Monday, September 30, 2019
NEDA OKs NAIA rehab proposal
The Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC-Cabcom) of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has approved the unsolicited proposal for the rehabilitation and operation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
This was confirmed by Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia last Friday.
A NEDA source said the ICC-CabCom approved the finalization of the draft concession agreement for the project by the Department of Transportation (DoTr) with the consortium based on the parameters cleared during the meeting.
This includes the shortening of the original proposal to rehabilitate, operate and maintain the aging NAIA from 35 years to only 15 years.
The source said the project would “basically be an optimization of the existing airport” in which the proponent “will introduce new technologies not yet used in NAIA” to accommodate the increase in passengers.
Pernia said that after this, the project would be referred to the NEDA Board, which is chaired by President Duterte, before it can proceed to the Swiss challenge process.
Officials said this is a project that the government wants to be done “as early as possible.”
The P102-billion proposal was put forward by a super consortium composed of Aboitiz InfraCapital, AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp., Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.
Meanwhile, the approval for the proposal of Aboitiz InfraCapital to upgrade, operate and maintain the New Panglao Bohol International Airport was deferred because the government is now considering to take on the addition of capacity and just letting the private sector take over its operations and maintenance (O&M).
The NEDA source said the firm has another proposal for the O&M component alone that may also be reviewed by the ICC-CabCom.
The source said DOTr is now exploring means of funding the addition of capacity either through loans or government funds.
This, however, is considered a priority project that needs to be carried out as early as next year because the Bohol airport is already suffering from capacity constraints.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/09/30/1955981/neda-oks-naia-rehab-proposal
This was confirmed by Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia last Friday.
A NEDA source said the ICC-CabCom approved the finalization of the draft concession agreement for the project by the Department of Transportation (DoTr) with the consortium based on the parameters cleared during the meeting.
This includes the shortening of the original proposal to rehabilitate, operate and maintain the aging NAIA from 35 years to only 15 years.
The source said the project would “basically be an optimization of the existing airport” in which the proponent “will introduce new technologies not yet used in NAIA” to accommodate the increase in passengers.
Pernia said that after this, the project would be referred to the NEDA Board, which is chaired by President Duterte, before it can proceed to the Swiss challenge process.
Officials said this is a project that the government wants to be done “as early as possible.”
The P102-billion proposal was put forward by a super consortium composed of Aboitiz InfraCapital, AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp., Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.
Meanwhile, the approval for the proposal of Aboitiz InfraCapital to upgrade, operate and maintain the New Panglao Bohol International Airport was deferred because the government is now considering to take on the addition of capacity and just letting the private sector take over its operations and maintenance (O&M).
The NEDA source said the firm has another proposal for the O&M component alone that may also be reviewed by the ICC-CabCom.
The source said DOTr is now exploring means of funding the addition of capacity either through loans or government funds.
This, however, is considered a priority project that needs to be carried out as early as next year because the Bohol airport is already suffering from capacity constraints.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/09/30/1955981/neda-oks-naia-rehab-proposal
Sunday, September 29, 2019
Telcos ready for 8-digit landline numbers
The country’s two biggest telecommunications operators are all set to make the shift to the eight-digit landline number format starting Oct. 6.
The Ayala-led telco said all telephone numbers of Globe and Bayan customers in Greater Metro Manila with the 02 area code will move to an eight-digit format by the said date next month in compliance with the directive of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
“We are ready to migrate all customers with landline in Greater Metro Manila to eight-digit telephone numbers. Our teams are continuously working closely with the NTC and other telcos to assist affected customers before, during and after the migration,” Globe general counsel Froilan Castelo said.
PLDT last July also announced its readiness for the migration from the existing seven-digit format to eight digits.
The NTC issued Memorandum Order 10-10-2017 in October last year directing all telecommunications companies in the country to migrate all customers within the area code 02 to eight-digit telephone numbers to ensure that there will be sufficient resource pool to cater to the rapid growth of landline customers in major cities.
The NTC assigned each telecom operator with a public telecommunications entity identifier (PTE) as an additional prefix to its phone number.
The assigned PTE identifier for Globe and its subsidiary Innove is 7, while Bayan Telecommunications has 3 as its PTE identifier.
For PLDT, the assigned PTE identifier is 8.
The respective PTEs of each telcos will just have to be added at the start of the existing landline numbers.
The NTC and local telcos scheduled the migration on Oct. 6 from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.
Globe said during the period, affected customers may experience service interruption as telcos update their system to the new format.
The original migration date set by NTC was on March 18, 2019 but it was moved to a later schedule in response to petitions filed by the Bankers Association of the Philippines and Credit Card Association of the Philippines to give banks and credit card companies enough time to make the necessary adjustments.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/09/29/1955728/telcos-ready-8-digit-landline-numbers
The Ayala-led telco said all telephone numbers of Globe and Bayan customers in Greater Metro Manila with the 02 area code will move to an eight-digit format by the said date next month in compliance with the directive of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
“We are ready to migrate all customers with landline in Greater Metro Manila to eight-digit telephone numbers. Our teams are continuously working closely with the NTC and other telcos to assist affected customers before, during and after the migration,” Globe general counsel Froilan Castelo said.
PLDT last July also announced its readiness for the migration from the existing seven-digit format to eight digits.
The NTC issued Memorandum Order 10-10-2017 in October last year directing all telecommunications companies in the country to migrate all customers within the area code 02 to eight-digit telephone numbers to ensure that there will be sufficient resource pool to cater to the rapid growth of landline customers in major cities.
The NTC assigned each telecom operator with a public telecommunications entity identifier (PTE) as an additional prefix to its phone number.
The assigned PTE identifier for Globe and its subsidiary Innove is 7, while Bayan Telecommunications has 3 as its PTE identifier.
For PLDT, the assigned PTE identifier is 8.
The respective PTEs of each telcos will just have to be added at the start of the existing landline numbers.
The NTC and local telcos scheduled the migration on Oct. 6 from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.
Globe said during the period, affected customers may experience service interruption as telcos update their system to the new format.
The original migration date set by NTC was on March 18, 2019 but it was moved to a later schedule in response to petitions filed by the Bankers Association of the Philippines and Credit Card Association of the Philippines to give banks and credit card companies enough time to make the necessary adjustments.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/09/29/1955728/telcos-ready-8-digit-landline-numbers
Saturday, September 28, 2019
Commentary: Finding solutions for Philippines' traffic crisis
Media and public relations practitioners refer to the life of a news story as a news cycle. Over the years, the so-called news cycle has been changing—of course, depending on the topic—with the presence of social media. Typically, a news story would last for about 24 hours.
There are two topics that I can think of with very strong staying power in the media—the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) and the discussions on public transportation coupled with the EDSA traffic.
Around mid-August of this year, the GCTA issue surfaced over the possibility of former Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez—who was convicted in 1995 of seven terms of reclusion perpetua—of being released under Republic Act No. 10592, the law allowing convicts an early release based on good conduct time allowance.
Because of the public outrage over the Sanchez case and subsequently other high-profile cases, including the allegations of corruption in what has become known as the “GCTA for sale” scheme, the story has lingered in the news, perhaps, partly sustained by the Senate investigation.
Another story that has stayed in the news is the traffic mess, particularly in EDSA and in the entire Metro Manila, in general. The traffic situation is tightly related to the various issues of public transportation.
While there is also a Senate hearing that touches on these—in relation to the emergency powers that the president has been asking for the last three years—that keeps these issues landing on precious media spaces, the many proposals to end the Metro Manila traffic make the subject at the forefront of national and metro news.
But I suspect that one of the reasons these topics have mass appeal is the fact that these are matters that people of Metro Manila face every day. This problem is real—too real for many.
Everybody who travels to someplace for school, work, and other activities are affected, whether you drive, take public transportation, or even walk. Those who drive curse what has become a permanent sight of traffic, all pointing to other drivers for their lack of discipline on the road.
The blame mostly falls on drivers of public utility vehicles and motorcycles. In the end, it has become a finger-pointing game between public and private transportation drivers.
So-called experts have been racking their brains trying to come up with out-of-the-box proposals. Some of these recommendations are dismissed outright for being impracticable and downright lunatic.
There are also run-of-the-mill proposals that do not indicate deep thought. Recently, there was a proposal to make the entire EDSA go in one direction. This was shot down as something that will make traffic in the metropolis even worse.
There are also proposals that, in my mind, are common-sensical. As such, to even suggest something that is already in the pipeline of solutions may just be adding noise to the already deafening discourse on the issue, such as strictly implementing discipline among drivers, commuters, and pedestrians.
Too many vehicles and limited road spaces are observations that, while acknowledged as true and important, pose numerous obstacles in counteracting. Suggestions to limit the acquisition of vehicles by raising taxes may lead to pro-rich policies.
Even proposals to widen the coverage of the existing unified vehicular volume reduction program—such as allowing the use of a vehicle to only once a week—may lead to the purchase of more vehicles by those who can afford to.
On the other side of the equation, proposals to build more infrastructure, such as roads and rail transport systems, can only be considered good from the standpoint of solving the congestion in Metro Manila.
Former Senator JV Ejercito’s suggestions to relieve Metro Manila’s traffic are well taken. These include doing fast-track work on the NLEX-SLEX connector, MRT-3 rehabilitation, MRT-7, MRT-2 extension to Rizal, the Clark-Los Banos commuter train line, and the development of the Clark International Airport new terminal building. He also mentioned about prioritizing LRT-1 extension to Cavite, Philippine National Railways (PNR) North and South and the Manila Subway, and making use of the present PNR tracks with new train sets.
At the policy level, he suggests car-pooling during rush hour, continuing with the jeepney modernization, re-rationalizing franchises of all public utility vehicles, and even the relocation of government agencies to Clark.
But there are other things to consider, such as the financing of these infrastructures. While it is relatively easier to borrow money, we also need to worry about repaying those loans. Certainly, we do not want the economy saddled with debt servicing in the future.
Still, there are proposals that, theoretically, make a lot of sense, but are difficult to implement in one go. A clear example of this is to decongest Metro Manila by developing the countryside. This model is ubiquitous in the development economics literature but takes a strong political will to be implemented, and more than anything else, time, for the benefits to become apparent.
One proposal that is gaining traction (no pun intended) because of the benefits it promises is the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). This system is being used in some 136 cities in about 39 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, China, Indonesia, among others.
What makes the BRT system attractive as a solution to our transportation and traffic woes is that it can be implemented in a shorter period and is relatively less expensive compared to a railway system, but with the potential of maintaining its benefits in terms of passenger capacity, scheduled trips, etc. It works by having dedicated lanes for the busways that are aligned to the center of the road and other features similar to a metro system.
In the final analysis, what should be obvious to all is that transportation and traffic problems are not going to be solved overnight, figuratively speaking. But, at the literal level, perhaps, it would take at least one year for us to feel any improvements that is if we keep on working on the solutions that are already on the way.
It is not just about too many vehicles on the road either. What should also be clear to all is that there is no one solution that will miraculously address the problems that have taken years to build up. If only we paid attention to these things a lot earlier, then, maybe, these problems would have been more manageable.
And while we are at it, maybe it is not only the discipline of the drivers that needs attention. Perhaps, there is a serious problem with knowledge of the rules. You cannot follow a rule that you do not know.
In our system, even those who got their driver’s license through fraudulent means are perpetually qualified to renew their license. How about re-testing every renewal or something like that?
Edwin Santiago is a fellow and member of the editorial board of think tank Stratbase ADR Institute.
https://www.philstar.com/other-sections/news-feature/2019/09/28/1955704/commentary-finding-solutions-philippines-traffic-crisis
There are two topics that I can think of with very strong staying power in the media—the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) and the discussions on public transportation coupled with the EDSA traffic.
Around mid-August of this year, the GCTA issue surfaced over the possibility of former Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez—who was convicted in 1995 of seven terms of reclusion perpetua—of being released under Republic Act No. 10592, the law allowing convicts an early release based on good conduct time allowance.
Because of the public outrage over the Sanchez case and subsequently other high-profile cases, including the allegations of corruption in what has become known as the “GCTA for sale” scheme, the story has lingered in the news, perhaps, partly sustained by the Senate investigation.
Another story that has stayed in the news is the traffic mess, particularly in EDSA and in the entire Metro Manila, in general. The traffic situation is tightly related to the various issues of public transportation.
While there is also a Senate hearing that touches on these—in relation to the emergency powers that the president has been asking for the last three years—that keeps these issues landing on precious media spaces, the many proposals to end the Metro Manila traffic make the subject at the forefront of national and metro news.
But I suspect that one of the reasons these topics have mass appeal is the fact that these are matters that people of Metro Manila face every day. This problem is real—too real for many.
Everybody who travels to someplace for school, work, and other activities are affected, whether you drive, take public transportation, or even walk. Those who drive curse what has become a permanent sight of traffic, all pointing to other drivers for their lack of discipline on the road.
The blame mostly falls on drivers of public utility vehicles and motorcycles. In the end, it has become a finger-pointing game between public and private transportation drivers.
So-called experts have been racking their brains trying to come up with out-of-the-box proposals. Some of these recommendations are dismissed outright for being impracticable and downright lunatic.
There are also run-of-the-mill proposals that do not indicate deep thought. Recently, there was a proposal to make the entire EDSA go in one direction. This was shot down as something that will make traffic in the metropolis even worse.
There are also proposals that, in my mind, are common-sensical. As such, to even suggest something that is already in the pipeline of solutions may just be adding noise to the already deafening discourse on the issue, such as strictly implementing discipline among drivers, commuters, and pedestrians.
Too many vehicles and limited road spaces are observations that, while acknowledged as true and important, pose numerous obstacles in counteracting. Suggestions to limit the acquisition of vehicles by raising taxes may lead to pro-rich policies.
Even proposals to widen the coverage of the existing unified vehicular volume reduction program—such as allowing the use of a vehicle to only once a week—may lead to the purchase of more vehicles by those who can afford to.
On the other side of the equation, proposals to build more infrastructure, such as roads and rail transport systems, can only be considered good from the standpoint of solving the congestion in Metro Manila.
Former Senator JV Ejercito’s suggestions to relieve Metro Manila’s traffic are well taken. These include doing fast-track work on the NLEX-SLEX connector, MRT-3 rehabilitation, MRT-7, MRT-2 extension to Rizal, the Clark-Los Banos commuter train line, and the development of the Clark International Airport new terminal building. He also mentioned about prioritizing LRT-1 extension to Cavite, Philippine National Railways (PNR) North and South and the Manila Subway, and making use of the present PNR tracks with new train sets.
At the policy level, he suggests car-pooling during rush hour, continuing with the jeepney modernization, re-rationalizing franchises of all public utility vehicles, and even the relocation of government agencies to Clark.
But there are other things to consider, such as the financing of these infrastructures. While it is relatively easier to borrow money, we also need to worry about repaying those loans. Certainly, we do not want the economy saddled with debt servicing in the future.
Still, there are proposals that, theoretically, make a lot of sense, but are difficult to implement in one go. A clear example of this is to decongest Metro Manila by developing the countryside. This model is ubiquitous in the development economics literature but takes a strong political will to be implemented, and more than anything else, time, for the benefits to become apparent.
One proposal that is gaining traction (no pun intended) because of the benefits it promises is the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). This system is being used in some 136 cities in about 39 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, China, Indonesia, among others.
What makes the BRT system attractive as a solution to our transportation and traffic woes is that it can be implemented in a shorter period and is relatively less expensive compared to a railway system, but with the potential of maintaining its benefits in terms of passenger capacity, scheduled trips, etc. It works by having dedicated lanes for the busways that are aligned to the center of the road and other features similar to a metro system.
