Caroling, Christmas office parties not allowed in Metro Manila

The traditional caroling ahead of Christmas as well as holiday parties in offices will not be allowed in Metro Manila, Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez said Monday.

“Yung pong atin pong pagsu-suspend ng atin mga caroling, hindi po papayagan po yung caroling at yun pong ating Christmas party sa lahat po ng ating public offices,” Olivarez, head of the Metro Manila Council (MMC) said in an interview on Teleradyo when asked what were discussed during a meeting Sunday night among mayors.

(We talked about the suspension of caroling; caroling will not be allowed, as well as Christmas parties, in public offices.)

Olivarez also said that the private sector is discouraged from holding Christmas parties, citing the restriction on public gatherings.

“Do’n po sa ating mga private offices, dini-discourage po natin ang Christmas party natin, mananatili pong 10 persons per gathering,” he said.

(With regards to private offices, conducting Christmas parties is discouraged because our limit for gatherings remains at 10 persons per gathering only.)

Olivarez said the MMC has already recommended to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases the retention of the general community quarantine (GCQ) in their areas until the end of the year.

Most parts of the country have been under the less restrictive GCQ or modified GCQ the past few weeks.

Metro Manila, Batangas, Iloilo City, Bacolod City, Tacloban City, Iligan City, and Lanao del Sur were placed under GCQ for the entire month of November while the rest of the country remained under MGCQ.

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to announce the country’s quarantine classifications for December.

As of Sunday, the Philippines reported over 425,000 COVID-19 cases. Of the number, 387,616 recoveries and 8,255 deaths.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1366320/caroling-christmas-office-parties-not-allowed-in-metro-manila

Christmas party ng 'di lalampas sa 10 indibidwal, papayagan sa NCR at ib...

Evacuees sa Rodriguez, Rizal sumailalim sa COVID-19 testing

Nagsagawa ng COVID-19 testing sa bayan ng Rodriguez, Rizal nitong Miyerkoles, kung saan kasama sa mga na-test ang mga evacuee na nasalanta ng Bagyong Ulysses.

Nasa 1,000 residente ng bayan, kasama ang evacuees, ang sumailalim sa swab test.

Mula nang manalasa ang bagyo, hindi na nasusunod ang physical distancing sa masikip na evacuation centers, tulad ng Kasiglahan Village Senior High School.

Wala na ring face mask ang mga residenteng tumutuloy sa evacuation center, na maaari sanang magsilbing pag-iingat laban sa nakahahawang sakit.

"Expanded testing ito," paliwanag ni Dr. Carmela Javier, municipal health officer.

"Dito, ang target ay vulnerable groups and ang evacuees natin sa different evacuation areas ay papupuntahin namin dito," aniya.

Panawagan para sa batang may sakit

Sa isang evacuation center tumutuloy ang pamilya ng 4 na taong gulang na si Mary Gelle Peregrino, na nagka-tuberculous, meningitis at ngayo'y may cerebral palsy at hydrocephalus.

LOOK: Among those still needing help in Kasiglahan Village in Rodriguez are 4-year old Mary Gelle Peregrino who had TB meningitis & is suffering from cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus according to her brother. Also needing assistance is a group of women who make pot holders. pic.twitter.com/HZ5U9eJSDa

— Adrian Ayalin (@adrianayalin) November 25, 2020

Nasa 27 pamilya ang kasama nina Peregrino sa center, na pawang mga nakatira sa Bukid Extension ng Kasigalahan Village na na-wash out ng umapaw na ilog noong kasagsagan ng bagyo.

"Nanawagan po kami upang magkaroon sana si Mary Gelle ng ano makakuha po kami ng tulong sa kaniya," ayon sa kapatid niyang si Ian Clyde.

Kasama umano sa mga kailangan ni Mary Gelle ang gamot at gatas.

Patuloy naman ang pagdating ng private donors, tulad ng isang namigay ng lugaw sa Kasiglahan Village Senior High School.

Tuwing may darating na ayuda, takbuhan pa rin ang mga taga-Kasiglahan Village para makakuha ng tulong.

Sa tala ng lokal na pamahalaan, may 2,000 pang evacuee na hindi makauwi sa kani-kanilang mga bahay.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/25/20/evacuees-sa-rodriguez-rizal-sumailalim-sa-covid-19-testing

Caroling not allowed in Davao City

CAROLING activities would have to be skipped this year after Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio prohibited the said activity this Christmas season while the city is still under a state of pandemic.

"Dili nato i-allow ang caroling kay ang singing is one activity na worse pa sa talking kay malagpot ang laway (We will not allow caroling because singing is one of the human activities that are worse than talking)," Duterte-Carpio said on Monday, November 23, via 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.

This was also the main reason why churches are mandated to have only one singer during masses and have been prohibited to conduct community singing.

The mayor said singing may transmit droplets from one person to another.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), viruses can spread from an infected person's mouth or nose in small liquid particles when they sing, cough, sneeze, speak, or breathe heavily.

An article from sciencedaily.com said a study from the Aerosol Technology at Lund University shows that singing -- particularly loud and consonant-rich singing -- spreads a lot of aerosol particles and droplets into the surrounding air.

"Some droplets are so large that they only move a few decimeters from the mouth before they fall, whereas others are smaller and may continue to hover for minutes. In particular, the enunciation of consonants releases very large droplets and the letters B and P stand out as the biggest aerosol spreaders," Aerosol Technology doctoral student Malin Alsved said.

Meanwhile, City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) head Marlissa Gallo said they are constantly monitoring areas that are frequented by street dwellers, including mendicants.

Gallo encouraged Dabawenyos to refrain from giving them alms.

"Bawal gyud na. Every day naa tay operations sa street dwellers, apil na diha ang caroling and begging (It is not allowed. Every day we have operations to check on street-dwellers, including those who are caroling and begging)," she said.

At present, CSWDO is in coordination with the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC), the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), and the City Transport and Traffic Management System (CTTMO) to further intensify the operations, especially with the Christmas season.

Gallo also told Dabawenyos to report to the CSWDO, the police, and the barangay about the presence of carolers in their area.

"Dili man na siya essential nga movement, covered na sa Covid protocol nato. Pwede [mag report] sa police, CSWDO, and sa barangay (It is not considered essential movement, it is covered by our Covid protocol. They may report to the police, CSWDO, or the barangay," she said.

