Ex transport execs to face Senate probe over MRT-3

FORMER transportation secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya will appear before a senate inquiry on Monday to explain the controversial contracts entered into by the Transportation Department during the previous administration that are being blamed for the current Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT 3) mess.

Information provided by the Senate committee on public services led by Sen. Grace Poe, said that Abaya has confirmed his attendance in the committee hearing that will focus on the reported inefficient management and maintenance of the MRT 3 resulting in increasing incidents of train malfunction and the newly-delivered Dalian trains that remain unusable.

The maintenance contract with Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI), and the procurement of new light rail vehicle (LRV) both amounting to more than P3 billion were signed during Abaya’s time as secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC).

The current Department of Transportation (DoTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade as well as former and current MRT officials have also been summoned to provide the committee the complete picture of the situation of one of Metro Manila’s main elevated train systems.

According to Poe, Abaya has a lot of explaining to do in so far as the MRT maintenance and new LRV procurement contracts are concerned because it is the people’s money that were used in the deals.

The senator in an earlier statement said lingering questions remain as to why the previous administration failed to check the compatibility of the train design despite much hype about MRT’s capacity expansion and that more commuters would be accommodated.

Abaya, told a senate inquiry in November 2015 that MRT would be able to increase its passenger capacity and improve its services to the riding public with the arrival of new trains and awarding of the tree-year maintenance contract.

The former DOTC secretary in the same hearing also said that three to six train coaches would arrived by the first half of the 2016 and the rest of the orders probably by end of that year.

But up to now the MRT management has not been able to use even a single brand new couch and current MRT officials already announced that they won’t be able to make the new LRV operational until 2018 because of issues on the signaling system, train tracks, and power supply.

“There’s something that they didn’t do that’s why these things aren’t compatible. The parts that they ordered aren’t even compatible with each other,” Poe said earlier.

Poe’s committee will also ask Abaya to explain the multi-billion peso maintenance contract with Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI), a Filipino-Korean joint venture that started maintenance and restoration works in January 2016 on the ageing MRT.

The senator cited in her resolution several memoranda DOTr Undersecretary for Rails and Toll Roads Cesar Chavez sent to BURI over its supposed “non-performance.”

DOTr wants BURI to explain why its P3.8 billion contract should not be rescinded over poor maintenance works on all 73 coaches and overhaul of 43 coaches.

It was learned that no coaches have been turned over, delivered or accepted despite the agreement that 17 of 43 train coaches should have been initially overhauled.

Poe in calling for the inquiry maintained that the exercise of the Senate’s oversight functions, “should ensure a safe, decent and efficient public transportation system, thus, inept and corrupt government officials should not go unpunished for entering into anomalous and patently disadvantageous contracts in the public transportation sector.”

Metro Pacific reviving MRT 3 bid

Metro Pacific Investments Corp. is reviving its offer to the government to rehabilitate Metro Rail Transit Line 3.

“We’re thinking of resubmitting our updated proposal on MRT 3. We’re trying to impress the urgency of the issue,” MPIC chairman Manuel Pangilinan said.

When asked if the infrastructure conglomerate would offer the same proposal it submitted to the previous administration, Pangilinan said: “There are parts that are different, or parts that are the same.”

http://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/236515

NLEX Segment 10 and Radial Road 10

LRMC starts pre-construction works on LRT-1 Cavite Extension project

Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) has started pre-construction works on the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) Cavite Extension project.

The new development will connect the existing line, which currently comprises 20 passenger stations, to an 11.7km alignment that featuring eight additional passenger stations.

The new stations will be Aseana, MIA, Asia World, Ninoy Aquino and Dr Santos Stations in Parañaque City, Las Piñas and Zapote Stations in Las Piñas City and Niog Station in Bacoor, Cavite.

LRT-1 has been built to support train speeds of up to 80km per hour, and a commercial speed of 60km per hour.

LRMC president and CEO Rogelio Singson said: “The Cavite Extension will serve an additional 300,000 commuters and will significantly reduce travel time from Bacoor, Cavite to Manila from about two hours to about 40 minutes.

“We considered the accessibility of the new stations to shops, schools, and offices to better suit passenger flow from residential and commercial areas.

“LRMC envisions the eight new stations of the LRT-1 to foster a commute that is direct, smooth, and safe for all passengers.”

The objective of the project's overall design is intended to integrate the LRT-1 with other modes of transportation.

"LRMC envisions the eight new stations of the LRT-1 to foster a commute that is direct, smooth, and safe for all passengers."