In the final analysis, what should be obvious to all is that transportation and traffic problems are not going to be solved overnight, figuratively speaking. But, at the literal level, perhaps, it would take at least one year for us to feel any improvements that is if we keep on working on the solutions that are already on the way.
It is not just about too many vehicles on the road either. What should also be clear to all is that there is no one solution that will miraculously address the problems that have taken years to build up. If only we paid attention to these things a lot earlier, then, maybe, these problems would have been more manageable.
And while we are at it, maybe it is not only the discipline of the drivers that needs attention. Perhaps, there is a serious problem with knowledge of the rules. You cannot follow a rule that you do not know.
In our system, even those who got their driver’s license through fraudulent means are perpetually qualified to renew their license. How about re-testing every renewal or something like that?
Edwin Santiago is a fellow and member of the editorial board of think tank Stratbase ADR Institute.
https://www.philstar.com/other-sections/news-feature/2019/09/28/1955704/commentary-finding-solutions-philippines-traffic-crisis
Friday, September 27, 2019
DENR stops 944-hectare reclamation project in Bacoor
By Vanne Elaine Terrazola
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will not anymore permit the 944-hectare reclamation project in Bacoor, Cavite following the opposition by Senator Cynthia Villar.
During the deliberation of the Senate finance subcommittee B on the DENR’s P25.5-billion proposed 2020 budget, Villar questioned environment officials for supposedly entertaining plans to reclaim the 944-hectare area in Bacoor, which, she lamented, was close to the protected Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park.
The project, she said, could endanger the wetland.
The senator, who also chairs the Senate environment and natural resources committee, worked for the declaration of the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park as a protected area under the Republic Act 11038 which expanded the National Integrated Protected Areas System. It was signed into law June last year.
At the hearing, she also recalled filing petitions before the Supreme Court to stop reclamation projects that could affect the park.
“You want me to go file a petition for Writ of Kalikasan, and you want me to do this again, after spending almost 10 years to stop reclamation, now you are going to do another reclamation in front of us?”
Villar said she was convinced by former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson to prevent the said Bacoor reclamation plan.
Singson, she said, warned that the project will cause flooding in her bailiwick Las Piñas City.
“Sabi niya sa akin ‘Huwag mong ipare–reclaim ‘yan kasi babaha kayo ng eight meters sa Las Piñas…Alam mo ba ‘yong eight meters? That’s [equal to a] three-storey [building]. Walang bahay sa Las Piñas na three-storey, eh di lahat kami, pati ako, ang bahay ko one-storey, ilulubog mo ako (No house in Las Piñas City exceeds three-story, now you will submerge us, including me, in floods)?”
Villar noted how reclamation projects caused the spike in land values, citing for instance the high property prices within the reclaimed Manila Bay area.
“Ibig sabihin ‘yong mga mayayaman, payayamanin mo at ilulubog mo kaming lahat na mahihirap? Hindi naman yata tama ‘yon (You mean you will make the rich richer and you will drown the poor in floods? That is not right),” said the richest member of the Senate.
“The rich people should take care of the poor people. It’s not the poor people suffering to make people rich. Tigilan niyo ‘yon (Stop that project)…Kawawa naman ‘yong mga kababayan namin (Our people in Las Piñas would affected),” she told the DENR officials.
Metodio Turbella, director of the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau, said the agency will “immediately” cancel the reclamation project.
“We’ll take note of that. In fact, I talked to the Undersecretary [Jonas] Leones, including the good [DENR] secretary here, to immediatly cancel that schedule for that purpose,” Turbella said.
DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu was present in the Senate committee hearing.
The local government of Bacoor has partnered with Frabelle Fishing Corp. and Aboitiz for the 944-hectare reclamation project. The plan was among the 22 Manila Bay reclamation projects being processed by the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA).
Urban poor and fishermen’s groups have also opposed the project.
The DENR said developers should secure area and environmental clearances before reclamation projects are approved by the PRA.
Villar, as finance subcommittee B chair, was tasked to defend the DENR’s proposed budget for next year.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/09/27/denr-stops-944-hectare-reclamation-project-in-bacoor/
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will not anymore permit the 944-hectare reclamation project in Bacoor, Cavite following the opposition by Senator Cynthia Villar.
During the deliberation of the Senate finance subcommittee B on the DENR’s P25.5-billion proposed 2020 budget, Villar questioned environment officials for supposedly entertaining plans to reclaim the 944-hectare area in Bacoor, which, she lamented, was close to the protected Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park.
The project, she said, could endanger the wetland.
The senator, who also chairs the Senate environment and natural resources committee, worked for the declaration of the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park as a protected area under the Republic Act 11038 which expanded the National Integrated Protected Areas System. It was signed into law June last year.
At the hearing, she also recalled filing petitions before the Supreme Court to stop reclamation projects that could affect the park.
“You want me to go file a petition for Writ of Kalikasan, and you want me to do this again, after spending almost 10 years to stop reclamation, now you are going to do another reclamation in front of us?”
Villar said she was convinced by former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson to prevent the said Bacoor reclamation plan.
Singson, she said, warned that the project will cause flooding in her bailiwick Las Piñas City.
“Sabi niya sa akin ‘Huwag mong ipare–reclaim ‘yan kasi babaha kayo ng eight meters sa Las Piñas…Alam mo ba ‘yong eight meters? That’s [equal to a] three-storey [building]. Walang bahay sa Las Piñas na three-storey, eh di lahat kami, pati ako, ang bahay ko one-storey, ilulubog mo ako (No house in Las Piñas City exceeds three-story, now you will submerge us, including me, in floods)?”
Villar noted how reclamation projects caused the spike in land values, citing for instance the high property prices within the reclaimed Manila Bay area.
“Ibig sabihin ‘yong mga mayayaman, payayamanin mo at ilulubog mo kaming lahat na mahihirap? Hindi naman yata tama ‘yon (You mean you will make the rich richer and you will drown the poor in floods? That is not right),” said the richest member of the Senate.
“The rich people should take care of the poor people. It’s not the poor people suffering to make people rich. Tigilan niyo ‘yon (Stop that project)…Kawawa naman ‘yong mga kababayan namin (Our people in Las Piñas would affected),” she told the DENR officials.
Metodio Turbella, director of the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau, said the agency will “immediately” cancel the reclamation project.
“We’ll take note of that. In fact, I talked to the Undersecretary [Jonas] Leones, including the good [DENR] secretary here, to immediatly cancel that schedule for that purpose,” Turbella said.
DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu was present in the Senate committee hearing.
The local government of Bacoor has partnered with Frabelle Fishing Corp. and Aboitiz for the 944-hectare reclamation project. The plan was among the 22 Manila Bay reclamation projects being processed by the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA).
Urban poor and fishermen’s groups have also opposed the project.
The DENR said developers should secure area and environmental clearances before reclamation projects are approved by the PRA.
Villar, as finance subcommittee B chair, was tasked to defend the DENR’s proposed budget for next year.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/09/27/denr-stops-944-hectare-reclamation-project-in-bacoor/
SM Prime gets reclamation project greenlight
SM Prime is coming up with a P100 billion reclamation project spanning Paranaque and Pasay cities and dubbed the Future City.
The Pasay city government has secured a notice to proceed (NTP) with the 360-hectare Manila bay reclamation project in joint venture with SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPH), the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) confirmed.
According to a PRA official, the confirmation letter was sent to the Pasay city government and addressed to Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano and dated 28 August. Further, the PRA official said the NTP contained conditions pertaining to the submission of a “revised design,” among others.
No copy of the letter is available as of press time. Officials of the Pasay city government contacted on the subject were also unreachable.
Prior to this, a person with knowledge of the events told the Daily Tribune that SMPH patiently waits for the Pasay local government unit cue to start the five-year reclamation project as the NTP was already in the LGU office.
SM Prime is coming up with a P100 billion reclamation project spanning Parañaque and Pasay cities and dubbed the Future City.
In November last year, the Pasay LGU signed a memorandum of agreement with SM Prime for a 300-hectare and a separate 60-hectare project in Manila bay, otherwise known as the “SM Project.” The agreement was signed between SM Prime and then-Pasay mayor Antonino Calixto.
Aside from the SM project, other agreements signed were with the Manila Goldcoast Development Corp. and the Manila local government through then-mayor Joseph Estrada for a 148-hectare Solar City project; and the Pasay City consortium and the Pasay LGU for a 265-hectare project dubbed “Pasay City Harbor project.”
https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2019/09/27/sm-prime-gets-reclamation-project-greenlight/
The Pasay city government has secured a notice to proceed (NTP) with the 360-hectare Manila bay reclamation project in joint venture with SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPH), the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) confirmed.
According to a PRA official, the confirmation letter was sent to the Pasay city government and addressed to Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano and dated 28 August. Further, the PRA official said the NTP contained conditions pertaining to the submission of a “revised design,” among others.
No copy of the letter is available as of press time. Officials of the Pasay city government contacted on the subject were also unreachable.
Prior to this, a person with knowledge of the events told the Daily Tribune that SMPH patiently waits for the Pasay local government unit cue to start the five-year reclamation project as the NTP was already in the LGU office.
SM Prime is coming up with a P100 billion reclamation project spanning Parañaque and Pasay cities and dubbed the Future City.
In November last year, the Pasay LGU signed a memorandum of agreement with SM Prime for a 300-hectare and a separate 60-hectare project in Manila bay, otherwise known as the “SM Project.” The agreement was signed between SM Prime and then-Pasay mayor Antonino Calixto.
Aside from the SM project, other agreements signed were with the Manila Goldcoast Development Corp. and the Manila local government through then-mayor Joseph Estrada for a 148-hectare Solar City project; and the Pasay City consortium and the Pasay LGU for a 265-hectare project dubbed “Pasay City Harbor project.”
https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2019/09/27/sm-prime-gets-reclamation-project-greenlight/
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Improvements in train performance to be felt by end of Duterte term
The riding public will get to try and experience new major train projects as well as improvements on existing ones before the term of President Duterte ends, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.
Tugade, in an interview with CNN’s “The Source” yesterday, assured that various railway projects seen to ease Metro Manila’s traffic congestion would be partially operable before end-2022.
Among these projects is the P357-billion Metro Manila subway, which will be the Philippines’ first underground railway.
Tugade said partial operability of the subway, which will consist of its first three underground stations, is targeted to be completed by the first quarter of 2022.
Aside from the subway, the transport chief said other major railway projects which would be partially operable before end-2022 are the LRT-1 extension to Cavite, LRT-2 extension, PNR Clark Phase 1, and the MRT-7.
“Also, those who fall in line and are on the roads will get to ride a better MRT-3. You will get to try that,” Tugade said.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has vowed to fix and restore the MRT-3 to its original and high-grade design state by the third quarter of 2021 once ongoing rehabilitation works of Japan’s Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are completed.
With the help of the railway projects, the DOTr expects road traffic to be decongested.
The agency, under the Build Build Build program, has embarked on a campaign to build new railways and rehabilitate existing ones with the goal of expanding railway infrastructure throughout the country to 1,900 kilometers by 2022 from the current 77 kilometers in operation.
The government also plans to bolster the country’s fleet of operational train cars by more than five times by the end of the Duterte administration to boost connectivity and enable better and faster services across all rail networks nationwide.
The target is to grow the country’s rolling stock fleet to more than 1,200 by 2022 from 221 operational train cars, also known as light rail vehicles or coaches, in 2016.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/09/26/1954934/improvements-train-performance-be-felt-end-duterte-term
Tugade, in an interview with CNN’s “The Source” yesterday, assured that various railway projects seen to ease Metro Manila’s traffic congestion would be partially operable before end-2022.
Among these projects is the P357-billion Metro Manila subway, which will be the Philippines’ first underground railway.
Tugade said partial operability of the subway, which will consist of its first three underground stations, is targeted to be completed by the first quarter of 2022.
Aside from the subway, the transport chief said other major railway projects which would be partially operable before end-2022 are the LRT-1 extension to Cavite, LRT-2 extension, PNR Clark Phase 1, and the MRT-7.
“Also, those who fall in line and are on the roads will get to ride a better MRT-3. You will get to try that,” Tugade said.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has vowed to fix and restore the MRT-3 to its original and high-grade design state by the third quarter of 2021 once ongoing rehabilitation works of Japan’s Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are completed.
With the help of the railway projects, the DOTr expects road traffic to be decongested.
The agency, under the Build Build Build program, has embarked on a campaign to build new railways and rehabilitate existing ones with the goal of expanding railway infrastructure throughout the country to 1,900 kilometers by 2022 from the current 77 kilometers in operation.
The government also plans to bolster the country’s fleet of operational train cars by more than five times by the end of the Duterte administration to boost connectivity and enable better and faster services across all rail networks nationwide.
The target is to grow the country’s rolling stock fleet to more than 1,200 by 2022 from 221 operational train cars, also known as light rail vehicles or coaches, in 2016.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/09/26/1954934/improvements-train-performance-be-felt-end-duterte-term
DOTr chief assures PNR Clark Phase 1 completed by 2020
CLARK FREEPORT -- Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade assured that the PNR Clark Phase 1 and other railway projects will be completed by 2022.
Tugade said the riding public will get to experience new major train projects, as well as improvements on existing ones before the term of President Rodrigo Duterte ends.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) chief said various railway projects seen to ease Metro Manila's traffic congestion would be partially operable before end of 2022.
The train systems include the Metro Manila Subway, LRT-1 Cavite Extension, PNR Clark Phase 1, and MRT-7.
The DOTr aims to expand railway infrastructure throughout the country to 1,900 kilometers from the current 77 kilometers in operation under the "Build, Build, Build" program.
The agency plans to bolster the country's fleet of operational train cars by more than five times by the end of the Duterte administration.
The projects are expected to boost connectivity and enable better and faster services across all rail networks nationwide.
The Clark railway, once completed, will connect New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac and Clark International Airport to Metro Manila.
Businessman Rene Romero, president of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry PamCham, earlier lauded Tugade for implementing various infrastructure programs including the Clark airport and the Malolos Clark railway system.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1824925/Pampanga/Local-News/DOTr-Secretary-Arthur-Tugade-assures-PNR-Clark-Phase-1-completed-by-2020
Tugade said the riding public will get to experience new major train projects, as well as improvements on existing ones before the term of President Rodrigo Duterte ends.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) chief said various railway projects seen to ease Metro Manila's traffic congestion would be partially operable before end of 2022.
The train systems include the Metro Manila Subway, LRT-1 Cavite Extension, PNR Clark Phase 1, and MRT-7.
The DOTr aims to expand railway infrastructure throughout the country to 1,900 kilometers from the current 77 kilometers in operation under the "Build, Build, Build" program.
The agency plans to bolster the country's fleet of operational train cars by more than five times by the end of the Duterte administration.
The projects are expected to boost connectivity and enable better and faster services across all rail networks nationwide.
The Clark railway, once completed, will connect New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac and Clark International Airport to Metro Manila.
Businessman Rene Romero, president of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry PamCham, earlier lauded Tugade for implementing various infrastructure programs including the Clark airport and the Malolos Clark railway system.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1824925/Pampanga/Local-News/DOTr-Secretary-Arthur-Tugade-assures-PNR-Clark-Phase-1-completed-by-2020
Monday, September 23, 2019
Friday, September 20, 2019
PNR extends train trips to Los Baños
SAN PEDRO CITY—The Philippine National Railways (PNR) has started test runs and clearing operations this week as it prepares for the opening next month of its south rail line to the university town of Los Baños in Laguna province.
