Monday, October 28, 2019

2nd NLEx-SLEx link set for construction

A second elevated expressway that will bridge the northern and southern parts of Metro Manila, the country’s congested capital district, is set to begin construction by November this year, according to its project proponent.

Luigi Bautista, president and general manager of toll road concessionaire NLEx Corp., said construction firm D.M Consunji Inc. had been selected to build the first section of the 8-kilometer “connector road.”

Bautista told reporters the first bored pile, part of the foundation of the toll road, would be installed in the second week of November.

“Between today and the second week of November, DMCI will start preparing for mobilization,” he said.

The P23.3-billion project would extend the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) in C3 Road, Caloocan City through PUP Sta. Mesa, Manila, where it would then connect to Manila’s southern toll road network that included the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx).

Travel time between the northern and southern portions of the capital district typically takes two hours or more as motorists weave through traffic-snarled streets.

Once finished, the connector road would cut the drive to about 20 minutes, the Department of Public Works and Highways said.

Bautista said the connector road project, which would mainly run above the train tracks operated by the Philippine National Railways, was divided into two sections. The first 5-km section would start from C-3 and end in España, Manila. This would take about 20 months to complete, Bautista said.

NLEx Corp. planned to launch the bidding process for the connector road’s second phase next month.

“By around February next year we would have appointed the contractor for section two,” he said. “We will open it by phases,” he added.

NLEx Corp. is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., which operates the NLEx, Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway and the Cavite Expressway. The companies are part of infrastructure giant Metro Pacific Investments Corp., led by businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan.

The connector road project was proposed during the Arroyo administration over a decade ago but its construction was delayed throughout the term of President Aquino due to a series of reviews and policy shifts on the mode of implementation. The project held its groundbreaking ceremony on March 1 this year.

It is Metro Manila’s second NLEx-SLEx elevated expressway after San Miguel Corp.’s Skyway Stage 3, which would open during the first quarter of 2020.

https://business.inquirer.net/282111/2nd-nlex-slex-link-set-for-construction

DM Consunji tapped for NLEx-SLEx connector

NLEX Corp. said the construction of the first section of the North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway (NLEx-SLEx) connector road will begin by the second week of November.

“[On the] connector road, we had a final meeting last week with the contractor, so we made final our appointment of DMCI, D.M. Consunji as the contractor for the NLEX Connector Project Section 1. Because the connector project is divided into two sections, we will start with Section 1 first,” Luigi L. Bautista, president and general manager of NLEX, told reporters on Oct. 24.

Mr. Bautista said the contract with construction giant D.M. Consunji, Inc. will be signed next week.

“Next week, we will sign the contract and then the first bored pile that will be executed will be second week of November. So between today and the second week of November, DMCI will start preparing for mobilization.”

Mr. Bautista said the construction on the NLEx-SLEx connector road will take about 20 months.

The P23.3-billion 8-kilometer toll road linking the tail of NLEx Harbor Link Segment 10 in C3 Road, Caloocan City to PUP Sta. Mesa, Manila aims to provide an alternate route for trucks coming from the port area. From Sta. Mesa, vehicles traversing the expressway may connect to the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 through an elevated road.

Mr. Bautista said the Section 1 covers five kilometers of the entire 8-kilometer project. “That’s from Caloocan connecting to C3 all the way to España, so five kilometers,” he said.

NLEX has completed preliminary works on the project after a ground-breaking ceremony held last February. Preliminary works included the ground survey, finalization of design, and clearing of roads through tree cutting and relocation of informal settlers.

The target is to open the expressway by December 2021. Once operational, it is expected to reduce travel time from NLEx to SLEx to 20 minutes from the usual two hours. It will have a capacity of 35,000 motorists daily.

“We will open by phases. For the second phase, by next month we will start the bid process to select the contractor for Section 2. So maybe by around February next year, we would have appointed also the contractor for Section 2,” Mr. Bautista said.

NLEX is part of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., the tollways unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC).

MPIC is one of three key Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT, Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Arjay L. Balinbin

https://www.bworldonline.com/dm-consunji-tapped-for-nlex-slex-connector/

MPTC taps DMCI for NLEX-SLEX connector phase 1

Construction of an expressway linking the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) to South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) is expected to commence early next month as Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) was able to finalize the contractor for the connector road project.

MPTC-unit NLEX Corp. has tapped D.M. Consunji Inc., the construction arm of DMCI Holdings Inc., as the contractor for the first section of the NLEX-SLEX connector road project.

NLEX president and general manager Luigi Bautista said formal signing of the contract would happen this week and actual start of construction would commence by the second week of November.

“So between today and the second week of November, DMCI will start preparing for mobilization,” Bautista said.

“Actual start will be the first bored pile. When I say first bored pile, that’s the first work on the ground so that will be second week of November. And then construction will continue. It will be for 20 months,” he said.

The P23.3 billion NLEX-SLEX connector road project is an eight-kilometer all-elevated highway which would extend the NLEX southward from the end of Segment 10 in C3/5th Avenue, Caloocan City to PUP Sta. Mesa, Manila and connect to the Skyway Stage 3, mostly traversing the Philippine National Railways’ track.

It will include two interchanges located at C3 Road in Caloocan and España in Manila.

Bautista said the project would be undertaken in two phases, with the first phase consisting of the initial five-kilometer section starting from C3 Road in Caloocan City up to España in Manila.

He said the contractor for the second section covering the remaining three kilometers would be finalized by the first quarter of next year.

“We will open by phases. The second phase by next month we will start the bid process to select the contractor, so by around February next year we would have appointed also the contractor for Section 2,” Bautista said.

Once completed, the project is expected to decongest major thoroughfares and improve linkages between the north and south.

The groundbreaking for the project was held last February, which was two months ahead of its original May 2019 schedule.

Since then, NLEX has undertaken preliminary works such as ground survey, finalization of design, clearing of tree cutting, and clearing for informal settlers in preparation for the projects’s actual construction.

NLEX is currently implementing P7.7 billion worth of projects to help alleviate traffic congestion in Metro Manila and key areas of the NLEX-SCTEX network.

NLEX is part of the portfolio of projects of MPTC, the tollways arm of infrastructure conglomerate Metro Pacific Investment Corp.

https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/10/28/1963874/mptc-taps-dmci-nlex-slex-connector-phase-1

Friday, October 25, 2019

LRMC spends P8.7 billion to upgrade 35-year old LRT-1

Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), the private operator and maintenance provider of LRT line 1 has continued to upgrade the system and facilities of the country’s first and oldest railway since taking over in September 2015 spending P8.7 billion to date to rehabilitate and improve the existing LRT-1 trains and system.

 From 478 trips per day in 2016, LRMC has reached 520 trips daily, serving around 500,000 passengers every day. Headway was further reduced from six minutes to four minutes in 2016 to 3.5 minutes in 2018.

LRMC President and CEO Juan Alfonso said, “We work very hard to provide safe, reliable, efficient and comfortable journey for commuters.”

New rails and stronger structure

 LRMC is steadfast in improving the commuting experience of LRT-1 passengers. In January 2018, it completed the replacement of old rails that have been exposed to rail contact fatigue such as shelling and corrugations.

The 20-kilometer rail replacement from Roosevelt to Baclaran stations aims to extend rail and track component life and reduce wear on rolling stock to help increase train speeds.

