Neda Board extends validity of Japanese funds for LRT projects

The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Board has allowed a longer period for agencies to avail of Japanese financing for Light Rail Transit (LRT) extension projects.

In a text message last week, Acting Neda Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua confirmed it was among the items recently approved through ad referendum by the members of the Neda Board chaired by President Duterte.

Earlier Neda documents showed the Department of Transportation had sought to extend until November 2023 the validity of the P20.91 billion in official development assistance (ODA) provided by Japan for two LRT projects after lapsing in November last year.

The Japanese-funded Capacity Enhancement of Mass Transit Systems in Metro Manila Project covered some contracts in the construction of the P61.53-billion LRT Line 1 South Extension as well as the P9.76-billion LRT Line 2 East Extension.

In particular, the loan proceeds financed rolling stock procurement and installation of facilities for the LRT lines being extended to the provinces of Cavite down south and Rizal east of Metro Manila.

Both projects are part of the 104 projects in the pipeline of President Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” program, which also underwent a review in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chua did not disclose the other projects that the Neda Board recently granted its go-ahead, only saying that these would be announced soon.

As of November last year, eight projects funded by the national budget and ODA were pending approval by the Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee cochaired by Chua and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III.The Updated Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022—the Duterte administration’s medium-term socioeconomic blueprint to ultimately reduce poverty and recover from the socioeconomic ills inflicted by COVID-19—is also awaiting Neda Board approval. INQ

https://business.inquirer.net/315924/neda-board-extends-validity-of-japanese-funds-for-lrt-projects

Bids sought for Manila stations of Malolos-Clark, South Commuter railways

THE Transportation department has started seeking bids for the contract to build the Manila stations of the Malolos-Clark Railway and the South Commuter Railway.

The department said in a posting on its website that it is inviting bidders for the building and civil engineering works for the 1.2-kilometer railway viaduct structure, including an elevated station at Blumentritt Road in the city of Manila, which is part of the Malolos-Clark Railway.

Another contract package on offer is the building and civil engineering works for an approximately 7.9-kilometer railway viaduct structure, including elevated stations at España, Santa Mesa and Paco. This contract package is part of the South Commuter Railway Project.

The department said a pre-bid meeting was held on Jan. 8.

Bids should be delivered to the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management on or before 10 a.m., March 4.

Bidders for the Blumentritt contract must have an average annual construction turnover of $100 million and available financial resources amounting to $20 million.

They should also be able to provide a bank security of $4 million.

Bidders for the España, Santa Mesa and Paco contract must have annual construction turnover of $200 million and working capital of $35 million, as well as provide a bank security of $9 million.

The projects are funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and form part of the163-kilometer North-South Commuter Railway Project, “which aims to reduce road congestion in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces,” the ADB said on its website. — Arjay L. Balinbin

https://www.bworldonline.com/bids-sought-for-manila-stations-of-malolos-clark-south-commuter-railways/

MRT-7 advances, expected to be completed by end-2021

San Miguel Corp.’s P69.3-billion mass rail transit linking North Ave. in Quezon City and San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan province is 59.72-percent complete as of December last year, the Department of Transportation said over the weekend.

The department said Metro Rail Transit Line 7, a 22-kilometer rail line which stretches from North Ave. to San Jose Del Monte with 14 stations, would trim down travel time to only 35 minutes from about two to three hours.

“Once operational, the rail line is expected to serve 300,000 to 850,000 passengers daily, with sufficient room for capacity augmentation to accommodate the potential increase of the rail transit’s ridership in the future,” the agency said.

It said the project was expected to be completed by the end of 2021.

MRT-7 is being built by SMC Mass Rail Transit 7 Inc. under SMC’s infrastructure subsidiary San Miguel Holdings Inc.

San Miguel tapped Hyundai Rotem and EEI consortium to build the line with stations at North Ave., Quezon Memorial Circle, University Ave., Tandang Sora, Don Antonio, Batasan, Manggahan, Doña Carmen, Regalado, Mindanao Ave., Quirino, Sacred Heart, Tala and San Jose del Monte.

San Miguel will also build a depot in San Jose del Monte that will house a control center, administrative offices, warehouse and facilities for train cars.

The company earlier completed Skyway Stage 3 project―a 14.82-km, six-lane elevated expressway that extends the elevated toll road from Buendia to Balintawak and links the South Luzon Expressway to North Luzon Expressway.

San Miguel is also proceeding with the construction of Skyway Stage 4―a 58.09-km road from south of Metro Manila Skyway to Batasan Complex, Quezon City.

Skyway Stage 1is a 9.3-km elevated road from Bicutan to the Makati central business district while Skyway Stage 2 is a 6.86-km expressway that consists of six lanes in the Bicutan-to-Sucat section and four lanes in the Sucat-to-Alabang section, with ramps leading to the South Luzon Expressway.

The conglomerate is also developing the P734-billion Bulacan International Airport project which is targeted to be completed by 2025.

The company operates the South Luzon Expressway, a 36-km toll road from Alabang to Sto. Tomas, Batangas. It also operates the NAIA Expressway Project, the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway and the STAR Tollway―a 22.16-km toll road from Sto. Tomas to Lipa City, Batangas.

https://manilastandard.net/business/biz-plus/344631/mrt-7-advances-expected-to-be-completed-by-end-2021.html

North South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Fr. Tutuban to Malolos Update As Of ...