The Los Baños station will be the 25th station of the Metro South Commuter Train that runs from Tutuban in Manila to Calamba City, also in Laguna.
Joseline Geronimo, PNR spokesperson, said two of the nine trains that the PNR purchased from the state-owned Indonesian firm PT Industri Kereta Api (PT Inka) were scheduled to arrive early next month in time for the scheduled launch of the new station.
Commuters from Los Baños, where the University of the Philippines maintains a campus, were ecstatic to see a train on trial run on Wednesday.
Resident Jeremy Deanon said train services would help ease problems in public transportation from Laguna to Metro Manila.
Geronimo said another round of inspection by PNR engineers to check the existing tracks and facilities would continue on Friday.
Danger zone
But the 65-kilometer test run from Manila up to that part of the railway in front of the International Rice Research Institute in Los Baños was not one without a hitch.
Geronimo said the PNR train, which can carry 83 passengers and used only for inspections, returned with “scratches” caused by some structures encroaching on the tracks.
The PNR’s primary concern, she said, is to clear illegally built structures and informal settlers along the railway.
Geronimo said the tracks should be clear of any structure 15 meters on each side to ensure safety. For now, the PNR said it would clear those inside the “danger zone” or the structures within 6 m on each side of the railway.
“We understand that we cannot just simply drive away [these families] so [clearing would be] at least for those within the danger zone,” she said in a telephone interview on Thursday.
Relocation
Geronimo said the PNR had long been coordinating with the National Housing Authority for the relocation of settlers along the tracks.
“Our concern is their safety and this [project] is for everybody’s mobility,” she said.
The PNR, in 2014, reopened the Calamba station as the government announced its bid to revive sections of the 478-km south rail that extends to Bicol region.
The more than a century-old PNR system is the oldest in Southeast Asia.
Last year, the PNR purchased six diesel multiple unit trains (P1.071 billion each) and three diesel hydraulic locomotive trains (P1.3 billion each) from PT Inka.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1166894/pnr-extends-train-trips-to-los-banos
The Los Baños station will be the 25th station of the Metro South Commuter Train that runs from Tutuban in Manila to Calamba City, also in Laguna.
Joseline Geronimo, PNR spokesperson, said two of the nine trains that the PNR purchased from the state-owned Indonesian firm PT Industri Kereta Api (PT Inka) were scheduled to arrive early next month in time for the scheduled launch of the new station.
Commuters from Los Baños, where the University of the Philippines maintains a campus, were ecstatic to see a train on trial run on Wednesday.
Resident Jeremy Deanon said train services would help ease problems in public transportation from Laguna to Metro Manila.
Geronimo said another round of inspection by PNR engineers to check the existing tracks and facilities would continue on Friday.
Danger zone
But the 65-kilometer test run from Manila up to that part of the railway in front of the International Rice Research Institute in Los Baños was not one without a hitch.
Geronimo said the PNR train, which can carry 83 passengers and used only for inspections, returned with “scratches” caused by some structures encroaching on the tracks.
The PNR’s primary concern, she said, is to clear illegally built structures and informal settlers along the railway.
Geronimo said the tracks should be clear of any structure 15 meters on each side to ensure safety. For now, the PNR said it would clear those inside the “danger zone” or the structures within 6 m on each side of the railway.
“We understand that we cannot just simply drive away [these families] so [clearing would be] at least for those within the danger zone,” she said in a telephone interview on Thursday.
Relocation
Geronimo said the PNR had long been coordinating with the National Housing Authority for the relocation of settlers along the tracks.
“Our concern is their safety and this [project] is for everybody’s mobility,” she said.
The PNR, in 2014, reopened the Calamba station as the government announced its bid to revive sections of the 478-km south rail that extends to Bicol region.
The more than a century-old PNR system is the oldest in Southeast Asia.
Last year, the PNR purchased six diesel multiple unit trains (P1.071 billion each) and three diesel hydraulic locomotive trains (P1.3 billion each) from PT Inka.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1166894/pnr-extends-train-trips-to-los-banos
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Overhaul overdue: Daily maintenance fails to prevent MRT3 short circuit
A joint investigation by Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, DOTr, and MRT management shows what caused the September 6 stoppage of the trains
The cut overhead catenary cable that halted the operations of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) last September 6 was due to a mechanical failure that train preparation and daily maintenance failed to prevent.
A joint investigation into the September 6 incident conducted by MRT3 maintenance provider Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Department of Transportation (DOTr)-MRT3, and the chief engineering division revealed that a short circuit was caused by the train's electrical box.
Because the protection and control unit (PCU) of the train's power substation was also defective, it failed to cut off the 750-bolt line in time, causing the overhead catenary cable to be cut.
According to MRT3 Director for Operations Michael Capati, trains undergo daily train preparation and preventive maintenance before being deployed on the rails. The preventive maintenance program is done daily, weekly, and monthly.
However, the degradation of rails mean that preventive measures fall short in accounting for possible failures while the trains are running.
In this regard, Capati said that trains, along with rails, are overdue for full rehabilitation and general overhaul, which the DOTr-MRT3 is addressing through its comprehensive rehabilitation, which is set to be completed in July 2021.
Replacement of all PCUs is also included in the whole rehabilitation program of the MRT3.
To curb reoccurrences of similar incidents, Capati said that, aside from upgrading PCUs, they will also be doubling the number of their foot patrol technicians that check trains visually for defects. Further, they will also increase maintenance personnel with the support of Sumitomo.
The suspension of operations last September 6 affected 7,302 passengers.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/240545-mrt3-daily-maintenance-failed-prevent-cut-cable-incident
The cut overhead catenary cable that halted the operations of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) last September 6 was due to a mechanical failure that train preparation and daily maintenance failed to prevent.
A joint investigation into the September 6 incident conducted by MRT3 maintenance provider Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Department of Transportation (DOTr)-MRT3, and the chief engineering division revealed that a short circuit was caused by the train's electrical box.
Because the protection and control unit (PCU) of the train's power substation was also defective, it failed to cut off the 750-bolt line in time, causing the overhead catenary cable to be cut.
According to MRT3 Director for Operations Michael Capati, trains undergo daily train preparation and preventive maintenance before being deployed on the rails. The preventive maintenance program is done daily, weekly, and monthly.
However, the degradation of rails mean that preventive measures fall short in accounting for possible failures while the trains are running.
In this regard, Capati said that trains, along with rails, are overdue for full rehabilitation and general overhaul, which the DOTr-MRT3 is addressing through its comprehensive rehabilitation, which is set to be completed in July 2021.
Replacement of all PCUs is also included in the whole rehabilitation program of the MRT3.
To curb reoccurrences of similar incidents, Capati said that, aside from upgrading PCUs, they will also be doubling the number of their foot patrol technicians that check trains visually for defects. Further, they will also increase maintenance personnel with the support of Sumitomo.
The suspension of operations last September 6 affected 7,302 passengers.
https://www.rappler.com/nation/240545-mrt3-daily-maintenance-failed-prevent-cut-cable-incident
MRT-3 rehab on track to achieve total completion in July 2021 —rail official
The total rehabilitation of all components and systems of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) is on track to be completed in July 2021, a top official of the mass rail transit system said Thursday.
In fact, the rehabilitation works are moving ahead of schedule, MRT-3 director Mike Capati said in a press conference in Quezon City.
Japanese service providers Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries started working on the MRT-3 last May.
“‘Yun pong maintenance rehabilitation ng ating mga riles dapat ho ‘yan first quarter of next year, magi-istart na po tayo ng November,” Capati noted.
“Meaning to say advanced po ang mga projections na nache-check namin. Ang delivery po ng spare parts are coming in ahead of time,” Capati noted.
The 4,053 new rails of 18-meter length to replace MRT-3’s old rails arrived from Japan in July, and more rails are scheduled for delivery in October.
The Department of Transportation earlier said that the new rails were to arrive two to three months ahead of schedule, keeping the 26-month rehabilitation on track by July 2021.
“Pakiusap namin sa publiko na hindi po kasi 24 hours kayang i-rehab ang buong sistema ng MRT-3. Ang target po namin diyan ay 26 months, we’re down to 22 months na,” Capati said.
“By July 2021, assured tayo na lahat ng po ng components at system ng MRT-3 ay fully rehabilitated na,” he said.
Sumitomo officially started the rehabilitation and maintenance works in May this year.
The total cost of the MRT-3 rehabilitation is P21.96 billion, of which P18.76 billion is official development assistance loan from JICA. The balance of P3.19 billion is funded locally.
The P18.76-billion loan agreement for the project was signed by the Philippine government and Japan International Cooperation Agency in November 2018.
Roughly ¥38 billion, the loan carries an interest rate of 0.1 percent per year with a repayment period of 28 years after a grace period of 12 years.
The Rehabilitation and Maintenance Agreement with the DOTr was signed in December 28, 2018.
The contract covers the electromechanical components, power supply, rail tracks, depot equipment, and overhaul of its 72 light rail vehicles.
Once rehabilitated, the MRT-3 is expected to return to its high-grade condition.
The number of operating train sets will be elevated from 15 to 20 at peak hours, and the trains’ operating speed will be doubled to 60 kilometers per hour—slashing the time intervals between trains from 7 to 10 minutes to 3.5 minutes. —VDS, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/708639/mrt-3-rehab-on-track-to-achieve-total-completion-in-july-2021-rail-official/story/
In fact, the rehabilitation works are moving ahead of schedule, MRT-3 director Mike Capati said in a press conference in Quezon City.
Japanese service providers Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries started working on the MRT-3 last May.
“‘Yun pong maintenance rehabilitation ng ating mga riles dapat ho ‘yan first quarter of next year, magi-istart na po tayo ng November,” Capati noted.
“Meaning to say advanced po ang mga projections na nache-check namin. Ang delivery po ng spare parts are coming in ahead of time,” Capati noted.
The 4,053 new rails of 18-meter length to replace MRT-3’s old rails arrived from Japan in July, and more rails are scheduled for delivery in October.
The Department of Transportation earlier said that the new rails were to arrive two to three months ahead of schedule, keeping the 26-month rehabilitation on track by July 2021.
“Pakiusap namin sa publiko na hindi po kasi 24 hours kayang i-rehab ang buong sistema ng MRT-3. Ang target po namin diyan ay 26 months, we’re down to 22 months na,” Capati said.
“By July 2021, assured tayo na lahat ng po ng components at system ng MRT-3 ay fully rehabilitated na,” he said.
Sumitomo officially started the rehabilitation and maintenance works in May this year.
The total cost of the MRT-3 rehabilitation is P21.96 billion, of which P18.76 billion is official development assistance loan from JICA. The balance of P3.19 billion is funded locally.
The P18.76-billion loan agreement for the project was signed by the Philippine government and Japan International Cooperation Agency in November 2018.
Roughly ¥38 billion, the loan carries an interest rate of 0.1 percent per year with a repayment period of 28 years after a grace period of 12 years.
The Rehabilitation and Maintenance Agreement with the DOTr was signed in December 28, 2018.
The contract covers the electromechanical components, power supply, rail tracks, depot equipment, and overhaul of its 72 light rail vehicles.
Once rehabilitated, the MRT-3 is expected to return to its high-grade condition.
The number of operating train sets will be elevated from 15 to 20 at peak hours, and the trains’ operating speed will be doubled to 60 kilometers per hour—slashing the time intervals between trains from 7 to 10 minutes to 3.5 minutes. —VDS, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/708639/mrt-3-rehab-on-track-to-achieve-total-completion-in-july-2021-rail-official/story/
MRT-3 bent on making 3 Dalian train sets operational this September
The management of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) is bent on inserting into the system at least three sets of trains acquired from China-based CRRC Dalian Co. Ltd. this month.
“We are doing our best to make sure na ma-insert namin ang Dalian, hopefully this month,” MRT-3 director Mike Capati said in a press conference in Quezon City on Thursday.
The mass rail transit system is now waiting for the go signal from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Japanese maintenance provider Sumitomo.
“Meron ng communication doon but I’m not privy to disclose because it is a top management issue pero kami po ay ready once na sabihan kami,” Capati said.
“We have already accepted three train sets. Given a few days’ notice, we can readily insert it … at saka ang ating provider Sumitomo agrees on whatever conditions they have.”
In 2016, Dalian delivered 48 trains that were purchased by the Aquino administration but were never put to use because the trains were incompatible with MRT system and “overweight.”
“Malaking tulong 'pag nailabas namin ang Dalian,” Capati said.
The train sets can serve at least 10,000 to 20,000 passengers a day.
“We are working on that, ‘di ko lang kayo mabigyan ng konkretong detalye pa kasi I’m still waiting for the go-signal,” Capati noted. —VDS, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/708618/mrt-3-bent-on-making-3-dalian-train-sets-operational-this-september/story/
“We are doing our best to make sure na ma-insert namin ang Dalian, hopefully this month,” MRT-3 director Mike Capati said in a press conference in Quezon City on Thursday.
The mass rail transit system is now waiting for the go signal from the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Japanese maintenance provider Sumitomo.
“Meron ng communication doon but I’m not privy to disclose because it is a top management issue pero kami po ay ready once na sabihan kami,” Capati said.
“We have already accepted three train sets. Given a few days’ notice, we can readily insert it … at saka ang ating provider Sumitomo agrees on whatever conditions they have.”
In 2016, Dalian delivered 48 trains that were purchased by the Aquino administration but were never put to use because the trains were incompatible with MRT system and “overweight.”
“Malaking tulong 'pag nailabas namin ang Dalian,” Capati said.
The train sets can serve at least 10,000 to 20,000 passengers a day.
“We are working on that, ‘di ko lang kayo mabigyan ng konkretong detalye pa kasi I’m still waiting for the go-signal,” Capati noted. —VDS, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/708618/mrt-3-bent-on-making-3-dalian-train-sets-operational-this-september/story/
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
DOTr, San Miguel ink construction deal for Manila International Airport
Groundbreaking for the new airport is set for December
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and San Miguel Corporation (SMC) signed a contract for the $15-billion Manila International Airport on Wednesday, September 18, bringing the building of an alternative to the congested Ninoy International Airport (NAIA) one step closer.
The construction will be fully funded by private equity, with no government guarantee or subsidy. The 50-year concession agreement also puts SMC in charge of the airport's operations and maintenance.
During the bidding in July, no other firms challenged SMC's proposal.
The airport will be constructed on a 2,400-hectare property in Bulakan, Bulacan, allotting space for 4 runways, 8 taxiways, and 3 passenger terminals.
SMC President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon Ang said the airport was designed this way to allow for flights to land and take off simultaneously.
DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said that the addition of this airport to the NAIA and the Clark International Airport will make way for “commercial competitiveness” and contribute to the public’s freedom of choice in traveling.
The airport is expected to accommodate 100 million passengers per year, going up to 200 million if it is upgraded to have 6 runways.
During the concession agreement signing, Tugade also announced he had signed the Notice to Proceed, allowing SMC to begin construction.
According to Ang, groundbreaking is set for December. He also said that the 4 runways will be completed in 5 years.
Road network
Ang said the DOTr agreed to enter the construction deal with SMC on the condition that the airport express and tollways would not cause more congestion along existing roads.
Regarding this, Ang outlined a planned transportation system, which involves 5 roads leading to the airport: Cavite coastal road or the Manila-Cavite Expressway, two routes in the Skyway system, and respective routes from Meycauayan and Bocaue.
He also said a train will be built to transport passengers to key areas, namely Bulacan, Quezon City, Manila, Navotas, and Malabon.
Tugade affirmed the road network will guarantee mobility and connectivity to travelers.