Based on the recent executive orders in the city, non-essential movements and gatherings are strictly prohibited as these might be "super spreaders" of the Covid-19 virus.

Young children, who are mostly doing carolings, are also prohibited from going outside as they are considered vulnerable to the virus.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año recently encouraged the public to do all their Christmas activities online.

"Kung magkakaroon ng caroling, siguro online na lang, online caroling pero yung personal at saka face-to-face ay sa ngayon hindi pa muna nararapat dahil hindi pa natin nafa-flatten ang (If there would be carolings, these can be done online. Online caroling is okay but personal and face-to-face is not because we have yet to flatten the) curve (of coronavirus disease 2019)," Año said in an interview. (With reports from CIO and PNA)

Bids sought for parts of South Commuter Railway project

 THE Transportation department has started seeking bidders for the construction of viaducts, bridges, nine stations, and a depot for use by the South Commuter Railway project.

“The Department of Transportation (DoTr)… through its procuring agent, Procurement Service (PS) of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), now invites sealed bids, including technical and financial bids, from eligible bidders for the four contract packages,” the department said Tuesday.

The packages on offer are: building and civil engineering works for an 8.5-kilometer railway viaduct, including elevated stations in Alabang and Muntinlupa; building and civil engineering works for a 12.8-km railway viaduct, including elevated stations in San Pedro, Pacita, Biñan and Santa Rosa; building and civil engineering works for a 10.28-km railway viaduct, including elevated stations in Cabuyao and Calamba; and building and civil engineering works on a 22-hectare depot with buildings and facilities in Banlic, a barangay of Calamba.

The South Commuter Railway project is financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

“Works will be procured through an open competitive bidding in accordance with ADB’s procurement policy,” the department said.

“The open competitive bidding will be conducted in accordance with the procedures in the bid documents following the ‘Single-Stage: One Envelope (including technical and financial bids),’ process, without pre-qualification,” it added.

The department added that bids must be submitted to the PS-DBM office in Manila on or before 10 a.m. on March 23, together with a bid security as specified in the bidding documents. — Arjay L. Balinbin

https://www.bworldonline.com/bids-sought-for-parts-of-south-commuter-railway-project/

CONNECTOR ROAD (BLUMENTRITT AREA) 11-24-20

1 dead, 4 others hurt as a Skyway steel bar collapses

By Ferdinand Patinio

One person died while at least four others were injured after a steel bar from the Skyway Extension Project fell on six vehicles on Saturday in Muntinlupa City.

According to the EEI Corp., the project’s contractor for Skyway Project, a girder fell on vehicles below around 8:50 a.m. killing one and injuring several others.

“At 8:50 this morning, a crane that was being positioned for its next task tilted and fell on the girder spanning the two posts of the north-bound Skyway extension project,” it said in a statement.

“The girder fell on vehicles below, killing at least one and injuring at least persons who were rushed by ambulances from the Skyway O&M Corp. and EEI to various hospitals,” it added.

The incident happened along the East Service Road of the city.

The private contractor added that they are monitoring the situation of those injured.

“We are monitoring the progress of the injured and are trying to get in touch with their next of kin for proper coordination and to extend any assistance they may need,” it added.

“Our hearts and prayers go with the affected families. This is an unfortunate and heartbreaking accident that must not happen again,” it said.

The company also vowed to review immediately its safety and operating protocols as it builds a strategic infrastructure for the public’s convenience.

“Updates will be released as new and material information becomes available,” it added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1122563

Metro Pacific Tollways building 'urban ring road' linking north, south, east, west of Metro Manila

 The Pangilinan-led Metro Pacific Tollways Corp (MPTC) will build a network of expressways around Metro Manila that will connect all major roads in the metro, the firm announced on Friday.

The P150.6-billion "Urban Ring Road" will link the west, east, north, and south sides of Metro Manila via interconnected tollways which will comprise a “ring around the metropolis” for seamless urban travel, it said.

"That’s why we call it the ‘MPTC Urban Ring Road,’ which is designed to improve circulation and assure unimpeded traffic flow...The economic losses of city traffic are enormous. We’d like to help manage it, and the MPTC Urban Ring Road is our contribution,” Rodrigo Franco, MPTC President and CEO said in a statement. 

It is also meant to decongest local roads and strengthen the road network configuration by separating local in-city trips from inter-city to inter-regional travel, it said.

The four expressways of the Urban Ring Road include: 

- The 19.4-kilometer Elevated C-5 Expressway will connect Quezon City to Taguig, and also reduce the two-hour travel time to only 15 minutes.

- The C-5 South Link will connect C-5 Road to CAVITEX and will reduce the one-hour journey to 10 minutes.

- NLEX-CAVITEX Port Link Expressway will then connect CAVITEX to other expressways such as CALAX, NAIA Expressway, and SLEX.

- And the 5-km elevated NLEX Harbor Link-Port Area Section which will link Manila's Port Section to NLEX

MPTC said the road link system will allow for faster and "round-the-clock" transportation of goods within and through Metro Manila.

MPTC said the "Ring Road" concept was inspired by the body's circulatory system.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/11/20/20/metro-pacific-tollways-building-urban-ring-road-linking-north-south-east-west-of-metro-manila

Marikina records COVID-19 case after Ulysses onslaught

Marikina recorded one COVID-19 case after Typhoon Ulysses submerged houses and prompted residents to call for rescue atop their roofs, its mayor said Thursday, exactly a week after the storm's onslaught.

The patient, a 68 year-old male evacuee, was detected at the Barangka Elementary School and has since been isolated, according to Mayor Marcelino Teodoro.

All of the patient's relatives and close contacts tested negative for the coronavirus, he said.

"Ang priority pa rin natin talaga makabangon dito sa pinsalang dulot ng bagyo. Pangkabuhayan, 'yan po ang kailangan po; pero ayaw namin magdagdag problema pa ang COVID," he told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

(Our priority is still to recover from the typhoon's destruction. We need livelihood and we also don't want COVID to add to our problems.)

The Philippines as of Wednesday reported 412,097 cases of COVID-19, of which 7,957 were deaths, 374,666 were recoveries, and 29,474 were considered active.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/11/19/20/marikina-records-covid-19-case-after-ulysses-onslaught

P3.4-M halaga ng shabu nasamsam sa 3 suspek sa Pasay drug bust

Aabot sa P3.4 milyong halaga ng shabu ang nakumpiska sa 3 suspek na naaresto sa buy-bust operation sa Pasay City hapon ng Miyerkoles.

