An official of the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) on Tuesday said they are eyeing to impose a ban on buses to traverse along elevated parts of the Skyway.
TRB spokesperson Bert Suansing said the initiative aims to prevent incidents of overspeeding bus drivers which might result in accidents on the major thoroughfare.
“Pinag-uusapan pa lang na pagbawalan ang mga buses sa elevated portion ng Skyway kasi nga masyadong matulin magpatakbo ang mga drivers niyan. Lumalabag na sila sa ating regulasyon sa loob ng tollway. Kasi ang mga bus ang maximum speed nila dapat ay 80 kilometers per hour (kph). Mas madalas mabilis pa sa 80 kph ang tinatakbo nila (We are considering not allowing buses along the elevated portion of the Skyway because their drivers are driving too fast. They are violating the regulations on the tollway which sets a speed limit of 80 kilometers per hours. They usually breach the 80 kph speed limit),” Suansing said in a radio interview.
The TRB official said drivers who are overspeeding on the Skyway pose dangers to passengers and other motorists.
The agency is currently conducting simulations on the effect of the proposed bus ban, he noted.
“Atin pong i-aanunsyo sa publiko yan kapag naipatupad (We'll announce this to the public if this will be implemented),” Suansing said.
A truck ban has been implemented on the Skyway since November 2016 to improve traffic flow and ensure road safety.
Skyway is a 32-kilometer elevated expressway stretching from Gil Puyat Avenue in Makati City to Alabang-Zapote Road in Muntinlupa City, catering to an average of 300,000 passengers daily.
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
MRT rehab to start in January
The rehabilitation work for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) is expected to start in January, an official of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Monday.
“Transition is already ongoing up to December; the full mobilization will be by January,” DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said in a text message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
This follows last Thursday’s signing of the PHP18-billion (38-billion Japanese yen) loan agreement for the MRT rehabilitation project by the Department of Finance and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
The loan agreement covers the repair and maintenance of the MRT-3’s electromechanical components, power supply, rail tracks, and depot equipment, and the overhaul of its 72 light rail vehicles.
The DOTr has earlier said that Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will take over the rehabilitation and maintenance of MRT-3.
Sumitomo-Mitsubishi designed and built the railway system from 1998 to 2000 and maintained the system from 2000 to 2012.
The DOTr expects an improvement in the MRT operations starting in the third quarter of next year, with the gradual increase of its passenger capacity.
It also projects the speed of the MRT trains to improve from 30 km. per hour (kph) to 60 kph, with its headway time reduced from the current seven minutes to 3.5 minutes.
The number of trains is also expected to increase by 20 train sets from the current 15 trains during peak hours.
The upgrade of the MRT-3 will take about 43 months, with the first 26 months focused on the rehabilitation of the entire system.
The 16-km. MRT rail line from North Ave. in Quezon City to Taft Ave. in Pasay City currently accommodates an average of 300,000 passengers per day.
“Transition is already ongoing up to December; the full mobilization will be by January,” DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said in a text message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
This follows last Thursday’s signing of the PHP18-billion (38-billion Japanese yen) loan agreement for the MRT rehabilitation project by the Department of Finance and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
The loan agreement covers the repair and maintenance of the MRT-3’s electromechanical components, power supply, rail tracks, and depot equipment, and the overhaul of its 72 light rail vehicles.
The DOTr has earlier said that Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will take over the rehabilitation and maintenance of MRT-3.
Sumitomo-Mitsubishi designed and built the railway system from 1998 to 2000 and maintained the system from 2000 to 2012.
The DOTr expects an improvement in the MRT operations starting in the third quarter of next year, with the gradual increase of its passenger capacity.
It also projects the speed of the MRT trains to improve from 30 km. per hour (kph) to 60 kph, with its headway time reduced from the current seven minutes to 3.5 minutes.
The number of trains is also expected to increase by 20 train sets from the current 15 trains during peak hours.
The upgrade of the MRT-3 will take about 43 months, with the first 26 months focused on the rehabilitation of the entire system.
The 16-km. MRT rail line from North Ave. in Quezon City to Taft Ave. in Pasay City currently accommodates an average of 300,000 passengers per day.
Cancel LRT-1 extension award to Metro Pacific-Ayala consortium
IT has been more than three years since the Light Rail Manila Corp. — the consortium of Ayala Corp., Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp. of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings Phil. — won the award to build, operate and maintain the P64.9-billion Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 extension project to Cavite. But until today, not a single concrete post for the extension line has been erected by the consortium.
Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp. holds a 55 percent stake in the consortium while AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. of Ayala Corp. has 35 percent. Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure’s Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings Phil. controls the remaining 10 percent.
Awarded sometime in September 2014 by then Transportation and Communications Secretary (and Liberal Party President) Joseph Emilio A. Abaya, the Ayala-Metro Pacific consortium was supposed to begin construction works for the LRT-1 extension within a maximum of one year from the signing of the concession agreement, or by October 2015. Under the terms of the award, the project should be fully operational within 54 months, or by May 2019. With less than seven months to go, it’s a foregone conclusion that the Ayala-Metro Pacific consortium will violate its contractual commitment to finish the LRT-1 extension to Cavite before the imposed deadline.
This certainly puts current Transportation Secretary Arturo Tugade in a bind. If he tolerates further delays, the DOTr stands to be accused of being a “captured agency” of Philippine business behemoths. The only logical and transparent way out for Tugade therefore is to cancel the LRT-1 extension award to the Ayala-Metro Pacific consortium. He certainly would have all the factual and legal bases to do so.
As early as 2014, then Transportation Secretary Abaya already announced that the Ayala-Metro Pacific consortium could start with the P65-billion LRT-1 extension project even without the decision of the Supreme Court on the common station in North Avenue, Quezon City.
This was after the high tribunal issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) when the SM Group contested the then DoTC’s move to relocate the P1.4-billion MRT-LRT common station project to Trinoma, an adjacent mall owned by competitor Ayala Land. “The TRO is in the transfer of the station. There is no restraint in the award of LRT 1 Cavite Extension,” Abaya clarified then.
