Wednesday, February 17, 2021
MMDA backs lowering age restriction in capital
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Wednesday expressed support to a proposal allowing teenagers ages 15-17 out of their homes.
During a meeting with Inter-Agency Task Force, Abalos said there was a motion to lower the age to 10 "because the economy is suffering so much."
"The Metro Manila mayors said instead of 10, why not just make it at 15 first, which for me is also good. We want [to open] the economy but it should be done slowly," he said.
Abalos said lowering age restrictions to 15 is not "too drastic" and Metro Manila mayors can always revert the rule if there's a spike of COVID-19 cases.
"By lowering it to just 15 instead of 10, the risk is lower. That's the point here," he said.
Some health experts have raised concern that allowing teenagers ages 15 to 17 in Metro Manila to go outside was "too early".
They said several studies have shown that children have lower risk of COVID-19 but can infect more people at home.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/02/17/21/mmda-backs-lowering-age-restriction-in-capital
Sunday, February 14, 2021
Metro Manila mayors oppose reopening of cinemas: official
Metro Manila mayors oppose the reopening of cinemas in their jurisdictions, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said Sunday.
The mayors are drafting a formal notice opposing the national government's decision to allow the resumption of operations of movie theaters in areas under general community quarantine, said MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos.
"Napagkasunduan po ng majority na talagang 'wag muna, as far as cinema is concerned. Kasi po unang-una, it’s enclosed. Pangalawa, wala namang sineng 30 minutes. Matagal po yan at air-conditioned," he told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.
(Majority of the mayors agreed not to reopen cinemas. First of all, it's enclosed. Second, movies last more than 30 minutes, and cinemas are air-conditioned.)
"Halos wala namang nagpo-produce ng sine ngayon."
(No one is producing films nowadays.)
Abalos said he supports the reopening of the economy, but urged for more gradual steps.
"Tingnan natin, unti-untiin natin kung walang spike. Nakakatakot dito mag-spike. Mahirap bumalik sa dati. Eto na yung bakuna eh," he said.
(Let's see, let's take it slow if there's no spike in cases. What's scary is if there will be a spike. It would be difficult to go back. The vaccine is almost here.)
COVID-19 vaccines from global alliance COVAX Facility are expected to arrive as early as this week as the Philippines reported 547,255 total coronavirus cases on Saturday, with 34,967 active infections.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/14/21/metro-manila-mayors-oppose-reopening-of-cinemas-official
Saturday, February 13, 2021
Voters registration in Taytay, Rizal to begin Feb. 15
By Lade Jean Kabagani
The Taytay municipal government has announced that the resumption of voters registration for its residents will begin on Feb. 15, in preparation for the May 2022 elections.
The advisory released on Saturday said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) voter registrations for 18 years old and above will be held at the ground floor of the Taytay New Municipal Hall Building in Brgy. San Juan, Taytay Rizal. Those who will register should bring a valid identification card.
The Taytay public information said there will be no transactions every Monday as it is scheduled for office disinfection and decontamination of voter registration machines and peripherals, furniture and equipment, and other frequently touched surfaces.
Comelec registration and other transaction will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., every Tuesday to Saturday.
Registrants are also required to wear a face mask and face shield as well as observe physical distancing at all times.
For more information about voter registration, residents may contact the hotline number 8284-4719.
Overall progress rate of Malolos-Clark rail now at 27.79%
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Feb.12 (PIA) -- Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark Phase 2 segment, which will run from Malolos to Clark, now stands at 27.79 percent overall progress rate as of January 31.
“The much-awaited 2nd leg of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project, co-implemented by Department of Transportation (DOTr) and PNR is now moving at a very rapid pace!” DOTr said in a statement posted in its official Facebook page Friday.
“Pre-construction activities including site inspections in Clark International Airport (CRK) and Apalit Stations are ongoing. By May of this year, we will be witnessing the groundbreaking of this northern segment of the 148-km, 37 station NSCR,” DOTr added.
Once partially operational by 2022, travel time between Bulacan and Pampanga will be trimmed down to just 30-35 minutes, from the original 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Further, the project will feature the country’s first Airport Express Service, which will reduce travel time between CRK and Makati City from more than two hours by car, to just one hour. (CLJD-PIA 3)
Malolos-Clark railway project starts
THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) has announced the start of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark Phase 2 project, which will run from Malolos town in Bulacan province to this freeport.
The agency said the project, a part of the North-South Commuter Railway, is now in full swing.
"The much-awaited second leg of the mammoth North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project, co-implemented by the Department of Transportation and the Philippine National Railways is now moving at a very rapid pace," the DOTr said.
The 54-kilometer PNR Clark Phase 2 segment now stands at 27.79 percent overall progress rate, as of January 31, 2021.
Pre-construction activities, including site inspections in Clark International Airport (CRK) and Apalit Stations, are ongoing.
By May 2021, the DOTr had set the groundbreaking of this northern segment of the massive 148-km, 37-station NSCR.
Once partially operating in 2022, travel time between Bulacan and Pampanga will be trimmed down to just 30 to 35 minutes, from the original 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The project will feature the country’s first Airport Express Service, which will reduce travel time between CRK in Pampanga and Makati City from more than two hours by car to just one hour via the Airport Express.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1885831/Pampanga/Local-News/Malolos-Clark-railway-project-starts