Sunday, February 28, 2021
COVID-19 vaccination sa ilang ospital sa Metro Manila sisimulan sa Lunes
Kasado na ang pagsisimula ng pagbabakuna sa mga health care worker sa mga COVID-19 referral hospital sa Metro Manila.
Sa Lunes isasagawa ang ceremonial vaccination sa Philippine General Hospital (PGH), Lung Center of the Philippines, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital, Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Philippine National Police General Hospital, at V. Luna General Hospital. Dadaluhan ang mga ito ng mga opisyal ng gobyerno.
Ito ay matapos dumating ngayong Linggo sa Pilipinas ang kauna-unahang batch ng mga bakuna kontra COVID-19, na gawa ng Chinese company na Sinovac at donasyon ng China.
Ilang linggo na ring nagsasagawa ng mga simulation ng pagbabakuna ang mga ospital.
Pero sa PGH, bumaba ang bilang ng mga empleyadong gustong maturukan ng Sinovac vaccine.
Mula 13 porsiyento, naging 8 porsiyento ng lang ng mga tauhan ng PGH ang magpapabkuna ng Sinovac vaccine, base sa ginawang town hall meeting noong Sabado.
Hindi naman ibibigay ng PGH ang Sinovac vaccine sa mga empleyadong senior citizen at naka-recover sa COVID-19 dahil hindi umano sapat ang datos kung ano ang posibleng epekto ng bakuna sa kanila.
“We asked for 1,000 doses muna... ‘yan ang hininging allocation ni Director [Gerardo Legaspi], based sa aming survey, ‘yan ang aming magpapabkuna,” ani PGH Spokesperson Dr. Jonas del Rosario.
Ayon pa sa pamunuan ng PGH, matapos ang pagbabakuna gamit ang Sinovac vaccine, isusunod nila ang pagbabakuna sa mga empleyadong pipiliin naman ang AstraZeneca vaccine, na nakatakdang dumating sa Pilipinas sa Lunes.
“Tapusin muna ang Sinovac, para at least, ang vaccinators, focused on one specific brand, kaysa iba-iba pa,” ani Del Rosario.
Mas malaki aniya ang bilang ng PGH employees na magpapabakuna gamit ang AstraZeneca.
Nagpahayag na rin ang pamunuan ng Lung Center ng kahandaan sa pagbabakuna.
Tiniyak naman ng Department of Health na sasagutin ng gobyerno ang pagpapagamot ng mga makakaranas ng adverse reaciton sa bakuna.
Wala ring pananagutan ang health care worker na magtuturok ng bakuna.
“Sakaling magkaroon ng adverse effects following immunization ay isho-shoulder ng government through PhilHealth ang kanilang pagpapa-ospital,” ani Health Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire.
Nagpaalala ang mga eksperto sa publiko na bagaman dagdag-proteksiyon sa sakit ang bakuna, dapat pa ring sundin ang health standards tulad ng pagsusuot ng face mask at face shield, at pagsunod sa social distancing.
Ngayong Linggo, umabot na sa 576,352 ang kabuuang bilang ng COVID-19 cases sa Pilipinas, kung saan halos 30,000 ang active cases o hindi pa gumagaling sa sakit.
– Ulat ni Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News
Kawatan sa Baseco Beach sa Maynila, timbog
Arestado ang isang hinihinalang hold-upper sa Baseco Beach sa Port Area, Maynila.
Ayon sa Manila Police District, kumakain sa harap ng tindahan ang 58 anyos na biktima nang lapitan siya ng isang lalaki.
Tinutukan ang biktima ng patalim sa likuran at pinagbantaan umano ng suspek na papatayin kung hindi ibibigay ang cellphone.
Kinuha naman agad ng suspek ang cellphone na hawak ng biktima at tumakbo palayo.
Agad nagsumbong ang biktima sa Baseco Police Station PCP 1 na nagkasa ng pursuit operation.
Nahuli ang 32 anyos na suspek na residente lang din ng Baseco.
Na-recover ang cellphone na nagkakahalaga ng P5,000 at ang patalim na ginamit.
Nahaharap ang suspek sa kasong robbery.
- Ulat ni Jekki Pascual, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/28/21/kawatan-sa-baseco-beach-sa-maynila-timbog
Saturday, February 27, 2021
Residential area sa Muntinlupa, nasunog
Natupok ng apoy ang nasa 20 bahay sa Barangay Cupang sa Muntinlupa.
Ayon sa mga residente, nagulat na lang sila at nagising sila sa malaking apoy pasado alas-dos ng madaling araw Sabado.
Mabilis kumalat ang apoy dahil gawa sa light materials ang mga bahay na magkakadikit dikit.
Kanya-kanyang buhat ng mga gamit ang mga residente para maisalba ang mga ito. Nasa Manuel Quezon Street muna lumipat ang ilang residente, pero bumalik din ng kanilang mga tahanan matapos ang insidente.
Umabot sa ikalawang alarma ang sunog. Wala naman nasawi o nasaktan sa pangyayari. Inaalam na ng mga imbestigador ang sanhi ng sunog.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/27/21/residential-area-sa-muntinlupa-nasunog
Lalaking nakamotorsiklo, patay sa aksidente sa QC
Dead on the spot ang isang lalaking nakamotorsiklo sa EDSA, Quezon City sa pagitan ng Mother Ignacia Street at Scout Albano Street nitong Biyernes.
Walang nakakita sa aksidente. Ayon sa mga kasunod nya sa EDSA na ayaw magapa-interview, nakita na lang nilang nakabulagta na ang lalaki at may taxi na humarurot pa-south bound bandang alas-7 ng gabi.
Nagmagandang loob naman ang isa ring rider at tinignan ang lisensya ng biktima at tinawagan ang numerong nasa likod nito.
Taga-Catmon, Malabon ang rider na 24-anyos. Nakausap na ang pamilya nito at ipinasa na sa pulis ang mga impormasyon.
Walang suot na helmet ang rider pero nakasukbit ang isa pang helmet sa kaniyang braso.
Malamang daw ay tumalsik ang helmet sa lakas ng pagkakabangga sa kanya.
Nang dumating ang ambulansya ng QC Rescue group, pinulsuhan ang rider pero wala na itong buhay. Teorya ng pulisya, tumalsik ang kanyang helmet kaya napuruhan ang ulo nito.
Ayon sa mga barangay tanod ng Barangay South Triangle, hindi hagip ng kanilang CCTV camera ang insidente dahil nakatutok ito sa bahagi ng Scout Albano.