Since then, the Metro Pacific-Ayala consortium has moved forward with the project but only in press releases rather than construction activities.
Six months after it was supposed to begin civil works on the extension project, the Metro Pacific-Ayala consortium tried to wiggle out of its contractual timeline by blaming the Yellow government (yes, their benefactor) for supposed delays in the delivery of right-of-way and in the procurement of new trains. That’s’ a bunch of crap — and they know it!
Even before the concession for the LRT-1 extension was bid out, all the six prospective bidders for the project (including the Metro Pacific-Ayala consortium) were aware that the right-of-way (ROW) acquisition requirement was already close to being completed. As far back as January 2014, the then DoTC had already completed 92.34 percent of the ROW acquisition requirement for the Baclaran-to-Dr. A. Santos segment; 69.2 percent of the Dr. A. Santos-to-Zapote segment; and 84.2 percent of the Zapote-to-Niog segment.
The ROW requirement becomes even less significant since it reportedly comprises less than 15 percent of the entire extension project. This means that the Metro Pacific-Ayala consortium could have started civil works on the other 85 percent — the non-contentious segment — if it wanted to as far back as 2016. Instead, the consortium dilly-dallied with all sorts of lame excuses.
Why? Because they didn’t want the billions of pesos needed to fund the project to come out from their pockets. Apparently, the ultimate strategy was to have LRT-1 passengers to pay for a big chunk of the extension line to Cavite.
This much was admitted by the Metro Pacific-Ayala consortium when it said that it was seeking a P5 increase in LRT-1 fares to fund the extension of the line to the Cavite suburbs. In fact, the company even warned that it might not be able to complete the 11.7-kilometer extension project by 2021 without the fare hike.
Genius talaga itong Metro Pacific-Ayala! Imagine, frying the riding public in its own lard.
So, whatever happened to the consortium’s express guarantee in its winning bid that it had the financial muscle to fund the P65-billion extension project? And what about its public statements that the Metro Pacific-Ayala consortium had already secured a P25-billion loan facility from three banks and that the remainder could be easily funded by equity from LRMC?
The consortium’s ingenious funding scheme earned a quick retort from Tugade — as it should. The Transportation secretary said companies should stop making the government a “hostage” by saying the construction of vital infrastructure is dependent on tariff increases under their concession agreements. “They should not say the extension of the LRT is dependent on the rate increase. They should not make us a hostage,” Tugade said.
Tugade also thumbed down the suggestion by the Metro Pacific-Ayala consortium for the government to subsidize the fare increase, saying that “if you will do business with the government, there should be no form of subsidy and guarantee.”
After quickly being cut down by the DOTr chief, the consortium replied that it will move forward with the construction of the extension even without the tariff adjustment. Yun naman pala eh. What are you waiting for, then?
If the Metro Pacific-Ayala consortium can’t put up a single post by the end of this year, it doesn’t deserve to keep the concession for the LRT-1 extension a minute longer.
https://www.manilatimes.net/cancel-lrt-1-extension-award-to-metro-pacific-ayala-consortium/466774/
Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp. holds a 55 percent stake in the consortium while AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. of Ayala Corp. has 35 percent. Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure’s Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings Phil. controls the remaining 10 percent.
Awarded sometime in September 2014 by then Transportation and Communications Secretary (and Liberal Party President) Joseph Emilio A. Abaya, the Ayala-Metro Pacific consortium was supposed to begin construction works for the LRT-1 extension within a maximum of one year from the signing of the concession agreement, or by October 2015. Under the terms of the award, the project should be fully operational within 54 months, or by May 2019. With less than seven months to go, it’s a foregone conclusion that the Ayala-Metro Pacific consortium will violate its contractual commitment to finish the LRT-1 extension to Cavite before the imposed deadline.
This certainly puts current Transportation Secretary Arturo Tugade in a bind. If he tolerates further delays, the DOTr stands to be accused of being a “captured agency” of Philippine business behemoths. The only logical and transparent way out for Tugade therefore is to cancel the LRT-1 extension award to the Ayala-Metro Pacific consortium. He certainly would have all the factual and legal bases to do so.
As early as 2014, then Transportation Secretary Abaya already announced that the Ayala-Metro Pacific consortium could start with the P65-billion LRT-1 extension project even without the decision of the Supreme Court on the common station in North Avenue, Quezon City.
This was after the high tribunal issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) when the SM Group contested the then DoTC’s move to relocate the P1.4-billion MRT-LRT common station project to Trinoma, an adjacent mall owned by competitor Ayala Land. “The TRO is in the transfer of the station. There is no restraint in the award of LRT 1 Cavite Extension,” Abaya clarified then.
Since then, the Metro Pacific-Ayala consortium has moved forward with the project but only in press releases rather than construction activities.
Six months after it was supposed to begin civil works on the extension project, the Metro Pacific-Ayala consortium tried to wiggle out of its contractual timeline by blaming the Yellow government (yes, their benefactor) for supposed delays in the delivery of right-of-way and in the procurement of new trains. That’s’ a bunch of crap — and they know it!
Even before the concession for the LRT-1 extension was bid out, all the six prospective bidders for the project (including the Metro Pacific-Ayala consortium) were aware that the right-of-way (ROW) acquisition requirement was already close to being completed. As far back as January 2014, the then DoTC had already completed 92.34 percent of the ROW acquisition requirement for the Baclaran-to-Dr. A. Santos segment; 69.2 percent of the Dr. A. Santos-to-Zapote segment; and 84.2 percent of the Zapote-to-Niog segment.
The ROW requirement becomes even less significant since it reportedly comprises less than 15 percent of the entire extension project. This means that the Metro Pacific-Ayala consortium could have started civil works on the other 85 percent — the non-contentious segment — if it wanted to as far back as 2016. Instead, the consortium dilly-dallied with all sorts of lame excuses.
Why? Because they didn’t want the billions of pesos needed to fund the project to come out from their pockets. Apparently, the ultimate strategy was to have LRT-1 passengers to pay for a big chunk of the extension line to Cavite.