LRMC signed a concession agreement with the Government of Philippines to operate and manage LRT-1 and construct the Cavite Extension in October 2014, and the company assumed operation and management of the transit line in September 2015.

LRVs were repaired during this timeframe in order to increase the number of functioning vehicles to 100 by December 2016. LRT-1 is also undergoing a rail replacement project to upgrade the line's almost 33-year-old tracks.

The company recently inaugurated the new LRT-1 Doroteo Jose station, which will serve as the improvement project's pilot station.

The development is also set to involve structural upgrades and the addition of new facilities across the 20 existing LRT-1 stations.

San Miguel sets P554-billion toll road expansion

SAN MIGUEL Corp. (SMC) is embarking on a P554-billion expansion of toll roads under its joint venture with state-run Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC), with the development of these infrastructure projects set to start as early as next year.

San Miguel Holdings Corp. (SMHC), the infrastructure arm of the diversified conglomerate, and PNCC inked the deal on Wednesday, which SMC President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon S. Ang said was a reiteration of their existing agreements.

SMHC and PNCC are joint venture partners in Citra Central Expressway Corp. (CCEC) and Citra Intercity Tollways, Inc. (CITI), the companies that own the concession rights of Skyway Stages 3 and 4, respectively.

Through its legislative franchise, PNCC has the authority to construct, maintain and operate the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) and Skyway Stages 1, 2, 3 as well as all extensions, linkages or stretches from any part of the existing toll roads.

“Within the next year or so, we hope that work can begin on the extension of (South Luzon Expressway), Skyway Stage 3 and C6. We have within our agreement all the extensions that will help us create an entire seamless network of roads and expressways connecting Metro Manila to neighboring provinces. We will operate, between us, the most extensive network of Philippine tollways,” Mr. Ang was quoted in the statement as saying.

Other expansion projects in the pipeline include the San Pedro-C6 Laguna Lake Road that will link SLEx from San Pedro, Laguna to C6 in Taguig; Skyway Stage 8 or Tanauan-Tagaytay Expressway; SLEx Toll Road 5 that will extend the expressway from Pagbilao, Quezon to Matnog, Sorsogon; Skyway Stage 7 that will connect Taguig to Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City; Buendia Interchange and Ramp Extension to Macapagal Boulevard and Skyway Stage 9 or Pasig River Alignment.

Mr. Ang reiterated San Miguel’s commitment with PNCC “to do everything we can” to deliver the infrastructure projects that fall within their concession agreement. Both parties are looking to fast-track the process of prioritizing and constructing identified projects.

“A dynamic, job-creating economy needs good infrastructure and a good transport system. We need to fast-track infrastructure spending to significantly improve investment into the Philippines. Good roads, good airports, good ports-all of this was needed yesterday, “ Mr. Ang said.

For his part, PNCC President and CEO Mario K. Espinosa said: “PNCC is looking forward to exploring with SMHC the possible stretches, linkages and extensions that can be built from the toll roads of our existing joint venture companies.”

Shares in SMC dropped 50 centavos or 0.46% to end at P109 apiece on Wednesday.

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?title=san-miguel-sets-p554-billion-toll-road-expansion&id=144359