Alfonso shares, “With the new rails, commuters will enjoy a smoother ride and that means improving the quality of their riding experience in LRT-1.”

With 35 years of daily operations, multiple sections of LRT-1 have suffered from cracked concrete and exposed or damaged rebars. River bridges have deteriorated.

Today, the existing 20-kilometer LRT-1 line runs proud with stronger parapets putting to rest the questions on the structural integrity of the three-decade old public utility. Concrete repairs, sandblasting to remove corrosion, repainting, installation of new collision dampers to protect bridges from ship collision were done to complete the structural defect restoration works.

Noise pollution, a common complaint by establishments and neighboring communities near LRT-1 has been addressed. Thanks to the newly installed noise barriers running along the existing line. A comparison of noise monitoring activities conducted in February 2017 and September 2019 between Tayuman and Blumentritt stations reported significant decrease to 13% of noise levels after the installation of new parapets and noise barriers–from 79.20 dB to 66.98 dB on street level and from 84.78 dB to 71 dB in viaduct during daytime.

Fully upgraded signaling system, electric supply

LRMC continues to serve the riding public through its facility and system upgrades.

The private operator eyes to complete the new signaling system for the existing LRT-1 line by November 2020. With the new signaling system, train service schedule will improve. It will also help better the passenger service by ensuring that trains arrive regularly and on-time.

“The new signaling system is what will also give us a further reduced headway of 2.5 minutes in the existing LRT-1 line and soon, the first phase of the Cavite Extension. We have automated many systems and we will continue to invest and innovate to make processes more efficient and modern,” said the LRMC President.

Meanwhile, the private operator has started the rehabilitation of its Rectifier Substation(RSS) for a brand new electric supply of LRT-1. The project covers electrical, mechanical and minor civil and architectural works.

Improved passenger experience in trains and stations

If you take LRT-1 going to work or school, chances are you have already noticed the new station and wayfinding signage in LRT-1 stations such as Vito Cruz, Baclaran, EDSA and Doroteo Jose.

Alfonso shared that LRMC invests in bringing customer delight through positive passenger experience. “We installed these signages because we want to make our stations more passenger-friendly and give it a fresher and crisp look at par with the international standards.”

Station signage in railway stations allows passengers to navigate faster and decide where to go. When they have access to right station information and platform locations, it empowers them to efficiently manage their travel time.

The wayfinding signage is what helps commuters know the nearest shopping mall, church, restaurant, museums and tourist spots from the station and in times of emergency, the hospital and police station.

 While some LRT-1 first generation light rail vehicles (LRVs) are still operational when LRMC took over, several LRVs already have air-conditioning units (ACUs) issues. LRMC has ordered 120 units of brand new ACU compressors which are expected to arrive by end of 2019.

The completed improvements and ongoing rehabilitation projects of LRMC will help ensure that LRT-1 will continue to run and operate in the next 30 years or more to provide safe and reliable transport for Filipino passengers.

https://lrmc.com.ph/2019/10/25/lrmc-spends-p8-7-billion-to-upgrade-35-year-old-lrt-1/

Thursday, October 24, 2019

LRT 2 extension completion in 2020 doable: DMCI

Construction firm DM Consunji Inc. (DMCI) said it has started installing the electromechanical system (EMS) for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 2 East extension, which is targeted to be finished by the last quarter of 2020.

DMCI president and chief executive officer Jorge Consunji said: “We are turning over the two stations, Masinag (in Antipolo) and the Emerald (Station).”

“We are starting already the electromechanical (system) of Line 2. Mag install na kami ng (we will install) rails, power, communications,” he said in an interview last week, noting the EMS is also composed of the signaling system.

Consunji cited that Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade wants the LRT 2 Extension project to be completed by last quarter next year.

“Tingin namin kaya (We think it is doable),” he added.

The new stations are expected to accommodate an additional 80,000 passengers, boosting the LRT-2’s current daily ridership of 240,000 passengers.

The DOTr last February awarded the PHP3.2-billion contract to the joint venture between Japan-based firm Marubeni Corporation and DMCI for the installation of track works and EMS, which formed Package 3 of the LRT East Extension Project.

Package 1, which involves the construction of a viaduct, was completed in March 2017, while Package 2 involved the construction of Emerald and Masinag stations.

The LRT-2 runs from Santolan in Pasig City to Recto in Manila.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1083930

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

LRT-1’s Edsa-Taft station expanded, gets upgrade

The Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) has expanded and upgraded the busy Edsa-Taft station of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) to address crowding and space limitations.

In a statement on Monday, LRMC said it has upgraded and expanded  the Edsa-Taft station, one of the busiest in the LRT-1 line, by opening a third floor access from an adjacent mall and a new connecting bridgeway.

New ticket booths were also built as well as comfort rooms.  The station was likewise spruced up with LED lighting setups, interior paint jobs, floor finishes and a PWD ramp.

The connecting bridge also comes with a new roofing system, while the southeast portion of the station has a new fire exit and a wider area fo commuters.

“We want all our commuters to have the best travel experience as they discover the joys and hidden secrets of Manila, and we are continually committed to providing comfort and convenience on the LRT-1,” LRMC President and Chief Executive Officer Juan Alfonso said.

“All our efforts in this endeavor, including the further extension and modernization of the LRT-1 line, are made toward achieving this goal,” he added.

LRMC said the Edsa station expansion coincides with the LRT-1 Cavite extension project, which will  link Pasay City and Metro Manila to parts of Cavite. /gsg

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1179945/lrt-1s-edsa-taft-station-expanded-gets-upgrade-2

90% of LRT-1 Cavite extension right of way acquired — LRMC

LIGHT RAIL Manila Corp. (LRMC), operator of Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1), said 90% of the right of way for the Phase 1 of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project has been acquired.

“We have over about 90-plus percent of the right of way resolved, and we are confident that as we build the system, the right of way will be delivered on time,” LRMC President and Chief Executive Officer Juan F. Alfonso told reporters, referring to Phase 1 of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project, on the sidelines of the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the LRT-1 EDSA Station Expansion Project in Pasay City on Monday.

The P64.9-billion LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project, a public-private partnership (PPP) venture which the National Economic and Development Authority Board first approved in November 2013, aims to add an 11.7-kilometer Baclaran-Bacoor, Cavite segment to the existing 18.1-kilometer train line. The new stretch will have eight stations.

The first phase of the extension consists of a 7 km stretch with five stations between the Redemptorist Church area in Baclaran and Dr. Santos Ave. in Parañaque. Mr. Alfonso said piling works for the first phase are “continuing,” confirming partial operability by the “end of 2021.”

The remaining stations between Las Piñas and Niog in Bacoor, Cavite are scheduled for completion in 2022.

Once LRT-1’s Cavite extension opens to the public, the Department of Transportation expects daily ridership along the entire line to increase to 800,000 passengers from 500,000 currently, and travel time Baclaran-Bacoor travel time to be cut to 25 minutes from up to two hours currently.

In a news statement on Monday, the LRMC said the expanded EDSA Station of the LRT-1 now includes new ticket booths, comfort rooms, LED lights, interior paint jobs, floor finishes and a ramp for the disabled.

“The connecting bridge also comes with a new roofing system and architectural finishes, while the southeast leg of the station gets a new fire exit and a wider space, with the demolition of old ticket booths,” it added.

It said the EDSA Station expansion is being undertaken in conjunction with the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project as well as ongoing modernization “to increase efficiency, safety, environmental friendliness, commuter friendliness, train capacity and quality.”