This much was admitted by the Metro Pacific-Ayala consortium when it said that it was seeking a P5 increase in LRT-1 fares to fund the extension of the line to the Cavite suburbs. In fact, the company even warned that it might not be able to complete the 11.7-kilometer extension project by 2021 without the fare hike.
Genius talaga itong Metro Pacific-Ayala! Imagine, frying the riding public in its own lard.
So, whatever happened to the consortium’s express guarantee in its winning bid that it had the financial muscle to fund the P65-billion extension project? And what about its public statements that the Metro Pacific-Ayala consortium had already secured a P25-billion loan facility from three banks and that the remainder could be easily funded by equity from LRMC?
The consortium’s ingenious funding scheme earned a quick retort from Tugade — as it should. The Transportation secretary said companies should stop making the government a “hostage” by saying the construction of vital infrastructure is dependent on tariff increases under their concession agreements. “They should not say the extension of the LRT is dependent on the rate increase. They should not make us a hostage,” Tugade said.
Tugade also thumbed down the suggestion by the Metro Pacific-Ayala consortium for the government to subsidize the fare increase, saying that “if you will do business with the government, there should be no form of subsidy and guarantee.”
After quickly being cut down by the DOTr chief, the consortium replied that it will move forward with the construction of the extension even without the tariff adjustment. Yun naman pala eh. What are you waiting for, then?
If the Metro Pacific-Ayala consortium can’t put up a single post by the end of this year, it doesn’t deserve to keep the concession for the LRT-1 extension a minute longer.
https://www.manilatimes.net/cancel-lrt-1-extension-award-to-metro-pacific-ayala-consortium/466774/
Makati subway to make 6k jobs
Mayor Abigail Binay on Monday assured that the Public Rail Transport in the City of Makati will generate 6,000 jobs and new economic opportunities for residents once this subway system project is completed as planned in 2023.
The subway system, the first of its kind in the country, is a joint venture of the city government and a consortium of local and foreign investors, with no cash out on the part of the city.
The 30-year concession with the consortium includes maintenance and repair of the coaches and the control hub.
“The project will create around 6,000 new jobs for Makatizens and numerous economic opportunities just for the construction and operation of the train system alone. This does not include additional jobs which will be created as a result of the efficient transport system in the city,” Binay said.
The city chief executive expressed her full commitment to the project’s completion within five years, which she envisioned to be her lasting legacy to the people of Makati.
“I want this to be my legacy. It is time for a better and brighter future for everyone in Makati. I want the city to be truly livable, sustainable, inclusive, and resilient not just today but for the generations to come,” said Binay.
Binay also assured the public that the five-year construction period will not have adverse effects on traffic within Makati. This, she said, is one of the advantages of constructing a subway system. Since most of the work is done in tunnels underground, the disruption to daily traffic will be minimal.
“In just five years, Makati City, and the rest of the country will reap the benefits of having a reliable and efficient mass transport system. We are laying the groundwork for more advanced infrastructure and projects so our children can continue to be proud of the city they live in,” she emphasized.
The PRT system, which is scheduled to break ground before the end of the year, will have two tracks, up to 10 underground stations, and air-conditioned coaches which can accommodate 200 persons per car.
The entire system spans 10 kilometers with a train yard, maintenance depot, and central command center at ground level.
The stations will have at least 30 station entrances linked to destinations across Makati, which will spur the growth of small and medium businesses.
It will also be linked to ferry transport, interchanges to the existing MRT 3 line, as well as potential links to the future Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded Metro Manila subway, and to future parking structures and transport feeders outside the existing business districts.
Once completed, the PRT will be able to service up to 27,000 passengers per hour per direction. The system also promises an interval of three to six minutes between trains on the first year, with 12 operational trains.
By 2024, Makati City is eyeing to have 18 trains with a two- to four-minute interval. The City is also prepared to accommodate as many as 40,500 passengers per hour during peak hours. The train system will run on an 18-hour operational cycle.
Binay stressed that the PRT will leave cumulative positive impacts, not only in Makati but in neighboring cities as well. Current statistics estimate that there are five million employees in Makati during work days.
Since there are only around 500,000 city residents, this would mean millions of commuters and drivers entering the city every day.
The PRT will not only decongest major thoroughfares, but it is also expected to increase work productivity by cutting down the daily commute or travel time of workers.
According to JICA’s congestion valuations, the Philippines will gain at least US$600 million annually in GDP just for enhanced productivity.
Interestingly, the project will allow for an additional 320,000 residents in Makati City.
Besides enjoying a walkable city with considerably less pollution, residents will also enjoy 20 percent higher land values because of the new transport system. The figure was based on the experience of other Asian cities like Bangkok and Hong Kong.
More importantly, a reliable, comfortable, and highly-efficient mass transport system will result in less traffic congestion and parking woes in the country’s premier financial district. Feasibility studies project 270,000 fewer cars in the streets of Makati by 2048.
This makes the PRT a more eco-friendly and sustainable solution as well, with a projected reduction of 2.3 million tons of CO2 annually in greenhouse gas emission by 2048.
In pushing for the subway project, Mayor Binay cited Hong Kong’s MTR system which was introduced in 1979. It helped usher in a period of unprecedented urban mobility and economic growth. Now, 90 percent of Hong Kong residents and workers commute without a car, translating into more hours a day for business and family.
The MTR also makes US$7 billion and serves 1.7 billion riders. The system is so successful that they advise and manage rail systems in countries around the world.
On the other hand, Bangkok’s subway system was launched in 2004 and now serves 100 million riders per year across 35 stations. Mayor Abby noted that like the Bangkok line, Makati’s PRT will be operational even during floods.
Binay also pointed out that other cities like Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, and Jakarta are now experiencing less congestion in their financial centers after a mass transport system has been introduced.
http://manilastandard.net/news/national/280338/makati-subway-to-make-6k-jobs.html
The subway system, the first of its kind in the country, is a joint venture of the city government and a consortium of local and foreign investors, with no cash out on the part of the city.