Search for Reyna ng Aliwan 2017

The search for the annual Aliwan Fiesta culminates today with the coronation of the Festival Queen or Reyna ng Aliwan 2017.
Vying for the title are 22 candidates representing various festivals. They are Rowena Gandeza (representing the Manggahan Festival of Guimaras); Aira Abedin (Inaul Festival, Maguindanao); Julie Faith Agsalud (Zamboanga Hermosa Festival); Erna Torreblanca (Masskara Festival); Maria Vivien Fabella (Boling-Boling Festival); Patricia Kate Gonzales (Antipolo Maytime Festival); Venisse Charm Costibolo (Sangyaw Festival); Carmela Villaruel (Timpuyog Festival); Angelica Doguiles, (Pescao Festival); Alexia Sonia Edmund (Bambanti Festival); Angelica Gabriel; Ariella Jazmine Roque (Tuna Festival); Elaine Segura (Paraw Regatta Festival); Marla Alforque (Sinulog Festival); Alyssa Charish Vivas (Kneeling Carabao Festival); Kyla Ocso (Kalivungan Festival); Cherry Rose Fernandez (Panagbenga Festival); Maria Ahtisa Manalo (Niyog-yugan Festival); Kathleen Mae Lendio (Karansa Festival); Liezel Libria (Sultan Kudarat Festival); Leidda Paulette Babasanta (Sikhayan Festival); and Apriel Smith (Utanon Festival).
Aliwan Fiesta 2017 is a project of Manila Broadcasting Company, Star City and Cultural Center of the Philippines in cooperation with the Cities of Manila and Pasay, with support from Pride Detergent, Unique Toothpaste, Shield Bathsoap, Tanduay, Globe Telecom, EyeBerry, Dunkin’ Donuts, Cherry Mobile, Fukuda, MyJuiz, AICS, M. Lhuillier, 2Go, Manila Bulletin, GES Led Lights, Steeltech, Maxim’s Hotel at Resorts World Manila, Bayview Park Hotel, Isla 7107, Zanea Shoes, and It Figures Facial and Slimming Salon.
• • •
Valeen Montenegro joins ‘Encantadia’
A new character was introduced last week on the GMA fantaserye “Encantadia.” She is Bathalumang Haliya, played by Valeen Montenegro. Haliya is the character who Cassiopeia (Solenn Heussaff) and Emre (Zoren Legaspi) are expecting to help them fight the Etherean and free the Devas.
Meanwhile, on “Meant To Be,” the character Jak Roberto plays named Andoy, is evolving.
He delights viewers as he woos and prepares for his date with Billie (Barbie Forteza). According to him, “Level-up na ’yung character ko. Mas tame pa rin sa aming apat, kalmado pero mas nadagdagan ang lakas ng loob ni Andoy kasi magko-compete na kami sa isat-isa, meron ng rivalry.”
“Encantadia” and “Meant To Be” air weeknights on GMA Telebabad.
• • •
Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, April 22, go to Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Leonor Caparas, Regina Patricia “China” Cojuangco, Vicky Lapena, Freddie Mañalac, Aiah Soliman, Marc Dionela, Erwin Dona, May Belen, April Rose Lina, Ciah Roliman, Mamam Bella Perez Saavedra, Ning-Ning Orlina, Minerva Matias, Marc Hanzel Dionela and Linda Tan… April 23: MBC Network Program Director Ivan Quiling, Vice President Leni Robredo, Angel Locsin, Angelita Bernardo, Joan Lim, Cecille E. Cuartero, Gloria Gomez, Boy C. de Guia, Rusty Ibasco Samson, Sandra Jane Graham, Mrs. Mary Carbonell, Mrs. Nida Rame, George Bernabe, Camilo Vergara, Eddie Katindig, Albert Virata de los Santos, Renz M. Glua, son of Edgar Glua of BSP, Annie Samson, April Eva-Betila of New York, Bert Lina, Clair Alinio, April Eva Betila, Gloria Gomez, Cecille Cuartero, Sandra Graham, Camilo Vergara, Joan Lim, and Valenzuela Barangay Councilor Niña Shiela B. Lopez… April 24: former DOLE Sec. Pat Sto. Tomas, Amb. Raul Goco, columnist Mons Romulo, Norma Ledesma, Alicia Lim, Michelle Daniella M. Dee, Marvin J. Villegas, Crisa Saavedra Tagulao, twins Hershey and Hazel Hermano, Nolita Natividad-Valdez, Rosemarie Ferrer of Bais City, Symon Montejo, Kristian Sendon Cordero, Atty. Jesus Santiago, Christopher Silan of Queens Village, New York, and “Unang Hirit’s” Lhar Santiago… Belated b-day greetings to Tristan Lozano (April 19) and Angelica Castro Ortega, Lyn Miranda, Mariebeth Brieva of Pasay City (April 21)…Condolences to Juanita Fernando-Pisado, who passed away peacefully in the great of our lord on April 19. Her remains line in state in Loyola Memorial Chapels and Crematorium, Inc., Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City. Interment will be held on Everest Hills Memorial Park, Muntinlupa City on April 25 after the 8 a.m. Mass.

MEGA MANILA SUBWAY

LRMC taps First Balfour for P980-M LRT-1 upgrade

Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) has signed an agreement with engineering and construction firm First Balfour for the P980 million structural restoration project for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1.

LRMC said the project is the single largest contract awarded for the LRT-1. Line 1 serves 20 stations from Baclaran station in Pasay City to Roosevelt in Quezon City.

The project involves restoration of parapets, faulty concrete, and repair of river bridges for enhanced passenger safety.

“This project is a priority for us given that it concerns the safety of our passengers,” LRMC president and chief executive officer Rogelio Singson said.