Flooding concerns
With regard to concerns of the construction area being prone to sinking and flooding, Ang responded that plans are in place to pump out water and suck silt from the land.
He also said that surrounding rivers, specifically Tullahan, Meycauayan, and Malolos, will be cleaned within one year. According to Ang, they have already acquired equipment for river cleaning.
He added that these efforts will be done in cooperation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the province of Bulacan.
Tugade said that these plans will be issued with environment clearance.
https://www.rappler.com/business/240426-dotr-san-miguel-construction-deal-manila-international-airport
 |
| FREEDOM OF CHOICE. Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and San Miguel Corporation President Ramon Ang sign the contract to build the Manila International Airport, which Tugade says will contribute to the public’s “freedom of choice” in traveling. Photo by Loreben Tuquero/Rappler |
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and San Miguel Corporation (SMC) signed a contract for the $15-billion Manila International Airport on Wednesday, September 18, bringing the building of an alternative to the congested Ninoy International Airport (NAIA) one step closer.
The construction will be fully funded by private equity, with no government guarantee or subsidy. The 50-year concession agreement also puts SMC in charge of the airport's operations and maintenance.
During the bidding in July, no other firms challenged SMC's proposal.
The airport will be constructed on a 2,400-hectare property in Bulakan, Bulacan, allotting space for 4 runways, 8 taxiways, and 3 passenger terminals.
SMC President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon Ang said the airport was designed this way to allow for flights to land and take off simultaneously.
DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said that the addition of this airport to the NAIA and the Clark International Airport will make way for “commercial competitiveness” and contribute to the public’s freedom of choice in traveling.
The airport is expected to accommodate 100 million passengers per year, going up to 200 million if it is upgraded to have 6 runways.
During the concession agreement signing, Tugade also announced he had signed the Notice to Proceed, allowing SMC to begin construction.
According to Ang, groundbreaking is set for December. He also said that the 4 runways will be completed in 5 years.
Road network
Ang said the DOTr agreed to enter the construction deal with SMC on the condition that the airport express and tollways would not cause more congestion along existing roads.
Regarding this, Ang outlined a planned transportation system, which involves 5 roads leading to the airport: Cavite coastal road or the Manila-Cavite Expressway, two routes in the Skyway system, and respective routes from Meycauayan and Bocaue.
He also said a train will be built to transport passengers to key areas, namely Bulacan, Quezon City, Manila, Navotas, and Malabon.
Tugade affirmed the road network will guarantee mobility and connectivity to travelers.
Flooding concerns
With regard to concerns of the construction area being prone to sinking and flooding, Ang responded that plans are in place to pump out water and suck silt from the land.
He also said that surrounding rivers, specifically Tullahan, Meycauayan, and Malolos, will be cleaned within one year. According to Ang, they have already acquired equipment for river cleaning.
He added that these efforts will be done in cooperation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the province of Bulacan.
Tugade said that these plans will be issued with environment clearance.
https://www.rappler.com/business/240426-dotr-san-miguel-construction-deal-manila-international-airport
DOTr, San Miguel sign agreement for Bulacan airport
CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga -- The construction of the PHP735-billion Bulacan International Airport will start by the end of this year.
This was disclosed on Wednesday during the formal signing of the concession agreement for the airport development project.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade and San Miguel Corporation (SMC) President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon Ang signed here the contract, which covers a 50-year concession period.
Under the agreement, San Miguel will undertake the financing, design, construction, supply, completion, testing, commissioning, and operation and maintenance (O&M) of the new international gateway.
With a design capacity of up to 200 million passengers annually and plans for four parallel runways, the Bulacan International Airport is expected to help decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and complement the operations of Clark International Airport (CRK).
Tugade said the Bulacan airport aims to enhance the mobility and connectivity of air-riding Filipinos through an additional choice of gateway.
He noted that with Bulacan International Airport, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, and Clark International Airport, the riding public will have “freedom of choice”.
“It's all about comfort. It's all about convenience. It's all about putting life to the President's wish and desire for a comfortable life for Filipinos," he said.
Ang, for his part, described the project as “a game changer” that would bring more foreign tourists to the Philippines.
“Once completed, the new international gateway will help in significantly boosting tourism that will lead to creating more job opportunities,” he said.
He also expressed hope that the airport will help boost the economic growth in Central Luzon.
“This project will generate over a million direct and indirect jobs, improving the quality of life of many families, and will give rise to small industries in Bulacan and neighboring provinces,” Ang said.
The airport operations are targeted to commence in four to six years. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080785
This was disclosed on Wednesday during the formal signing of the concession agreement for the airport development project.
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade and San Miguel Corporation (SMC) President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon Ang signed here the contract, which covers a 50-year concession period.
Under the agreement, San Miguel will undertake the financing, design, construction, supply, completion, testing, commissioning, and operation and maintenance (O&M) of the new international gateway.
With a design capacity of up to 200 million passengers annually and plans for four parallel runways, the Bulacan International Airport is expected to help decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and complement the operations of Clark International Airport (CRK).
Tugade said the Bulacan airport aims to enhance the mobility and connectivity of air-riding Filipinos through an additional choice of gateway.
He noted that with Bulacan International Airport, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, and Clark International Airport, the riding public will have “freedom of choice”.
“It's all about comfort. It's all about convenience. It's all about putting life to the President's wish and desire for a comfortable life for Filipinos," he said.
Ang, for his part, described the project as “a game changer” that would bring more foreign tourists to the Philippines.
“Once completed, the new international gateway will help in significantly boosting tourism that will lead to creating more job opportunities,” he said.
He also expressed hope that the airport will help boost the economic growth in Central Luzon.
“This project will generate over a million direct and indirect jobs, improving the quality of life of many families, and will give rise to small industries in Bulacan and neighboring provinces,” Ang said.
The airport operations are targeted to commence in four to six years. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080785
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
6 new railways to look out for
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has allocated P100.6 billion or 98% of its 2020 infrastructure budget to its ongoing railway projects, 5 times its railway allocation for 2019.
During the DOTr's budget briefing on Thursday, September 5, Railways Undersecretary Timothy Batan outlined the goals of the railway sector by 2022, namely increase the:
The need to prioritize railways was heavily felt, given the lack of any approved infrastructure projects for the maritime and road sectors, and the approval of only two projects for the aviation sector.
Despite getting the largest chunk, the railway sector still suffered a funding gap of P191 billion for foreign-assisted projects, which account for most of the railways in the pipeline.
Out of the P781 billion committed to these projects by official development assistance (ODA) lenders, Japan committed P481 billion, China, P14 billion, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), P286 billion.
How much are each of these railway projects worth, and what is their status so far?
1. North-South Commuter Railway System (NSCR)
National expenditure program (NEP) 2020 allocation: P84.7 billion
Total project cost: P777.55 billion
Source of funding: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and ADB
Construction timeline: Partial operations by 2021, full operations by 2023
Capacity: 350,000 passengers daily
Status: 3 civil works contract packages opened for bidding in August
The 147-kilometer, 37-station mass transportation system aims to bridge Central Luzon, Metro Manila, and Southern Luzon by integrating Philippine National Railway (PNR) Clark 1, PNR Clark 2, and PNR Calamba. It is expected to shorten travel time from North Avenue to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 to 45 minutes.
The railway will also link the Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines 1 and 2, the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) line 3, and the forthcoming Metro Manila Subway.
It is the biggest project under the 'Build, Build, Build' program.
2. Metro Manila Subway Project
NEP 2020 allocation: P9.8 billion
Total project cost: P356.96 billion
Source of funding: ODA
Construction timeline: Partial operations by the 2nd quarter of 2022, main line completion by the 3rd quarter of 2025
Capacity: 365,000 passengers daily
Status: Groundbreaking ceremony was held last February
The 35-kilometer underground railway will span Valenzuela City to Parañaque, with a connection to NAIA Terminal 3.
By 2022, 3 stations are expected to be in operation, namely the Mindanao Avenue-Quirino Highway, Tandang Sora, and North Avenue stations.
By 2025, 15 stations will be operational, connecting Quirino Highway to NAIA Terminal 3 and cutting travel time down to half an hour with the trains running up to 80 km/h.
3. MRT3 Rehabilitation Project
NEP 2020 allocation: P5 billion
Total project cost: P21.97 billion
Source of funding: ODA
Construction timeline: Completion by December 2022
Capacity: 650,000 passengers daily
Status: Ongoing procurement of supervision consultant
The rehabilitation project will cover restoration of assets including light rail vehicles, tracks, signaling system, overhead catenary system (OCS), communications sytem, and depot and station equipment. It will also undergo a 43-month maintenance period, which already started in May 2019 and will end in November 2022.
The MRT3 has deteriorated and runs at a slower operating speed – from 60 km/h to 30 km/h – and increased gaps between trains from 3.5 minutes to 7.5-10 minutes.
The deterioration was blamed on the "compounded effect of neglect, bad maintenance practices, and failure to undertake scheduled overhaul and upgrading works" by the previous maintenance provider. This prompted the DOTr-MRT3 to enact a comprehensive rehabilitation, repair, and restoration of MRT3.
4. Mindanao Railway Project
NEP 2020 allocation: P97 million
Total project cost: P82.9 billion (a 130% increase)
Source of funding: China ODA
Construction timeline: Start by the 1st quarter of 2020, target opening by the 4th quarter of 2022
Capacity: 110,000 passengers
Status: Ongoing pre-construction works and environmental impact assessment
The project targets reduced travel time from Tagum City, Davao del Norte to Digos City, Davao del Sur from 3 hours to one hour.
The 3 cities of Tagum, Davao, and Digos entered into a memorandum of agreement with P5.6 billion allocated to the acquisition of properties and administrative costs.
Its project cost jumped from P35.9 billion to P82.9 billion in July to cover changes in the cost of construction works and the addition of a satellite post in Davao City.
5. PNR South Long Haul
NEP 2020 allocation: P877 million
Total project cost: P175.32 billion
Source of funding: China ODA
Construction timeline: Start by 4th quarter of 2019, partial operations by 2nd quarter of 2022
Capacity: 100,000 passengers
Status: Establishing control points
The 639-kilometer line will connect Metro Manila to the Southern Luzon provinces, shortening travel time from 12 hours via car to only 6 hours.
A loan agreement for the railway's project management consultancy was signed during the bilateral meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping last August 29.
The PNR was earlier flagged for illegally using the funds for the PNR South Long Haul Railway to pay for security services costs incurred in 2017. The current organization of the PNR drew flak for its inefficiency and mismanagement. (READ: COA raises red flags over PNR 'illegal use' of funds)
6. LRT1 Cavite Extension
NEP 2020 allocation: P74 million
Total project cost: P64.9 billion
Source of funding: Public-private partnership for civil works and electromechanical system, Japan ODA for light rail vehicles and depot
Construction timeline: Partial operability by 4th quarter of 2021, completion by 2022
Capacity: 300,000 to 500,000 passengers daily
Status: Ongoing piling works since September 1
The 11.7-kilometer extension will add stations in Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Cavite and will reduce travel time from Baclaran to Bacoor from 1-2 hours to 25 minutes.
It will also allow commuters coming from the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) to travel to and from Metro Manila. Cavite 7th District Representative Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla had earlier moved to suspend PITX operations until the LRT1 extension is completed.
He also slammed the Light Rail Manila Corporation, consisting of Ayala Corporation, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, and the Macquarie Group, for delays in construction of the LRT1 Cavite extension.
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/239702-new-railways-to-look-out-for
During the DOTr's budget briefing on Thursday, September 5, Railways Undersecretary Timothy Batan outlined the goals of the railway sector by 2022, namely increase the:
- route length of active railways (at least partially operable or fully-financed) from 1,144 kilometers to 1,900 kilometers
- number of stations from 59 to 169
- number of coaches from 221 to 1,425
- number of passengers from one million to 3 million
The need to prioritize railways was heavily felt, given the lack of any approved infrastructure projects for the maritime and road sectors, and the approval of only two projects for the aviation sector.
Despite getting the largest chunk, the railway sector still suffered a funding gap of P191 billion for foreign-assisted projects, which account for most of the railways in the pipeline.
Out of the P781 billion committed to these projects by official development assistance (ODA) lenders, Japan committed P481 billion, China, P14 billion, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), P286 billion.
How much are each of these railway projects worth, and what is their status so far?
1. North-South Commuter Railway System (NSCR)
National expenditure program (NEP) 2020 allocation: P84.7 billion
Total project cost: P777.55 billion
Source of funding: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and ADB
Construction timeline: Partial operations by 2021, full operations by 2023
Capacity: 350,000 passengers daily
Status: 3 civil works contract packages opened for bidding in August
The 147-kilometer, 37-station mass transportation system aims to bridge Central Luzon, Metro Manila, and Southern Luzon by integrating Philippine National Railway (PNR) Clark 1, PNR Clark 2, and PNR Calamba. It is expected to shorten travel time from North Avenue to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 to 45 minutes.
The railway will also link the Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines 1 and 2, the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) line 3, and the forthcoming Metro Manila Subway.
It is the biggest project under the 'Build, Build, Build' program.
2. Metro Manila Subway Project
NEP 2020 allocation: P9.8 billion
Total project cost: P356.96 billion
Source of funding: ODA
Construction timeline: Partial operations by the 2nd quarter of 2022, main line completion by the 3rd quarter of 2025
Capacity: 365,000 passengers daily
Status: Groundbreaking ceremony was held last February
The 35-kilometer underground railway will span Valenzuela City to Parañaque, with a connection to NAIA Terminal 3.
By 2022, 3 stations are expected to be in operation, namely the Mindanao Avenue-Quirino Highway, Tandang Sora, and North Avenue stations.
By 2025, 15 stations will be operational, connecting Quirino Highway to NAIA Terminal 3 and cutting travel time down to half an hour with the trains running up to 80 km/h.
3. MRT3 Rehabilitation Project
NEP 2020 allocation: P5 billion
Total project cost: P21.97 billion
Source of funding: ODA
Construction timeline: Completion by December 2022
Capacity: 650,000 passengers daily
Status: Ongoing procurement of supervision consultant
The rehabilitation project will cover restoration of assets including light rail vehicles, tracks, signaling system, overhead catenary system (OCS), communications sytem, and depot and station equipment. It will also undergo a 43-month maintenance period, which already started in May 2019 and will end in November 2022.
The MRT3 has deteriorated and runs at a slower operating speed – from 60 km/h to 30 km/h – and increased gaps between trains from 3.5 minutes to 7.5-10 minutes.
The deterioration was blamed on the "compounded effect of neglect, bad maintenance practices, and failure to undertake scheduled overhaul and upgrading works" by the previous maintenance provider. This prompted the DOTr-MRT3 to enact a comprehensive rehabilitation, repair, and restoration of MRT3.
4. Mindanao Railway Project
NEP 2020 allocation: P97 million
Total project cost: P82.9 billion (a 130% increase)
Source of funding: China ODA
Construction timeline: Start by the 1st quarter of 2020, target opening by the 4th quarter of 2022
Capacity: 110,000 passengers
Status: Ongoing pre-construction works and environmental impact assessment
The project targets reduced travel time from Tagum City, Davao del Norte to Digos City, Davao del Sur from 3 hours to one hour.
The 3 cities of Tagum, Davao, and Digos entered into a memorandum of agreement with P5.6 billion allocated to the acquisition of properties and administrative costs.
Its project cost jumped from P35.9 billion to P82.9 billion in July to cover changes in the cost of construction works and the addition of a satellite post in Davao City.