The 30-year concession with the consortium includes maintenance and repair of the coaches and the control hub.
“The project will create around 6,000 new jobs for Makatizens and numerous economic opportunities just for the construction and operation of the train system alone. This does not include additional jobs which will be created as a result of the efficient transport system in the city,” Binay said.
The city chief executive expressed her full commitment to the project’s completion within five years, which she envisioned to be her lasting legacy to the people of Makati.
“I want this to be my legacy. It is time for a better and brighter future for everyone in Makati. I want the city to be truly livable, sustainable, inclusive, and resilient not just today but for the generations to come,” said Binay.
Binay also assured the public that the five-year construction period will not have adverse effects on traffic within Makati. This, she said, is one of the advantages of constructing a subway system. Since most of the work is done in tunnels underground, the disruption to daily traffic will be minimal.
“In just five years, Makati City, and the rest of the country will reap the benefits of having a reliable and efficient mass transport system. We are laying the groundwork for more advanced infrastructure and projects so our children can continue to be proud of the city they live in,” she emphasized.
The PRT system, which is scheduled to break ground before the end of the year, will have two tracks, up to 10 underground stations, and air-conditioned coaches which can accommodate 200 persons per car.
The entire system spans 10 kilometers with a train yard, maintenance depot, and central command center at ground level.
The stations will have at least 30 station entrances linked to destinations across Makati, which will spur the growth of small and medium businesses.
It will also be linked to ferry transport, interchanges to the existing MRT 3 line, as well as potential links to the future Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded Metro Manila subway, and to future parking structures and transport feeders outside the existing business districts.
Once completed, the PRT will be able to service up to 27,000 passengers per hour per direction. The system also promises an interval of three to six minutes between trains on the first year, with 12 operational trains.
By 2024, Makati City is eyeing to have 18 trains with a two- to four-minute interval. The City is also prepared to accommodate as many as 40,500 passengers per hour during peak hours. The train system will run on an 18-hour operational cycle.
Binay stressed that the PRT will leave cumulative positive impacts, not only in Makati but in neighboring cities as well. Current statistics estimate that there are five million employees in Makati during work days.
Since there are only around 500,000 city residents, this would mean millions of commuters and drivers entering the city every day.
The PRT will not only decongest major thoroughfares, but it is also expected to increase work productivity by cutting down the daily commute or travel time of workers.
According to JICA’s congestion valuations, the Philippines will gain at least US$600 million annually in GDP just for enhanced productivity.
Interestingly, the project will allow for an additional 320,000 residents in Makati City.
Besides enjoying a walkable city with considerably less pollution, residents will also enjoy 20 percent higher land values because of the new transport system. The figure was based on the experience of other Asian cities like Bangkok and Hong Kong.
More importantly, a reliable, comfortable, and highly-efficient mass transport system will result in less traffic congestion and parking woes in the country’s premier financial district. Feasibility studies project 270,000 fewer cars in the streets of Makati by 2048.
This makes the PRT a more eco-friendly and sustainable solution as well, with a projected reduction of 2.3 million tons of CO2 annually in greenhouse gas emission by 2048.
In pushing for the subway project, Mayor Binay cited Hong Kong’s MTR system which was introduced in 1979. It helped usher in a period of unprecedented urban mobility and economic growth. Now, 90 percent of Hong Kong residents and workers commute without a car, translating into more hours a day for business and family.
The MTR also makes US$7 billion and serves 1.7 billion riders. The system is so successful that they advise and manage rail systems in countries around the world.
On the other hand, Bangkok’s subway system was launched in 2004 and now serves 100 million riders per year across 35 stations. Mayor Abby noted that like the Bangkok line, Makati’s PRT will be operational even during floods.
Binay also pointed out that other cities like Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, and Jakarta are now experiencing less congestion in their financial centers after a mass transport system has been introduced.
http://manilastandard.net/news/national/280338/makati-subway-to-make-6k-jobs.html
Monday, November 12, 2018
MRT-3 rehab to be finished by Q1 of 2021 — DOTr
The full rehabilitation process on the Metro Rail Transit line 3 (MRT-3) will be finished by the first quarter of 2021, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Sunday.
The rehabilitation plan of the government will span for 26 months after the Philippines and Japan signed a loan agreement on Thursday.
“Inaasahan nating matatapos by the 26th month, so mula January 2019, magre-rehab ‘yan buong 2019-2020 at hanggang sa 1st quarter ng 2021 at doon matatapos ang kabuuang rehabilitation,” DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said in an interview with dzBB.
Despite the upgrade on the line, Batan has assured the public that there would be no fare increase for the MRT-3.
Part of the rehabilitation process is the rollout of the Dalian trains on the line, Batan said. Currently, one Dalian train has been rolled out on the tracks of the MRT-3.
Batan said that the government still has to ensure the safety of the trains before it could fully rollout other Dalian trains on the line.
“Ang dahilan kung bakit isang train set pa lang napapatakbo natin ay dahil tatlong bagon pa lang ang nakakatapos sa mahabang listahan ng testing and commissioning procedures,” he said.
“Isang buong train set ng Dalian train na binubuo ng tatlong bagon. ‘Yan ay kasalukuyang dumaraan sa gradual deployment at pinapatakbo natin tuwing off peak hours at saka natin titingnan kung pwede natin iakyat during peak hours,” he added.
A new service hours has been set by the MRT-3 management for the Dalian train in order to reach the 150-hour requirement by next month.
On Saturday, the three-coach train of Dalian started to ferry passengers on full operations during weekends. However, on weekdays, the train would only operate on off-peak hours.
A total of 48 Dalian coaches were purchased during the Aquino administration for the MRT-3, but were stored in the MRT-3 depot for three years due to alleged “compatibility issues.” /je
The rehabilitation plan of the government will span for 26 months after the Philippines and Japan signed a loan agreement on Thursday.
