11 RTCs assigned to handle big infra expropriation cases

 THE Supreme Court has designated 11 special courts to handle expropriation cases involving national government infrastructure projects under President Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” program.

The designation of Special Expropriation  Courts (SECs) for Public Roads was in response to the request made by Public Works Secretary Mark Villar.

Villar asked Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta and the Office of the Court Administrator to “look into the possibility of considering expropriation proceedings for the acquisition of right-of-way for priority ‘Build, Build, Build’ projects of the DPWH as an urgent matter.”

This is in line, according to Villar, with the policy issue and procedural guidelines for efficient handling of expropriation cases involving national government infrastructure projects and for the immediate issuance of writs of possession during community quarantine.

With the designation of SECs, the completion of “Build, Build, Build” projects such as the North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway (Nlex-Slex) Connector Project and the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Calax) Project is expected to be fastracked.

Chief Justice Peralta along with Senior Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe and Associate Justice Marvic Leonen signed the two-page memorandum circular creating the 11 SECs that are all regional trial courts.

Of the 11 SECs, two are from Imus, Cavite—namely, Branch 20 presided by Judge Amabel Robles-Buenaluz, and Branch 22 of Judge Mary Charlene Hernandez-Azura; two are from Trece Martires City in Cavite, namely, Branch 23 of Judge Purificacion Baring-Tuvera, and Branch 131 of Vice Executive Judge Jean Susan Desuado-Gill; and Branch 90 in Dasmariñas, Cavite of Judge Francisco Victor Collado Jr.

Two of the SECs are in Tagaytay City, namely, Branch 133 presided by Judge Gian Enrico Navarro and Branch 134 of Judge Michael Maranan; three RTCs in Manila, namely, Branch 22 of Judge Tammy Ann Reyes-Mendillo, Branch 18 of Judge Carolina Sison, and Branch 49 of Judge James Sy; and one RTC in Caloocan, Branch 232 of Judge Rosalia Hipolito-Bunagan.

The SC said it might assign additional SECs in key cities with priority infrastructure projects, depending on the recommendation of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The DPWH intends to file in the coming months an estimated 902 expropriation cases before the RTCs in the cities of Imus, Trece Martires, Dasmariñas, Tagaytay, Caloocan and Manila, in connection with its two ongoing big-ticket projects—the Calax and Nlex-Slex Connector Road Project. The High Court said these SECs for Public Roads “shall have jurisdiction over newly filed expropriation cases involving national government infrastructure projects in their respective territorial jurisdictions.”

Currently, according to Villar,  a total of 308 expropriation cases are pending before several RTCs in the six cities, in connection with the Calax and the Nlex-Slex Connector Road Projects.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/08/18/11-rtcs-assigned-to-handle-big-infra-expropriation-cases/

LRT-1 puts on hold layoff of over 100 workers

The Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), the operator of the LRT Line 1, will put on hold the layoff of over 100 workers of the railway system after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) expressed its concern on the retrenchment program.

“While the factual basis behind the redundancy program remains legally valid, LRMC is putting it on hold, for now, to allow the company to recalibrate strategies and continue supporting team members and government partners as long as it can,” the LRMC said in a statement over the week.

The LRMC added that the DOTr has also pledged to support the management and find “equitable solutions to support our employees during this difficult time.”

While the retrenchment program was deferred, LRMC head of corporate communications Jackie Gorospe said the management will instead offer voluntary retirement for employees aged 56 to 59, and mandatory retirement for those 60 years old above.

“Redundancy is deferred for now, but the voluntary and mandatory retirement will be as is. Taking into account that they are part of the immunocompromised group,” Gorospe explained.

According to LRMC, at least 65 employees or around five percent of its workforce were up for retirement.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade ordered on Wednesday the Philippine National Railway (PNR), Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), and MRT-3 to hire qualified employees who may be retrenched by the LRT-1 management.

Tugade’s instruction came a day after the LRMC confirmed that it is laying off close to 20 percent of its workforce, including retirees, next month after suffering a 90 percent drop in ridership due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, the railway operator added that all of its employees will undergo swab testing in response to the mandate of the DOTr for all railway employees.

This initiative, the LRMC said, is also part of its preparations for the resumption of the line’s operations once the modified enhanced community quarantine is lifted in the capital region.

This is also part of LRMC’s preparations as it anticipates the resumption of LRT-1 operations once the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) is lifted in Metro Manila.