Hinihintay pa ng pulisya ang tugon ng pamilya pero dadalhin na ng ambulansya ang bangkay.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/26/21/lalaking-nakamotorsiklo-patay-sa-aksidente-sa-qc
Transport group leader Efren De Luna passes away
Transport leader Efren De Luna passed away Friday morning due to a heart attack, his family said.
He was 67.
According to his sister Consuela De Luna, when their 87-year old mother found De Luna in his room early Friday morning, he was already dead.
They rushed him to a hospital but doctors were unable to revive him.
His wake is being held at Funeraria Samson in Bacoor, Cavite.
For decades, De Luna served as president of the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations.
His sister shared that he had been under severe stress because many jeepney drivers are still unable to ply their routes.
She said De Luna had been holding meetings with members of his transport group as they rushed to meet the March 31, 2021 deadline set by the LTFRB for the filing of applications for the PUV Modernization program.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/26/21/transport-group-leader-efren-de-luna-passes-away
Friday, February 26, 2021
8 rail projects to start operations by 2022
Eight big ticket rail infrastructure projects will be completed or will start partial operations this year and until the end of the Duterte administration in 2022, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
In a statement, DOTr said these railway projects are the Light Rail Transit (LRT) line 2 East (Masinag) Extension, Metro Rail Transit (MRT) line 3 rehabilitation, Common Station, LRT-1 Cavite Extension, MRT-7, Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark Phase 1, key facilities of the Metro Manila Subway project and the Mindanao Rail project.
Junn Magno, PNR general manager, said the ongoing construction of the PNR Clark Phase 1 from Tutuban, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan has a 43 percent overall progress as of January 2021. Partial operation of key facilities is slated in the fourth quarter of 2021 and full operations by the second quarter of 2024.
Michael Capati, MRT-3 director for operations, said the MRT-3’s full rehabilitation will be completed this December. Rail replacement works were completed last December, months ahead of schedule.
Anna Tayag, DOTr-Railways Sector project development officer, reported that partial operations of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Package 1 will be in the fourth quarter of this year. The project will extend the existing LRT-1 system from Baclaran, Parañaque to Bacoor, Cavite.
Hernando Cabrera, Light Rail Transit Authority spokesperson, said the LRT-2 East (Masinag) Extension, from Marikina Station to Antipolo Station, will commence partial operations this April. As of end-January, the project has a 96.29 percent overall progress rate.
Phase 1 of the Mindanao Railway project, the Tagum-Davao-Digos segment, is targeted to be partially operable in March 2022.
San Miguel Corp.’s MRT-7 will be partially operational in December 2021 and fully operational in December 2022, according to Timothy Batan, DOTr undersecretary for railways.
Batan also said tunnel boring for the Metro Manila Subway project, the first-ever subway in the country, will start in the third quarter of 2021.
In his overview presentation of the railways sector under the Build, Build, Build Program of the Duterte administration, Batan said the annual direct economic cost of congestion in Metro Manila as of 2017 is at P1.277 trillion.
To address the risk of the coronavirus disease 2019 transmission through the rail system, the DOTr reiterated the existing health and safety protocols in each railway line, including testing, contact tracing, and isolation of transport personnel affected by the disease.
This is in addition to the strict implementation of the “7 Commandments” in public transportation, as recommended by health experts.
As for the railway transport plan when Metro Manila shifts to the modified general community quarantine, Batan said the sector abides by the directive of the President and the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases.
https://malaya.com.ph/index.php/news_business/8-rail-projects-to-start-operations-by-2022/
Thursday, February 25, 2021
DOTr eyes 2 new railway projects to aid commuting woes in Metro Manila
Two new railway projects in Metro Manila are in the works in a bid to ease commuting woes in the capital region and decrease the potential economic losses brought about by traffic congestion, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Wednesday.
In a virtual forum, Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John Batan said the agency has started bidding for the general contractor for the LRT-2 extension.
Batan explained that the project would have additional 3 stations — Tutuban, Divisoria, and Pier 4 — when completed. The additional two stations at the east extension, Marikina and Antipolo stations, meanwhile, will start operating on April 26.
The project, pegged at P10.1 billion, will be funded through the national budget, according to the official. The DOTr targets to complete the new LRT-2 extension in 2024.
Batan also bared the DOTr plan to revive the shelved 16-kilometer MRT-4 project conceptualized in 1995 during the Ramos administration.
The MRT-4 project, with 11 stations, will run from N. Domingo St. in San Juan City, to Taytay in Rizal. Some 200 passengers are expected to benefit from the new line during its first year of operations. The actual construction, however, is expected to begin in 2022.
OTHER RAILWAY PROJECTS
Other railway projects are being continued, according to the official, such as the MRT-7’s depot preparation works at the San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan, and the North-South Commuter Railway line. The latter is expected to partially operate soon from Manila to Lucena.
LRT-1 line extension construction is also in full swing. Batan said the agency aims to partially operate some of the stations from Redemptorist to Sucat by next year.
He said that each new railway project could contribute about 10 percent of economic returns.
A Netherlands-based global data provider last year said the National Capital Region is the 2nd most traffic-congested city in the world in 2019, based on their study.
According to the report, most motorists in Manila spent an average of 71 percent extra travel time stuck in traffic.
And a Manila commuter or motorist spent an additional 257 hours in traffic while driving during peak hours.
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Road improvement needed to address insurgency: PRRD
By Azer Parrocha
President Rodrigo R. Duterte said Tuesday there is a need to improve barangay (village) roads in Mindanao, especially in the Caraga region, to address the insurgency there.
The President said this after Surigao del Sur Governor Alexander Pimentel requested to borrow equipment from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to repair barangay roads damaged by massive flooding during the onslaught of Tropical Storm Auring.
Duterte assured enough funds and equipment for the province, saying the repair of roads would also address threats posed by insurgent groups.
He also asked Pimentel to submit to him a report on the ongoing road improvements being done.
“I need the barangay roads to improve the insurgency problem sa lahat dito, lalo na sa (especially in) Mindanao. The pinaka-malakas is Caraga, sa Eastern Visayas (It is strongest in Caraga and Eastern Visayas),” he said in a situation briefing in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur.
Duterte also urged the military to retrieve children who were allegedly recruited by the New People’s Army (NPA) to become armed guerrillas.