5. PNR South Long Haul
NEP 2020 allocation: P877 million
Total project cost: P175.32 billion
Source of funding: China ODA
Construction timeline: Start by 4th quarter of 2019, partial operations by 2nd quarter of 2022
Capacity: 100,000 passengers
Status: Establishing control points
The 639-kilometer line will connect Metro Manila to the Southern Luzon provinces, shortening travel time from 12 hours via car to only 6 hours.
A loan agreement for the railway's project management consultancy was signed during the bilateral meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping last August 29.
The PNR was earlier flagged for illegally using the funds for the PNR South Long Haul Railway to pay for security services costs incurred in 2017. The current organization of the PNR drew flak for its inefficiency and mismanagement. (READ: COA raises red flags over PNR 'illegal use' of funds)
6. LRT1 Cavite Extension
NEP 2020 allocation: P74 million
Total project cost: P64.9 billion
Source of funding: Public-private partnership for civil works and electromechanical system, Japan ODA for light rail vehicles and depot
Construction timeline: Partial operability by 4th quarter of 2021, completion by 2022
Capacity: 300,000 to 500,000 passengers daily
Status: Ongoing piling works since September 1
The 11.7-kilometer extension will add stations in Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Cavite and will reduce travel time from Baclaran to Bacoor from 1-2 hours to 25 minutes.
It will also allow commuters coming from the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) to travel to and from Metro Manila. Cavite 7th District Representative Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla had earlier moved to suspend PITX operations until the LRT1 extension is completed.
He also slammed the Light Rail Manila Corporation, consisting of Ayala Corporation, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, and the Macquarie Group, for delays in construction of the LRT1 Cavite extension.
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/239702-new-railways-to-look-out-for
P79-billion MRT 7 halfway done – DOTR
By Emmie V. Abadilla
The P79-billion Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT7) connecting Quezon City to San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan is now halfway complete, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) yesterday reported.
To be precise, the 22-kilometer rail system is 47.21 per cent finished and will be operational in 2021, reducing the two to three-hour travel time between the two points to 35 minutes.
Overall, MRT7 will service some 420,000 passengers in Metro Manila and nearby provinces of Bulacan and Rizal. It will connect with Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1, MRT 3, and the Metro Manila Subway via the Common Station, which to be built between SM North EDSA and Trinoma mall.
Construction of the project is currently in full swing, 24/7. Building the rolling stock and electrical and mechanical (E&M) works are also in progress, with 108 cars already completed todate.
Ongoing civil works include the guideway construction, underground/depressed and at-grade excavation or concreting works, and installation of coping beam, girder and trans-slabs on the elevated structures.
The project’s private proponent, San Miguel Corporation, through Universal LRT Corp BVI Ltd (ULC), hired the Hyundai Rotem-EEI consortium as engineering, procurement and construction contractor for MRT 7.
“The future of Quezon City depends on big infrastructure projects of the national government as this one,” DOTR said.
https://business.mb.com.ph/2019/09/09/p79-billion-mrt-7-halfway-done-dotr/
The P79-billion Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT7) connecting Quezon City to San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan is now halfway complete, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) yesterday reported.
To be precise, the 22-kilometer rail system is 47.21 per cent finished and will be operational in 2021, reducing the two to three-hour travel time between the two points to 35 minutes.
Overall, MRT7 will service some 420,000 passengers in Metro Manila and nearby provinces of Bulacan and Rizal. It will connect with Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1, MRT 3, and the Metro Manila Subway via the Common Station, which to be built between SM North EDSA and Trinoma mall.
Construction of the project is currently in full swing, 24/7. Building the rolling stock and electrical and mechanical (E&M) works are also in progress, with 108 cars already completed todate.
Ongoing civil works include the guideway construction, underground/depressed and at-grade excavation or concreting works, and installation of coping beam, girder and trans-slabs on the elevated structures.
The project’s private proponent, San Miguel Corporation, through Universal LRT Corp BVI Ltd (ULC), hired the Hyundai Rotem-EEI consortium as engineering, procurement and construction contractor for MRT 7.
“The future of Quezon City depends on big infrastructure projects of the national government as this one,” DOTR said.
https://business.mb.com.ph/2019/09/09/p79-billion-mrt-7-halfway-done-dotr/
Monday, September 9, 2019
NLEX-SLEX connector, more MRT trains to ease Edsa traffic
By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
Senator Grace Poe on Monday said the promised completion of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) - South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) connector road, more trains running in the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and elevated walkways connecting buildings in urban centers would help ease traffic in Edsa.
“There are things that can help traffic move faster in EDSA and Mega Manila -- the completion of the NLEX-SLEX connector road, which hopefully by January will be completed,” Poe said during her speech at the BusinessWorld Industry 4.0 Summit.
The eight-kilometer elevated four-lane expressway connects the NLEX and SLEX through Segment 10 -- C3 Road in Caloocan City to Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Sta. Mesa, Manila -- and Skyway Stage 3.
The project is expected to be traversed by those going through Metro Manila from the north to the south and vice versa, which would effectively relocate a significant portion of vehicular traffic on Edsa.
Another big-impact project, she said, was increasing the number of trains running in the MRT-3, which is yet to be fully realized.
“We’ve been promised many times that the trains that were imported from Dalian will be working soon, but out of the 16 trains, only two or three are working after five years,” Poe said.
An PHP18-billion comprehensive rehabilitation of the MRT-3 is currently ongoing, which the Department of Transportation hopes would increase the ridership of the MRT-3 from the daily average of 320,000 to 650,000 by its expected completion on July 2021.
Sumitomo-MHI TESP, the contractor and maintenance provider of the MRT-3 project, will also overhaul all light rail vehicles of the rail transit, replace mainline tracks to increase its operating speeds, rehabilitate power and overhead catenary systems, among other upgrades.
Walkways, innovative transport systems
Aside from motorized mass transportation, the senator also highlighted conventional walkways as an effective solution to congestion in the metro.
“If the government would mandate that, if you build certain buildings in a financial center or a business center, you should already have elevated walkways to connect to other buildings,” Poe said.
She emphasized that these mass transport systems would be more effective than regulations on innovative transport systems such as transport network companies (TNC) like Grab and Angkas.
“Yet the initial reaction of some people, such as the LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board), was to treat the TNCs like taxi operators and regulate their supply and price,” Poe said.
The senator said passenger rights and innovations must be carefully balanced because “nothing chokes an enterprise more than excessive regulation.”
She added that the Philippines’ mass transportation is not yet fully available, thus, “the state is obligated to explore new modes of transportation for the sake of our commuters.”
During the summit, experts from both the government and private sectors tackled the fourth industrial revolution brought by such innovative technologies as learning robots through artificial intelligence, Internet of things, 3D-printing, among others. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1079978
Senator Grace Poe on Monday said the promised completion of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) - South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) connector road, more trains running in the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and elevated walkways connecting buildings in urban centers would help ease traffic in Edsa.
“There are things that can help traffic move faster in EDSA and Mega Manila -- the completion of the NLEX-SLEX connector road, which hopefully by January will be completed,” Poe said during her speech at the BusinessWorld Industry 4.0 Summit.
The eight-kilometer elevated four-lane expressway connects the NLEX and SLEX through Segment 10 -- C3 Road in Caloocan City to Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Sta. Mesa, Manila -- and Skyway Stage 3.
The project is expected to be traversed by those going through Metro Manila from the north to the south and vice versa, which would effectively relocate a significant portion of vehicular traffic on Edsa.
Another big-impact project, she said, was increasing the number of trains running in the MRT-3, which is yet to be fully realized.
“We’ve been promised many times that the trains that were imported from Dalian will be working soon, but out of the 16 trains, only two or three are working after five years,” Poe said.
An PHP18-billion comprehensive rehabilitation of the MRT-3 is currently ongoing, which the Department of Transportation hopes would increase the ridership of the MRT-3 from the daily average of 320,000 to 650,000 by its expected completion on July 2021.
Sumitomo-MHI TESP, the contractor and maintenance provider of the MRT-3 project, will also overhaul all light rail vehicles of the rail transit, replace mainline tracks to increase its operating speeds, rehabilitate power and overhead catenary systems, among other upgrades.
Walkways, innovative transport systems
Aside from motorized mass transportation, the senator also highlighted conventional walkways as an effective solution to congestion in the metro.
“If the government would mandate that, if you build certain buildings in a financial center or a business center, you should already have elevated walkways to connect to other buildings,” Poe said.
She emphasized that these mass transport systems would be more effective than regulations on innovative transport systems such as transport network companies (TNC) like Grab and Angkas.
“Yet the initial reaction of some people, such as the LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board), was to treat the TNCs like taxi operators and regulate their supply and price,” Poe said.
The senator said passenger rights and innovations must be carefully balanced because “nothing chokes an enterprise more than excessive regulation.”
She added that the Philippines’ mass transportation is not yet fully available, thus, “the state is obligated to explore new modes of transportation for the sake of our commuters.”
During the summit, experts from both the government and private sectors tackled the fourth industrial revolution brought by such innovative technologies as learning robots through artificial intelligence, Internet of things, 3D-printing, among others. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1079978
Metro Pacific offers to extend Cavitex to Tanza
Cavitex Infrastructure Corp., a unit of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., is set to submit this month a proposal to the Toll Regulatory Board to extend the Manila-Cavite Expressway from Kawit to Tanza in Cavite province for P30 billion.
“We hope to get a resolution from Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) and then after that we will jointly submit together with PRA to TRB within September,” said CIC president and general manager Robeto Bontia.
He said PRA would hold a special board meeting on September 11.
The company plans construct Segment 5 of Cavitex―a 22-kilometer road that will link Kawit to Noveleta to Sanglely and Sangley to Tanza in Cavite.
It plans to start construction of the first phase of the project, an expressway going to Sangley, by early 2021.
Cavitex is a 14-kilometer expressway linking Manila and Cavite province.
MPCala Holdings Inc., a unit of MPTC, earlier said the Laguna segment of the P35.4-billion Cavite Laguna Expressway was set to open to motorists by next month.
The first segment starts at the Mamplasan Barrier and passes through Laguna Technopark Interchange, Laguna Boulevard Interchange all the way to Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Interchange.
The construction of the Cavite side is expected to be completed by 2022.
MPCALA tapped Leighton Holdings of Australia to build the Cavite side and local contractor DMCI Consunji Inc. to construct the Laguna segment.
The Cavite segment comprises 27 kilometers of the 45-kilometer Cavite-Laguna Expressway.
The Cavite segment starts from Kawit, Cavite and traverses the Imus Open Canal, Governor’s Drive, Dasmariñas, Aguinaldo Highway and Silang which will connect to the Laguna segment from Sta. Rosa exiting to Mamplasan toward South Luzon Expressway.
http://manilastandard.net/business/corporate/304420/metro-pacific-offers-to-extend-cavitex-to-tanza.html
“We hope to get a resolution from Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) and then after that we will jointly submit together with PRA to TRB within September,” said CIC president and general manager Robeto Bontia.
He said PRA would hold a special board meeting on September 11.
The company plans construct Segment 5 of Cavitex―a 22-kilometer road that will link Kawit to Noveleta to Sanglely and Sangley to Tanza in Cavite.
It plans to start construction of the first phase of the project, an expressway going to Sangley, by early 2021.
Cavitex is a 14-kilometer expressway linking Manila and Cavite province.
MPCala Holdings Inc., a unit of MPTC, earlier said the Laguna segment of the P35.4-billion Cavite Laguna Expressway was set to open to motorists by next month.
The first segment starts at the Mamplasan Barrier and passes through Laguna Technopark Interchange, Laguna Boulevard Interchange all the way to Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Interchange.
The construction of the Cavite side is expected to be completed by 2022.
MPCALA tapped Leighton Holdings of Australia to build the Cavite side and local contractor DMCI Consunji Inc. to construct the Laguna segment.
The Cavite segment comprises 27 kilometers of the 45-kilometer Cavite-Laguna Expressway.
The Cavite segment starts from Kawit, Cavite and traverses the Imus Open Canal, Governor’s Drive, Dasmariñas, Aguinaldo Highway and Silang which will connect to the Laguna segment from Sta. Rosa exiting to Mamplasan toward South Luzon Expressway.
http://manilastandard.net/business/corporate/304420/metro-pacific-offers-to-extend-cavitex-to-tanza.html
Friday, September 6, 2019
Work on Tagaytay toll road likely to start early next year—DPWH
The Public Works Department said it expects to start the construction of the P22.4-billion Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Expressway project early next year.
“Hopefully by fourth quarter, we get approval from NEDA Board. Then Swiss Challenge. So we can start early next year,” Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said.
The agency last year granted the original proponent status to Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. for the construction of CTBEX.
CTBEX is a 50.4-kilometer expressway that will connect Cavite and Batangas, with a spur road to Tagaytay City and ultimately terminating in Nasugbu and another spur road to Tuy, Batangas.
CTBEX would decongest about 23,000 vehicles daily from existing thoroughfares.
The project will start at Silang East Interchange of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway. The alignment will traverse the towns of Silang, Amadeo, Mendez, Alfonso and Tagaytay in Cavite and Nasugbu in Batangas.
MPCALA Holdings Inc., a subsidiary of MPTC is also constructing the P35-billion Cavite-Laguna Expressway―a four-lane, 47-kilometer closed-system toll expressway connecting Cavitex and South Luzon Expressway.
The expressway will start from Cavitex in Kawit, Cavite and end at SLEX-Mamplasan Interchange in Biñan, Laguna.
Parent Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. is building the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road, an 8-kilometer, four-lane toll road linking the North Luzon Expressway and South Luzon Expressway, passing through Metro Manila and using the existing Philippine National Railway alignment as the route.
The MPIC Group operates North Luzon Expressway, Subic-Tarlac Expressway, and Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway.
http://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/304190
“Hopefully by fourth quarter, we get approval from NEDA Board. Then Swiss Challenge. So we can start early next year,” Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said.
The agency last year granted the original proponent status to Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. for the construction of CTBEX.
CTBEX is a 50.4-kilometer expressway that will connect Cavite and Batangas, with a spur road to Tagaytay City and ultimately terminating in Nasugbu and another spur road to Tuy, Batangas.
CTBEX would decongest about 23,000 vehicles daily from existing thoroughfares.
The project will start at Silang East Interchange of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway. The alignment will traverse the towns of Silang, Amadeo, Mendez, Alfonso and Tagaytay in Cavite and Nasugbu in Batangas.
MPCALA Holdings Inc., a subsidiary of MPTC is also constructing the P35-billion Cavite-Laguna Expressway―a four-lane, 47-kilometer closed-system toll expressway connecting Cavitex and South Luzon Expressway.
The expressway will start from Cavitex in Kawit, Cavite and end at SLEX-Mamplasan Interchange in Biñan, Laguna.
Parent Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. is building the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road, an 8-kilometer, four-lane toll road linking the North Luzon Expressway and South Luzon Expressway, passing through Metro Manila and using the existing Philippine National Railway alignment as the route.
The MPIC Group operates North Luzon Expressway, Subic-Tarlac Expressway, and Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway.
http://manilastandard.net/mobile/article/304190
Thursday, September 5, 2019
DOTr seeks P2.9 billion to augment 2020 budget
By Charissa Luci-Atienza
The Department of Transportation is seeking additional P2.9 billion to fund its priority projects, including the development of four airports, the construction of the Pagasa Island port, and the implementation of the public utility vehicle modernization program.
DOTr Undersecretary for Finance Garry de Guzman presented to the House Committee on Appropriations the agency’s “wish list”, citing the need to augment their proposed P147-billion budget for 2020, which is more than double than this year’s P67.67 billion budget.