“Inaasahan nating matatapos by the 26th month, so mula January 2019, magre-rehab ‘yan buong 2019-2020 at hanggang sa 1st quarter ng 2021 at doon matatapos ang kabuuang rehabilitation,” DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said in an interview with dzBB.
Despite the upgrade on the line, Batan has assured the public that there would be no fare increase for the MRT-3.
Part of the rehabilitation process is the rollout of the Dalian trains on the line, Batan said. Currently, one Dalian train has been rolled out on the tracks of the MRT-3.
Batan said that the government still has to ensure the safety of the trains before it could fully rollout other Dalian trains on the line.
“Ang dahilan kung bakit isang train set pa lang napapatakbo natin ay dahil tatlong bagon pa lang ang nakakatapos sa mahabang listahan ng testing and commissioning procedures,” he said.
“Isang buong train set ng Dalian train na binubuo ng tatlong bagon. ‘Yan ay kasalukuyang dumaraan sa gradual deployment at pinapatakbo natin tuwing off peak hours at saka natin titingnan kung pwede natin iakyat during peak hours,” he added.
A new service hours has been set by the MRT-3 management for the Dalian train in order to reach the 150-hour requirement by next month.
On Saturday, the three-coach train of Dalian started to ferry passengers on full operations during weekends. However, on weekdays, the train would only operate on off-peak hours.
A total of 48 Dalian coaches were purchased during the Aquino administration for the MRT-3, but were stored in the MRT-3 depot for three years due to alleged “compatibility issues.” /je
North-south commuter railway will require P5-B subsidies–Neda
FILIPINO taxpayers need to extend an average of P5 billion worth of subsidies for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System approved by a Cabinet panel, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).
Apart from the subsidy, the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) Cabinet Committee (CabCom) last week also recommended to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) the generation of additional revenues on account of the 76-percent increase in the project’s cost.
With the change in scope of the project, the total cost of the NSCR, a project of the DOTr and Philippine National Railways (PNR), increased to P777.55 billion, from P440.88 billion. The project is funded by loans from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
“The government will subsidize an average of P5 billion per year to cover capital, operating and renewal costs of the project—an investment that is expected to generate substantial economic activity, create more jobs, increase incomes and deliver a more comfortable commuting experience,” the Neda said in a statement.
“The DOTr was instructed by the Committee to implement measures that would allow the national government to maximize non-farebox revenues, such as incremental taxes from increased property value through revenue-sharing arrangements with concerned LGUs and through the development of national government properties in the project area,” it added.
The increase in project cost is attributed to three factors as determined by the detailed engineering designs, such as the shift to elevated viaducts instead of at-grade structures to improve operational efficiencies and safety.
The Neda said factors pushing up costs include the adoption of standard gauge instead of narrow gauge, in compliance with government standards to ensure seamless operations for all sections; and the increase in the number of trains and change from single to double tracks for the Malolos-Clark Railway Project (MCRP).
The cost will also cover resettlement activities, meeting the social and environmental safeguards of the ADB and JICA. This will also ensure proper housing and welfare support for around 12,901 affected informal settler families.
The project will bring together the NSCR Phase 1 (Malolos-Tutuban), the PNR South Commuter Railway (Solis-Calamba) and the MCRP, creating a 147-kilometer elevated, double-track and seamless connection from Clark International Airport to Los Banos, Laguna, with 36 stations.
The NSCR System will link with existing railway lines such as the LRT 1, LRT 2 and MRT 3, as well as with the upcoming Metro Manila Subway.
According to the DOTr, the NSCR System, compared to other railway projects in Asia, is more cost-effective. Per kilometer, the project costs about $100 million.
The rail system is expected to be partially operational by 2022 with a daily ridership of 340,000 passengers. It will be fully operational by 2023 with a daily ridership of 550,000 passengers.
Apart from the subsidy, the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) Cabinet Committee (CabCom) last week also recommended to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) the generation of additional revenues on account of the 76-percent increase in the project’s cost.
With the change in scope of the project, the total cost of the NSCR, a project of the DOTr and Philippine National Railways (PNR), increased to P777.55 billion, from P440.88 billion. The project is funded by loans from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
“The government will subsidize an average of P5 billion per year to cover capital, operating and renewal costs of the project—an investment that is expected to generate substantial economic activity, create more jobs, increase incomes and deliver a more comfortable commuting experience,” the Neda said in a statement.
“The DOTr was instructed by the Committee to implement measures that would allow the national government to maximize non-farebox revenues, such as incremental taxes from increased property value through revenue-sharing arrangements with concerned LGUs and through the development of national government properties in the project area,” it added.
The increase in project cost is attributed to three factors as determined by the detailed engineering designs, such as the shift to elevated viaducts instead of at-grade structures to improve operational efficiencies and safety.
The Neda said factors pushing up costs include the adoption of standard gauge instead of narrow gauge, in compliance with government standards to ensure seamless operations for all sections; and the increase in the number of trains and change from single to double tracks for the Malolos-Clark Railway Project (MCRP).
The cost will also cover resettlement activities, meeting the social and environmental safeguards of the ADB and JICA. This will also ensure proper housing and welfare support for around 12,901 affected informal settler families.
The project will bring together the NSCR Phase 1 (Malolos-Tutuban), the PNR South Commuter Railway (Solis-Calamba) and the MCRP, creating a 147-kilometer elevated, double-track and seamless connection from Clark International Airport to Los Banos, Laguna, with 36 stations.
The NSCR System will link with existing railway lines such as the LRT 1, LRT 2 and MRT 3, as well as with the upcoming Metro Manila Subway.
According to the DOTr, the NSCR System, compared to other railway projects in Asia, is more cost-effective. Per kilometer, the project costs about $100 million.
The rail system is expected to be partially operational by 2022 with a daily ridership of 340,000 passengers. It will be fully operational by 2023 with a daily ridership of 550,000 passengers.
Sunday, November 11, 2018
City mulls aid for Natonin victims
Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan ordered the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) to study the possibility of allocating funds as assistance to Natonin, Mountain Province, which was ravaged by Typhoon Rosita.
