cars arrived starting Tuesday, February 13, the MRT3 management announced.

Deliveries are expected to arrive until Friday according to the train management. These will be used to rehabilitate worn-out components of the 18-year-old train system.

Among the suppliers were Pink Armour Corporation, Linkers Enterprises, and Nikka Trading.

Since 2018 started, the MRT3 suffered a total of 34 glitches – 22 of which involved electrical failure in the train's motor. (READ: MRT3 suffers almost daily breakdowns since start of 2018)

The spare parts delivered on Tuesday will address electrical, mechanical, and signalling problems. The MRT3 train system is scheduled to be fully rehabilitated between March 28 and 31. (READ: DOTr promises better MRT3 services by 2nd quarter of 2018)

On average, there were only 8 to 9 trains running per day in February, way below the agency's set minimum of 15 working trains per day. (READ: Surviving MRT3: Worst train fails in 2017)

In 2017, there were 516 MRT3 glitches recorded – almost 10 incidents a week. (READ: MRT woes: How often do they happen?)

Transportation officials rejected calls for a temporary suspension of MRT3 operations until all glitches could be fixed, saying this would only cause great inconvenience to commuters. Instead, operating hours and trains were reduced for maintenance checks.

After years of rest, Plaza Fair carries new name

With many branches, Plaza Fair became a household name. People used to stop and shop. Its Cubao branch made the late Kuya Germs and Ate Luds resident celebrities who used to grace the activities.

Finally, it’s open with new name Merry Season Department Store.

Owner Danny Velasco boasts of its promotional on going sale as treat to his customers especially those who missed the one stop shopping store.

Buy one, take one on all arrivals. House wares, ladies and men’s wear. Shoes. Bags. Basketball jersey. Plastic wares. Hardware. Small appliances. Name it!

Plaza Fair’s Merry Season Department Store’s mission is to bring quality and affordable goods and merchandise to its customers. Just like the food old days!

Fun to browse through the varied merchandise, one may be able to discover some really good brands and buys. And Danny is also welcoming new suppliers to set their store inside Plaza Fair San andres (at the 2nd floor of Xentro Mall corners San Andres and Leveriza streets in Malate).

Apart from the store, Danny also has a school, the Grace Christian College located at Florentino Torres street in Sta. Ctuz, Manila. The shcool offers courses on Arts and Sciences, Accountancy and Egineering. The school is open for inquiries via collegeofgrace@gmail.com.

Danny will also set up the School of Medicine with the specialty in Oriental Medicine. And the unified system of a new world order foundation in memory of his father Yu Bon Kiong.

“I thought of making this a store where everyone will feel as if it’s Christmas everyday. Kaya we’re carrying the Merry Season name. With the guidance of God Almighty, we commit ourselves to consistently exceed customers’ expectations by providing new and exciting products exclusive to our stores, offering the widest selection of high quality shoes, home care, products, clothes, residence, memorial park, party bar club, furniture and hardware, and by creating an employee mindset where the customer is our HERO.”

Accept Danny’s invitation at the newly opened Plaza Fair Merry Season Department Store.

We hope to see it back in Cubao!

4th Cebu-Mactan bridge with rail component in the works

Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar (right) and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez (center) lead the Philippine delegation during Monday’s 4th Philippine-Japan High-Level Committee on Infrastructure and Economic Cooperation meeting at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa. Transportation Secretary Tugade (from left), Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernio, and Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno were members of the Philippine delegation. CDN PHOTO/JOSE SANTINO BUNCHITA

Villar: Feasibility study on P3B bridge project to be done in 1st quarter of 2018

Construction work on the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) project, the third bridge connecting Mactan Island to mainland Cebu, has yet to start, but plans are already underway for a fourth bridge to connect these two islands.

Results of a feasibility study being conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for this fourth Mandaue-Mactan bridge are expected within the first quarter of this year, according to Public Works Secretary Mark Villar.

“It will be the fourth bridge. JICA kasi gumawa ng first two bridges ng Cebu (It was JICA that built the first two bridges of Cebu), so we are all interested to do a fourth one,” Villar told reporters at the sidelines of yesterday’s 4th Philippine-Japan High-Level Committee on Infrastructure and Economic Cooperation meeting at Shangri-La Mactan.

“First of all, the fourth bridge will help traffic problems in Cebu. But we are planning to have provisions for rails on the bridge so it will be consistent with the mass transit program of Cebu,” he added.