“Our total additional funding request for 2020 is P2.9 billion, augmentation for DOTr projects,” he told the panel.
He identified the DOTr’s list of priority projects which were unfunded under their proposed 2020 budget.
De Guzman said the aviation sector needs P865 million for the development of airports and upgrading of airport facilities.
Of this, P100 million will be allocated for the development of Laguindingan Airport, P75 million for Virac Airport, P75 million for Ormoc Airport, and P100 million for the Antique Airport “to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA),” he said.
The DOTr is also seeking P227.5-million funding for the Pagasa Island port, P72 million for the establishment of the K-9 Academy, P691 million for the public utility vehicle modernization program, and P201.9 million for the Inter-agency Council for Traffic.
Under their proposed additional funding requests, P486.5 million will be allocated to the maritime sector and P1.5 billion for the road sector.
De Guzman said they need another P62 million for the creation of the Philippine Railway Institute.
During the briefing, he disclosed P108 billion has been allocated to fund the DOTr’s infrastructure projects, 99 percent of which or P106.7 billion will benefit the railway sector.
Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr., the vice-chairperson of House Committee on Appropriations, has noted that P106.7 billion to build, renew, and upgrade railways for next year “is five times the P19.9-billion allocation this year for the same purpose.”
Of the 106.7 billion budget for the railway sector, P84.8 billion will go to North-South Commuter Railway System, the 147-kilometer, 36-station elevated railway project that will run from Calamba, Laguna to New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.
The railway will also provide a direct link to Clark International Airport in the cities of Angeles and Mabalacat in Pampanga.
The DOTr’s allocation for the Railway Construction, Rehabilitation and Improvement Program in the proposed P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020 also includes P9.8 billion for the Metro Manila Subway Project Phase 1; P5 billion for the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 Rehabilitation Project; P878 million for the South Long-Haul Project that will link up Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Bicol and cut travel time between Manila and Legazpi City to just six hours, from 13 hours; P97 million for the Mindanao Railway Project; and P74 million for the LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension Project.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/09/05/dotr-seeks-p2-9-billion-to-augment-2020-budget/
The Department of Transportation is seeking additional P2.9 billion to fund its priority projects, including the development of four airports, the construction of the Pagasa Island port, and the implementation of the public utility vehicle modernization program.
DOTr Undersecretary for Finance Garry de Guzman presented to the House Committee on Appropriations the agency’s “wish list”, citing the need to augment their proposed P147-billion budget for 2020, which is more than double than this year’s P67.67 billion budget.
“Our total additional funding request for 2020 is P2.9 billion, augmentation for DOTr projects,” he told the panel.
He identified the DOTr’s list of priority projects which were unfunded under their proposed 2020 budget.
De Guzman said the aviation sector needs P865 million for the development of airports and upgrading of airport facilities.
Of this, P100 million will be allocated for the development of Laguindingan Airport, P75 million for Virac Airport, P75 million for Ormoc Airport, and P100 million for the Antique Airport “to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA),” he said.
The DOTr is also seeking P227.5-million funding for the Pagasa Island port, P72 million for the establishment of the K-9 Academy, P691 million for the public utility vehicle modernization program, and P201.9 million for the Inter-agency Council for Traffic.
Under their proposed additional funding requests, P486.5 million will be allocated to the maritime sector and P1.5 billion for the road sector.
De Guzman said they need another P62 million for the creation of the Philippine Railway Institute.
During the briefing, he disclosed P108 billion has been allocated to fund the DOTr’s infrastructure projects, 99 percent of which or P106.7 billion will benefit the railway sector.
Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr., the vice-chairperson of House Committee on Appropriations, has noted that P106.7 billion to build, renew, and upgrade railways for next year “is five times the P19.9-billion allocation this year for the same purpose.”
Of the 106.7 billion budget for the railway sector, P84.8 billion will go to North-South Commuter Railway System, the 147-kilometer, 36-station elevated railway project that will run from Calamba, Laguna to New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.
The railway will also provide a direct link to Clark International Airport in the cities of Angeles and Mabalacat in Pampanga.
The DOTr’s allocation for the Railway Construction, Rehabilitation and Improvement Program in the proposed P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020 also includes P9.8 billion for the Metro Manila Subway Project Phase 1; P5 billion for the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 Rehabilitation Project; P878 million for the South Long-Haul Project that will link up Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Bicol and cut travel time between Manila and Legazpi City to just six hours, from 13 hours; P97 million for the Mindanao Railway Project; and P74 million for the LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension Project.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/09/05/dotr-seeks-p2-9-billion-to-augment-2020-budget/
Tunnel digging for Metro Manila subway to start November
Contractors will start digging for the Metro Manila Subway before the year ends, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.
Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John Batan told lawmakers during the agency's budget hearing that digging for subway stations is set to start by November or December this year, following an eight-month design study for the project.
"The detailed engineering design of our contractor has been ongoing from February to October. Patapos na po sila. By November-December this year, mobilize ng equipment, hukay na po tayo sa subway project natin [we'll start digging for the subway project]," Batan told members of the House appropriations committtee on Thursday.
The subway project stretches 36 kilometers long and covers seven cities and 15 stations. It will start in Quirino Highway in Quezon City all the way to Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City. It is funded through the Japan International Cooperation Agency worth ₱357 billion.
Batan said they are looking to start partial operations of the new railway as early as end-2021, initially by ferrying passengers across three stations: Tandang Sora, Mindanao Avenue, and North Avenue, all located in Quezon City.
Tunnel boring machines have arrived in the country and will be assembled for the digging phase.
Once fully operational by 2025, the project is expected to cut travel time end-to-end to 30 minutes from the current two to three hours. It is expected to serve 300,000 passengers daily.
Emergency powers
Meanwhile, DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade made a fresh pitch for Congress to grant emergency powers to solve the ever-worsening traffic congestion in the capital.
Back in 2016, Tugade requested for special powers that would delegate him as traffic chief over the next three years. He will oversee and control all efforts to manage traffic and transportation specifically in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Davao City, including the creation of a unified traffic system for each metropolitan area.
The measure cleared the House but failed to do so in the Senate. However, Tugade is not giving up.
"Kung walang emergency powers, kung susundin yung proseso sa procurement at bidding, mabagal ho [If we don't have emergency powers and we follow the process of procurement and bidding, it will be slow]," Tugade told members of the committee.
"Because of the uniqueness of situation, we need a unique solution... Kailangan natin 'yan for the enjoyment for the materiality of time. We believe in our project and we need the time to be able to put this in motion," he added.
But Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman rejected Tugade's proposal, saying that existing laws already allow leeway to cut short bureaucratic processes as needed.
The DOTr asked for a ₱147-billion budget for 2020, double its current funding. The agency said ₱108 billion is earmarked for infrastructure, with bulk of the funds meant for railway projects.
The DOTr expects to open the Mindanao Railway by 2021, and the new segment of the Philippine National Railways linking Clark, Pampanga to Los Banos, Laguna by 2022.
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/9/5/Metro-Manila-subway-digging-November.html
Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John Batan told lawmakers during the agency's budget hearing that digging for subway stations is set to start by November or December this year, following an eight-month design study for the project.
"The detailed engineering design of our contractor has been ongoing from February to October. Patapos na po sila. By November-December this year, mobilize ng equipment, hukay na po tayo sa subway project natin [we'll start digging for the subway project]," Batan told members of the House appropriations committtee on Thursday.
The subway project stretches 36 kilometers long and covers seven cities and 15 stations. It will start in Quirino Highway in Quezon City all the way to Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City. It is funded through the Japan International Cooperation Agency worth ₱357 billion.
Batan said they are looking to start partial operations of the new railway as early as end-2021, initially by ferrying passengers across three stations: Tandang Sora, Mindanao Avenue, and North Avenue, all located in Quezon City.
Tunnel boring machines have arrived in the country and will be assembled for the digging phase.
Once fully operational by 2025, the project is expected to cut travel time end-to-end to 30 minutes from the current two to three hours. It is expected to serve 300,000 passengers daily.
Emergency powers
Meanwhile, DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade made a fresh pitch for Congress to grant emergency powers to solve the ever-worsening traffic congestion in the capital.
Back in 2016, Tugade requested for special powers that would delegate him as traffic chief over the next three years. He will oversee and control all efforts to manage traffic and transportation specifically in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Davao City, including the creation of a unified traffic system for each metropolitan area.
The measure cleared the House but failed to do so in the Senate. However, Tugade is not giving up.
"Kung walang emergency powers, kung susundin yung proseso sa procurement at bidding, mabagal ho [If we don't have emergency powers and we follow the process of procurement and bidding, it will be slow]," Tugade told members of the committee.
"Because of the uniqueness of situation, we need a unique solution... Kailangan natin 'yan for the enjoyment for the materiality of time. We believe in our project and we need the time to be able to put this in motion," he added.
But Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman rejected Tugade's proposal, saying that existing laws already allow leeway to cut short bureaucratic processes as needed.
The DOTr asked for a ₱147-billion budget for 2020, double its current funding. The agency said ₱108 billion is earmarked for infrastructure, with bulk of the funds meant for railway projects.
The DOTr expects to open the Mindanao Railway by 2021, and the new segment of the Philippine National Railways linking Clark, Pampanga to Los Banos, Laguna by 2022.
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/9/5/Metro-Manila-subway-digging-November.html
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
LRT 1 Cavite extension project finally starts
Extended rail line seen cutting travel time from Pasay to Cavite to 25 mins
After 19 years, the piling works for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1 Cavite Extension Project have finally started after successfully clearing the right-of-way (ROW) problems that marred the project in Parañaque City, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Link Pasay to Cavite
This signals new movement in the upcoming transit line, whose delayed implementation was brought up during a Senate inquiry in August amid the bungled, disjointed traffic measures implemented by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.
The extended rail line will link Pasay City to Cavite and reduce travel time from 2 hours to only 25 minutes and is seen as a crucial node in rationalizing routes to and from the south, especially after the completion of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange.
The piling works involve the construction of the supporting piers for the elevated railway structures which will start at Dr. Santos Station in Parañaque, the DOTr said.
Sixty-seven piers from Dr. Santos to Ninoy Aquino station already begun construction since Sept. 1, and will be followed by 40 piers to AsiaWorld and 22 piers from Redemptorist Road to the existing LRT 1 Baclaran station.
Construction of the 74 piers from AsiaWorld to Redemptorist, meanwhile, will start on March 2020.
Together these five stations make up the first phase of the project which is expected to operate partially by 2021. The rest of the line to Niog, Bacoor, is expected to be up and running by 2022.
Simultaneous piling
To speed up construction, the DOTr said it would conduct piling works simultaneously in areas where ROW has already been cleared.
Remaining ROW obstructions under Package 1 include auxiliary facilities (traffic lights, plant boxes, drainage lines) that would be cleared with the help of the local government of Parañaque.
Last month, Transport Undersecretary for Roads Mark de Leon told senators that the LRT 1 Cavite Extension project was delayed because of ROW issues.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1160559/lrt-1-cavite-extension-project-finally-starts
After 19 years, the piling works for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1 Cavite Extension Project have finally started after successfully clearing the right-of-way (ROW) problems that marred the project in Parañaque City, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Link Pasay to Cavite
This signals new movement in the upcoming transit line, whose delayed implementation was brought up during a Senate inquiry in August amid the bungled, disjointed traffic measures implemented by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.
The extended rail line will link Pasay City to Cavite and reduce travel time from 2 hours to only 25 minutes and is seen as a crucial node in rationalizing routes to and from the south, especially after the completion of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange.
The piling works involve the construction of the supporting piers for the elevated railway structures which will start at Dr. Santos Station in Parañaque, the DOTr said.
Sixty-seven piers from Dr. Santos to Ninoy Aquino station already begun construction since Sept. 1, and will be followed by 40 piers to AsiaWorld and 22 piers from Redemptorist Road to the existing LRT 1 Baclaran station.
Construction of the 74 piers from AsiaWorld to Redemptorist, meanwhile, will start on March 2020.
Together these five stations make up the first phase of the project which is expected to operate partially by 2021. The rest of the line to Niog, Bacoor, is expected to be up and running by 2022.
Simultaneous piling
To speed up construction, the DOTr said it would conduct piling works simultaneously in areas where ROW has already been cleared.
Remaining ROW obstructions under Package 1 include auxiliary facilities (traffic lights, plant boxes, drainage lines) that would be cleared with the help of the local government of Parañaque.
Last month, Transport Undersecretary for Roads Mark de Leon told senators that the LRT 1 Cavite Extension project was delayed because of ROW issues.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1160559/lrt-1-cavite-extension-project-finally-starts
LRT-1 Cavite extension project begins construction
THE Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) has started piling works for the construction of supporting piers for the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) Cavite extension project, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) announced on Monday.
The works began on Sunday after the company finished its ground investigation and foundation designs.
The 11.7-kilometer extension required 203 piers, with the first 67 now being built between the planned Dr. Santos Station — where right of way has been cleared — and Ninoy Aquino Station, both in Parañaque City.
Construction on the next 40 from Ninoy Aquino to Asiaworld Station and 22 from Redemptorist Station to the existing Baclaran Station will start in November, and the remaining 74 — from AsiaWorld to Redemptorist — will begin early next year.
Expected to be completed by 2021, the project involves building eight stations from Baclaran to Niog Street in Bacoor City, Cavite province. The other stations are MIA, Las Piñas and Zapote.
Once operations begin in 2022, the project is seen to boost the current 500,000 passenger traffic to 800,000 a day, and cut travel time between Baclaran and Bacoor from one to two hours to 25 minutes.
The project has an initial cost of between P25 billion and P30 billion, LRMC President Juan Alfonso said last year. To finance this, LRMC secured P25 billion through bank loans.
“The rest will be equity from LRMC, which is 55-percent Metro Pacific Investments Corp., 35-percent Ayala and 10-percent Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines),” he told reporters in August 2018.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/09/03/business/business-top/lrt-1-cavite-extension-project-begins-construction/610532/
The works began on Sunday after the company finished its ground investigation and foundation designs.
The 11.7-kilometer extension required 203 piers, with the first 67 now being built between the planned Dr. Santos Station — where right of way has been cleared — and Ninoy Aquino Station, both in Parañaque City.
Construction on the next 40 from Ninoy Aquino to Asiaworld Station and 22 from Redemptorist Station to the existing Baclaran Station will start in November, and the remaining 74 — from AsiaWorld to Redemptorist — will begin early next year.
Expected to be completed by 2021, the project involves building eight stations from Baclaran to Niog Street in Bacoor City, Cavite province. The other stations are MIA, Las Piñas and Zapote.
Once operations begin in 2022, the project is seen to boost the current 500,000 passenger traffic to 800,000 a day, and cut travel time between Baclaran and Bacoor from one to two hours to 25 minutes.
The project has an initial cost of between P25 billion and P30 billion, LRMC President Juan Alfonso said last year. To finance this, LRMC secured P25 billion through bank loans.
“The rest will be equity from LRMC, which is 55-percent Metro Pacific Investments Corp., 35-percent Ayala and 10-percent Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines),” he told reporters in August 2018.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/09/03/business/business-top/lrt-1-cavite-extension-project-begins-construction/610532/
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Gov’t faces higher cost for MRT-3 O&M with use of China-made trains
THE GOVERNMENT may have to pay a higher price for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) by Japanese contractors to accommodate the use of China-manufactured train sets.
Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade told reporters last week that the P16.985-billion contract that the Philippines and Japan signed to rehabilitate the MRT-3 will have to be adjusted to deploy the additional trains from CRRC Dalian Company Ltd.