“Itong mga NPA, kinukuha nila 'yung mga anak, dinadala nila sa ibang lugar. Kunin ninyo 'yung bata at isauli ninyo sa nanay pati tatay (These NPA rebels, they recruit the sons and daughters and bring them to different places. Bring them back to their mothers and fathers) because a child, a minor, should not be separated from the family home,” he said.
Soldiers, he said, do not need to have search warrants to enter the homes of insurgents who allegedly mold children into warriors.
“If the child is inside the house, there is already a crime committed, so you do not need a warrant to go in. Puntahan mo sa loob, kunin 'yung mga bata at isauli mo (Go inside, take the children, and bring them back) at the earliest opportunity,” Duterte added.
He said he would assume full responsibility in executing the war against the insurgency.
Duterte lamented about how the NPA became rich because rebels collect revolutionary taxes “everywhere and anywhere.”
Saying that “Mindanao remains to be a problem," he reiterated his call to Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones to implement land reform in Caraga.
“Kaya si Castriciones, sabi ko ang land reform kasi niya covers only the 'yung mga hindi nga agricultural e. Sabi ko sa kanya, ibigay na ninyo yung lupa. Lahat ng makita ko sa gobyerno, ibigay ninyo sa tao (That’s why I told Castriciones that his land reform only covers non-agricultural lands. Give them land. All the government land you can see, give them to the people),” he said.
Monday, February 22, 2021
Sunday, February 21, 2021
LOOK: Smiling Isko, Erap shake hands at wedding they attended
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, and political rival and predecessor Joseph Estrada appeared to have buried the hatchet after they chanced upon each other at a wedding.
In Moreno's social media post, he said the meeting was cordial.
"Akin pong ikinagalak nang sa isang kasalan ay muli kong nakatagpo ang dating alkalde ng Maynila, si dating pangulong Joseph 'Erap' Estrada," he said.
"Kinumusta ko po siya, at kinumusta rin niya po ako. Ako po ay nagalak sa kanyang mabuting kalusugan lalo na sa panahong ito ng pandemya. Yan din naman po ang panalangin ko para sa lahat ng mga Batang Maynila at mga Pilipino, ang manatiling ligtas sa pandemya at anumang karamdaman lalo na sa panahong ito.
"Kay dating Pangulong Erap, God bless you po. Stay healthy and safe."
Moreno beat Estrada in the 2019 polls to become Manila mayor.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/20/21/look-smiling-isko-erap-shake-hands-at-wedding-they-attended
Saturday, February 20, 2021
Friday, February 19, 2021
MRT-7 to open by end-2022
San Miguel Corporation (SMC) on Friday said the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) project is now 54% complete, on track for its opening by the end of 2022.
“We have already completed a significant amount of civil works, including the installation of bored piles, girders, foundational works on stations, and we have been installing rails or tracks. At the same time, E&M works have also advanced significantly,” SMC President Ramon S. Ang said in a statement on Friday.
Around 6.2 kilometers (km) of the 13.5-km elevated section is complete, while 4.8 km out of 6.9 km of the at-grade section and 1.5 km of the 1.9 km tunnel section are done. Civil works and electrical/mechanical works are both more than halfway done.
Mr. Ang said that construction of the project connecting Quezon City to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan continued despite limitations during the lockdown declared to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
“Now that we’ve crossed the halfway mark, we’re expecting to reach a lot of major milestones for this project this year. This includes the construction of the stations, testing of various equipment in different countries, and the actual arrival of these equipment, including the first batch of trains,” he said.
The initial six trains or 18 cars will be tested in South Korea in April.
SMC bought the trains from South Korea Hyundai Rotem, with the national rail manufacturer, Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL), as its adviser.
If the trains pass the tests, the first batch of trains will arrive within the year. SMC will acquire a total of 36 trains or 108 cars for the MRT-7.
The MRT-7 depot will be capable of holding up to 150 trains for future capacity expansion, if needed, the company said.
Mr. Ang said manufacturing of other important equipment, sourced from various countries, have also been completed.
“Given our progress today, and all the major milestones we’re expecting this year and the next, I think we’re confident we can achieve full, complete operations by December next year, with our first test run scheduled for June next year. By then, I believe we would be recovering already from the impacts of COVID-19. Our economy will be on the way up, and people will be resuming their lives in the next normal. MRT-7 will be ready for them, to help make commutes faster, to boost our economy, and bring growth to more areas,” Mr. Ang said. — Jenina Ibañez
Lalaki arestado sa pagnanakaw ng cellphone sa Malate, Maynila
Arestado ang isang pedicab driver na suspek sa pagnanakaw ng cellphone ng tindero ng isda Huwebes.
Kinilala siyang si Alfredo Miranda, 30 anyos at residente rin sa San Andres, Malate, Maynila.
Siya ang itinurong nagnakaw sa cellphone na inilapag sa puwesto ng biktima bago matulog.
Nakunan sa CCTV ng Barangay 740 na pabalik-balik sa pwesto ang suspek na tila nagmamanman.
Dahil dito, nakilala ang ang lalaki at naaresto ng awtoridad.
Ayon kay Barangay 740 Chairman Arturo Mariano, Jr., marami nang reklamong pagnanakaw laban sa suspek maging sa mga karatig-barangay.
Kaya hinihikayat nila ang iba pang nabiktima ng suspek na makipag-ugnayan sa mga pulis.
Aminado rin si Miranda sa pagnanakaw at itinuro kung saan niya ibinenta ang cellphone kaya na-rekober pa ito.
Kasong pagnanakaw ang isinampa laban sa kanya.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/19/21/lalaki-arestado-sa-pagnanakaw-ng-cellphone-sa-malate-maynila
LOOK: MRT-7 project halfway done, set for December 2022 opening
San Miguel Corp (SMC) said Friday that the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) project is halfway completed, and is set to open December 2022.
"Our progress for the MRT-7 project as of January 2021 is at about 54 percent. We have already completed a significant amount of civil works . . . Electrical and mechanical works have also advanced significantly,” said SMC president Ramon S. Ang.
Work done included the installation rails or tracks, as well as bored piles, girders, foundational works on stations.
Construction for elevation requirements and tunnel lengths of the rail are finished, too, Ang added.
He noted that MRT-7 has "more complex" right of way issues than the newly completed Skyway Stage 3, which was also "one of the most difficult" projects for the company.
Once completed, MRT-7 will connect MRT-3 and LRT-1, and can carry passengers from Quezon City to San Jose del Monte city, Bulacan faster.