Ayon kay Jigger Montallana, direktor ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency sa Calabarzon region, target ng operasyon na ikinasa ng kanilang ahensiya ang 3 suspek na pawang mga residente ng Parañaque City.

Binentahan umano ng mga suspek ng ilegal na droga ang isang tauhan ng PDEA na nagpanggap na buyer.

Aabot sa 500 gramo ng shabu ang nakumpiska sa mga suspek, na mahaharap sa kasong paglabag sa Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. -- Ulat ni Zhander Cayabyab, ABS-CBN News

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/19/20/p34-m-halaga-ng-shabu-nasamsam-sa-3-suspek-sa-pasay-drug-bust

10 anyos na lalaki nalunod sa Dasmariñas

Wala nang buhay nang matagpuan nitong Miyerkoles ang isang 10 taong gulang na lalaki sa isang ilog sa Dasmariñas City, Cavite.

Ayon sa Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Cavite, nakatanggap sila pasado ala-1 ng hapon ng tawag tungkol sa taong nalunod sa ilog sa may Ilano Compound, Barangay San Manuel II.

Agad nagsagawa ng search and rescue operation ang PCG kasama ang Dasmariñas City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office para mahanap ang biktima.

Makalipas ang 20 minuto, nahanap ng mga diver ang bangkay ng bata, na base sa imbestigasyon ay naligo sa ilog nang mangyari ang insidente.

Nai-turnover na ang labi ng bata sa kaniyang ama matapos ang operasyon.

Muli namang nagpaalala ang mga awtoridad sa publiko na iwasang maligo sa mga ilog, lalo na tuwing panahon na maulan at may bagyo.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/19/20/10-anyos-na-lalaki-nalunod-sa-dasmarias

ABS-CBN rescue boats, fire truck tumugon sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo sa Marikina, Rizal

Isa ang emergency unit ng ABS-CBN sa mga rumesponde sa mga kapamilyang nasalanta ng matinding pagbaha nitong nakaraang bagyong Ulysses sa Marikina City at bayan ng Rodriguez sa Rizal.

Ayon kay Leo Bungubung, head ng ABS-CBN Corporate Security and Safety Division, nag-deploy sila noong Nobyembre 12, kasagsagan ng bagyo, ng tig-isang rescue boat sa Barangay Malanday sa Marikina at sa bayan ng Rodriguez.

“In total, nakapagligtas po tayo ng 17 kapamilya natin at limang households po ang ating napuntahan, parehas po sa Marikina at Rizal,” sabi ni Bungubung sa panayam sa TeleRadyo ngayong Miyerkoles.

Pinasok ng rescue boats ang mga kalsada na mataas na ang tubig-baha, at karamihan sa kanilang na-rescue ay mga kabataan.

“Sa isang pamilyang ni-rescue natin, may 8 tao. Lima doon, kabataan, edad 12 pababa. Tatlo lang adults. Nasa bubong na po yung ibang kapamilya natin. Yung iba, nasa second floor na po,” sabi niya.

Nabuo ang emergency management unit ng kumpanya taong 2014 at pinalawig ang kapasidad para rumesponde sa medical at ambulance transportation. 

“Meron tayong fire rescue rin po, at ang recent na dinevelop namin ay yung urban response rescue natin para maka-responde sa mga kalamidad, natural disasters, earthquake at ito pong mga water search and rescue,” sabi niya.

From Quinta, Rolly, Siony, Tonyo, to Ulysses - the same areas continue to be battered by typhoons, one after another....

Posted by ABS - CBN Foundation on Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Nitong nakaraang linggo, ipinadala rin ang fire truck ng ABS-CBN sa Provident Village sa Marikina, sa pakikipag-ugnayan na rin sa Marikina Rescue at Bureau of Fire Protection.

“Sa dalawang araw po na yun—Sabado, Linggo, nakapaglinis po tayo ng 5 kabahayan at yun pong mangilan-ngilang kalsada sa Provident Village,” sabi niya.

Ang mga rumeresponde ay dumaan sa training mula basic first aid, high-angle rescue, fire fighting, survival training, hanggang sa water search and rescue.

Payo niya sa publiko na magkaroon ng kaalaman tungkol sa mga risk at hazard sa kanilang mga lugar.

“Alamin kung anong pwedeng gawing natural barriers and preparedness. Paghandaan natin. Mag-drill tayo. Isipin safety ng bawat isa,” sabi niya.

Bukod sa emergency rescue operations, patuloy pa ring nagdadala ng relief goods at pagkain ang Sagip Kapamilya ng ABS-CBN Foundation sa mga lugar na nasalanta ng mga nagdaang bagyo. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/11/18/20/abs-cbn-rescue-boats-fire-truck-tumugon-sa-mga-nasalanta-ng-bagyo-sa-marikina-rizal

Meralco spends P10.9-B capex in nine months

 Power utility giant Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has registered P10.9 billion worth of capital expenditures (capex) utilized within January-September period this year, with many of its capital projects on accelerated pace of implementations after the lockdown.

According to Ronnie L. Aperocho, first vice president and head of networks of Meralco, the utility firm already spent 88-percent of its earmarked capex this year, with resumption of many projects post-enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), based on the enforcement of the government in March to May this year.

“With the reversion to GCQ (general community quarantine), Meralco began to fast-track the implementation of catch-up and critical capex projects,” he said.

The Meralco executive emphasized that despite the pandemic, a total of 600 poles have been relocated to underpin the continuing implementation of the government’s Build, Build, Build (BBB) as well as Private-Public Partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects.

These included BBB projects like the North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway (NLEX-SLEX) connector road; Skyway Stage-3; Light Rail Transit-1 Cavite Extension; Metro Rail Transit Line-7 (MRT-7); C-5 South Link; Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAEx); C3-R10 Road; Philippine National Railways (PNR) North 1; Skyway Stage 2 Extension; and SLEX toll road projects.

The power firm specified that on top of those, 579 poles were also moved or transferred for the road widening projects being advanced by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

And due to the manifest increase in household electricity usage because of the work-from-home (WFH) arrangement and online learning of students during the pandemic, the company said it similarly implemented emergency capex programs that included installations of transformer load monitoring and accelerated distribution transformer, among others.