The EDSA Station, which serves more than 52,000 passengers daily on weekdays, is the LRT-1’s second busiest stop.

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 PPP 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 interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group which it controls. — Arjay L. Balinbin

https://www.bworldonline.com/90-of-lrt-1-cavite-extension-right-of-way-acquired-lrmc/

Operator upbeat on LRT 1 extension

The private operator of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT 1) is on track of finishing phase one of the railway’s Cavite extension, according to its president.

“We are confident. There’s no change in schedule,” Juan Alfonso, Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) president and chief executive officer, told reporters on Monday when asked for updates on the Cavite extension’s phase one.

The phase one of the project includes five stations out of the total eight — Redemptorist Station, MIA Station, Asia World Station, Ninoy Aquino Station and Dr. Santos Station.

The other three stations are Las Piñas, Zapote and Niog.

Alfonso noted that partial operations would begin by end-2021, starting with the five stations.

In September, the Department of Transportation said the railway operator had started works on the foundation of the LRT 1 Cavite extension, where the construction of the first 67 piers was
already underway from Dr. Santos Station to Ninoy Aquino Station.

Works on the 66 piers from Ninoy Aqunio Station to AsiaWorld Station, and from Redemptorist Station to the existing LRT 1 Baclaran Station would start in November 2019.

The remaining 74 piers required for Asiaworld Station to Redemptorist Stations will begin early next year.

Once its whole commercial operations begin in 2022, the extension is set to boost the current 500,000 passenger traffic to 800,000 per day, and cut travel time between Baclaran and Bacoor, Cavite, from one to two hours to only 25 minutes.

Also on Monday, the LRMC said in a statement it expects bigger passenger capacity as the railway’s EDSA station will undergo expansion works, such as building a new connecting bridge; new ticket booths, comfort rooms, LED lighting setups, interior paint jobs, floor finishes, and a PWD (persons with disability) ramp.

Currently, the LRT 1 EDSA station accommodates 50,000 passengers everyday, but the LRMC is seeing a boost in the number to up to 120,000 passengers daily with the improvement works.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/10/22/news/regions/operator-upbeat-on-lrt-1-extension/635716/

LRT-1 extension nears ROW completion

Over 90 percent of the right-of-way (ROW) for the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1)  Cavite extension has been delivered by the government to date, giving its private operator high hopes of completing the project on schedule.

“We have over about 90 plus percent of the right-of-way solved and we’re confident that as we build the system the right-of-way will be delivered on time. We actually started two months ahead of schedule so we hope that we are able to continue the pace,” Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) president and CEO Juan Alfonso said.

Alfonso said LRMC is optimistic that it would not take long for the government, through the Department of Transportation (DOTr), to clear the remaining right-of-way for the project.

“So far so good, but there are several activities left. There are utilities relocation and then there are some areas where we have to coordinate with the utilities so it’s a whole coordination,” he said.

Groundbreaking of the LRT-1 Cavite extension project was held in May 2017, but actual construction took two years to start mostly due to issues in resolving the right of way acquisition.

LRMC has started last month piling works for the project in areas where right-of-way have been cleared.

Piling works involve the construction of supporting piers that will serve as the foundation for the elevated railway structures.

“We’re full speed ahead. We’re piling the column foundations and we’re building new columns almost every two days so we have almost 200 columns to build in the Cavite extension and that’s continuing,” Alfonso said.

Phase 1 will cover 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.

The partial operability section of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension project is targeted to start in the fourth quarter of 2021, with measures being taken for the rest of the line to Niog, Bacoor City to be operational by 2022.

The project is expected to increase LRT-1’s ridership from 500,000 to 800,000 each day, and reduce travel time between Baclaran and Niog, Bacoor City from one to two hours to only 25 minutes.

LRMC, a consortium is composed of Metro Pacific Investment Corp.’s Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp., Ayala Corp.’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd., was awarded the public-private partnership project to operate, maintain, and extend the LRT-1 in 2014 and has also won the contract for the LRT-Cavite extension project.

https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/10/22/1962190/lrt-1-extension-nears-row-completion

LRT1-EDSA station expanded

By Emmie V. Abadilla

The Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) yesterday started boosting the capacity of its Light Rail Transit (LRT)1 EDSA Station, one of the busiest and most jam-packed train stations in Metro Manila, by expanding the structure through the third floor of the adjacent Lianas/Mayson department store and building a new connecting bridge.

The initiative is part of LRMC’s P8.7 billion upgrade of the country’s first and oldest railway since taking over in September, 2015.

The LRT1 private operator and maintenance provider is also installing a new roofing system and architectural finishes to the new connecting bridge as well as demolishing old ticket booths to widen the space on top of building a new fire exit for the southeast leg of the station, building new ticket booths, comfort rooms, a Person With Disability (PWD) ramp, putting LED lighting setups, doing interior paint jobs and floor finishes.

The EDSA station expansion is in conjunction with the current LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project, which will link Pasay and the rest of Metro Manila to Cavite and shorten travel time.

Because of these improvements, LRMC has maintained its ISO certification of compliance to international standards in Quality Management System (ISO 9001:2015) and Environmental Management System (ISO 14001:2015).

“We want commuters to have the best travel experience on the LRT-1,” according to LRMC President and CEO Juan F. Alfonso. “All our efforts, including the extension and modernization of the LRT-1 line, are made toward achieving this goal.”

The LRT 1 has been operating daily for the last 35 years and multiple sections have suffered from cracked concrete and exposed or damaged rebars. River bridges have deteriorated.

Already, the private operator has undertaken concrete repairs, sandblasting to remove corrosion, repainting, installation of new collision dampers to protect bridges from ship collision were done to complete the structural defect restoration works.

https://business.mb.com.ph/2019/10/21/lrt1-edsa-station-expanded/

LRT 1 Cavite seen to start service by ‘21

Light Rail Manila Corp., a consortium led by Ayala Corp. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., said Monday it set a target to start partial operations of the first section of LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension project by end of 2021.

“The schedule has not changed for now. The partial operability of the Phase 1 is end of 2021,” LRMC president and chief executive Juan Alfonso told reporters.

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.

The remaining stations from Las Piñas to Niog are scheduled for completion by 2022.

http://www.manilastandard.net/business/transport-tourism/307992/lrt-1-cavite-seen-to-start-service-by-21.html

LRMC unveils bigger, upgraded LRT 1 Edsa Terminal Station

LIGHT Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) opened on Monday the “upgraded” Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1—Edsa Terminal Station, which now sports an expanded structure, additional accessibility facilities and better interiors.

Juan F. Alfonso, the president of the company, said the terminal station was expanded through the third floor of the Mayson Department Store, addressing the “limited space situation” in one of the busiest stations in Metro Manila.

“We want all our commuters to have the best travel experience as they discover the joys and hidden secrets of Manila, and we are continually committed to providing comfort and convenience on the LRT 1,” he said.

Aside from this, LRMC also set up a new connecting bridge and new ticketing booths. The company also upgraded the station’s comfort rooms, improved the lighting setups and deployed a PWD ramp.

“All our efforts in this endeavor, including the further extension and modernization of the LRT 1, are made toward achieving this goal,” Alfonso said.

Since 2015, when the company took over the operations and maintenance of the oldest overhead railway system in Southeast Asia, LRMC has spent roughly P8.7 billion to rehabilitate and improve the existing LRT 1 trains and system.