A total of 36 train sets or 108 train cars are being procured, which will be delivered incrementally. SMC said its depot can hold up to 150 trains for future capacity expansion, if needed.
Factory acceptance testing (FAT) for the initial 6 train sets or 18 cars has been set in April in South Korea.
The testing for ticket vending machines and automatic gates is also expected within the first quarter this year.
“Now that we’ve crossed the halfway mark, we’re expecting to reach a lot of major milestones for this project this year. This includes the construction of the stations, testing of various equipment in different countries, and the actual arrival of these equipment, including the first batch of trains,” Ang said.
SMC said the rail traversing the northern part outside of Metro Manila is seen to spur economic growth in the whole of Bulacan.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/02/19/21/look-mrt-7-project-halfway-done-set-for-december-2022-opening
Bata inagawan ng cellphone at pinatay sa Pampanga; kambal na suspek, arestado
Arestado ang isang kambal sa pagpatay umano ng isang 4-anyos na bata sa San Fernando, Pampanga.
Ayon sa mga awtoridad, naiwan ang batang lalaki Martes matapos mag-igib ng tubig ang kaniyang ina, na nag-iwan sa kaniya ng cellphone. Nang balikan ang bata sa lugar nila sa Northville 14, nawawala na ito.
Natagpuan ng pamilya ang bata Miyerkoles ng gabi pero wala na itong buhay. Isinilid ang biktima sa ecobag at itinapon sa talahiban bago natagpuan ito sa tulong ng isang tricycle driver.
“Meron kasing isang tricycle driver na nakakita, siya 'yung nagturo doon sa magulang, na nung Feb. 16 pa nawawala itong bata, nireport nga na nawawala. So nung nalaman nito ng tricycle driver, siya 'yung nagsabi sa mga magulang na may nakita siya, na daladala nitong kambal na ito na plastic bag tas dinala dun sa damuhan tas dun daw itinapon,” ani Police Lt. Col. Soledad Elefanio, ng Police Regional Office 3 public information office.
Itinuro ng tricycle driver ang kambal na si John Mark at John Kevin Salonga, 18, na sumakay sa kanya na kapitbahay pala ng biktima.
“Merong hot pursuit operation dahil dun sa witness na nakakita sa kanila na nagturo sa kanila,” ani Elefanio.
Inamin umano ng kambal na nangangailangan sila ng pera kaya napagdiskitahan nila ang hawak na cellphone ng bata.
“Parang inano nila ng towel yung bata, pero wala pa akong nakukuhang official result ng death certificate ng bata,” ani Elefanio.
Gagamitin umano ng suspek para sa "audition" ang pera na makukuha mula sa cellphone.
Nakakulong na sa San Fernando City Police Station ang mga suspek.
Nasampahan na rin sila ng kasong murder in relation to Republic Act 7610.
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Demolisyon ng mga bahay sa Las Piñas compund nauwi sa gulo
Nauwi sa tensiyon at gulo ang demolisyon sa Castillo Compound sa Barangay Talon Dos, Las Piñas City, na pinangunahan mismo ng lokal na pamahalaan nitong Huwebes ng umaga.
Dumating ang demolition team ng Las Piñas LGU at gigibain na sana ang nasa 10 bahay na nakatirik sa lupang sinasabing pagmamay-ari ng lokal na pamahalaan.
Pero pumalag ang mga residente at tumangging ipagiba ang mga bahay nila. Nauwi sa batuhan ang insidente.
Ayon sa ilang residente roon, 6 na dekada silang nakatira roon at caretaker ang kanilang ama sa lupa na iyon.
May ilang walang nagawa nang gibain ang bahay pero may ilan na sinabing lalaban hanggang sa huli.
Meron din namang ilang pumayag na i-relocate pero may iba na sinabing doon pa rin titira sa bangketa.
Ayon sa LGU, may paglilipatan naman ang mga residente na sa loob din ng Las Piña.
Gagamitin daw ang lupa upang tayuan ng eskuwelahan.
Binigyan din ng cash assistance ang mga nawalan ng tirahan.
–Ulat ni Jeck Batallones, ABS-CBN News
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/18/21/demolisyon-ng-mga-bahay-sa-las-pias-compund-nauwi-sa-gulo
'Many' Metro Manila mayors want to ease restrictions gradually: Teodoro
Several Metro Manila mayors want to gradually ease the capital region's lockdown restriction, Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said Thursday.
Teodoro said the Metro Manila Council will form a consensus within the next 2 days to decide if the capital region should ease into modified general community quarantine, the lowest in a 4-step lockdown.
"Maraming (mayors ang) nagaalala at nagsasabi na kailangan maging maingat sa pagbubukas ng ekonomiya. Hindi ito kailangan biglaan kumbaga easy lang tayo, kailangan gradual at may consistent health protocols na magtitiyak na yung pagbaba ng kaso ng COVID-19 ay mapanatili," he told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.
(Many mayors are concerned and say we should be careful in reopening the economy. We don't need to reopen suddenly, we need to do it gradually and with consistent health protocols that will ensure the decrease of COVID-19 cases will continue.)
"Kung anuman ang magiging pagpapasya (Whatever we will decide), we will defer to the wisdom of the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force against COVID-19) and to the President."
Workers must be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination and public transport should be expanded if the capital region will ease its lockdown restriction, Teodoro said.
"Kailangan yung mga ganitong support mechanism para matiyak na ligtas tayo sa COVID-19," he said.
(We need these support mechanisms to ensure we're safe from COVID-19.)
"Dapat balansehin ang economic concerns natin dun sa health concerns natin...tingnan 'yung capacity ng local government unit to enforce the guidelines na manggagaling sa IATF."
(We should balance our economic concerns with our health concerns...and look at the capacity of the local government unit to enforce the guidelines from the IATF.)
Teodoro earlier issued an executive order to suspend the reopening of cinemas and game arcades in the city despite national government approval as the pandemic persisted.
Kolektor ng lending company, na-holdap sa Iloilo
Isang kolektor ng lending company ang na-holdap sa Barangay Cabanga-an, Badiangan, Iloilo nitong Miyerkoles.
Nakilala ang biktima na si John Lloyd Relativo, kolektor ng ASA Philippines Foundation na isang lending company.