“While we have been working toward powering up more trains, replacing the tracks, and improving the environment of the stations, the structural integrity of all LRT-1 stations is our prime concern and responsibility,” Singson said.

The project was given the notice to proceed in March.

It is targeted to be completed in two years.

Once completed, the project is expected to provide a better riding experience, as well as complement other improvement works being undertaken by LRMC for the LRT-1.

In the past, First Balfour has worked on other projects for the LRT-1.

In 2005, First Balfour worked on the power supply and electrical works for the LRT-1 capacity expansion project. It likewise completed the design and build contract of the LRT-1 North Extension project through a joint venture with DMCI.

LRMC which is composed of Metro Pacific Investments Corp.’s Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp., Ayala Corp.’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd., bagged the P65-billion public-private partnership (PPP) project to operate, maintain and extend the LRT-1.

Under the contract for the PPP project, the LRT-1 will be extended until Bacoor in Cavite.

The extension which covers 11.7-kilometers, involves putting up new stations across Pasay City, Parañaque City, Las Piñas City and Cavite.

Cavitex offers to build P30-b Kawit expressway

Cavitex Infrastructure Corp., a unit of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. which operates the 14-kilometer Manila-Cavite Expressway, plans to build another toll road from Kawit to Rosario at a cost of P30 billion.
“We got a no objection already from the DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways]. We are now preparing the business case and investment proposal and then we will submit it within the year to TRB [Toll Regulatory Board],” Cavitex president Luigi Bautista said.
The proposal involves Segment 5 of Cavitex, a 7.6-kilometer road that will link Kawit to Noveleta and to Rosario. “The expressway is a combination of coast way and viaduct,” Bautista said.
The company earlier allocated P1.7 billion in capital expenditures to expand the Manila-Cavite Expressway.
“Cavitex’s capex this year is about P1.7 billon for C5 South Link’s work on the flyover and a number of Enhancement Works [lane widening for R1 Expressway, SN flyover near Pacific Drive and C5 access entry lane],” Bautista said.
Cavitex tapped FF Cruz Construction Inc. to construct the first phase of the Cavitex C5 South Link.
The first phase of Cavitex C5 South Link will connect C5 and Merville, Parañaque by way of a flyover.
The second phase will link Merville and Cavite at a cost of P9.5 billion.
Cavitex C5 South Link will allow residents from Cavite, Las Piñas and parts of Parañaque to avoid Edsa and take a direct link to and from C5 to Cavitex.
Bautista said the new expressway, which was expected to be completed in 2019, would add 40,000 to 45,000 vehicle traffic per day, on top of the 130,000 vehicles currently using Cavitex.

MNTC eyes P50-b expressway on C5

Manila North Tollways Corp. said it will submit an unsolicited proposal to build a P50-billion elevated expressway along Circumferential Road 5, connecting Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City to the southern part of Metro Manila.

MNTC president and chief executive Rodrigo Franco said the company proposed to build more than 8.2 kilometers of elevated expressway from Commonwealth Ave. to Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway or Cavitex.

“We will re-submit it to DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highwayts] maybe in the second quarter. We need to rework the technical aspect,” he said.

The company initially submitted the proposed elevated expressway to the Toll Regulatory Board,  but the agency said the project should be submitted to DPWH.

Franco said the company needed to complete first the P8.6-billion NLEx-C5 Link project before undertaking a new elevated expressway along C5 under an unsolicited mode.

The 7.85-kilometer NLEx-C5 Link will start from the end of Segment 8.1 of North Luzon Expressway at Mindanao Avenue and end at Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.

The C5 Link aims to decongest Metro Manila as it would provide alternative access to mainline North Luzon Expressway further east of Metro Manila, bypassing Edsa and Balintawak toll plaza.

Franco said for public private partnership projects, his company was also interested in the P14.2-billion Central Luzon Link Expressway Phase 2 and Plaridel Bypass Toll Road Project.

CLLEx Phase 2 is an extension of CLLEX Phase I and will connect Cabanatuan City to San Jose City, also in Nueva Ecija. Phase 1 will be constructed by the government with funding from the government of Japan.

The Plaridel Bypass Toll Road is a 23.3-kilometer road starting at the Balagtas interchange in NLEx up to San Rafael, Bulacan.

The road project traverses five towns of Bulacan, including Balagtas, Guiguinto, Plaridel, Bustos and San Rafael. It involves the conversion of the existing road into a toll road.

http://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/231575