The company stressed that it monitored a total of 12,950 incidents of distribution and secondary level outages as of end-September this year because of higher heat index and abrupt increase in load, hence, it needed to immediately implement warranted system reinforcements.

The utility firm explained that it was able to achieve improvement in distribution transformer load, through the installation of 330 distribution transformer monitoring equipment into its system.

Meralco indicated that it also put up a new 150 megavolt ampere (MVA) transformer bank last September “to resolve critical overloading of the existing transformer banks” at its Malolos substation.

“This shall provide the needed capacity to meet the load growth in Bulacan and Pampanga within the Meralco franchise area,” the utility firm emphasized.

The company likewise completed the 115-kilovolt San Mateo-Diliman-Marikina line, which is a new eight-kilometer sub-transmission line backbone stretching from Commonwealth Avenue up to Batasan-San Mateo road.

“This shall serve the San Mateo substation which is currently under development and expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2021,” the power utility company said.

https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/17/meralco-spends-p10-9-b-capex-in-nine-months/

Method statement for Erection of segmental Viaduct

Pagbangon mula sa Ulysses, palaisipan para sa ilang taga-Rodriguez, Rizal

Namatayan ng kapatid si Aprilyn Flor Cajefe nang manalasa ang bagyong Yolanda sa Tacloban City taong 2013. 

Ngayon naman, nalunod sa baha ang 14 anyos niyang kapatid dahil sa bagyong Ulysses. 

"Hindi ko magawang matulungan kasi anong magagawa ko nu’ng time na ‘yun?” ani Cajefe, na isa sa 15,000 nasa evacuation center sa bayan ng Rodriguez, Rizal na wala pang mauuwian. 

Putik na lang imbes na bahay ang nakatayo sa ilang lugar matapos ragasain ng baha ang mga bahay nang bumagyo. 

Ngayon, humihiling na lang ng relokasyon ang ilang residente. 

Abala ang lahat sa paghahakot ng puwede pang maisalbang gamit at nililinis din ang mga puwede pang pakinabangan. 

Pero may ilang tuliro pa rin sa pagsisimula pagkatapos ng unos. 

"Ito po sa mama ko, may breast cancer siya, mga document niya po pero sa tingin ko wala nang maisalba," ani Estrella Ravojo. 

"Sobrang hirap kasi magsisimula na naman sa simula," dagdag niya. 

“Sana matulungan niyo ako dito kay ako sugat, wala akong pambiling gamot.”

Pahirapan din para sa ilang residente ang pagkuha ng tubig at ang kawalan ng kuryente. 

"Mahirap na mahirap po ang ano dito, walang wala talaga, sira. Umaasa na lang po kami sa bigay-bigay na lugaw, tubig. Ni tubig nga po wala eh," ayon sa residenteng si Maria Raquel Manabat. 

Sinisikap naman ng utility companies na maibalik ang kanilang serbisyo sa lalong madaling panahon. -- Ulat ni Michael Delizo, ABS-CBN News

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/14/20/pagbangon-mula-sa-ulysses-palaisipan-para-sa-ilang-taga-rodriguez-rizal

Metro Manila Skyway

Project Status: 

• N. Domingo Bridge also known as Pinaglabanan Bridge (Old Sta. Mesa Bridge) opened to the public on March 11, 2020
• Sevilla Bridge opened to the public on August 17, 2020
• Quirino South Bound On Ramp (beginning at Concordia straight to Buendia, Skyway Stage 1) was completed and opened to traffic on July 22, 2019
• Quirino North Bound East Off Ramp (along Osmeña Highway and terminate before Quirino Ave.) was completed and opened to traffic on December 23, 2019
• Work stoppage from March 16, 2020 to May 15, 2020 due to ECQ in Luzon
• Concreting works for the entire main viaduct slabs including the reconstruction of fire affected structures in Sec. 2B was completed on October 11, 2020
• Ongoing construction of Section 1 Buendia-Quirino-Nagtahan, 91.08% accomplishment
• Ongoing construction of Section 2A Nagtahan-Tomas Claudio, 93.96% accomplishment
• Construction of Section 2A Tomas Claudio – PUP Sta. Mesa, 0% accomplishment
• Ongoing construction of Section 2B Tomas Claudio-Ramon Magsaysay Avenue, 94.77% accomplishment
• Ongoing construction of Section 3 Ramon Magsaysay to Quezon Ave., 97.35% accomplishment
• Ongoing construction of Section 4 Quezon Avenue – Balintawak, Q.C., 78.28% accomplishment
• Ongoing construction of Section 5 Balintawak, Q.C. – NLEX Footbridge, 92.70% accomplishment
• Overall construction accomplishment 92.17% (excluding Section 2A’)
• Construction of ramps accomplishment 50.35% (4 ramps completed, 19 ramps ongoing construction, 6 ramps under planning – total: 29 ramps)

Ramps completed:

• RN1 – Northbound On-Ramp Buendia (Open to traffic)
• RS1 – Southbound Off-Ramp Buendia (Open to traffic)
• RN2 – Northbound Off-Ramp Osmeña~Quirino (Open to traffic)
• RS3 – Southbound On-Ramp Plaza Dilao (Open to traffic)

Ramps ongoing construction:

• RN2 – Northbound On-Ramp Quirino
• RS3 – Southbound Off-Ramp Plaza Dilao
• RS3’ – Southbound Off-Ramp United Nations
• RN3 – Northbound Off-Ramp Nagtahan
• RN3-1 – Northbound On-Ramp Nagtahan
• RS3-1 – Southbound Off-Ramp Nagtahan
• RN5 – Northbound On-Ramp Araneta
• RS5 – Southbound Off-Ramp Araneta
• RN6 – Northbound Off-Ramp Quezon Ave.
• RS6 – Southbound Off-Ramp Quezon Ave.
• RN7 – Northbound On-Ramp Talayan-Quezon Ave.
• RS7 – Southbound Off-Ramp Talayan-Quezon Ave. (completed except asphalt overlay)
• RN8 – Northbound Off-Ramp to C3
• RS8 – Southbound On-Ramp from C3
• RS8-1 – Southbound Off-Ramp to C3
• RS9 – Southbound On-Ramp Balintawak/Ayala (with utilities obstruction)
• RN9 – Northbound Off-Ramp Balintawak/Ayala (with utilities obstruction)
• RN10 – Northbound Off-Ramp NLEX
• RS10 – Southbound On-Ramp NLEX