Ayon sa imbestigasyon ng Badiangan Police, bandang 11 ng umaga habang nangungulekta ang biktima sa Barangay Agusipan at papunta na sana sa kabilang barangay ng mapadaan sa Barangay Cabanga-an, nang bigla itong hinarang ng apat na lalaki na mga armado at pinababa sa sinasakyang motorsiklo.
Tinutukan ng baril ang biktima at hinila sa kakahuyang bahagi ng nasabing lugar at kinuha ang backpack nito na naglalaman ng koleksyon na nagkakahalaga ng P54,000 at personal na pera na nagkakahalaga ng P1,100.
Matapos makuha ang pera ay agad na tumakas ang mga suspek.
Sa hot pursuit operation ng kapulisan nahuli ang dalawa sa apat na mga suspek.
Positibo naman itong na nakilala ng biktima ang mga suspek na siyang nanghold-up sa kaniya.
Hindi na naibalik ang perang nakuha.
Nakapiit sa ngayon ang dalawang suspek sa Badiangan Police Station at nakatakdang sampahan ng kasong robbery.
- ulat ni Rolen Escaniel
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/17/21/kolektor-ng-lending-company-na-holdap-sa-iloilo
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
MMDA backs lowering age restriction in capital
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Wednesday expressed support to a proposal allowing teenagers ages 15-17 out of their homes.
During a meeting with Inter-Agency Task Force, Abalos said there was a motion to lower the age to 10 "because the economy is suffering so much."
"The Metro Manila mayors said instead of 10, why not just make it at 15 first, which for me is also good. We want [to open] the economy but it should be done slowly," he said.
Abalos said lowering age restrictions to 15 is not "too drastic" and Metro Manila mayors can always revert the rule if there's a spike of COVID-19 cases.
"By lowering it to just 15 instead of 10, the risk is lower. That's the point here," he said.
Some health experts have raised concern that allowing teenagers ages 15 to 17 in Metro Manila to go outside was "too early".
They said several studies have shown that children have lower risk of COVID-19 but can infect more people at home.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/02/17/21/mmda-backs-lowering-age-restriction-in-capital
Sunday, February 14, 2021
Metro Manila mayors oppose reopening of cinemas: official
Metro Manila mayors oppose the reopening of cinemas in their jurisdictions, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said Sunday.
The mayors are drafting a formal notice opposing the national government's decision to allow the resumption of operations of movie theaters in areas under general community quarantine, said MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos.
"Napagkasunduan po ng majority na talagang 'wag muna, as far as cinema is concerned. Kasi po unang-una, it’s enclosed. Pangalawa, wala namang sineng 30 minutes. Matagal po yan at air-conditioned," he told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo.
(Majority of the mayors agreed not to reopen cinemas. First of all, it's enclosed. Second, movies last more than 30 minutes, and cinemas are air-conditioned.)
"Halos wala namang nagpo-produce ng sine ngayon."
(No one is producing films nowadays.)
Abalos said he supports the reopening of the economy, but urged for more gradual steps.
"Tingnan natin, unti-untiin natin kung walang spike. Nakakatakot dito mag-spike. Mahirap bumalik sa dati. Eto na yung bakuna eh," he said.
(Let's see, let's take it slow if there's no spike in cases. What's scary is if there will be a spike. It would be difficult to go back. The vaccine is almost here.)
COVID-19 vaccines from global alliance COVAX Facility are expected to arrive as early as this week as the Philippines reported 547,255 total coronavirus cases on Saturday, with 34,967 active infections.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/14/21/metro-manila-mayors-oppose-reopening-of-cinemas-official
Saturday, February 13, 2021
Voters registration in Taytay, Rizal to begin Feb. 15
By Lade Jean Kabagani
The Taytay municipal government has announced that the resumption of voters registration for its residents will begin on Feb. 15, in preparation for the May 2022 elections.
The advisory released on Saturday said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) voter registrations for 18 years old and above will be held at the ground floor of the Taytay New Municipal Hall Building in Brgy. San Juan, Taytay Rizal. Those who will register should bring a valid identification card.
The Taytay public information said there will be no transactions every Monday as it is scheduled for office disinfection and decontamination of voter registration machines and peripherals, furniture and equipment, and other frequently touched surfaces.
Comelec registration and other transaction will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., every Tuesday to Saturday.
Registrants are also required to wear a face mask and face shield as well as observe physical distancing at all times.
For more information about voter registration, residents may contact the hotline number 8284-4719.
Overall progress rate of Malolos-Clark rail now at 27.79%
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Feb.12 (PIA) -- Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark Phase 2 segment, which will run from Malolos to Clark, now stands at 27.79 percent overall progress rate as of January 31.
“The much-awaited 2nd leg of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project, co-implemented by Department of Transportation (DOTr) and PNR is now moving at a very rapid pace!” DOTr said in a statement posted in its official Facebook page Friday.
“Pre-construction activities including site inspections in Clark International Airport (CRK) and Apalit Stations are ongoing. By May of this year, we will be witnessing the groundbreaking of this northern segment of the 148-km, 37 station NSCR,” DOTr added.
Once partially operational by 2022, travel time between Bulacan and Pampanga will be trimmed down to just 30-35 minutes, from the original 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Further, the project will feature the country’s first Airport Express Service, which will reduce travel time between CRK and Makati City from more than two hours by car, to just one hour. (CLJD-PIA 3)
Malolos-Clark railway project starts
THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) has announced the start of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark Phase 2 project, which will run from Malolos town in Bulacan province to this freeport.
The agency said the project, a part of the North-South Commuter Railway, is now in full swing.
"The much-awaited second leg of the mammoth North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project, co-implemented by the Department of Transportation and the Philippine National Railways is now moving at a very rapid pace," the DOTr said.
The 54-kilometer PNR Clark Phase 2 segment now stands at 27.79 percent overall progress rate, as of January 31, 2021.
Pre-construction activities, including site inspections in Clark International Airport (CRK) and Apalit Stations, are ongoing.
By May 2021, the DOTr had set the groundbreaking of this northern segment of the massive 148-km, 37-station NSCR.
Once partially operating in 2022, travel time between Bulacan and Pampanga will be trimmed down to just 30 to 35 minutes, from the original 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The project will feature the country’s first Airport Express Service, which will reduce travel time between CRK in Pampanga and Makati City from more than two hours by car to just one hour via the Airport Express.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1885831/Pampanga/Local-News/Malolos-Clark-railway-project-starts
Friday, February 12, 2021
PNR Clark Phase 2 now 27.79% complete
By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
The second phase of the massive North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project, also known as the Malolos-Clark extension of the NSCR, is now 27.79 percent complete according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
“The 54-kilometer PNR Clark Phase 2 segment, which will run from Malolos in Bulacan to Clark in Pampanga, now stands at 27.79 percent overall progress rate, as of 31 January 2021,” the DOTr said in a Facebook post on Friday.