Aside from strengthening the parapets and fixing rails and trains, the company also implemented concrete repairs, sandblasting to remove corrosion, repainting and installed new collision dampers to complete the structural defect restoration works.

Alfonso added that the expansion of the station is in conjunction with the current LRT 1 Cavite Extension Project, which will link Pasay and the rest of Metro Manila to Cavite and shorten travel time.

Currently, the LRT 1 runs 520 trips per day, serving 500,000 passengers daily.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/10/22/lrmc-unveils-bigger-upgraded-lrt-1-edsa-terminal-station/

Sunday, October 20, 2019

House approves bill transferring the capital of Rizal from Pasig City to Antipolo City

By Charissa Luci-Atienza

The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a bill transferring the capital and seat of government of the province of Rizal from Pasig City to Antipolo City.

House Bill 2998, principally authored by Deputy Speaker and Antipolo City Rep. Roberto “Robbie” Puno, was approved by the Lower Chamber before Congress adjourned sessions on October 4 for a month-long break.

“It has already been 44 years since the City of Pasig ceased being part of the province of Rizal, and yet it continues to be its capital and holds its seat of government,” Puno said.

“While Pasig City was one of the 29 municipalities included in Rizal when it was officially declared a province in 1901, the said city has been under the territorial and political jurisdiction of Metro Manila since 1975,” he pointed out.

He said his measure proposed to declare Antipolo City, due to its accessibility and location, as the rightful capital and seat of government of the Rizal province.

House Bill 2998 provides that the capital and seat of government of the province of Rizal shall be transferred from the City of Pasig to Antipolo City.

Under the measure, the present Provincial Capitol located in the City of Antipolo shall be deemed as the official Provincial Government Center where all provincial offices shall be established.

The proposed Act shall take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

It was House Committee on Local. Government, chaired by Tarlac Rep. Noel Villanueva that endorsed the plenary approval of the bill.

The Villanueva panel passed HB 2998 on September 24, 2019.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/10/20/house-approves-bill-transferring-the-capital-of-rizal-from-pasig-city-to-antipolo-city/

Saturday, October 19, 2019

LRMC spends P9 B on LRT1

By Emmie V. Abadilla

The Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), private operator and maintenance provider of Light Rail Transit (LRT) line, yesterday reported it has spent P8.7 billion to date, upgrading the system and facilities of the country’s first and oldest railway since taking over in September, 2015.

From 478 trips per day in 2016, LRMC has reached 520 trips daily, serving around 500,000 passengers every day. Headway was further reduced from six minutes to four minutes in 2016 to 3.5 minutes in 2018.

In January 2018, it completed the replacement of old rails that have been exposed to rail contact fatigue such as shelling and corrugations.

The 20-kilometer rail replacement from Roosevelt to Baclaran stations aims to extend rail and track component life and reduce wear on rolling stock to help increase train speeds.

“With the new rails, commuters will enjoy a smoother ride and that means improving the quality of their riding experience,” said LRMC President and CEO Juan Alfonso.

With 35 years of daily operations, multiple sections of LRT-1 have suffered from cracked concrete and exposed or damaged rebars. River bridges have deteriorated.

Today, the existing 20-kilometer LRT-1 line runs with stronger parapets putting to rest the questions on the structural integrity of the three-decade old public utility.

Concrete repairs, sandblasting to remove corrosion, repainting, installation of new collision dampers to protect bridges from ship collision were done to complete the structural defect restoration works.

Noise pollution, a common complaint by establishments and neighboring communities near LRT-1 has been addressed with newly installed noise barriers running along the existing line.

A comparison of noise monitoring activities conducted in February 2017 and September 2019 between Tayuman and Blumentritt stations reported significant decrease to 13% of noise levels after the installation of new parapets and noise barriers–from 79.20 dB to 66.98 dB on street level and from 84.78 dB to 71 dB in viaduct during daytime.

https://business.mb.com.ph/2019/10/18/lrmc-spends-p9-b-on-lrt1/

LRMC invests P8.7 billion to upgrade LRT Line 1 system

Light Rail Manila Corp., a consortium led by Ayala Corp. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., said Friday it invested P8.7 billion to rehabilitate and improve the existing LRT Line 1 system.

LRMC, which took over LRT 1 in September 2015, said it served around 500,000 passengers daily and increased trips per day to 520 from 478 trips a day in 2016.

Headway was further reduced from six minutes to four minutes in 2016 to 3.5 minutes in 2018.

“We work very hard to provide safe, reliable, efficient and comfortable journey for commuters,” LRMC president and chief executive Juan Alfonso said.

LRMC said it was steadfast in improving the commuting experience of LRT-1 passengers. In January 2018, it completed the replacement of old rails that were exposed to rail contact fatigue such as shelling and corrugations.

The 20-kilometer rail replacement from Roosevelt to Baclaran stations aimed to extend rail and track component life and reduce wear on rolling stock to help increase train speeds.

“With the new rails, commuters will enjoy a smoother ride and that means improving the quality of their riding experience in LRT-1,” Alfonso said.

With 35 years of daily operations, multiple sections of LRT-1 suffered from cracked concrete and exposed or damaged rebars. River bridges also deteriorated.

Today, the existing 20-kilometer LRT-1 line runs with stronger parapets, putting to rest the questions on the structural integrity of the three-decade-old public utility.

Concrete repairs, sandblasting to remove corrosion, repainting, installation of new collision dampers to protect bridges from ship collision were done to complete the structural defect restoration works.

LRMC is also eyeing to complete the new signaling system for LRT-1 line by November 2020.

With the new signaling system, the train service schedule will improve. It will also help improve passenger service by ensuring that trains arrive regularly and on-time.

“The new signaling system is what will also give us a further reduced headway of 2.5 minutes in the existing LRT-1 line and soon, the first phase of the Cavite extension. We have automated many systems, and we will continue to invest and innovate to make processes more efficient and modern,”  Alfonso said.

http://www.manilastandard.net/index.php/business/transport-tourism/307773/lrmc-invests-p8-7-billion-to-upgrade-lrt-line-1-system.html

Thursday, October 17, 2019

ADB to fund Manila-Calamba railway in 2020

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it will be funding another railway line for the Philippines next year, following the biggest loan it has ever granted for a local infrastructure project.

The regional lender said it is looking to lend $2.5 billion (about ₱128.7 billion) to the Philippines in 2020, matching this year's level. Some $1.2 billion (about ₱61.8 billion) will be set aside for the South Commuter Railway Project, which will link Tutuban in Manila to Los Banos, Laguna. The South Commuter train line is said to be worth ₱344.6 billion, and is under the watch of the Department of Transportation.

This is a segment of the entire North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) system, which is also funded through official development assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The national government has also set aside a parallel budget of ₱84.7 billion for the NSCR next year, which is about a tenth of the ₱777.55-billion project cost.

Once completed, the entire NSCR will have 36 stations linking Clark International Airport and the New Clark City to Bulacan, Manila, all the way to Los Banos, Laguna.

The Manila-based ADB announced in July that it has signed the first tranche of its $2.75-billion loan for the Malolos-Clark line, the northern segment of the NSCR, which is the largest project financing the Japan-led institution to date. Construction is expected to start between April-June for the 53-kilometer train line, with partial operability targeted by 2022.