Ramps under planning:

• RS2 – Southbound On-Ramp Quirino-Osmeña
• RN2 – Northbound Off-Ramp Osmeña-Roxas Blvd.
• RN4 – Northbound On-Ramp Pandacan
• RS4 – Southbound Off-Ramp Pandacan
• RN4’ – Northbound Off-Ramp Valenzuela Street
• RS4’ – Southbound Off-Ramp Valenzuela Street

Overall Right-of-Way accomplishment (Site Possession) 95%(excluding Section 2A’), 231 out of 350 lots to be acquired with Permit to Enter

NLEX SLEX CONNECTOR ROAD 11-10-20

Map of Metro Manila with Barangays

 

Labella bans Christmas caroling: Covid-19 is still very much around

Mayor Edgardo Labella has agreed to ban prohibit Christmas street caroling in Cebu City to avoid the further spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

“In order to ensure that the city’s programs and measures to mitigate the spread of the Covid-19 are maintained, the City of Cebu sees the need to impose a ban on street caroling within Cebu City within the period of community quarantine,” Labella’s Executive Order (EO) 104 read.

The EO defines caroler as “a person or group of persons who sing or dance to the tune of a song or music of praise or devotion heralding the birth of the Saviour on Christmas Day or any other tune whether for a charitable purpose, for a consideration or gratuitously. It includes persons furnishing music for the carolers.” (https://bit.ly/3eM312Y)

The mayor said caroling creates mass gathering as those who carol are often groups that go from house to house.

“If there is caroling, there will be a mass gathering. They will group together and go around, to go to houses, but this is something we have to avoid. I hope our carol singers will understand that, like our other traditions, we have to suspend this because we are still in the middle of a pandemic. Whether we like it or not, the virus is still very much around,” he furthered.

The city’s Emergency Operations Center and the Department of Health- 7 earlier pushed for the ban on Christmas caroling this year so as not to reverse the city’s progress in its fight against Covid-19.

https://visayas.politics.com.ph/labella-bans-xmas-caroling-covid-19-is-still-very-much-around/

DILG urges public to shift to online caroling

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday urged the public to shift to online caroling during the Christmas season, given the threat of COVID-19.

With proposals to ban the traditional house-to-house caroling likely to be approved, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said people should consider doing the activity online.

“If there would be caroling, probably go online instead,” he said in Filipino over Teleradyo.

Año said caroling would physically put people, especially children, at risk of contracting the disease.

The department chief said while measures have already been placed to contain COVID-19, the virus remains a threat.

“For now it’s not feasible because we have yet to flatten the curve,” Año said.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has yet to come up with a resolution banning caroling, as recommended by local chief executives in Metro Manila.

The Philippine National Police, which has been implementing quarantine protocols, has backed the proposed ban.

Metro Manila mayors have agreed, as well, to ban caroling in Metro Manila this Christmas season, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority general manager Jojo Garcia said yesterday.

The mayors came to the agreement during a virtual meeting Sunday, Garcia said.

Mayors agreed to ban caroling to avoid mass gatherings amid the pandemic, Malabon Mayor Antolin Oreta III and Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco both said.

The proposal will be forwarded to the IATF for its decision.

Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire had backed the proposed ban after studies have shown that singing increases the risk of virus transmission.

The proposed ban also followed the mayors’ agreement to ban Christmas parties in the metropolis, the epicenter of the virus outbreak, even as quarantine restrictions had been eased.

Likewise, the Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM) discouraged parishes and groups under it from holding Christmas parties to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

RCAM Chancellor Fr. Reginald Malicdem issued instructions to their clergy on the celebration of Advent, Simbang Gabi and Christmas, wherein it was mentioned that they are dissuading parishes, organizations and groups under their archdiocese from holding Christmas parties.

“We discourage parishes, communities and groups, in the RCAM from holding Christmas parties this year. We know that the gathering of people is an occasion usually prone to the spread of the virus,” said Malicdem. – Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Evelyn Macairan

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/11/11/2056028/dilg-urges-public-shift-online-caroling

62 anyos driver patay sa pamamaril sa QC

Patay ang isang 62 na ayos na lalaki na driver ng isang catering service matapos pagbabarilin sa Brgy. Holy Spirit sa Quezon City nitong Martes.

Kinilala ang biktima na si Lito Vidania, driver ng Red Spider Catering Services.

Ayon sa anak ng biktima, papunta dapat sa Divisoria umaga ng Martes si Vidania kasama ang kanyang amo, pero nasira raw ang kanilang sasakyan. Kaya umuwi na lang muna siya para mananghalian. 

Umalis aniya si Vidania para ayusin ang kaniyang sasakyan.

Pero, pasado alas-3 ng hapon ay pinagababaril ito sa Sta. Monica Street sa nasabing barangay at agad namatay.

Agad umano tumakas ang gunman sakay ng motorsiklo. 

Nakabulagta sa loob ng sasakyan sa driver’s side and biktima.

Base sa inisyal na imbestigasyon, 3 basyo ng bala ang nakita sa crime scene, ayon kay Staff Sgt. Jofrancis Burawes, imbestigador ng QCPD Station 14.

Inaalam pa ng pulisya kung nahagip ng mga CCTV camera ang pamamaril. — Wheng Hidalgo, ABS-CBN News

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/10/20/62-anyos-driver-patay-pamamaril-quezon-city

COVID-19 prompts Metro Manila mayors to urge IATF ban on caroling

Metro Manila mayors have unanimously agreed to recommend the banning of caroling this upcoming Christmas season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Yes po," Metro Manila Council chairman Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez told GMA News Online when asked if they local chiefs would recommend the ban to the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Jojo Garcia said it was a "unanimous" decision that the Metro Manila mayors reached at a meeting over the weekend.

"Mayors meeting last sunday. Unanimous wala muna caroling this year. Will recommend sa IATF," MMDA General Manager Jojo said.

Manila and Quezon City already banned caroling in the streets over the Christmas holidays amid due to the virus.

The Joint Task Force COVID Shield over the weekend also supported proposals to ban caroling during the 2020 Christmas season due to the danger of COVID-19 infections among children.