Villar said they pegged the bridge to cost P3 billion. And just like the first Mandaue-Mactan bridge and the Marcelo Fernan bridge, the fourth bridge will be funded, constructed, operated and maintained by the government.

The P22.6 billion CCLEX, which is expected to start construction this year, is a public-private partnership between the Manuel Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. and the local government units of Cebu City and Cordova.

Asked for details as to the specific approaches of the fourth bridge, Villar refused to disclose saying he does not want to preempt the results of the feasibility study.

He said though that they already have an idea as to where it will be.

According to Villar though, the fourth bridge will “most likely” be able to accommodate rail for mass transit systems.

BRT AND LRT

The feasibility study of the fourth Mandaue-Mactan bridge is part of the commitments of the Japanese government to the Philippine government under their bilateral agreements.

In a press conference after yesterday’s meeting, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, head of the Philippine delegation, shared that another commitment of the Japanese government is the formulation of a master plan for the urban development of Metro Cebu.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said that included in this master plan is the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project which is already at the “advance” stage of implementation as well as the fourth Mandaue-Mactan bridge.

“The master plan has not really been completed yet so there will be more items included in that master plan, having to do with urban development and a possible smart city in the further future,” Pernia said.

Debates have been ongoing in Cebu over the implementation of the BRT project or a Light Rail Transit (LRT) system instead which is being pushed by Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said though that the national government is still looking into and studying the issue between the BRT and the LRT.

“Pinag-aaralan pa ang detalye nyan (The details of that are still being studied). Will it be LRT or BRT? Will there be alignments here and there? That will still have to be finalized,” he said.

When sought for comment on this, Rafael Yap, BRT Implementation Office head, said they have not stopped with the implementation of the BRT project, and that they have not received any official directive to stop the project.

Yap said they are already finalizing procurement documents for the construction of the project.

They target to have the actual procurement within this year so that actual construction can start within the latter part of this year, or by early 2019.

‘Fast and sure’

Yesterday’s 4th PH-Japan High-Level meeting was focused on discussions on the progress of the Duterte administration’s flagship infrastructure projects which Japan has committed to help finance through loans.

Dominguez reported that both governments have committed to the “fast and sure” implementation of the administration’s flagship infrastructure projects.

“I am convinced that, through our regular meetings, both our governments are prompted to deliver on our commitments and are encouraged to think of more innovative measures to improve our cooperation,” he said during the opening of the meeting.

Dominguez and Pernia headed the Philippine delegation, which also includes key members of the government like Villar and Tugade of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr), respectively.

On the other hand, the Japanese delegation was headed by Dr. Hiroto Izumi, the special advisor to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

In his opening statement, Izumi assured Japan’s intention to contribute to the development of the Philippines.

“We are pleased to provide fast, fast, fast (implementation) and share cooperation by making use of our high quality infrastructure, including loans and expertise sharing,” he said.

Prime Minister Abe earlier pledged to contribute one trillion yen ($9 billion) to the Philippines in the form of official development assistance (ODA) and investments for the next five years.

During the meeting, they discussed the flagship projects proposed for Japan ODA funding; the project processing and implementation timetables; the proposed concrete actions to address bottlenecks; the Marawi reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts; and the proposed sectoral cooperation.

The delegations also signed three documents — (1) the record of discussions of the meeting; (2) the memorandum of cooperation among the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport and Urban Development (JOIN), and Surbana Jurong for the “New Clark City;” and (3) the memorandum of cooperation between the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and Japan Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications for the “Technical Assistance for the National Broadband Plan.”

Among the specific projects to be funded by the Japan government is the phase 1 of the Metro Manila Subway Project. Signing of the first tranche of the loan is expected to be done by March 2018 while the partial operability of the subway project is targeted by 2022.

Dominguez said they also look forward to the signing of the Exchange of Notes for the grant financing for the Davao City Waste-to-Energy project, as well as the loan financing packages for the Pasig-Marikina Channel Improvement project Phase IV, and the MRT-3 Rehabilitation and Improvement Project.

Other projects include the PNR North 2 (Malolos-Clark) and PNR South Commuter (Manila-Los Baños) railway lines which are also expected to start partial operations by 2022.

Read more: http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/163483/4th-cebu-mactan-bridge-rail-component-works#ixzz56uq8aesz
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