For 2019, the ADB is still looking to provide funding for Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility, which is meant to support feasibility studies and detailed engineering designs for projects under the "Build, Build, Build" program.

ADB is also looking to support local projects like sustainable tourism for Coron and El Nido in Palawan, as well as the modernization of public transport in Davao, to name a few.

Up for approval in the last two months of the year are the $126-million additional funding to improve water transmission systems from Angat Dam in Bulacan, as well as a $25-million capacity building program for the three-year-old Philippine Competition Commission.

Future projects

Lending will hit $2.5 billion by 2021, the ADB said in a statement on Thursday. This is triple the yearly average of $800 million granted between 2008 to 2018. Total lending will reach $9.1 billion from 2020 to 2022, with nearly 60 percent of the credit allotted for transportation projects.

Other projects ADB is eyeing to fund next year include the proposed EDSA Greenways Project ($100 million), which will set up elevated walkways in "high-density traffic locations" along the main thoroughfare of Metro Manila. Funding is also being readied for the Integrated Flood Risk Management Sector Project ($400 million), which will involve six river basins nationwide, and three bridges to help ease Metro Manila road traffic ($180 million).

"ADB's 2020 program will also include financing for the Expanded Social Assistance Project, which will build on a decade of ADB assistance to the government's conditional cash transfer program and support for the government's agricultural competitiveness program," the lender said.

Lending will hit $2.5 billion by 2021, the ADB said in a statement on Thursday. This is triple the yearly average of $800 million granted between 2008 to 2018. Total lending will reach $9.1 billion from 2020 to 2022, with nearly 60 percent of the credit allotted for transportation projects.

Lined up for 2021 are the Metro Rail Transit Line 4 project worth $500 million. An additional $1 billion fund representing the second tranche of the Malolos-Clark train line will also be disbursed, according to ADB data. Other projects on deck are the Bataan-Cavite Bridge Project and the Laguna Lakeshore Road Transport Project, each worth $500 million.

A $100-million allocation has also been set aside to develop irrigation systems in Mindanao. The ADB is also looking to provide a $300-million support for the government's universal healthcare project, which will be rolled out next year.

CNN Philippines Correspondent Sandra Zialcita contributed to this report.

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/10/17/ADB-Manila-Calamba-railway.html

Malolos-Clark rail project tender attracts six companies — DoTr

THE AUCTION for contract packages 4 and 5 of the Malolos-Clark segment (PNR Clark Phase 2) of the North South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project has attracted five foreign firms and one from the Philippines, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) said on Wednesday.

The DoTr said in a statement that the companies submitted their bids on Monday at the office of the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM).

The DoTr identified the companies that submitted bids as the Philippines’ EEI Corp., Spain’s Acciona S.A., South Korea’s GS Engineering & Construction and Posco Engineering & Construction, as well as Indonesia’s PT. Waskita Karya (Persero) Tbk and and Wijaya Karya. PT Wijaya Karya Tbk (Wika).

The 53-kilometer Malolos-Clark railway forms part of the 148-km NSCR project that is also composed of the 56-km Calamba-Tutuban and the 38-km Tutuban-Malolos lines.

“Contract Package 4 consists of 8 kilometers and includes Clark International Airport Station. Contract Package 5, meanwhile, consists of the NSCR’s Clark Depot,” the DoTr said in its statement.

The department said at Package 4 costs P32.7 billion while Package 5 costs P18.1 billion.

The department had announced last August that nine foreign and two local firms were vying for the first three contract packages of the railway project: Package 1 for a 17-kilometer segment including Calumpit and Apalit stations, Package 2 for a 16-km stretch including San Fernando station and Package 3 for a 12-km section including Angeles and Clark stations.

The P777.55-billion NSCR Project — which will run for 148 km with 37 stations — is co-financed by the Asian Development Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency and, thus, limits auction participants to ADB’s 68 member countries that include 19 outside Asia.

“Target awarding for Packages 1-3 is in December 2019; for Packages 4-5, the target will be within 1Q of 2020,” the DoTr said, adding that the PNR Clark Phase 2 “is targeted for partial operations by 2022.”

The government expects the Malolos-Clark railway, or the PNR Clark Phase 2, to reduce travel time between Clark airport and Makati Central Business District to 55 minutes from up to three hours currently.

“It aims to serve 340,000 passengers daily in its opening year,” it also said. — Arjay L. Balinbin

https://www.bworldonline.com/malolos-clark-rail-project-tender-attracts-six-companies-dotr/

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

6 companies eye construction of PNR Clark 2 segment

The contract packages opened for bidding include the Clark International Airport station and the NSCR Clark depot

A total of 5 foreign companies and 1 local company participated in the bidding for contract packages 4 and 5 of the Philippine National Railway (PNR) Clark Phase 2, jointly implemented by the railway agency and the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Bid submission for the two contract packages was conducted on Monday, October 14, at the Procurement Service office of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM).

The companies which joined the bidding were:


  • Acciona (Spain)
  • EEI (Philippines)
  • GS Engineering & Construction (Korea)
  • Posco Engineering & Construction (Korea)
  • PT Waskita (Indonesia)
  • PT Wika (Indonesia)


The 53-kilometer segment will form part of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR).

Contract packages 4 and 5 cost P32.7 billion and P18.1 billion respectively. The first package covers 8 kilometers and the Clark International Airport station, while the latter package consists of the NSCR's Clark Depot.

The bid will be awarded within the first quarter of 2020 after concurrence by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on the bid evaluation conducted by the PNR, DOTr, and PS-DBM.

The segment will cover Malolos, Bulacan to Clark, Pampanga and cut travel time to 30-35 minutes. It will also cover Buendia in Makati to Clark, reducing travel time to 55 minutes through its proposed airport express railways service, the first of its kind in the country.

It aims to accommodate a daily ridership of 340,000 passengers during its target opening year in 2022, by which time it is expected to conduct partial operations.

"With a robust competition, we also raise the standard of quality of our infrastructures that shall, in the end, best serve the Filipino people,” PNR General Manager Junn Magno said.

Bid submission and publication for contract packages that include the PNR Calamba Package 1, the NSCR's 304 commuter train cars, 56 airport express train cars, and electromechanical systems is set for the last quarter of 2019. The PNR Calamba Package 1, in particular, is set for November 5.

The P777.55-billion NSCR project will span 148 kilometers with 37 stations. It is co-financed by the ADB and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and is the biggest project under the current administration's 'Build, Build, Build' program.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/242686-companies-eye-construction-pnr-clark-2-segment

Gov’t clears path for LRT-1 Cavite extension

The acquisition of right-of-way for the Light Rail Transit Line 1 extension to Cavite province is almost complete, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

The 11.7-kilometer project is being undertaken by Light Rail Manila Corp., a venture backed by Ayala Corp. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. It will extend the LRT-1 in Metro Manila to Bacoor, Cavite.

According to the DOTr, it has cleared most of the obstructions along the railway line’s alignment.

“The remaining obstructions now only consist of one Maynilad pipe, telephone company and cable facilities of six companies, and various other ancillary facilities, and only 18 lots to be acquired, owned by three landowners,” the DOTr noted.

The department said a number of those facilities were controlled by the private sector, which have committed to relocating the facilities.

The DOTr added the removal of other obstructing ancillary facilities such as plant boxes, lampposts, traffic signals and CCTVs is also on schedule with the assistance of the Parañaque local government unit.