So far, it said pre-construction activities for the project are ongoing such as site inspections at the Clark International Airport (CRK) and Apalit Station with actual groundbreaking for the project projected by May this year.
“Once partially operating in 2022, travel time between Bulacan and Pampanga will be trimmed down to just 30-35 minutes, from the original 1 hour and 30 minutes,” the DOTr said.
The project, it said, also features the country’s first “Airport Express Service” that will reduce travel time between CRK in Pampanga and Makati City to a one-hour-train ride from the usual two-hour drive.
In September, all five civil works contract packages for the Malolos-Clark extension of the NSCR have been awarded to both local and international contractors.
The PNR Clark Phase 2 is the northern segment of the 147-kilometer NSCR which will run from Clark, Pampanga all the way to Calamba, Laguna.
The NSCR will have 37 stations across 26 local government units in three different regions.
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Lalaki patay matapos tamaan ng kidlat sa Capiz
Patay ang isang lalaki matapos tamaan kidlat, Miyerkoles ng hapon sa Barangay West Villaflores, sa bayan ng Maayon sa Capiz.
Nakilala ang nasawi na si Danilo Bansagan, 18, at residente sa nasabing lugar.
Sa imbestigasyon ng Maayon Police, naglalakad si Bansagan sa gitna ng palayan kasama ang apat pang kaibigan nang biglang umulan at kumidlat.
Ayon sa kaniyang mga kaibigan, nakita na lamang nilang natumba si Bansagan at umuusok ang katawan nito.
Kaagad na humingi ng saklolo ang kaniyang mga kaibigan at dali-daling dinala siya sa ospital ngunit ideneklara na itong dead on arrival. - Rolen Escaniel
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/11/21/lalaki-patay-matapos-tamaan-ng-kidlat-sa-capiz
Oriental Mindoro suspends private motor vehicle inspection operations
The provincial board of Oriental Mindoro has suspended the operation of the only private motor vehicle inspection center in the province, an official said Thursday.
In a resolution passed Wednesday, the provincial board urged the local governments of Calapan City and Pinamalayan and Roxas towns to suspend the business permit of PMVICs in their respective jurisdictions.
Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito Dolor earlier urged transport authorities to defer the implementation of PMVIC operations after motorists trooped to JCV motor vehicle inspection in Calapan City as it was the only PMVIC in the province.
Motorists were previously able to get their vehicles inspected in satellite offices of the Land Transportation Office in Roxas and Pinamalayan, said Calapan City legal officer Jesus Franco Lasquite.
The operation of these LTO offices are expected to resume following the suspension of PMVICs, he said.
Motorists have complained of the high cost of inspection fee at P1,800 and P900 for reinspection, according to Lasquite.
"At 'yung paulit-ulit na pag-fail ng mga sasakayan na hindi naman maipaliwanang o mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang ating mga motorista na kwestyunin 'yung resulta," he told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.
(Vehicles were also repeatedly failing inspection without explanation or opportunity for the motorists to question the results.)
"Wala siyang grievance mechanism or proper procedure for redress para ma-question kung tama ba o legal ba 'yung ginawang inspection para bumagsak."
(There's no grievance mechanism or proper procedure for redress to question if the inspection was proper or legal.)
Lawmakers have called on transport authorities to defer the implementation of PMVIC operations during the pandemic.
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Pamilya ng 5, naospital matapos masunog ang tirahan sa Makati
Isinugod sa pagamutan ang 5 miyembro ng isang pamilya matapos masunog ang tinitirhan nilang unit sa gusali sa Barangay Tejeros, Makati City Miyerkoles.
Sa ulat ng Bureau of Fire Protection - National Capital Region (BFP-NCR), sumiklab ang sunog sa ground floor ng Building 2 ng Bliss housing sa H. Santos Street bago mag-ala-1:30 ng madaling-araw.
Kuwento ng kapitbahay na si Judy Penera, nakarinig sila ng pumutok sa sala ng unit ng pamilya Parrenas bago nakita ang apoy at napalikas sila.
Pero dagdag niya, hindi agad nakalabas ang nakatirang pamilya dahil naharang na ang pinto ng apoy.
Itinaas ang unang alarma at napigilan ang pagkalat ng apoy sa ibang unit pagdating ng mga bombero.
Naapula ang sunog makalipas ang isang oras.
Saka na lang nailabas nang isa-isa ang mag-asawang sina Edelberg, 32, at Charlene, 35, at ang 3 nilang anak na edad 8 (walo), 5 (lima), at 2 (dalawa).
Kuwento ni Penera, walang malay ang karamihan sa kanila at nahirapang huminga ang isa.
Ayon sa Tejeros Fire Station, dinala ang mag-anak sa Sta. Ana Hospital sa Maynila.
Sabi ng isang kamag-anak, maayos na ang lagay ng mga magulang at 2 anak na babae pero inoobserbahan pa ang bunsong lalaki.
Isa naman sa tinitingnang sanhi ng sunog ang nakitang nakasaksak na baterya ng e-bike sa sala.
Patuloy pa ang imbestigasyon ng Makati City fire station.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/10/21/pamilya-ng-5-naospital-matapos-masunog-ang-tirahan-sa-makati
2 umano'y kawatan, arestado sa magkahiwalay na insidente sa Makati
Arestado ang dalawang lalaki na nagnakaw umano sa magkahiwalay na insidente sa Makati Martes.
Inaresto ang isang 18 anyos na lalaki matapos pagnakawan ang isang construction site sa Barangay Bangkal. Nakita ng isang construction worker ang suspek at isang pang kasabwat na pumasok at kinuha ang ilang mga gamit gaya ng electric drill, grinder at dalawang cellphone.
Nakapagsumbong agad ang construction worker sa Bantay Bayan at nahuli ang isa sa mga suspek. Nakuha sa kaniya ang isang cellphone. Nakatakas naman ang kasabwat niya na may hawak ng iba pang nakaw na gamit.
Samantala, arestado rin ang isang merchandiser sa tangkang pagnakaw sa isang supermarket sa Barangay Carmona.