He also instructed the CSWDO to look at how the city can extend assistance to the bereaved families of the three residents of Baguio who were among the fatalities in Natonin.
“We sympathize with Natonin so we have to look into ways on how we can help in the recovery and rehabilitation of the municipality. The people will need all the help from various sectors to allow them to recover from the effects of the typhoon,” Domogan said.
He added the landslide that buried the buildings of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Natonin should serve as a wakeup call for everyone to come up with measures on how to adapt to the impacts of the extreme weather conditions brought about by climate change.
Domogan said it is fortunate that Baguio City was not severely affected by the recent typhoon so it must share some of its resources to Natonin to aid the town in its recovery and rehabilitation plans.
The city government has been allocating funds as financial assistance to local government units affected by typhoons.
He also instructed the CSWDO to look at how the city can extend assistance to the bereaved families of the three residents of Baguio who were among the fatalities in Natonin.
“We sympathize with Natonin so we have to look into ways on how we can help in the recovery and rehabilitation of the municipality. The people will need all the help from various sectors to allow them to recover from the effects of the typhoon,” Domogan said.
He added the landslide that buried the buildings of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Natonin should serve as a wakeup call for everyone to come up with measures on how to adapt to the impacts of the extreme weather conditions brought about by climate change.
Domogan said it is fortunate that Baguio City was not severely affected by the recent typhoon so it must share some of its resources to Natonin to aid the town in its recovery and rehabilitation plans.
The city government has been allocating funds as financial assistance to local government units affected by typhoons.
Not easy like Sunday morning
DPWH says drying palay on national roads can get you a fine and jail time. I am more worried about rice bodegas drying up.
***
Baguio’s anti-profanity ordinance may be unconstitutional. Swearing solemnly during oath taking ceremonies is now in danger.
***
French composer Francis Lai of “Love Story” fame passed away. Besides writing music for stars like Edith Piaf and Juliette Greco, Lai was perhaps best known for creating the title track to the 1970 box-office hit “Love Story.” Who can forget the duo Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal that starred in this romantic flick? Lai also created the well acclaimed “A Man and A Woman.”
***
The governments of Japan and the Philippines signed this Thursday an P18-billion loan agreement for the maintenance and rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit line 3 (MRT-3). This is the train system I can get excited about — not the forthcoming Train 2 that could be “taxing” on my wallet.
***
The third Telco was finally announced. The Filipinos are welcoming this move to break the mighty duopoly. We have been singing the tune “Who Can I Turn To” for decades for being victims of fast billing and slow service.
The winner Mislatel is a consortium of Davao tycoon Dennis Uy’s companies (Udenna Corp. and Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp.), local firm Mindanao Islamic Telephone Corp., and China’s own provider, the China Telecommunications Corp. or China Telecom.
I just hope that the three will not emerge like the game “Triopoly.”
***
Singaporean businessman apologizes to DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) official. In an unexpected turn of events, after days of tension at the newly reopened Boracay, Singaporean businessman Peter Tay went to Casa Pilar in Station 3. Tay approached DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda not to confront him about the new watersports activity policy, but to apologize. I hope that everybody can now breathe clean air in the rehabilitated island. Misunderstandings can pollute the air quickly.
The usual Boracay critics are now spewing toxic fumes against DENR overstepping the boundaries of its power when it issued a warning on authorized water sports that can threaten the environment. DENR said it would only allow sports activities APPROVED BY the HOTELS. So, what are you talking about? Isn’t it that the hotels are under the supervision of the DoT (Department of Tourism) and DILG (the Department of the Interior and Local Government)?
We sure can dampen the spirit in an ugly way. Reports are saying that Boracay visitors are back to their old bad habits of throwing trash and drinking liquor on the beach, while vendors returned to the seaside to sell their wares. They said that thieves have descended on the island again, approaching foreigners and convincing them to have sex before they pick their pockets. I wish there is a jail seen by the public to shame these culprits.
***
In a complaint filed before the Ombudsman last October 31, the employees claimed PhilHealth Acting President Roy Ferrer earned some P604,080 in professional fees from March 2017 to June
2018, while also receiving about P1.55 million in salaries and allowances since 2017. Let us hear the side of Ferrer. If there’s merit to the accusation, it can really be hazardous to our health.
***
Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said one of the joint exploration projects likely to be signed anytime soon is with China state-owned oil company China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC). Joint exploration is nothing new and is adopted by most countries all over the world. Under existing laws, the Philippines is supposed to take the bigger chunk in revenues (60-40) from the exploration.
***
The only main issue here is the environmental degradation that can result in the process. I think we can trust Secretary Al on this matter. He is well aware that one of PRRD’s pet peeves is violation of existing environmental laws.
***
The Social Weather Stations (SWS) third quarter survey found 76 percent of 1,500 individuals polled were satisfied with the war on drugs, while only 12 percent were dissatisfied, resulting in a net satisfaction rating of +64. I hope that the human rights critics can read between the lines and stop believing their own propaganda.
***
This news report is most embarrassing. We have received the claims that beauty queens are protesting the sexual abuse in the recent Miss Earth beauty pageant. Three Miss Earth contestants bared sexual harassment on several occasions: candidates Emma Sheedy of Guam, Jaime VandenBerg of Canada and Abbey-Anne Gyles of England.
The three, in their respective Instagram pages, spoke out against a sponsor who they said had inappropriate behavior during the Miss Earth pre-pageant activities. Organizer of Miss Earth 2018 confirmed the removal of the sponsor who allegedly sexually harassed three candidates during the international beauty pageant held here. The sponsor sure tainted the image of the event due to his “earthly” moves.
***
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to “investigate more deeply” into the deaths of nine sugar workers killed in Hacienda Nene in Sagay City, Negros Occidental. True to his promise of making DoJ (Department of Justice) a non-partisan agency, this should be a warning to all that no one is privileged to undermine the law.
Critics worried about the killings in our country? Just recently, 12 were killed in California bar shooting. All the victims were killed inside the bar in the suburb of Thousand Oaks, including the officer who had been called to the scene. The gunman was also dead at the scene. The bar was reported to be hosting a college country music night. This occurred after that tragic Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. Where is Amnesty International and that Callamard?