Permits to start works for 18 remaining lots were expected to be issued within this month by three landowners, namely the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) for 16 lots, Puregold for one lot and D.M. Wenceslao for one lot, it added.

The DOTr said the LRT-1 Cavite extension should serve about 800,000 passengers per day. It was on track for partial operations by 2021, it added.

https://business.inquirer.net/281193/govt-clears-path-for-lrt-1-cavite-extension

Thursday, October 10, 2019

PNR Clark Phase 1 to serve 300,000 passengers every day

MABALACAT CITY -- The PNR Clark Phase 1 project is expected to serve 300,000 passengers daily once completed in 2021.

Once fully operational, travel time from Tutuban, Metro Manila to Bulacan will be reduced from two hours to 35 minutes, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.


Full-blast construction of its elevated structures and stations in Malolos, Guiguinto and Balagtas is ongoing.

The project includes the continuous clearing and grubbing, and geotechnical investigation for confirmation in the three stations, and construction of

permanent bored pile in Balagtas and Guiguinto.

The project is part of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project, which includes the PNR Clark Phase 2.

PNR Clark Phase 2 is a 53-kilometer rail line from Malolos Bulacan to Clark Freeport.

Once the whole project is completed, the railway will allow commuters to reach the Clark International Airport from Buendia in Makati in just 55 minutes.

PNR Clark Phase 2 is expected to accommodate 340,000 passenger in its opening year in 2022. It will have stations in Calumpit, Apalit, City of San Fernando, and Angeles City.

The P777.55-million NSCR project is co funded by the Asian Development Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1827054

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

CALAX right-of-way delivered by yearend

The government plans to deliver by yearend substantial right-of-way to Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) subsidiary MPCALA Holdings Inc. for the Cavite segment of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX), as the first three sections of the expressway’s Laguna portion is poised to open by the end of the month.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said the target is to bring right-of-way delivery to 70 percent by the end of the year for the Cavite segment of CALAX from the current 40 percent.

“Acquisition of right-of-way is ongoing. At this point, the Cavite portion is 40 percent. Laguna is complete already. That is workable. We have permit to enter. Not necessarily we have the possession, but we have permit to enter,” Villar said.

MPTC earlier said the ideal level of right-of-way delivery to commence actual heightened work of a project is at 70 percent.

CALAX is designed to be a four-lane, 45.3-kilometer tolled expressway that will connect Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) in Kawit to South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) at the Mamplasan Interchange in Binan Laguna.

The project will have interchanges in eight locations, namely: Kawit, Daang Hari, Governor’s Drive, Aguinaldo Highway, Silang, Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay, Laguna Blvd., Technopark, and a Toll Barrier before SLEX.

The project’s Cavite segment spans 27.2 kms, while the Laguna portion covers 18.1 kms.

Villar said the target is to open the first 10 kms of the Laguna segment by the end of the month.

The first sections start at the Mamplasan Barrier and passes through Laguna Technopark Interchange, Laguna Boulevard Interchange all the way to Santa Rosa-Tagaytay Interchange.


“This first three sections, from Mamplasan to Sta. Rosa, when opened will spur growth in trade and tourism in Laguna and Cavite. Approximately 10,000 cars are expected to use these sections. The opening of these sections should ease traffic along Governor’s Drive, Aguinaldo Highway, and Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road,” Villar said.

Meanwhile, completion of the full 45-km CALAX is expected by the second quarter of 2022.

Once fully completed, Villar said travel time from Laguna and Cavite will be cut by more than half from the usual two hours to less than one hour.

“We are working with the Department of Public Works and Highways to complete the full 45 kilometers by the second quarter of 2022. CALAX is designed to be a four-lane, tolled expressway that will connect CAVITEX in Kawit to SLEX at their Mamplasan Interchange in Binan, Laguna,” MPCALA president Bobby Bontia said.

“It will also showcase technologically advance features such as Automatic License Plate Recognition System enabling barrier-less entry to CALAX, IP Based Speed Detection Cameras strategically installed, and High Definition CCTV cameras to cover the entire stretch of the expressway to ensure safe and efficient travel by the motorists,” he said.

Last January, MPCALA signed a P24.2 billion loan from a consortium of local banks for the funding requirements for the construction of the CALAX project.

Aside from CALAX, MPTC’s domestic portfolio includes the concessions of North Luzon Expressway, the Subic-Clark Tarlac Expressway, CAVITEX, the NLEX Connector Road, and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway in Cebu.

https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/10/09/1958599/calax-right-way-delivered-yearend

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Right-of-way for LRT-1 Cavite Extension project almost finish

By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz

The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) announced on Tuesday the delivery of right-of-way for the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) Cavite Extension is almost complete and partial operability of the project by end of 2021 is on track.

In a statement, the company said one pipe from Maynilad, telecommunications (telco) and cable facilities of six companies, and 18 lots of three landowners remain before the acquisition of the right-of-way of the project is at 100 percent.

According to Maynilad, its 1,100-mm. pipe will be relocated once the Cavite Infrastructure Corporation (CIC) issues a permit—which the CIC promised to deliver before November 1.

Since Maynilad, the CIC, and the Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC)—the build-operate-maintain project contractor of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension—are all subsidiaries of Manny Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), the LRTA is confident no delays would arise from the relocation of the pipeline.

Meanwhile, representatives of Cable Link, Eastern Telecoms, Globe Telecom, PLDT, Radius Telecoms, and Sky Cable committed to relocate or cut their remaining telco and cable facilities within October.

“Whatever remaining utilities may already be cut to give way to LRMC’s constructions works, especially the movement of its rigs,” the LRTA said.

Other obstructions such as plant boxes, lamp posts, traffic signals, and closed-circuit television cameras will also be removed soon with the help of Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez in the clearing works, the LRTA said.

The LRTA also said permits allowing the start of civil works within the 18 remaining lots will be issued within October by their three landowners: Philippine Reclamation Authority for 16 lots, Puregold and D.M. Wenceslao for one lot each.

“With the cooperation of all the above stakeholders, the 19-years delayed LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project, which is expected to service up to 800,000 per day, is finally on track to partial operations by the end of 2021,” the LRTA said.

On Sept. 1, the LRMC started the excavation, drilling, and piling works of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension and on Sept. 18 started substructure concreting works.

Last May, Pangilinan ordered the partial operability of the Cavite extension “a full year before 2022” which will cover the first seven kilometers and five stations of the project.

Once completed, the PHP64.9 billion project will extend the LRT-1 from the existing Baclaran station southward to the future Niyog station in Bacoor, Cavite—about 11.7 kilometers in length with eight additional stations.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1082596

DOTr: Right-of-way acquisition for LRT-1 Cavite extension nearly complete

(Updated 4:58 p.m.) — The Department of Transportation on Tuesday said that it was nearing full acquisition of right-of-way for the long-delayed LRT-1 Cavite extension project.

Right-of-way refers to a transportation system's right to construct and later operate a railroad line, road, or utility on land belonging to other entities.

DOTr said that the remaining obstructions left before securing 100% right-of-way approval included one Maynilad pipe, telco and cable facilities of six companies, various other ancillary facilities, and 18 lots owned by three separate owners.

Relocation of the Maynilad Water Services pipe now only requires a permit from Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway operator Cavite Infrastructure Corp. (CIC), which has committed to issue one before November 1.