Palabas na ang staff at i-check ng guwardiya ang kaniyang gamit, nakita na nakabalot ng jacket ang isang plastic na may kalahating kilo ng jumbo shrimps.
Walang maipakitang resibo ang merchandiser kaya agad siyang dinala sa police station.
Nahaharap ang lalaki sa kasong qualified theft.
2 menor de edad, natagpuang tadtad ng saksak sa Tondo
Nagdadalamhati ang pamilya ng dalawang binatilyo na natagpuang patay sa baybayin ng Isla Puting Bato sa Tondo, Maynila.
Kinilala silang sina Carl Justine Bonogon at Chormel Buenaflor, parehong 15 anyos.
Ayon sa mga kaanak, January 31 pa nila huling nakita ang dalawa.
Dalawang araw rin nilang hinanap ang magkaibigan bago sila matagpuan sa dagat.
Naunang natagpuan ang bangkay ni Bonogon ng isang mag-uuling noong February 2 ayon sa Delpan Police Station.
Hindi siya agad nakilala ng kanyang lola dahil sa mga sugat sa mukha at katawan.
Bangkay naman ni Buenaflor ang nakitang lumulutang nang sumunod na araw.
Balot ng packaging tape ang ulo, kamay at paa ng mga biktima.
Tadtad din ng saksak ang kanilang mga katawan.
Walang maisip ang mga pamilya na posibleng gumawa ng karumal-dumal na pagpatay sa dalawang binatilyo.
Pareho silang out-of-school youth at malapit sa kanilang pamilya kaya hustisya ang panawagan ng mga naiwang kaanak.
Patuloy naman ang imbestigasyon ng pulisya sa kaso ng dalawa.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/10/21/2-menor-de-edad-natagpuang-tadtad-ng-saksak-sa-tondo
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
Contracts for Manila-Calamba railway project eyed to be awarded mid-2021 —DOTr
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is targeting to award the contract packages for the Phase 3 of the North-South Commuter Railway project connecting Metro Manila and Calamba, Laguna within the middle of 2021.
During the state-run PTV’s Laging Handa briefing on Tuesday, Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said procurement for the project is ongoing.
“Yun naman pong Manila papuntang Calamba ongoing po ang procurement natin. ‘Yan po ay iaaward natin by the middle of this year,” he said.
The Phase 3 of NSCR is a 72-kilometer railway project from Blumentritt Road in Manila all the way to Los Banos in Laguna.
Contract packages for the project include the following:
- CP S-02: Viaduct and elevated Stations at España, Sta. Mesa and Paco
- CP S-03a: Viaduct and at-grade alignment, at grade station at EDSA and elevated station at Buendia
- CP S-03b: Viaduct, tunnel, and at-grade alignment, one semi-underground station at FTI, one at-grade station at Senate, and two elevated stations at Bicutan and Sucat
- CP S-04: Viaduct and elevated Stations at Alabang and Muntinlupa
- CP S-05: Viaduct Structure and stations at San Pedro, Pacita, Binan and Santa Rosa
- CP S-06: Viaduct and elevated Stations at Cabuyao, Banlic and Calamba
- CP S-07: 30-hectare depot with buildings and facilities at Banlic
The Manila-Calamba railway project is co-financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
The project is seen to provide improved connectivity in the public transport network by connecting with all LRT and MRT lines in Metro Manila, according to a project overview published on the ADB’s website.
It also includes a connecting line to the planned Metro Manila Subway, which will improve connectivity by operating direct trains for passengers travelling from Calamba to Bonifacio Global City, Ortigas and Quezon City along the Metro Manila Subway.
The Manila-Calamba railway project forms part of the 163-kilometer NSCR, which is aimed to ease road congestion in the Philippine capital and its nearby provinces and reduce annual traffic-related economic costs, totaling $18 billion in Metro Manila alone.
It comprises Phase 1, which is the Tutuban to Malolos, Bulacan line and Phase 2, the Malolos to Clark, Pampanga line.
Batan said Phase 1 is already at a full-pledge construction stage while mobilization is ongoing for the construction of Phase 2. -MDM, GMA News
Monday, February 8, 2021
Gov’t says supply deal for rail project attracted lone bid
ONLY ONE PARTY, the joint venture of Sumitomo Corp. and Japan Transport Engineering Co. (J-Trec), submitted a bid for the contract to provide train sets for the Japan-funded North-South Commuter Railway Extension Project, the Transportation department said Monday.
The department made the announcement after a live-streamed bid opening Monday.
“Next will be the evaluation of the submitted bid,” Transportation Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope O. Libiran told BusinessWorld in a phone message.
She said the awarding of the contract is targeted for June.
The Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management started issuing bid documents on Sept. 15.
The contract covers the manufacture of 38 eight-car train sets. The contractor will also be required to provide technical support for the train sets.
The bid was to be accompanied by a bid security of one billion yen.
The Sumitomo-J-Trec joint venture signed a contract with the Transportation department to provide 240 train cars for the first phase of the Metro Manila Subway project.
The Japanese joint venture was also awarded in July 2019 the contract to provide 104 train cars for the Malolos-Tutuban segment of the North-South Commuter Railway project.
Sumitomo is one of the maintenance service providers of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), along with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engineering, Ltd. and TES Philippines, Inc. — Arjay L. Balinbin
https://www.bworldonline.com/govt-says-supply-deal-for-rail-project-attracted-lone-bid/
Housing beneficiaries to be carefully identified
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said it has been proactively working with partner-organizations to ensure that only legitimate beneficiaries would receive government housing units.
In a statement over the weekend, DHSUD Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario urged key shelter agencies, local government units and other partner-organizations to strictly follow the implementing guidelines and criteria in beneficiary identification and selection.
“I am calling on our partner-stakeholders to proactively observe the prescribed process and criteria in identifying our housing project beneficiaries so that only those who are truly affected are given assistance,” Del Rosario said.
The Social Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC), in partnership with the Philippine National Railways, Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, Department of Transportation, local government of Biñan, and the Beneficiary Selection, Awards and Arbitration Committee (BSAAC) of the Local Inter-Agency Committee for the North-South Commuter Railway Extension (NSCREx) Project recently held a workshop to discuss the process of BSAAC deliberation to prevent illegal occupancies.
The workshop also revisited the process and criteria for the deliberation of project affected persons (PAP) under the NSCREx.
It started in 2018 by conducting census among the PAPs in the area, followed by a pre-qualification validation in 2019.
Community assemblies were completed last year.