***
Duterte to invite China’s Xi in his home in Davao City. President Xi Jinping could be the second head of state to set foot in Duterte’s house after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe toured his home in January 2017. I expect Xi to bring a Chinese made “kulambo” while PRRD will offer his favorite Filipino version of congee that we call “goto.”
***
Good work, good deeds and good faith to all.
***
Baguio’s anti-profanity ordinance may be unconstitutional. Swearing solemnly during oath taking ceremonies is now in danger.
***
French composer Francis Lai of “Love Story” fame passed away. Besides writing music for stars like Edith Piaf and Juliette Greco, Lai was perhaps best known for creating the title track to the 1970 box-office hit “Love Story.” Who can forget the duo Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal that starred in this romantic flick? Lai also created the well acclaimed “A Man and A Woman.”
***
The governments of Japan and the Philippines signed this Thursday an P18-billion loan agreement for the maintenance and rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit line 3 (MRT-3). This is the train system I can get excited about — not the forthcoming Train 2 that could be “taxing” on my wallet.
***
The third Telco was finally announced. The Filipinos are welcoming this move to break the mighty duopoly. We have been singing the tune “Who Can I Turn To” for decades for being victims of fast billing and slow service.
The winner Mislatel is a consortium of Davao tycoon Dennis Uy’s companies (Udenna Corp. and Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp.), local firm Mindanao Islamic Telephone Corp., and China’s own provider, the China Telecommunications Corp. or China Telecom.
I just hope that the three will not emerge like the game “Triopoly.”
***
Singaporean businessman apologizes to DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) official. In an unexpected turn of events, after days of tension at the newly reopened Boracay, Singaporean businessman Peter Tay went to Casa Pilar in Station 3. Tay approached DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda not to confront him about the new watersports activity policy, but to apologize. I hope that everybody can now breathe clean air in the rehabilitated island. Misunderstandings can pollute the air quickly.
The usual Boracay critics are now spewing toxic fumes against DENR overstepping the boundaries of its power when it issued a warning on authorized water sports that can threaten the environment. DENR said it would only allow sports activities APPROVED BY the HOTELS. So, what are you talking about? Isn’t it that the hotels are under the supervision of the DoT (Department of Tourism) and DILG (the Department of the Interior and Local Government)?
We sure can dampen the spirit in an ugly way. Reports are saying that Boracay visitors are back to their old bad habits of throwing trash and drinking liquor on the beach, while vendors returned to the seaside to sell their wares. They said that thieves have descended on the island again, approaching foreigners and convincing them to have sex before they pick their pockets. I wish there is a jail seen by the public to shame these culprits.
***
In a complaint filed before the Ombudsman last October 31, the employees claimed PhilHealth Acting President Roy Ferrer earned some P604,080 in professional fees from March 2017 to June
2018, while also receiving about P1.55 million in salaries and allowances since 2017. Let us hear the side of Ferrer. If there’s merit to the accusation, it can really be hazardous to our health.
***
Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said one of the joint exploration projects likely to be signed anytime soon is with China state-owned oil company China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC). Joint exploration is nothing new and is adopted by most countries all over the world. Under existing laws, the Philippines is supposed to take the bigger chunk in revenues (60-40) from the exploration.
***
The only main issue here is the environmental degradation that can result in the process. I think we can trust Secretary Al on this matter. He is well aware that one of PRRD’s pet peeves is violation of existing environmental laws.
***
The Social Weather Stations (SWS) third quarter survey found 76 percent of 1,500 individuals polled were satisfied with the war on drugs, while only 12 percent were dissatisfied, resulting in a net satisfaction rating of +64. I hope that the human rights critics can read between the lines and stop believing their own propaganda.
***
This news report is most embarrassing. We have received the claims that beauty queens are protesting the sexual abuse in the recent Miss Earth beauty pageant. Three Miss Earth contestants bared sexual harassment on several occasions: candidates Emma Sheedy of Guam, Jaime VandenBerg of Canada and Abbey-Anne Gyles of England.
The three, in their respective Instagram pages, spoke out against a sponsor who they said had inappropriate behavior during the Miss Earth pre-pageant activities. Organizer of Miss Earth 2018 confirmed the removal of the sponsor who allegedly sexually harassed three candidates during the international beauty pageant held here. The sponsor sure tainted the image of the event due to his “earthly” moves.
***
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to “investigate more deeply” into the deaths of nine sugar workers killed in Hacienda Nene in Sagay City, Negros Occidental. True to his promise of making DoJ (Department of Justice) a non-partisan agency, this should be a warning to all that no one is privileged to undermine the law.
Critics worried about the killings in our country? Just recently, 12 were killed in California bar shooting. All the victims were killed inside the bar in the suburb of Thousand Oaks, including the officer who had been called to the scene. The gunman was also dead at the scene. The bar was reported to be hosting a college country music night. This occurred after that tragic Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. Where is Amnesty International and that Callamard?
***
Duterte to invite China’s Xi in his home in Davao City. President Xi Jinping could be the second head of state to set foot in Duterte’s house after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe toured his home in January 2017. I expect Xi to bring a Chinese made “kulambo” while PRRD will offer his favorite Filipino version of congee that we call “goto.”
***
Good work, good deeds and good faith to all.
Saturday, November 10, 2018
‘Di pa nagumpisa, lumobo na! Clark-Calamba train cost nearly doubles to P777B
The Cabinet Cluster of the National Economic and Development Authority’s (NEDA) Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) has approved the 76-percent increase in the cost of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System in a bid to expand the project’s capacity and enhance operational efficiency and safety.
In a statement, the NEDA said the total cost of the NSCR, a project of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Philippine National Railways (PNR), increased to P777.551 billion from P440.881 billion after the body gave the green light to the railway system’s scope revisions.