DOTr said it is optimistic that the two remaining companies would be cooperative and not delay the project further as both subsidiaries of Manny V. Pangilinan's Metro Pacific Investments Corporation.

At the project's start of works ceremony in May, Pangilinan was quoted as saying, “we should be partially open by a full year before 2022."

"So Ping, those are your marching orders," he said, addressing the president and CEO of the Light Rail Manila Corp.

Light Rail Manila Corp. is a joint venture of MPIC's Metro Pacific Light Rail Corporation, Ayala Corp.'s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation, and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd.

Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez has also provided support by clearing obstructions in the area, which included "obstructing ancillary facilities, such as plant boxes, lamp posts, traffic signals, and CCTVs."

Concerns regarding the country's mass transportation options ballooned when electric and technical glitches on October 2 caused the MRT-3 and LRT-2 operations to halt resulting in some 500 passengers being offloaded.

The succeeding day, the LRT-2's power rectifier in between the Katipunan and Anonas stations caught fire, effectively paralyzing both stations and the Santolan Station.

Transport groups held a nationwide transport strike on September to protest the PUV modernization program which looks to phase out all jeeps that are at least 15 years old and replace them with Euro 4-compliant vehicles running on renewable energy. Each PUV unit's cost, however, ranges from P1 million to P2.2 million.

In closing, the department also said that partial operations for the Cavite extension were being expected for the end of 2021.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/10/08/1958476/dotr-right-way-acquisition-lrt-1-cavite-extension-nearly-complete

Monday, October 7, 2019

ADB to lend $2.6B for PH rail project

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is scheduled to green-light its second-biggest loan ever to its host-country the Philippines next year, this time for the massive railway project that will run between Manila and Laguna.

On the sidelines of last week’s Urban Transport for Livable Cities Forum 2019, ADB principal transport specialist for Southeast Asia Markus Roesner told the Inquirer that the Manila-based multilateral lender’s board was expected to approve a $2.61-billion loan for the 54.6-kilometer (km) South Commuter Railway Project by the third quarter of 2020.

This year, the ADB approved its largest loan to the Philippines—$2.75 billion for the 51.2-km Malolos-Clark Railway Project and the 1.9-km Blumentritt Extension of Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1.

Just like the Malolos-Clark Railway, the South Commuter Railway between Tutuban in Manila and Calamba, Laguna, will be co-financed by the ADB and the Japanese government’s aid arm Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), Roesner said.

ADB will again finance civil works while Jica will take charge of procuring rolling stock and a railway system as well as provide consulting services, Roesner added.

Last January, Jica already signed with the Philippine government a 167.2-billion yen official development assistance (ODA) loan for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Extension Project, which expanded the scope of the ongoing NSCR Phase 1 between Manila and Malolos, Bulacan, to Clark International Airport up north and Calamba down south.

Even as the ADB loan to fund the South Commuter Railway will be made available next year, advance procurement will start late this year, according to Roesner.

According to the state planning agency National Economic and Development Authority, the P344.6-billion Philippine National Railways South Commuter Line will involve construction of an electrified, double-track, standard-gauge, elevated rail system, which will start operations in 2023.

https://business.inquirer.net/280522/adb-to-lend-2-6b-for-ph-rail-project

Saturday, October 5, 2019

Metro Manila landline numbers migrate to 8-digits from 7 on Oct. 6

Telecommunication providers and other business establishments have reiterated the migration to 8-digit landline numbers from 7 digits effective Oct. 6, in compliance with the directive of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

Under NTC Memorandum Order No. 10-10-2017, each telco was given an "identifier" as an additional prefix to add to existing phone numbers with the area code (02).

The change was imposed to cater to the growing number of landline users in the area, providers Globe Telecom and PLDT, Inc. have said.

Globe landline customers with area code (02) will have to add number "7" to their existing number starting Oct. 6. Its subsidiary Bayan Telecommunications was assigned the number "3" as its identifier.

SAMPLE FORMAT FOR GLOBE/DUO:

New format (02) 7210-XXXX from (02) 210-XXXX

SAMPLE FORMAT FOR BAYAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS:

New format (02) 3220-XXXX from (02) 220-XXXX

Number "8", meanwhile, was assigned to PLDT Inc. All landline numbers with area code (02) under PLDT Inc will have to add the number "8" before the existing 7-digit numbers, the telco announced on its Facebook page.

SAMPLE FORMAT FOR PLDT:

(02) 8535889

After the migration, 7-digit phone numbers will no longer be reachable, PLDT Inc said.

During the migration period, consumers may experience a 5-hour downtime from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. on Oct. 6, the telephone companies said.

Banks and other businesses have also announced the migration of their hotline numbers to 8 digits, following the identifier assigned to their respective telco service providers.

Updated hotline numbers of major banks:



  • UnionBank: (02) 8-841-8600
  • BPI: (02) 889-10000
  • BDO: (02) 8631-800
  • Security Bank: (02) 888-791-88
  • EastWest Bank: (02) 888-1700

Meanwhile, the Directories Philippines Corporation (DPC) on upcoming telephone directories for next year, such as:

PLDT Metro Manila

  • 4 column book
  • Issue date: June 2020
  • Coverage: Manila, Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City, San Juan, San Pedro, Taguig, Valenzuela and Pateros


Residential subscribers will receive:


  • White Page Listing
    • Residential Listings
    • Government & Business Listings
  • Yellow Page Listing
    • Household & Business


Commercial subscribers will receive:


  • White Page Listing
    • Government & Business
  • Yellow Page Listing
    • Household & Business
    • Commercial & Industrial


BAYANTEL NCR
4 column book
Issue date: July 2020
Coverage: Kalookan, Quezon City, Manila, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela

GLOBE NCR
4 column book
Issue date: September 2020
Coverage: Makati, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Pasig, Marikina

GLOBE LUZON
4 column book
Issue date: November 2020
Coverage: Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro and Palawan


  • White Page Listing
    • Residential
    • Government/Business
  • Yellow Pages

The PLDT Metro Manila telephone directory would revert to a original two-volume, four-column fatter format, while the BayanTel and Globe directories bounded in combined volume-bound, while the regional telephone directories reverted to the old format from 1987-88 to 2002-2003 such as the CALABAR/Mindoro/Romblon, Iloilo/Capiz/Guimaras, Negros Occidental/Negros Oriental, Cebu and Davao/Surigao del Sur directories using four-column combined format, while the Ilocos/Abra, Benguet/Mountain Province, Cagayan/Isabela/Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan/La Union, Pampanga/Tarlac/ClarkTel, Bataan/Zambales/SubicTel, Bulacan/Nueva Ecija/Aurora, Quezon/Bicol, Palawan/Marinduque/Masbate, Bohol/Leyte/Southern Leyte/Samar, Zamboanga, Misamis Occidental and Oriental, PhilCom-Cagayan de Oro, Maratel-Iligan and General Santos/Maguindanao/North and South Cotabato/Sarangani/Sultan Kudarat directories using two-column smaller combined format.

In this edition, it would have these innovations: the current look, better format, clearer, sharper-looking full-colored advertisements, separate sections for government, business and residential sections, complete Zip Code of the Philippines and expanded Fax, Email and Website Section, plus various sections which used in the 1993 edition.

The IBC or Inside Back Cover features the Painting.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/10/04/19/metro-manila-landline-numbers-migrate-to-8-digits-from-7-on-oct-6

Migration to 8-digit landline number starts October 6

By Emmie Abadilla 

Wireless landline users in the metropolis and some nearby provinces need to dial an extra number when making a call starting Sunday, October 6, 2019.