“The LRMC has always remained committed to protect the safety and well-being of its people. We continue to work with our shareholders on strengthening our company and engaging in dialogues with the government,” it added.

https://mb.com.ph/2020/08/15/lrt-1-puts-on-hold-layoff-of-over-100-workers/

Japan Railway Journal Episode 36

Construction of LRT-1 Cavite extension project starts

The construction of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension project has finally commenced, the Department of Transportation said Friday, following the approval of the National Economic Development Authority.

The project aims to extend the existing LRT Line 1 from Baclaran to Niog in Bacoor, Cavite which will cut travel time from Manila to Cavite to 25 minutes from 1 hour and 10 minutes, the DOTr said.

"After nearly two decades and three administrations, the construction for the LRT-1 Cavite Extension has finally commenced," the DOTr said in a statement.

President Rodrigo Duterte and his officials, including Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and LRTA administrator Reynaldo Berroya, among others, helped "to finally get all components of this long-awaited and much needed project in place, the DOTr said.

As of July 30, the project has an overall progress rate of 48.32 percent, the DOTr said. It is expected to be partially operational by 2021, it added.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/08/07/20/construction-of-lrt-1-cavite-extension-project-starts

Kabahayan, istraktura sa lupa ng PNR gigibain

CALUMPIT, Bulacan, Philippines — Pinaghahanda na ang mga may-ari ng mga establisimyento at mga residenteng nakatira sa lupaing pag-aari ng Philippine National Railways (PNR) sa bayan ng Calumpit at sa lungsod ng Malolos, para sa nalalapit na pagbabakante ng lupang kinatatayuan.

Ito’y matapos lagdaan ang kontrata para sa konstruksyon ng Phase 2 ng North-South Commuter Railways (NSCR) Project na bubuhay ng dating ruta ng riles ng tren ng PNR mula sa Malolos patungong Clark International Airport (CRK).

Ayon kay Calumpit Mayor Jessie De Jesus, sakop nito ang mga istraktura na nasa hilera ng dating istasyon ng tren sa Calumpit na ilang metro rin ang lapit sa southbound lane ng Manila North Road o MacArthur Highway.

Bagama’t gigibain ang mga istraktura sa loob ng lupain ng PNR, hindi gigibain ang orihinal na istraktura ng dating istasyon ng tren sa Calumpit. Ipepreserba umano ito kagaya ng mga lumang istasyon na dinaraanan ng ruta mula Tutuban hanggang sa Malolos.

Paliwanag pa niya, sa mga naunang pakikipagpulong ng local na pamahalaan ng Calumpit sa Department of Transportation (DOTR) at sa Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), ang mga maaapektuhan ay pagkakalooban ng karampatang kompensasyon at buong buo na isasauli ang lupain sa PNR upang magamit sa pagtatayo ng NSCR Phase 2.

Ayon sa ulat ni DOTR Assistant Sec. Goddes Hope Libiran, ang NSCR Phase 2 ay magiging kauna-unahang airport railway ng Pilipinas dahil direktang ikakabit ang mga riles sa mismong bagong tayong Clark International Airport Terminal 2. May habang 53 kilometro ang salubungang riles na ilalatag mula sa Malolos patungo sa naturang paliparan.

Nagkakahalaga ng P38 bilyon ang kontrata na unang bahagi ng kabuuang P211 bilyong halaga ng proyekto na kapwa pinopondohan ng Asian Development Bank (ADB) at ng JICA. Sa Malolos, ikakabit ang NSCR Phase 2 sa ginagawa nang NSCR Phase 1 na ngayo’y halos 40% na ang naitatayo mula sa Malolos hanggang sa Tutuban.

https://www.philstar.com/pilipino-star-ngayon/probinsiya/2020/08/09/2033913/kabahayan-istraktura-sa-lupa-ng-pnr-gigibain

The LRT-1 Roosevelt station will be closed from September to December

To make way for the construction of the Common Station under the MRT-7 project

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) recently gave an update on the ongoing MRT-7 project, and it appears that the new rail line is starting to take shape. Once that’s completed, it will connect with the LRT-1 and MRT-3 lines via a Unified Grand Central Stationm, otherwise known as the Common Station.

Construction of this Common Station will begin later this year, but it will entail the temporary closure of the Roosevelt station along the LRT-1 line. The Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) has now announced that the said closure will be from September 5 to December 28, 2020.

During this time, the last stop headed northbound will be the Balintawak station. The LRMC is advising the public to monitor advisories regularly during this period. The organization initially planned to provide a shuttle train for passengers from Roosevelt, but decided not to go through with it due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

That said, the company assures clients that it is coordinating with both the DOTr and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority regarding the Bus Augmentation Program that commuters from the Roosevelt area may utilize for the meantime.