Mr. Tugade said the 48 MRT-3 trains bought during the previous administration CRRC Dalian were not included in the original coverage of the agreement signed with the Japanese contractors.
“Pag dinagdag mo ’yung mga tren na ime-maintain nila at io-operate, may karagdagang cost ’yan [If you add more trains for them to maintain and operate, that will have a corresponding additional cost],” he said.
The governments of the Philippines and Japan signed last year the 43-month contract for the operation and maintenance of the MRT-3.
The indicative cost of the project was P16.985 billion, payable in 40 years with a 12-year grace period.
OPERATIONAL BY JULY 2021
The Department of Transportation (DoTr) officially turned over the operation and maintenance of EDSA’s railway to Sumitomo Corp. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (Sumitomo-MHI) in May, which now handle the MRT-3 together with TES Philippines, Inc.
The MRT-3 currently has 72 train cars, which are the only ones the Japanese contractors were supposed to operate and maintain based on the rehabilitation agreement. Adding the 48 Dalian trains would increase this fleet by 67% to 120 train cars, hence the corresponding adjustment in cost.
He would not give an estimate on the cost increase.
Discussions are ongoing between the DoTr and Sumitomo on the progressive rollout of Dalian trains. One Dalian train is scheduled to be deployed this month after the contractors agreed that it was ready for use during off-peak hours.
The China-made trains have not yet been rolled out also due to the capacity of the MRT-3’s tracks to handle more trains. The government has already ordered new MRT-3 rails, which arrived in July, to address this problem.
“Hindi naman pwedeng patakbuhin mo kaagad ura-urada yan. Una, testing-in mo kung ano ’yung na-deliver. Pangalawa, kung na-deliver lahat, testing-in mo kung kakayanin nung existing riles. So marami pang consideration ’yan [You cannot just deploy the trains. You first have to test the trains that were delivered, then test if they can be accommodated by the existing rails. So there are plenty of considerations],” Mr. Tugade said.
Sumitomo-MHI is scheduled to complete its rehabilitation of the MRT-3 by July 2021, after which the train line is expected to increase its daily ridership to 650,000 from 320,000 currently. — Denise A. Valdez
https://www.bworldonline.com/govt-faces-higher-cost-for-mrt-3-om-with-use-of-china-made-trains/
Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade told reporters last week that the P16.985-billion contract that the Philippines and Japan signed to rehabilitate the MRT-3 will have to be adjusted to deploy the additional trains from CRRC Dalian Company Ltd.
Mr. Tugade said the 48 MRT-3 trains bought during the previous administration CRRC Dalian were not included in the original coverage of the agreement signed with the Japanese contractors.
“Pag dinagdag mo ’yung mga tren na ime-maintain nila at io-operate, may karagdagang cost ’yan [If you add more trains for them to maintain and operate, that will have a corresponding additional cost],” he said.
The governments of the Philippines and Japan signed last year the 43-month contract for the operation and maintenance of the MRT-3.
The indicative cost of the project was P16.985 billion, payable in 40 years with a 12-year grace period.
OPERATIONAL BY JULY 2021
The Department of Transportation (DoTr) officially turned over the operation and maintenance of EDSA’s railway to Sumitomo Corp. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (Sumitomo-MHI) in May, which now handle the MRT-3 together with TES Philippines, Inc.
The MRT-3 currently has 72 train cars, which are the only ones the Japanese contractors were supposed to operate and maintain based on the rehabilitation agreement. Adding the 48 Dalian trains would increase this fleet by 67% to 120 train cars, hence the corresponding adjustment in cost.
He would not give an estimate on the cost increase.
Discussions are ongoing between the DoTr and Sumitomo on the progressive rollout of Dalian trains. One Dalian train is scheduled to be deployed this month after the contractors agreed that it was ready for use during off-peak hours.
The China-made trains have not yet been rolled out also due to the capacity of the MRT-3’s tracks to handle more trains. The government has already ordered new MRT-3 rails, which arrived in July, to address this problem.
“Hindi naman pwedeng patakbuhin mo kaagad ura-urada yan. Una, testing-in mo kung ano ’yung na-deliver. Pangalawa, kung na-deliver lahat, testing-in mo kung kakayanin nung existing riles. So marami pang consideration ’yan [You cannot just deploy the trains. You first have to test the trains that were delivered, then test if they can be accommodated by the existing rails. So there are plenty of considerations],” Mr. Tugade said.
Sumitomo-MHI is scheduled to complete its rehabilitation of the MRT-3 by July 2021, after which the train line is expected to increase its daily ridership to 650,000 from 320,000 currently. — Denise A. Valdez
https://www.bworldonline.com/govt-faces-higher-cost-for-mrt-3-om-with-use-of-china-made-trains/
Deployment of MRT 3 Dalian trains to entail additional cost, DOTr chief says
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is tweaking the maintenance contract of Sumitomo Corp. to include the Chinese-manufactured trains for the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3, all of which are still commercially unused even if they have been delivered almost half a decade ago.
Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said with the slight change in the concession agreement with Sumitomo will allow the government to deploy the Dalian-made trains progressively starting this year.
“It is still being negotiated because they handle maintenance and operation. So, if you’re going to add the new trains that they will maintain and operate, there will be additional costs,” he said in a recent interview.
He declined to reveal the projected increase in the P18-billion deal with Sumitomo. The existing contract also covers a “comprehensive rehabilitation” of the train line.
“We are hoping to deploy one I think this September during off-peak hours,” Tugade said.
To recall, the Aquino administration jump-started the acquisition of new trains for the railway line and tapped Dalian for the said contract. However, despite its full delivery three years ago, the government decided not to use the trains due to technical issues raised by experts.
Dalian has since agreed to shoulder all costs to solve the issues raised in the independent safety audit and assessment conducted by German company TUV Rheinland, modifying the weight, signaling, and maintenance equipment of the 48 coaches.
Tugade noted that while he wants to deploy the new trains to provide better services to commuters, he would also want to address issues on the operability of the railway system, specifically the capacity of the rails to accommodate 48 new coaches.
“We cannot deploy them all at once because we had to test if the existing rails can accommodate them because of the added capacity,” he explained. “There are many considerations for this.”
These, he said, will also be considered in the tweaking of the Sumitomo contract, which will spell out the number of Dalian trains that will be deployed on the MRT 3.
“It is subject to the agreement between Sumitomo and us,” he said. “But what is definite is we have broken the barrier: One Dalian train will be used by September.”
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/09/03/deployment-of-mrt-3-dalian-trains-to-entail-additional-cost-dotr-chief-says/
Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said with the slight change in the concession agreement with Sumitomo will allow the government to deploy the Dalian-made trains progressively starting this year.
“It is still being negotiated because they handle maintenance and operation. So, if you’re going to add the new trains that they will maintain and operate, there will be additional costs,” he said in a recent interview.
He declined to reveal the projected increase in the P18-billion deal with Sumitomo. The existing contract also covers a “comprehensive rehabilitation” of the train line.
“We are hoping to deploy one I think this September during off-peak hours,” Tugade said.
To recall, the Aquino administration jump-started the acquisition of new trains for the railway line and tapped Dalian for the said contract. However, despite its full delivery three years ago, the government decided not to use the trains due to technical issues raised by experts.
Dalian has since agreed to shoulder all costs to solve the issues raised in the independent safety audit and assessment conducted by German company TUV Rheinland, modifying the weight, signaling, and maintenance equipment of the 48 coaches.
Tugade noted that while he wants to deploy the new trains to provide better services to commuters, he would also want to address issues on the operability of the railway system, specifically the capacity of the rails to accommodate 48 new coaches.
“We cannot deploy them all at once because we had to test if the existing rails can accommodate them because of the added capacity,” he explained. “There are many considerations for this.”
These, he said, will also be considered in the tweaking of the Sumitomo contract, which will spell out the number of Dalian trains that will be deployed on the MRT 3.
“It is subject to the agreement between Sumitomo and us,” he said. “But what is definite is we have broken the barrier: One Dalian train will be used by September.”
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/09/03/deployment-of-mrt-3-dalian-trains-to-entail-additional-cost-dotr-chief-says/
LRT Cavite on track to start operations by Q4 of 2021
THE mounting of piles as foundation for the Cavite extension of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) started over the weekend, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) said.
In a statement yesterday, the department said LRT-1 operator Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) kicked off the piling works on Sunday, which covers the first phase of the Cavite extension from Redemptorist station to Dr. Santos station.
With the development, the DoTr said it is on-track to get the first phase of the LRT-1 extension operational by the fourth quarter of 2021.
The P64.9-billion LRT-1 Cavite Extension project aims to add an 11.7-kilometer segment from Baclaran to Bacoor, Cavite to the existing 18.1-kilometer train line. It will have eight stations, namely: Redemptorist, MIA, Asiaworld, Ninoy Aquino, Dr. Santos, Las Piñas, Zapote and Niog.
The first phase of the extension — for which piling works begun — covers the seven-kilometer stretch of the first five stations from Redemptorist to Dr. Santos. The right of way for this segment has already been awarded to the concessionaire.
The remaining stations from Las Piñas to Niog are scheduled for completion in 2022, a year after the first phase opens.
“To speed up construction, piling works will be done simultaneously in up to five different areas where right of way is made available,” the DoTr said, noting it is working closely with the Metro Manila Development Authority, Light Rail Transit Authority and the local government of Parañaque City.
Once the Cavite extension opens, the DoTr expects the daily ridership of LRT-1 to increase to 800,000 from 500,000 at present, and reduce the travel time from Baclaran to Bacoor to 25 minutes from the current one to two hours.
LRMC is the joint venture of Ayala Corp., Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp. and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) Pte. Ltd. It holds the P65-billion, 32-year contract to operate LRT-1 and build its extension to Cavite.
Metro Pacific Investments Corp. is one of three Philippine subsidiaries of Hong Kong’s First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being PLDT, Inc. and Philex Mining Corp. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., maintains an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group. — Denise A. Valdez
https://www.bworldonline.com/lrt-cavite-on-track-to-start-operations-by-q4-of-2021/
In a statement yesterday, the department said LRT-1 operator Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) kicked off the piling works on Sunday, which covers the first phase of the Cavite extension from Redemptorist station to Dr. Santos station.
With the development, the DoTr said it is on-track to get the first phase of the LRT-1 extension operational by the fourth quarter of 2021.
The P64.9-billion LRT-1 Cavite Extension project aims to add an 11.7-kilometer segment from Baclaran to Bacoor, Cavite to the existing 18.1-kilometer train line. It will have eight stations, namely: Redemptorist, MIA, Asiaworld, Ninoy Aquino, Dr. Santos, Las Piñas, Zapote and Niog.
The first phase of the extension — for which piling works begun — covers the seven-kilometer stretch of the first five stations from Redemptorist to Dr. Santos. The right of way for this segment has already been awarded to the concessionaire.
The remaining stations from Las Piñas to Niog are scheduled for completion in 2022, a year after the first phase opens.
“To speed up construction, piling works will be done simultaneously in up to five different areas where right of way is made available,” the DoTr said, noting it is working closely with the Metro Manila Development Authority, Light Rail Transit Authority and the local government of Parañaque City.
Once the Cavite extension opens, the DoTr expects the daily ridership of LRT-1 to increase to 800,000 from 500,000 at present, and reduce the travel time from Baclaran to Bacoor to 25 minutes from the current one to two hours.
LRMC is the joint venture of Ayala Corp., Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp. and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) Pte. Ltd. It holds the P65-billion, 32-year contract to operate LRT-1 and build its extension to Cavite.
Metro Pacific Investments Corp. is one of three Philippine subsidiaries of Hong Kong’s First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being PLDT, Inc. and Philex Mining Corp. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., maintains an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group. — Denise A. Valdez
https://www.bworldonline.com/lrt-cavite-on-track-to-start-operations-by-q4-of-2021/
Piling works for LRT 1 Cavite Extension project finally begins on Sunday—DOTr
After 19 years of waiting, piling works for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 Cavite Extension have finally started over the weekend.
Following completion of ground investigation and foundation design works, the Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) has started piling works from Dr. Santos Station in Parañaque, where the right-of-way (ROW) for the railway line has been cleared. Piling works involve the construction of supporting piers that will serve as the foundation for the elevated railway structures.
Phase 1 covers 7 kilometers of the 11-kilometer LRT 1 Cavite Extension, including the Redemptorist Station, MIA Station, Asiaworld Station, Ninoy Aquino Station and Dr. Santos Station. Asiaworld Station will be located parallel to and right beside the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange and will eventually be connected to the Metro Manila Subway, forming the Parañaque Common Station. These are stations where ROW is already free and clear.
Requiring a total of 203 piers, the construction of the first 67 piers started on September 1 from Dr. Santos Station to Ninoy Aquino Station. Forty piers from Ninoy Aquino Station to Asiaworld Station and 22 piers from Redemptorist Station to the existing LRT 1 Baclaran Station will begin construction in November 2019, while 74 piers from Asiaworld Station to Redemptorist Station will begin construction in March 2020.
To speed up construction, piling works will be done simultaneously in up to five different areas where ROW is made available.
In cooperation with LRMC, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, the DOTr and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) have been working hand-in-hand to deliver the ROW needed to ensure continuous works along the alignment.
Remaining ROW obstructions to be cleared under Package 1 include auxiliary facilities that will be cleared with the assistance of Parañaque City (e.g., traffic lights, plant boxes and drainage lines), as well as utility lines of Meralco, Maynilad, PLDT, Globe, Eastern Telecommunications, SkyCable, Radius Telecoms and Cablelink.
Works along the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway will begin soon, following productive coordination with its operator, the Cavitex Infrastructure Corp., the Philippine Reclamation Authority, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), and some remaining property owners, such as Puregold and Aseana City.
The partial operability section of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project is targeted to start operations in the 4th Quarter of 2021, with measures being taken for the rest of the line to Niog, Bacoor, being operational in 2022.
The project is expected to increase LRT-1’s ridership from 500,000 to 800,000 per day, and reduce travel time between Baclaran and Bacoor, Cavite, from one to two hours to only 25 minutes.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/09/03/piling-works-for-lrt-1-cavite-extension-project-finally-begins-on-sunday-dotr/
Following completion of ground investigation and foundation design works, the Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) has started piling works from Dr. Santos Station in Parañaque, where the right-of-way (ROW) for the railway line has been cleared. Piling works involve the construction of supporting piers that will serve as the foundation for the elevated railway structures.
Phase 1 covers 7 kilometers of the 11-kilometer LRT 1 Cavite Extension, including the Redemptorist Station, MIA Station, Asiaworld Station, Ninoy Aquino Station and Dr. Santos Station. Asiaworld Station will be located parallel to and right beside the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange and will eventually be connected to the Metro Manila Subway, forming the Parañaque Common Station. These are stations where ROW is already free and clear.
Requiring a total of 203 piers, the construction of the first 67 piers started on September 1 from Dr. Santos Station to Ninoy Aquino Station. Forty piers from Ninoy Aquino Station to Asiaworld Station and 22 piers from Redemptorist Station to the existing LRT 1 Baclaran Station will begin construction in November 2019, while 74 piers from Asiaworld Station to Redemptorist Station will begin construction in March 2020.
To speed up construction, piling works will be done simultaneously in up to five different areas where ROW is made available.
In cooperation with LRMC, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, the DOTr and the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) have been working hand-in-hand to deliver the ROW needed to ensure continuous works along the alignment.
Remaining ROW obstructions to be cleared under Package 1 include auxiliary facilities that will be cleared with the assistance of Parañaque City (e.g., traffic lights, plant boxes and drainage lines), as well as utility lines of Meralco, Maynilad, PLDT, Globe, Eastern Telecommunications, SkyCable, Radius Telecoms and Cablelink.