The current 7-digit phone numbers of PLDT’s wireless landline subscribers in Metro Manila, Rizal, San Pedro, Laguna, as well as those of Globe Telecom and its subsidiaries, and everyone within the 02 area code, will be moved to the 8-digit format, in accordance with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) directive.

The NTC issued Memorandum Order No. 10-10-2017 on October 27, 2017, requiring local telephone companies to do the migration “to address the insufficient number of assignable exchange codes” and cater to the surge of landline customers in major cities.

The commission assigned each telco with a public telecommunications entity (PTE) identifier as an additional prefix to their phone numbers. The assigned PTE identifier for PLDT is 8. However, some PLDT vanity numbers with 5-digit telephone numbers will also be changed. All PLDT vanity numbers and shortened numbers in Metro Manila will be extended to 8-digits.

For Globe and subsidiary Innove, the PTE identifier is 7, while for Bayan, its PTE is 3.

The migration process for subscribers of the country’s telcos starts Sunday morning, from 12:01 a.m. until 5:00 a.m. During this period, affected customers may experience service interruption as telcos update their system to the new format.

The voice services of PLDT Metro Manila subscribers will be affected. These are the direct lines, trunklines, PLDT Landline Plus, Call All, FEX Lines, SIP Trunks, ISDN, and Vanity Numbers, including virtual numbers like short-digit numbers, Toll Free (domestic, international and universal), Premium numbers such as embassy hotline and 1-900 service hotline, #MyNumber.

PLDT HOME customers should expect 5 hours (from 12 midnight to 5 a.m.) downtime, or no dial tone, during the migration period. Provincial and international callers will not be able to reach all Metro Manila lines during the activity.

For important calls during the migration, telcos encourage customers to use other available means of communication.

PLDT said its subscribers and those calling them will have no difficulty adjusting to the number change. All they have to do is add the number ‘8’ at the start of the current 7-digit landline number.

To illustrate, if one’s existing PLDT number is XXX-XXXX, then it will become 8XXX-XXXX.

Callers from the provinces will only need to do the usual national direct dialing procedure which now includes their Metro Manila contact’s 8 digit number: Dial 0 + Area Code (2) + 8 digits landline number.

Those outside the Philippines will have to dial 00 + Country Code (63) + Area Code (2) + 8 digits landline number.

On the other hand, a Globe or Innove customer with existing landline or DUO number of (02) 210-XXXX will have to use (02) 7210-XXXX by October 6. A Bayan customer will have to change his number from (02) 220-XXXX to (02) 3220-XXXX.

The following are the 3-digit prefix for Globe and Innove which will require the assigned PTE identifier “7” at the beginning of the prefix: 210-219, 225, 238-239, 261, 263-266, 349, 358, 368-369, 473, 482, 500-509, 576-577, 585-587, 610-619, 621-625, 717-720, 728-730, 738-739, 744-748, 750-759, 791-799,900-910, 914-919, 933-934, 940, 943-946, 949-950, 954-960, 964, 966, 968, 970-976, 978, 980, 987, 989.

The following are the 3-digit prefix for Bayan which will require the assigned PTE identifier ”3” at the beginning of the prefix: 220-224, 226-228, 262, 377-394, 406-419, 427-428, 430-440, 443-450, 453-456, 466-469, 474, 480-481, 483-499.

The National Complaint Hotline 8888 and emergency special numbers which are less than 7-digits and start with 1 or 9 such as Emergency Hotline 911, MMDA 136, Lifeline Arrows 16911, and Rescue Operations 161, among others, will remain the same.

Originally, NTC set the migration date for March 18, 2019, but the Bankers Association of the Philippines and Credit Card Association of the Philippines petitioned to have it moved to a later schedule.

For three months after the October 6, 2019 migration (until January 6, 2020), customers who incorrectly dial the old 7-digit numbers will hear a special announcement, saying the number has been changed to 8-digits (toll-free). After the special announcement is played, the call will be terminated and customers have to redial using the new 8-digit number.

https://business.mb.com.ph/2019/10/04/migration-to-8-digit-landline-number-starts-october-6/

Friday, October 4, 2019

DoTr to focus on railway dev’t in 2020

By Denise A. Valdez
Reporter

RAILWAY PROJECTS are taking center stage next year as the sector will account for bulk of the Department of Transportation’s (DoTr) proposed budget for 2020.

The department presented to the Senate on Thursday its P147-billion proposed spending plan for next year, where P108 billion will be spent on projects, of which 99% will be spent on railways.

The Senate Committee on Finance approved the budget, which will now be taken up at the plenary.

Approximately P106.7 billion of DoTr’s approved budget for projects will go to railways, followed by P507.5 million for the maritime sector, P346.5 million for the aviation sector and P101 million for roads. About P360.6 million of the budget will go to other projects.

“The reason for this budget is because we are aggressively expanding the railway network,” Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John R. Batan said at the hearing.

Railway projects to be undertaken next year include the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), Metro Manila Subway Project, Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) Rehabilitation, Mindanao Railway Project, Philippine National Railway (PNR) South Long Haul, Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) Cavite Extension and Subic-Clark Railway. Mr. Batan said construction of each of the projects is part of a plan to expand the country’s railway system, which will have a total length of 1,144 kilometers in 2022 from 77 km in 2016, consisting especially of LRT-1, LRT-2, MRT-3, PNR At-Grade, MRT-7, Metro Manila Subway, Subic-Clark Railway, NSCR, PNR Bicol and Mindanao Railway.

Within the same six-year period, the number of stations across all railway systems is targeted to increase to 169 from 59, the number of trains to 1,425 from 221, and daily ridership to 3.26 million from 1.02 million.

“Itong 2016, 2017 and 2018, iginugol natin sa project approvals, procurement at pag-arrange ng mga loans [We spent 2016, 2017 and 2018 for project approvals, procurement and arranging loans]. ’Yung construction natin are mostly starting in 2019, 2020, continuing to 2021,” he said.

Senators also asked the DoTr on the MRT-3 rehabilitation and how soon commuters may expect ease in riding experience. Mr. Batan said repairs are scheduled for completion by July 2021, but at least nine of the 48 new trains from China will be gradually rolled out for regular operations starting the second half of 2020.

Meanwhile, Transportation OIC Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Richmund M. de Leon said the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program may extend its deadline for jeepney phaseout beyond July 2020.

“’Yung target kasi, ’yun ’yung [That target was] when we started this modernization program last 2017… But having said that, meron tayong mga [we’re encountering] challenges on financing, on the cost of the units, we will evaluate again based on these challenges,” he said at the hearing.

The government initially required jeepney drivers and operators to change their fleet of 15-year-old jeepneys into “environment friendly” units by 2020.

Mr. de Leon said there are 170,000 old jeepney units across the country today, and the goal is to have about 85,000 modern units to replace them by next year.

However, there are only 2,595 modern jeepneys operational today — more than two years since the launch of the PUV Modernization program.

“We support in general this modernization program. But I am not very encouraged by the answers that I hear today… In a week’s time, submit to us a revised target… what are your targets for the phaseout, and up to the end of this administration,” Senator Franklin M. Drilon told the DoTr.

https://www.bworldonline.com/dotr-to-focus-on-railway-devt-in-2020/