“The rest of our stations from Baclaran to Balintawak will be operational and we will continue to serve our LRT-1 passengers,” said LRMC chief operating officer Enrico Benipayo. “We assure the public that this will only be temporary and the construction of the Common Station, in the long run, will give passengers a more comfortable and reliable commuting experience.”

https://www.topgear.com.ph/news/motoring-news/lrt-1-roosevelt-station-closure-a4354-20200807

LRT-1 to close Roosevelt station

The Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) will close its Roosevelt station from Sept. 5 to Dec. 28 to allow for the construction of a common station.

The common station is expected to connect the LRT-1, the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 and the MRT Line 7. The MRT-7 is expected to be finished by 2022.

The Roosevelt station’s closure would leave the Balintawak station as the temporary terminal of LRT-1 for passengers coming from northern Metro Manila.

The LRT-1’s remaining 19 stations would be operational, according to the Light Rail Manila Corp.

LRT-1 stations are expected to reopen once the government lifts the modified enhanced community quarantine on Metro Manila by Aug. 18.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2020/08/08/2033672/lrt-1-close-roosevelt-station

LRT-2 Updates

Due to the opening of East Extension and reopening of stations from Santolan to Araneta Center-Cubao segment next year; the LRTA Class 2100 similar to the 3rd-generation trains of Seoul Metro Line 1, Line 4, and Bundang Line would be released soon; also the LRT Line 2 Operations and Maintenance Project under PPP will bid out soon; also the expansion of Santolan LRT station will happen

Philippines awards North-South Commuter Railway contracts

PHILIPPINES National Railway (PNR) has awarded the first two engineering and construction contracts for Clark Phase 2 of its North-South Commuter Railway Project (NSCR), following a virtual signing ceremony on August 1.

Contract Package 4 was awarded to a partnership of EEI and Acciona Construction Philippines, and Contract Package 5 was awarded to Posco, Korea. The two contracts cover infrastructure on the final 8km stretch of the 53km Clark Phase 2 section between Mabalacat, Pampanga and an underground station serving Clark International Airport.

Package 4 covers the engineering and construction of approximately 6.3km of main line and 1.6km of depot access line, as well as the construction of the Clark Airport station.

Package 5 covers the engineering and construction of the NSCR Clark Depot in Mabalacat, which will cover approximately 33 hectares, and includes the operations control centre (OCC), stabling points, workshops, training centre and other buildings.

Bidding for the two packages opened on October 14, with offers from five applicants received. The following contracts have not yet been awarded although bids have been submitted by 11 local and international companies:

• package 1 covering work on 17km of railway including Calumpit and Apalit stations
• package 2 covering work on 16km including San Fernando station, and
• package 3 covering 12km including Angeles station.

When completed, Clark Phase 2 will connect Malolos, Bulacan, to Clark International Airport in the city of Mabalacat, Pampanga. The section is part of the 148km NSCR rail project, which is expected to cost around Peso 777.55bn ($US 15.8bn) in total. The project is co-financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (Jica).

The project comprises three stages:

• Clark Phase 1: a 38km line from Tutuban, Manila, to Malolos, Bulacan (under construction)
• Clark Phase 2: a 53km line from Malolos to Clark, Pampanga, and
• Calamba: a 72km line from Manila to Los Banos, Laguna.

Partial operation on Clark Phase 2 is expected to begin in 2022, and the line is expected to cut travel time between the two cities from 1h 30min to 30-35 minutes. The line is projected to carry up to 340,000 passengers daily in its opening year and will be the country’s first airport express route.

https://www.railjournal.com/regions/asia/philippines-awards-north-south-commuter-railway-contracts/

CRK new terminal 99.52% complete

THE Clark International Airport New Passenger Terminal is on track to be fully operational by January 2021, with the building shell already 99.52 percent completed.

A joint project of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the new and iconic terminal is designed to triple the airport’s annual passenger capacity from the present four million to 12 million.

The consortium of Megawide Construction Corp. and GMR Infrastructure Ltd. built the structure of the terminal, while the Luzon International Premiere Airport Development (Lipad) Corporation will handle airport operations.

During an inspection by government officials on July 15, DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said the new Clark terminal will be operational by January 2021.

The Clark International Airport New Passenger Terminal is a flagship project under the Build Build Build program of the Duterte administration.

“We are excited to see this project open in five months. Clark’s new and modern terminal will not only enhance connectivity and improve passenger experience, it will also further boost economic growth in the region,” said Presidential Adviser for Flagship Programs and Projects Secretary Vince Dizon, also president and CEO of BCDA. (PR)