Secretary of the Interior and Local Government and National Task Force on COVID-19 Vice Chairman Eduardo Año also supported the caroling ban. -NB, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/metro/763528/covid-19-prompts-metro-manila-mayors-to-urge-iatf-ban-on-caroling/story/

Manila, QC ban street caroling ahead of Christmas holidays amid COVID-19 pandemic

Manila and Quezon City have banned caroling in the streets over the Christmas holidaysamid the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Raffy Tima’s report on “24 Oras”, the two cities prohibited the joy-giving activity to prevent the further spread of the virus.

On Sunday, the Joint Task Force COVID Shield supported proposals to ban caroling during the 2020 Christmas season due to the danger of COVID-19 infections among children.

JTF COVID Shield commander Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar said the groups was waiting for the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) on the proposals.

Secretary of the Interior and Local Government and National Task Force on COVID-19 Vice Chairman Eduardo Año also supported the caroling ban.

Earlier, Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba urged the national government to ban caroling as he believed this would prevent further transmission of COVID-19, which has so far infected 398,449 people in the country including 7,674 deaths.

The Department of Health called on the public to still follow health protocols during the holidays.

“May lumabas po na pag-aaral, this is just last week that we got it na naipakita po diyan ‘yong pagkanta ng malakas, ‘yan po ‘yong pinakamataas na porsyento or highest yield of the virus if you are infected, mas marami kang nailalabas,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

Metro Manila mayors earlier banned the conduct of Christmas parties amid the threat of COVID-19. -NB, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/763429/manila-qc-ban-street-caroling-ahead-of-istmas-holidays-amid-covid-19-pandemic/story/

MRT 7 Update of 8 Station Start from North Avenue Station to Donya Carme...

Police back proposed ban on Christmas caroling

The police Joint Task Force (JTF) COVID-19 Shield is supporting proposals to ban house-to-house caroling during the Christmas season to curb the transmission of the virus, especially among children, an official said yesterday.

JTF commander and Philippine National Police deputy director for administration Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said it would be dangerous for children if local governments would allow street caroling during the pandemic.

Eleazar said he understands that caroling has been part of the Filipino tradition, but the country is facing a different situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are facing a serious threat. We believe that it is in the health interest of everybody if we just stay home and enjoy the Yuletide season with our families,” he said.

The JTF COVID-19 Shield is the quarantine enforcement arm of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

The IATF has yet to decide on the proposal.

However, the Department of the Interior and Local Government earlier recommended the ban on caroling nationwide.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, who also sits as vice chairman of the National Task Force on COVID-19, cited studies and statistics as indicators that the virus likely spread in group singing activities as “singers have to remove their masks as they sing and viruses are released through aerosols.”

Eleazar said police commanders nationwide have been ordered to coordinate Christmas caroling policies with local governments.

If the ban is approved, he said parents should explain to their kids why there is a need to skip the traditional caroling this year.

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2020/11/09/2055536/police-back-proposed-ban-christmas-caroling

JTF COVID Shield backs Christmas caroling ban proposal

The Joint Task Force COVID Shield supported proposals to ban caroling during the 2020 Christmas season due to the danger of COVID-19 infections among children.

In a Sunday statement, JTF COVID Shield commander Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar said they were waiting for the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) on the proposals.

“Caroling has always been part of the Filipino tradition, I believe each and every one of us has his or her funny and meaningful stories of caroling especially when we were children,” said Eleazar.

“But the situation is currently different. We are facing a serious threat [from COVID-19] and we in the JTF COVID Shield believe that it is in the health interest of everybody if we could just stay home and enjoy the Yuletide season with our family.”

Secretary of the Interior and Local Government and National Task Force on COVID-19 Vice Chairman Eduardo Año also supported the caroling ban.

“Based on studies and statistics, the spread of COVID-19 is more likely to occur in mass singing like choir and caroling because singers have to remove their masks as they sing and viruses are released through aerosols,” chimed Año.

Meanwhile, Eleazar, in coordination with Philippine National Police chief General Camilo Cascolan, instructed police commanders to work with their respective local governments over the possible caroling ban. — DVM, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/763257/jtf-covid-shield-backs-istmas-caroling-ban-due-to-coronavirus-threat/story/

JTF COVID Shield backs proposed ban on Christmas caroling

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

Joint Task Force COVID Shield commander Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Sunday said he supports a proposal to ban caroling this Christmas season to prevent further transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Eleazar said he understands that caroling has always been part of the Filipino tradition, but the country is now facing different situation due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are facing a serious threat of coronavirus disease and we in the JTF COVID Shield believe that it is in the health interest of everybody if we could just stay home and enjoy the yuletide season with our family,” he said.

Eleazar said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has yet to decide on the proposal.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, who is also vice chairman of the National Task Force on Covid-19, also supports the caroling ban this year.

“Based on studies and statistics, the spread of Covid-19 is more likely to occur in mass singing like choir and caroling because singers have to remove their masks as they sing and viruses are released through aerosols,” Año said.

Año said he would recommend the ban on caroling nationwide.

In coordination with Philippine National Police chief Gen. Camilo Cascolan, Eleazar directed police commanders to coordinate with their respective local government unit (LGUs) with regard to caroling.

If the caroling ban is approved, Eleazar said parents should explain to their children why there is a need to skip the traditional caroling at least for this year.

He said children are considered as the most affected by the community quarantine rules since they could no longer do what they used to enjoy before the pandemic like going to school, playing with fellow kids and even going to the mall.

As of Saturday, the Philippines has 393,961 recorded Covid-19 cases with 350,216 recoveries and 7,485 deaths.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1121135

With Christmas nearing, quarantine enforcers back proposal to ban caroling

Silent nights could await Filipinos once the holidays come around, with the quarantine enforcement task force announcing that it backed calls to ban caroling ahead of the forthcoming Christmas season, it disclosed Sunday. 

In a statement sent to reporters, the Joint Task Force COVID Shield said this was due to the danger of coronavirus infection, especially for children who may be encouraged to go out in areas whose local governments would be allowing the practice. 

Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, commander of the JTF CV Shield, said the task force was still awaiting the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases on the proposal.

“Caroling has always been part of the Filipino tradition...but the situation is currently different. We are facing a serious threat of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) and we in the JTF COVID Shield believe that it is in the health interest of everybody if we could just stay home,” he said.

But Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, who sits as vice chair of the IATF, said he also supports the caroling ban this year and would recommend the ban be implemented nationwide.

“Based on studies and statistics, the spread of COVID-19 is more likely to occur in mass singing like choir and caroling because singers have to remove their masks as they sing and viruses are released through aerosols,” he said. 

Researchers warn of possible coronavirus resurgence amid holidays

On Friday, Mathematics professor Guido David, of the OCTA Research group, said the government must be ready to immediately respond to an uptick of new cases to prevent a surge.

“We are aware that when the holiday season comes, people already have fatigue and would want to go out,” he said in Filipino in an interview with TeleRadyo.

“It is possible to have an uptick but what is important is for us to have an immediate response. So in case there is a small uptick of cases, we will be able to control it and it will not worsen and be a surge,” he added.

Children are considered as the most affected by the community quarantine rules since they could no longer do what they used to enjoy before the pandemic, the joint task force said in its statement. 

In a briefing, the health department also urged the public to celebrate Christmas with caution amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

“Social and family gatherings must be kept with less people as possible,” DOH Health Promotion Bureau officer Rodley Carza said. 

“Preferably people within the same household will be attending the gathering and activities requiring travel to areas with higher quarantine classification shall be avoided." — Franco Luna 

Ban on street caroling, videoke mulled

By Catherine S. Valente, TMT

THE government will study a proposal to ban street caroling during the Christmas season to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), a Palace official said.

Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said in a virtual press briefing aired on state-run PTV-4 on Saturday that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has yet to tackle the measure but assured the public that it would definitely be discussed in one of its future meetings.

The Department of Health (DoH), through Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire, also discouraged singing  in videoke bars because “like talking and breathing, singing can transmit aerosol droplets that carry the virus that causes Covid-19.”

Citing studies, Vergeire said during her weekly “Laging Handa Public Briefing” segment on Saturday, that singing “gives off the highest load of virus that you can transmit.”

She said the DoH might recommend a ban on public videokes but would allow those in private homes.

Mamba proposal

Roque’s statement was in response to a proposal by Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba.

Mamba said the local government could issue an ordinance, but it would be more effective if it would come from the IATF, the government’s policy-making body on Covid-19 response.

“At least they know that there is a medical and scientific basis in what we are trying to ask,” Mamba said.

‘Covid-free’ December

President Rodrigo Duterte said he hoped for a “Covid-free December” so that everyone could enjoy the Christmas season, citing the development of the Russian vaccine Sputnik-V.

The third phase of the clinical trials of Sputnik V by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology will be held simultaneously in the Philippines and Russia from October 2020 to March 2021 with tens of thousands of patients to be vaccinated for its safety and efficacy.

Malacañang is expecting Sputnik V to be registered with the local Food and Drug Administration by April 2021.

‘High-risk’ holiday activity

Singing, alongside dancing, is considered a high-risk holiday activity under DoH Circular 2020-0355 issued on October 26.

Other measures include limiting the number of people in family and social gatherings and holding them outdoors for better ventilation or holding virtual gatherings with family members and friends who are not living in the same household; shopping online instead of shopping in crowded malls, and bazaars; avoiding activities that require travel to areas with higher quarantine classifications; keeping activities as short as possible; limiting participation for those considered to be vulnerable; and observing minimum health standards such as face masks, hand washing or sanitizing, and physical distancing.

“Of course, we want to celebrate the holidays, but we have to learn how to celebrate it safely,” Rodley Carza of the DoH-Health Promotion Bureau said during an online forum on Thursday.

The Philippines has so far reported 391,809 Covid-19 cases, with 7,461 deaths and 394,974 recoveries. With reports from RED MENDOZA

https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/11/08/news/national/ban-on-street-caroling-videoke-mulled/792946/

Palace: IATF to discuss proposed ban on Christmas caroling

 By Argyll Cyrus Geducos

Malacañang said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) will soon discuss the proposal to prohibit Christmas street caroling to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba suggested to ban street caroling this Christmas as a measure against the coronavirus.

In a virtual press briefing aired via state-run PTV-4, Roque said the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) will definitely include the proposal in one of its future meetings.

“Hndi pa po ‘yan napagpulungan at napag-usapan sa IATF (We have not talked about that in the IATF yet),” he said on Thursday.

“I’m sure maa-agenda ‘yan sa mga susunod na meeting ng IATF (I’m sure it will be part of the agenda in our next IATF meeting),” he added.

Last month, the IATF eased the restrictions on religious gatherings, allowing churches to fill up to 30 percent of their seating capacity to accommodate those who want to attend the “Simbang Gabi” next month.

In one of his virtual press briefings, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said that the IATF has yet to discuss if there should be rules on how to celebrate Christmas amid the ongoing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Hindi pa po namin napaguusapan yun. Wala pa tayong rules na ginagawa sa IATF about that. So wala pa po (We haven’t talked about Christmas yet. The IATF does not have rules about that yet. So there’s none for now),” he said.

Nograles, however, suggested that families and friends should take advantage of the available technology to hold get-togethers instead of risking their health to meet one another during the holidays.

“Dapat alalahanin po natin na mayroon pa rin tayong (Remember that we have) health and safety protocols when it comes to mass gatherings no. ‘Di pwede basta-basta mag-mass gathering (We cannot just simply hold gatherings),” he said. 

“Pwede naman mag-Christmas party via online o Zoom or gagamitin natin yung technology o iba’t ibang online platforms para sa ating Christmas get-togethers (We can hold our Christmas parties virtually or use different technology platforms for our Christmas get-togethers),” he added.

The Palace official said that the government only wants the public to celebrate Christmas without anybody getting sick.

“Gusto natin maging masaya rin kahit papano yung Pasko kahit mayroon tayong kinakaharap na pandemya (We want to make Christmas as merry as possible even though we are facing a pandemic),” Nograles said.

“Pero siyempre, mas magiging masaya ang Pasko kung walang mahahawa ng COVID (But, of course, Christmas will be merrier if no one will catch COVID-19),” he added.

https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/06/palace-iatf-to-discuss-proposed-ban-on-christmas-caroling/

Coronavirus task force to tackle proposed ban on Christmas caroling

The inter-agency task force leading the country's pandemic response will discuss a proposal to ban the traditional Christmas caroling to contain the novel coronavirus, Malacañang said Friday. 