It attributed the project cost adjustment to its detailed engineering designs, involving a shift to elevated viaducts instead of at-grade structures to improve operational efficiencies and safety, the adoption of standard gauge instead of narrow-gauge to ensure seamless operations of all sections, and increase in the number of trains and change from single to double-tracks for the Malolos-Clark Railway Project (MCRP).
The cost will also cover resettlement activities with the aim to ensure proper housing and welfare support for the estimated 12,901 informal settler families that will be affected.
These will also meet Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) social and environmental safeguards.
The project will bring together the NSCR Phase 1 (Malolos-Tutuban), the PNR South Commuter Railway (Solis-Calamba), and the MCRP that will create a 147-kilometer elevated, double-track and seamless connection from Clark International Airport to Los Banos, Laguna with 36 stations.
The NSCR System will link with existing railway lines –the Light Rail Transit (LRT)-1, LRT-2, and Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-3, as well as the upcoming Metro Manila Subway.
The rail system is expected to be partially operational by 2022 with a daily ridership of 340,000 passengers.
It will be fully operational by 2023 with a daily ridership of 550,000 passengers.
The government will subsidize an average of P5 billion per year to cover capital, operating and renewal costs of the project –an investment that is expected to generate substantial economic activity, create more jobs, increase incomes, and deliver a more comfortable commuting experience.
Meanwhile, the project will be funded through an official development assistance (ODA) loan support from JICA and the ADB. (PNA)
In a statement, the NEDA said the total cost of the NSCR, a project of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Philippine National Railways (PNR), increased to P777.551 billion from P440.881 billion after the body gave the green light to the railway system’s scope revisions.
It attributed the project cost adjustment to its detailed engineering designs, involving a shift to elevated viaducts instead of at-grade structures to improve operational efficiencies and safety, the adoption of standard gauge instead of narrow-gauge to ensure seamless operations of all sections, and increase in the number of trains and change from single to double-tracks for the Malolos-Clark Railway Project (MCRP).
The cost will also cover resettlement activities with the aim to ensure proper housing and welfare support for the estimated 12,901 informal settler families that will be affected.
These will also meet Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) social and environmental safeguards.
The project will bring together the NSCR Phase 1 (Malolos-Tutuban), the PNR South Commuter Railway (Solis-Calamba), and the MCRP that will create a 147-kilometer elevated, double-track and seamless connection from Clark International Airport to Los Banos, Laguna with 36 stations.
The NSCR System will link with existing railway lines –the Light Rail Transit (LRT)-1, LRT-2, and Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-3, as well as the upcoming Metro Manila Subway.
The rail system is expected to be partially operational by 2022 with a daily ridership of 340,000 passengers.
It will be fully operational by 2023 with a daily ridership of 550,000 passengers.
The government will subsidize an average of P5 billion per year to cover capital, operating and renewal costs of the project –an investment that is expected to generate substantial economic activity, create more jobs, increase incomes, and deliver a more comfortable commuting experience.
Meanwhile, the project will be funded through an official development assistance (ODA) loan support from JICA and the ADB. (PNA)
DOTr sees full rehab of MRT-3 in 26 months
The Department of Transportation said it expects to restore the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 to its high-grade infrastructure condition in 26 months after the loan agreement signing for the MRT-3 Rehabilitation Project.
DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said the P18-billion loan agreement between the Philippine and Japanese governments would address the persisting problems of the MRT-3 and improve its systems to deliver a fast, reliable and safe transportation to commuters.
Batan said the MRT-3 sought to maintain its current average capacity of 350,000 commuters daily for the first seven to nine months of the rehabilitation. The capacity is expected to gradually increase beginning in the third quarter of next year.
He added the train operating speed and time between trains were expected to improve.
“Currently, we are running at 30 kilometers per hour, which we will increase to 60 kph. Our current headway is at 7 to 10 minutes and it would be reduced to 3.5 minutes. And currently, 15 train sets are operational during peak hours, we will increase it to 20,” Bayan said.
The Philippine and Japanese governments, through the Department of Finance and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency, formally signed Thursday a P18-billion loan agreement for the MRT-3 Rehabilitation Project.
The project will run until 2022, which covers the rehabilitation and maintenance of the system’s electromechanical components, power supply, rail tracks, depot equipment, and overhaul of its 72 18-year old Light Rail Vehicles.
The rehabilitation of the MRT-3 is the third of four railway projects under the Duterte Administration’s “Build Build Build” Program.
The signing of the loan agreement for the North-South Commuter Railway Extension Project is due in the coming weeks. Loan agreements were signed for the Metro Manila Subway Project in March and the establishment of the Philippine Railway Institute in January.
DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said the P18-billion loan agreement between the Philippine and Japanese governments would address the persisting problems of the MRT-3 and improve its systems to deliver a fast, reliable and safe transportation to commuters.
Batan said the MRT-3 sought to maintain its current average capacity of 350,000 commuters daily for the first seven to nine months of the rehabilitation. The capacity is expected to gradually increase beginning in the third quarter of next year.
He added the train operating speed and time between trains were expected to improve.
“Currently, we are running at 30 kilometers per hour, which we will increase to 60 kph. Our current headway is at 7 to 10 minutes and it would be reduced to 3.5 minutes. And currently, 15 train sets are operational during peak hours, we will increase it to 20,” Bayan said.
The Philippine and Japanese governments, through the Department of Finance and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency, formally signed Thursday a P18-billion loan agreement for the MRT-3 Rehabilitation Project.
The project will run until 2022, which covers the rehabilitation and maintenance of the system’s electromechanical components, power supply, rail tracks, depot equipment, and overhaul of its 72 18-year old Light Rail Vehicles.
The rehabilitation of the MRT-3 is the third of four railway projects under the Duterte Administration’s “Build Build Build” Program.
The signing of the loan agreement for the North-South Commuter Railway Extension Project is due in the coming weeks. Loan agreements were signed for the Metro Manila Subway Project in March and the establishment of the Philippine Railway Institute in January.
http://manilastandard.net/business/biz-plus/280102/dotr-sees-full-rehab-of-mrt-3-in-26-months.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)