Skyways to free Pinoys from ‘horrendous’ traffic jams: PRRD

 By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday believed that the construction of more skyways would free Filipinos from the “horrendous” traffic situations in the country, particularly in Metro Manila.

Duterte, in a speech delivered during the inauguration of the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 (MMSS-3) Project in Quezon City, said travel would be easier for Filipinos, as his government continues to pursue more infrastructure projects.

“Today, the life of many may not really be very, very comfortable. But ang hiningi ko lang naman komportable lang na buhay (I want a comfortable life for all). And if this will continue, the planned skyways and more, then we will be freed of the horrendous traffic congestion that is prevailing in all cities, crowded cities in the world,” he said.

The MMSS-3 Project, which is divided into five sections during its construction, is an elevated 18.83-kilometer expressway from Buendia, Makati City to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) in Balintawak, Quezon City.

The expressway project connects the NLEX and the South Luzon Expressway.

It is also expected to decongest traffic in Metro Manila’s major thoroughfares by as much as 55,000 vehicles daily and reduce travel time from Buendia to Balintawak from two hours to approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

Through the MMSS-3 Project, Duterte said Filipino travelers no longer have to bear the brunt of traffic mess in the country’s metropolis.

“For many years, our people have greatly suffered from the perennial problem of road congestion in the National Capital Region. Come to think of it actually when all of the skyways will be completed, I think ‘yung pagtitiis ng mga tao (people’s suffering) will be cut by about one-third, not really lahat (all) but it will cut the inconvenience and it will make you comfortable,” Duterte said.

‘Build, Build, Build’ continues

Duterte also lauded the Department of Public Works and Highways for its “hard work and cooperation” to ensure the successful launching of MMSS-3 Project.

He said the completion of the skyway project is a “testament to the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability” of his administration’s ambitious “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program.

“As we marvel at this great feat, I hope that we in government will be reminded of our responsibility to not only ensure the timely completion of all public infrastructure projects, but also to shield the public from all forms of inconvenience during the construction,” Duterte said.

Duterte also vowed that his administration would continue implementing infrastructure projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program in an effort to make the Philippines an “inclusive, robust and prosperous nation that we can proudly leave behind to our children.”

“To the Filipino people, let me assure you that this administration will continue to pursue our ‘Build, Build, Build’ program guided by the highest standards of integrity, transparency and accountability,” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1127418

After Skyway 3, San Miguel aims to start work on Pasig River Expressway in Feb

After completing the Skyway Stage 3, San Miguel Corp. announced that it will begin building the Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) in February. 

During the opening ceremonies of Skyway 3 on Thursday which was attended by President Rodrigo Duterte, San Miguel president and COO Ramon Ang said the company was ready to work on the new toll road which aims to reduce travel time between the Eastern and Western part of Metro Manila. 

"Following your approval Mr. President, we will begin work next month [in] February on the East-West Highway, which is called the PAREX," Ang said. 

PAREX will traverse the length of the Pasig River, starting at Radial Road 10 in Manila, and ends at Circumferential Road 6 in Taguig.

It is expected to cut travel time between the two areas to about 10 to 15 minutes from 2 hours at present.

Ang said the project will include a flood control component, as San Miguel will restore the depth of the river, which has become as shallow as 1 meter in some sections.

"[The PAREX] will be completed by 2023, and we will realize our vision of seamless linking of North-South, East-West of Metro Manila through multiple access points," Ang said.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/01/14/21/after-skyway-3-san-miguel-aims-to-start-work-on-pasig-river-expressway-in-feb

2 lalaking bagong laya, pinagbabaril sa loob ng jeep sa Quiapo

Patay ang dalawang lalaking kalalaya lamang sa kulungan matapos pagbabarilin sa loob ng isang pampasaherong jeepney sa southbound lane ng Quezon Boulevard sa Quiapo, Maynila, Huwebes ng umaga.

Ayon sa chairman ng Barangay 310, parehong may kasong robbery holdup ang dalawang biktima at kalalaya lamang sa city jail nang maganap ang pamamaril.

Kasasakay lamang sa jeep ng dalawang biktima at hindi pa nga nakakaalis ang sasakyan nang dumating ang riding-in-tandem na suspek at pinagbabaril sila.

Wala naman umanong ibang nasugatan sa pamamaril.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/14/21/2-lalaking-bagong-laya-pinagbabaril-sa-loob-ng-jeep-sa-quaipo

Truck nahulog sa bangin sa Davao Oriental; drayber patay

Patay ang isang lalaki matapos mahulog sa bangin ang kaniyang minamanehong 10-wheeler truck sa Lupon, Davao Oriental Martes ng umaga.

Binawian ng buhay ang drayber matapos maipit sa truck.

Inararo ng truck ang mga tanim at puno sa pagkahulog nito sa tinatayang 70 metro na lalim na bangin sa Brgy. Mariano Marcos.

Rumesponde ang mga bumbero sa Davao Oriental, rescuers ng KABALIKAT Mati City, at mga kawani ng Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office ng lalawigan para makuha ang bangkay sa truck.

Iniimbestigahan pa ng mga awtoridad ang sanhi ng disgrasya.--Ulat ni Hernel Tocmo

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/14/21/truck-nahulog-sa-bangin-sa-davao-oriental-drayber-patay

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