Works along the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway will begin soon, following productive coordination with its operator, the Cavitex Infrastructure Corp., the Philippine Reclamation Authority, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), and some remaining property owners, such as Puregold and Aseana City.
The partial operability section of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project is targeted to start operations in the 4th Quarter of 2021, with measures being taken for the rest of the line to Niog, Bacoor, being operational in 2022.
The project is expected to increase LRT-1’s ridership from 500,000 to 800,000 per day, and reduce travel time between Baclaran and Bacoor, Cavite, from one to two hours to only 25 minutes.
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/09/03/piling-works-for-lrt-1-cavite-extension-project-finally-begins-on-sunday-dotr/
Monday, September 2, 2019
Construction of LRT1 Cavite extension's foundation begins
Light Rail Manila Corporation starts piling works at the planned Dr Santos Station in Parañaque City as September 2019 begins
Piling works or the construction of supporting piers for the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1) Cavite extension are underway.
In a statement on Monday, September 2, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) started piling works at the planned Dr Santos Station in Parañaque City on Sunday, September 1.
The supporting piers "will serve as the foundation for the elevated railway structures," said the DOTr.
Dr Santos Station is part of the 7-kilometer Phase 1 of the 11-kilometer LRT1 Cavite extension. Phase 1 includes 5 stations out of the total 8:
"These are stations where ROW (right of way) is already free and clear," said the DOTr.
Phase 1 will require a total of 203 piers:
The remaining 3 stations of the LRT1 Cavite extension are:
The government aims for Phase 1 to begin operations in the 4th quarter of 2021. Full operations all the way to Niog in Bacoor City, Cavite, are being targeted for 2022.
The railway extension project had repeatedly been delayed as it faced right-of-way issues. Back in May, the DOTr said construction was "full steam ahead."
There are remaining right-of-way obstructions, including traffic lights, plant boxes, drainage lines, and utility lines.
The DOTr said on Monday that it is working with the Light Rail Transit Authority, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Parañaque City government, and LRMC to address right-of-way concerns.
The railway extension is expected to cut travel time between Baclaran and Bacoor City to 25 minutes, from 1 to 2 hours. The LRT1's ridership is also seen to increase from 500,000 to 800,000 per day.
LRMC took over the operations, maintenance, and extension of the LRT1 in September 2015, after bagging the P64.9-billion ($1.25-billion) LRT1 Cavite extension deal.
LRMC is a consortium of Ayala Corporation, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, and the Macquarie Group.
https://www.rappler.com/business/239111-lrt1-cavite-extension-piling-works-begin-september-2019
Piling works or the construction of supporting piers for the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1) Cavite extension are underway.
In a statement on Monday, September 2, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) started piling works at the planned Dr Santos Station in Parañaque City on Sunday, September 1.
The supporting piers "will serve as the foundation for the elevated railway structures," said the DOTr.
Dr Santos Station is part of the 7-kilometer Phase 1 of the 11-kilometer LRT1 Cavite extension. Phase 1 includes 5 stations out of the total 8:
- Redemptorist Station
- MIA Station
- Asiaworld Station (to be built right beside the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange and eventually connected to the planned Metro Manila Subway, forming the Parañaque Common Station)
- Ninoy Aquino Station
- Dr Santos Station
"These are stations where ROW (right of way) is already free and clear," said the DOTr.
Phase 1 will require a total of 203 piers:
- 67 piers - Dr Santos Station to Ninoy Aquino Station (construction began September 1)
- 40 piers - Ninoy Aquino Station to Asiaworld Station (construction will begin in November 2019)
- 22 piers - Redemptorist Station to the existing LRT 1 Baclaran Station (construction will begin in November 2019)
- 74 piers - Asiaworld Station to Redemptorist Station (construction will begin in March 2020)
The remaining 3 stations of the LRT1 Cavite extension are:
- Las Piñas Station
- Zapote Station
- Niog Station
The government aims for Phase 1 to begin operations in the 4th quarter of 2021. Full operations all the way to Niog in Bacoor City, Cavite, are being targeted for 2022.
The railway extension project had repeatedly been delayed as it faced right-of-way issues. Back in May, the DOTr said construction was "full steam ahead."
There are remaining right-of-way obstructions, including traffic lights, plant boxes, drainage lines, and utility lines.
The DOTr said on Monday that it is working with the Light Rail Transit Authority, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Parañaque City government, and LRMC to address right-of-way concerns.
The railway extension is expected to cut travel time between Baclaran and Bacoor City to 25 minutes, from 1 to 2 hours. The LRT1's ridership is also seen to increase from 500,000 to 800,000 per day.
LRMC took over the operations, maintenance, and extension of the LRT1 in September 2015, after bagging the P64.9-billion ($1.25-billion) LRT1 Cavite extension deal.
LRMC is a consortium of Ayala Corporation, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, and the Macquarie Group.
https://www.rappler.com/business/239111-lrt1-cavite-extension-piling-works-begin-september-2019
LRMC starts constructing P64.9-B LRT1 Cavite extension
Piling works for the construction of supporting piers for the P64.9-billion Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1) Cavite extension has started, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Monday.
It started on Sunday, September 1, some five years after the project was awarded to LRMC.
“Following completion of ground investigation and foundation design works, the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) has started piling works from Dr. Santos Station in Parañaque, where right-of-way has been cleared,” the department said.
“Piling works involve the construction of supporting piers that will serve as the foundation for the elevated railway structures,” it said.
The group of Ayala Corporation, Metro Pacific Light Rail Corporation, and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings, bagged the contract for the project in 2014.
LRMC, however, took over the operations and maintenance of the LRT1 rail system only in September 2015.
As the government’s private partner, LRMC is responsible for the design, construction, and financing of the Cavite extension, as well as the operation and maintenance of the mass rail system once the project is complete.
The piling works involves the construction of the first 67 piers from Dr. Santos Station to the Ninoy Aquino Station in Parañaque City.
The extension project will also require 47 piers from the Ninoy Aquino Station to Asiaworld Station, 22 from Redemptorist Station to the existing LRT1 Baclaran Station, and 74 piers from Asiaworld Station to Redemptorist Station.
The LRT1 extension is expected to be partially operating in the fourth quarter of 2021.
The project is expected to increase LRT1’s ridership from 500,000 to 800,000 daily, and reduce the travel time between Baclaran and Bacoor, Cavite to 25 minutes from one to two hours at present. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/706597/lrmc-starts-constructing-fpr-p64-9-b-lrt1-cavite-extension/story/
It started on Sunday, September 1, some five years after the project was awarded to LRMC.
“Following completion of ground investigation and foundation design works, the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) has started piling works from Dr. Santos Station in Parañaque, where right-of-way has been cleared,” the department said.
“Piling works involve the construction of supporting piers that will serve as the foundation for the elevated railway structures,” it said.
The group of Ayala Corporation, Metro Pacific Light Rail Corporation, and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings, bagged the contract for the project in 2014.
LRMC, however, took over the operations and maintenance of the LRT1 rail system only in September 2015.
As the government’s private partner, LRMC is responsible for the design, construction, and financing of the Cavite extension, as well as the operation and maintenance of the mass rail system once the project is complete.
The piling works involves the construction of the first 67 piers from Dr. Santos Station to the Ninoy Aquino Station in Parañaque City.
The extension project will also require 47 piers from the Ninoy Aquino Station to Asiaworld Station, 22 from Redemptorist Station to the existing LRT1 Baclaran Station, and 74 piers from Asiaworld Station to Redemptorist Station.
The LRT1 extension is expected to be partially operating in the fourth quarter of 2021.
The project is expected to increase LRT1’s ridership from 500,000 to 800,000 daily, and reduce the travel time between Baclaran and Bacoor, Cavite to 25 minutes from one to two hours at present. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/706597/lrmc-starts-constructing-fpr-p64-9-b-lrt1-cavite-extension/story/
Piling works for LRT-1 Cavite Extension begin
After 19 years of waiting, piling works for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 Cavite Extension have finally started on September 1.
Following completion of ground investigation and foundation design works, the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) has started piling works from Dr. Santos Station in Parañaque, where right-of-way (ROW) has been cleared.
Piling works involve the construction of supporting piers that will serve as the foundation for the elevated railway structures.
Phase 1 covers seven kilometers of the 11-kilometer LRT-1 Cavite Extension, including the Redemptorist Station, MIA Station, Asiaworld Station, Ninoy Aquino Station, and Dr. Santos Station.
Asiaworld Station will be located parallel to and right beside the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), and will eventually be connected to the Metro Manila Subway, forming the Parañaque Common Station. These are stations where ROW is already free and clear.
Requiring a total of 203 piers, construction of the first 67 piers started on Sept. 1 from Dr. Santos Station to Ninoy Aquino Station. Forty piers from Ninoy Aquino Station to Asiaworld Station and 22 piers from Redemptorist Station to the existing LRT-1 Baclaran Station will begin construction in November 2019, while 74 piers from Asiaworld Station to Redemptorist Station will begin construction in March 2020.
To speed up construction, piling works will be done simultaneously in up to five different areas where ROW is made available.
In cooperation with LRMC, Metro Manila Development Authority, and Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, the DOTr and the Light Rail Transit Authority have been working hand-in-hand to deliver the ROW needed to ensure continuous works along the alignment.
Remaining ROW obstructions to be cleared under Package 1 include auxiliary facilities that will be cleared with the assistance of Parañaque City (e.g., traffic lights, plant boxes, and drainage lines), as well as utility lines of Meralco, Maynilad, PLDT, Globe, Eastern Telecommunications, SkyCable, Radius Telecoms, and Cablelink.
Works along the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway will begin soon, following productive coordination with its operator, the Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation, the Philippine Reclamation Authority, the Toll Regulatory Board, and some remaining property owners, such as Puregold and Aseana City.
The partial operability section of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project is targeted to start operations in the fourth quarter of 2021, with measures being taken for the rest of the line to Niog, Bacoor being operational in 2022.
The project is expected to increase LRT-1's ridership from 500,000 to 800,000 per day, and reduce travel time between Baclaran and Bacoor, Cavite from one to two hours to only 25 minutes.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1079277
Following completion of ground investigation and foundation design works, the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) has started piling works from Dr. Santos Station in Parañaque, where right-of-way (ROW) has been cleared.
Piling works involve the construction of supporting piers that will serve as the foundation for the elevated railway structures.
Phase 1 covers seven kilometers of the 11-kilometer LRT-1 Cavite Extension, including the Redemptorist Station, MIA Station, Asiaworld Station, Ninoy Aquino Station, and Dr. Santos Station.
Asiaworld Station will be located parallel to and right beside the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), and will eventually be connected to the Metro Manila Subway, forming the Parañaque Common Station. These are stations where ROW is already free and clear.
Requiring a total of 203 piers, construction of the first 67 piers started on Sept. 1 from Dr. Santos Station to Ninoy Aquino Station. Forty piers from Ninoy Aquino Station to Asiaworld Station and 22 piers from Redemptorist Station to the existing LRT-1 Baclaran Station will begin construction in November 2019, while 74 piers from Asiaworld Station to Redemptorist Station will begin construction in March 2020.
To speed up construction, piling works will be done simultaneously in up to five different areas where ROW is made available.
In cooperation with LRMC, Metro Manila Development Authority, and Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, the DOTr and the Light Rail Transit Authority have been working hand-in-hand to deliver the ROW needed to ensure continuous works along the alignment.
Remaining ROW obstructions to be cleared under Package 1 include auxiliary facilities that will be cleared with the assistance of Parañaque City (e.g., traffic lights, plant boxes, and drainage lines), as well as utility lines of Meralco, Maynilad, PLDT, Globe, Eastern Telecommunications, SkyCable, Radius Telecoms, and Cablelink.
Works along the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway will begin soon, following productive coordination with its operator, the Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation, the Philippine Reclamation Authority, the Toll Regulatory Board, and some remaining property owners, such as Puregold and Aseana City.
The partial operability section of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project is targeted to start operations in the fourth quarter of 2021, with measures being taken for the rest of the line to Niog, Bacoor being operational in 2022.
The project is expected to increase LRT-1's ridership from 500,000 to 800,000 per day, and reduce travel time between Baclaran and Bacoor, Cavite from one to two hours to only 25 minutes.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1079277
Sunday, September 1, 2019
Government earmarks P100-b investment in railways
The Department of Transportation is set to multiply by five times its expenditures in railways next year, a congressman said on Saturday.
“The DOTr is spending P100.6 billion next year to build, renew and upgrade railways. This is five times the P19.9-billion allocation this year for the same purpose,” said Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr., House appropriations committee vice chairman.
“The bulk of the spending, or P84.8 billion, is meant for North-South Commuter Railway System,” he said.
Campos was referring to the 147-kilometer, 36-station elevated railway project that will run from Calamba, Laguna to New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.
The railway will also provide a direct link to Clark International Airport in the cities of Angeles and Mabalacat in Pampanga.
Campos said the DOTr’s allocation for the Railway Construction, Rehabilitation and Improvement Program in the proposed P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020 also includes:
Of the P9.8 billion for the Metro Manila subway, Campos said P4.6 billion will be covered by loan proceeds, while the P5.2-billion balance represents the Philippine government’s counterpart funding for the project.
The initial phase of the subway is being financed in part by a P51.2-billion (104.6 billion yen) loan from the Japanese government.
The DOTR is expected to begin tunneling work on the country’s first underground rapid transit system by the last quarter of this year.
As to the 639-kilometer South Long-Haul Railway, the initial loan agreement for the project was signed in Beijing on Thursday during the bilateral meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The Philippine National Railways project is being co-funded by a P175.3-billion loan from the Chinese government.
http://manilastandard.net/news/national/303802/government-earmarks-p100-b-investment-in-railways.html
“The DOTr is spending P100.6 billion next year to build, renew and upgrade railways. This is five times the P19.9-billion allocation this year for the same purpose,” said Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr., House appropriations committee vice chairman.
“The bulk of the spending, or P84.8 billion, is meant for North-South Commuter Railway System,” he said.
Campos was referring to the 147-kilometer, 36-station elevated railway project that will run from Calamba, Laguna to New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.
The railway will also provide a direct link to Clark International Airport in the cities of Angeles and Mabalacat in Pampanga.
Campos said the DOTr’s allocation for the Railway Construction, Rehabilitation and Improvement Program in the proposed P4.1-trillion national budget for 2020 also includes:
- P9.8 billion for the Metro Manila Subway Project Phase 1;
- P5 billion for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 Rehabilitation Project;
- P878 million for the South Long-Haul Project that will link up Metro Manila, Calabarzon and Bicol and cut travel time between Manila and Legazpi City to just six hours, from 13 hours;
- P97 million for the Mindanao Railway Project; and
- P74 million for the LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension Project.
Of the P9.8 billion for the Metro Manila subway, Campos said P4.6 billion will be covered by loan proceeds, while the P5.2-billion balance represents the Philippine government’s counterpart funding for the project.
The initial phase of the subway is being financed in part by a P51.2-billion (104.6 billion yen) loan from the Japanese government.
The DOTR is expected to begin tunneling work on the country’s first underground rapid transit system by the last quarter of this year.
As to the 639-kilometer South Long-Haul Railway, the initial loan agreement for the project was signed in Beijing on Thursday during the bilateral meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The Philippine National Railways project is being co-funded by a P175.3-billion loan from the Chinese government.
http://manilastandard.net/news/national/303802/government-earmarks-p100-b-investment-in-railways.html
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