The IATF did not discuss the proposal when it met late Thursday, said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. 

"Pero I am sure maaagenda 'yan sa mga susunod na meeting ng IATF," he said in a public briefing. 

(But I am sure that will be included in the agenda in next IATF meetings.)

Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba earlier said he wanted the traditional house-to-house caroling banned because children who usually join the Christmas tradition are vulnerable to exposure to those infected with COVID-19. 

The Philippines has Southeast Asia's second highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths after Indonesia. 

The health department on Thursday reported 1,594 novel coronavirus infections and 42 additional deaths. The agency said total confirmed cases increased to 389,725 while deaths reached 7,409. — With a report from Reuters 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/06/20/coronavirus-task-force-to-tackle-proposed-ban-on-christmas-caroling

BT: Pangangaroling, ipinanukala sa IATF na ipagbawal ngayong may pandemya

Iminungkahi sa Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) na ipagbawal muna ang pangangaroling ngayong Pasko sa pangambang maaari itong magdulot ng pagkalat ng COVID-19.

Batay sa ulat ni Raffy Tima sa GMA News TV "Balitanghali" nitong Huwebes, si Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba ang nagbigay ng panukala.

"Karamihan kasi ng carolers namin dito, they are not even from our place. 'Yung pagpupunta nila from one house to the other, natatakot kami doon because it might cause the upsurge of COVID cases," sabi ni Mamba.

Dagdag ng gobernador, kakaunti lamang ang COVID-19 cases sa kanilang lalawigan kumpara sa ibang lugar sa bansa, kaya gusto nila itong mapanatili.

Ayon pa kay Mamba, maaari namang magbigay ng kautusan ang mga LGU pero iba pa rin kung manggagaling mismo ang kautusan sa IATF.

"At least they know that there is a medical and scientific basis of what we are trying to ask dahil ang hirap nito eh, it's a... tradisyon ito eh na ginagawa every year," ani Mamba.

Suportado ni IATF chief implementer at vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez ang panukala ni Mamba.

Ayon kay Galvez, isasama niya ito sa mga pag-uusapan sa IATF. Gayunman, maaari nang mag-issue ng ganitong kautusan kung nanaisin ng gobernador na ipagbawal ang pangangaroling.

"It is the prerogative of the LGU because we have said, the Local Government Executives are the most knowledgeable people that can protect their constituents, what is best for them," sabi ni Galvez.

Nauna naman nang napagkasunduan ng Metro Manila mayors na ipagbawal ang mga Christmas Party ngayong taon dahil pa rin sa pandemya.—Jamil Santos/AOL, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/ulatfilipino/762898/pangangaroling-iminungkahing-ipagbawal-dahil-sa-covid-19-pandemic/story/

SMC clears Bulacan airport property of settlers

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) reported that it has completed the clearing of the future site of its P740 billion Manila International Airport in Bulacan in preparation for the start of construction activities.

In a statement, the firm said the last remaining residents of Barangay Taliptip in Bulakan, Bulacan have finally moved into their new, sturdier homes in a safer location over the weekend–just in time for the onslaught of super typhoon Rolly, which affected parts of Central Luzon, including Bulacan province.   

SMC helped the residents find the land and construction of the houses. The company had also helped to ensure they have water and electrical connection, among others.

While these former residents will continue to rely on fishing as a primary source of livelilhood, they will also enroll in courses offered by the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) in cooperation with SMC.

These TESDA courses are to prepare former Taliptip and Bulacan residents for employment and business opportunities in store during the construction and operational phases of the new Manila International Airport. 

In addition to the courses, all trainees will also be given seminars on Entrepreneurship, as well as tools to start them on their new trades. The first batch of TESDA students will graduate in November.

SMC President Ramon S. Ang earlier said that the courses will be opened to all Bulacan residents who are willing to learn and participate in the development of the airport project, seen to be a game-changer that will boost the country’s economy, which is still reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are happy to provide better homes and opportunities to Bulacan residents, particularly residents of Barangay Taliptip.  They are now given the chance to rebuild their lives. You can’t help but feel sad when you see their previous homes but we admire them for their strength and resilience. This strengthens our commitment to help them and make sure they will really have a better future,” Ang said.  

A total of 277 owners of concrete and shanty houses in Barangay Taliptip qualified for financial assistance. SMC provided owners of non-concrete houses or shanties P250,000 each, while owners of concrete houses were given the appraised value of their homes, multiplied by two, plus P100,000. SMC also provided cash assistance to 87 others who were disqualified, for a total of 364 beneficiaries.

With the help of Malolos Bishop Dennis Villarojo, SMC also distributed the total appraised cash value of the abandoned chapels in Sitio Pariyahan, Sitio Dapdap, Sitio Bunutan, and Sitio Capol to the 242 residents of these sitios. 

SMC said that many former Taliptip residents have completed construction of their new houses and used part of the financial assistance to put up small businesses, or send their children to school.

https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/04/smc-clears-bulacan-airport-property-of-settlers/

To prevent COVID-19, Cagayan governor wants Christmas ‘karoling’ banned

By Raymund Catindig

TUGUEGARAO City, Cagayan — Gov. Manuel Mamba wants the traditional house-to-house karoling (caroling) during the Christmas season banned to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Cagayan.

The governor said children who are usually engaged in the age-old tradition are vulnerable to exposure from infected members of the community whom they will encounter.

Mamba cited the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) guideline of prohibiting children in the streets especially during curfew hours.

The governor also said that if adults would insist on going karoling, the regional IATF should come out with guidelines for the Christmas tradition at this early stage, in order to regulate the activity and deter the transmission of COVID-19.

The regional IATF is yet to bare its position.

Provincial health officer Dr. Carlos Cortina said there is higher possibility of local transmission through the said Christmas activity.

He said people who engage with carolers and sometimes the carolers themselves, are authorized persons outside residence (APORS).

Cortina said while authorities have been strict in monitoring people entering provincial borders, safeguards over APORs who are already inside Cagayan are mostly overlooked.

He cited the recent work-related COVID-19 transmission at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas where at least 25 APORs were tested for the virus last week.

https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/11/04/2054479/prevent-covid-19-cagayan-governor-wants-christmas-karoling-banned

MRT 7-Unified Central Station Update