DHSUD said the deliberation process will start this year after the conduct area inspection by SHFC.
Implementing agencies are streamlining the qualification requirements upon review of the situational assessment report.
“Despite the pandemic, we will work on enhancing further our capacities to implement our projects in the most effective and efficient way. Now more than ever, the Filipino dwellers are counting on the integrity of our selection process with accurate results,” Del Rosario said.
‘Only legit beneficiaries should get houses’
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development is pro-actively working with partner-organizations to ensure that only legitimate beneficiaries receive government housing units.
As the government’s primary agency task to provide decent and affordable housing, DHSUD has been actively capacitating partners in the selection process of housing beneficiaries, through sustained engagements.
Secretary Eduardo del Rosario is encouraging the key shelter agencies, local government units and other partner-organizations to strictly follow the implementing guidelines and criteria in beneficiary identification and selection.
“I am calling on our partner-stakeholders to pro-actively observe the prescribed process and criteria in identifying our housing project beneficiaries so that only those who are truly affected are given assistance,” he said.
In a recent workshop led by the Social Housing Finance Corp. in partnership with the Philippine National Railways, Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, Department of Transportation and the local government of Biñan, Laguna, the Beneficiary Selection, Awards and Arbitration Committee of the Local Inter-Agency Committee for the North-South Commuter Railway Extension Project discussed the process of BSAAC deliberation to prevent illegal occupancies.
The workshop revisited the process and criteria for the deliberation of project affected persons under the NSCREx.
It started in 2018 conducting a census among the PAPs in the area and followed by a pre-qualification validation in 2019.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, community assemblies have been completed in 2020.
The deliberation process would start this year after the conduct of area inspection by SHFC.
The implementing agencies are adopting additional measures to further streamline the qualification requirements upon review of the situational assessment report.
Saturday, February 6, 2021
Lalaki pinatay sa loob ng bahay sa QC
Patay ang isang lalaki matapos pagbabarilin sa loob ng kaniyang bahay sa Batasan Hills, Quezon City, Biyernes ng gabi.
Nakilala ang biktima na si si Luis Valero.
Sa kuwento ng asawa ng biktima na si Tessie, natutulog sila bandang alas-11 ng gabi sa ikalawang palapag ng kanilang bahay sa may Presidential Road nang biglang pumasok ang tatlong lalaki at ginising ang kaniyang mister.
Nakita niya na kinaladkad ng mga lalaki ang kaniyang mister pababa ng bahay. Makalipas ng ilang minuto, nakarinig na siya ng maraming putok ng baril.
Pagbaba niya ng bahay, patay na ang mister.
Ayon sa kaniya, walang kaaway ang mister at lumalabas lang ng bahay para magtrabaho kung saan-saan para may makain lang sila.
Ayon naman sa kapatid ng biktima na sa Regina Abrigo, dati nang nakulong ang biktima dahil sa droga. Pero hindi naman daw totoo ang paratang dahil planted lang ang droga noon. Wala daw kinalaman ang kapatid niya sa kahit anong ilegal na gawain.
Inaalam na ng pulis ang pagkakakilanlan ng mga suspek at kung ano ang motibo sa krimen.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/06/21/lalaki-pinatay-sa-loob-ng-bahay-sa-qc
Friday, February 5, 2021
MRT-7 North Ave. to Sacred Heart, Caloocan seen running by Dec.
THE Transportation department said the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7), which is being built by San Miguel Corp. (SMC), is expected to be ready for partial operations between North Avenue Station in Quezon City and Sacred Heart Station in Caloocan City by December.
“Partial operations by Dec. 2021: North Avenue Station to Sacred Heart Station,” Transportation Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope O. Libiran told BusinessWorld by phone message Thursday.
MRT-7’s depot along Quirino Highway in Barangay Lagro, Quezon City is also expected to be operational by December, she added.
According to its website, the Public-Private Partnership Center (PPP Center) said the P63-billion project involves the financing, design, construction, operation and maintenance of the 23-kilometer elevated railway line, with 14 stations between San Jose del Monte, Bulacan and MRT-3 North Avenue in Quezon City.
It also covers the construction of a 22-kilometer road from the Bocaue Interchange of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) to the intermodal terminal in Tala, Quezon City.
“The road component will divert northern provincial buses operation to San Jose del Monte, thereby decongesting EDSA,” the PPP Center said.
SMC announced in December that it had injected P147.81 million more in its infrastructure unit to support the project.
SMC Mass Rail Transit 7, Inc. is undertaking the project along with the Transportation department.
SMC shares closed 0.70% higher at P128.90 Thursday. — Arjay L. Balinbin
https://www.bworldonline.com/mrt-7-north-ave-to-sacred-heart-caloocan-seen-running-by-dec/
Thursday, February 4, 2021
Binondo-Intramuros Bridge seen completed within 2021
By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
The construction of a China-funded bridge connecting Binondo and Intramuros is expected to be completed within 2021, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said Thursday.
The flagship project under the “Build, Build, Build” program would offer a two-way, four-lane bridge over the Pasig River.
Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian and Public Works and Highways chief Mark Villar visited on Thursday the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge site project to check on the construction's progress.
"The main bridge of the project is so far 90 percent completed and is expected to open within this year. By then, it will serve over 30,000 vehicles per day and substantially relieve the traffic congestion along the river," the embassy said in a statement.
The initiative was one of the first China-granted infrastructure projects in Metro Manila constructed under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.
Iconic landscape
Villar said the China-funded bridge will become a new iconic landscape of the country.
“By September 2021, this attractive design of the arch bridge that symbolizes the friendly cooperation between China and the Philippines will become a new iconic landscape connecting the Binondo and Intramuros districts of Manila,” he said in a statement.
He said the project, with a total cost of PHP3.39 billion, employed many advanced construction methods shared by Chinese to the Filipino workers such as the steel arch bridge assembly, pushing method and the bottom construction method of the boxed cofferdam and building a solid piling foundation.
DPWH Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations Emil Sadain said the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge involves the construction of four-lane, basket-handle tied steel arch bridge.
It will have a total length of 680 lineal meters connecting the District of Intramuros at Solana Street and Riverside Drive and District of Binondo at Rentas Street/Plaza Del Conde Street and Muelle dela Industria having a viaduct structure over Estero de Binondo, he added.
It is designed with the new seismic specifications and taking into consideration the impact of climate change.
Another China-funded project, the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge linking Makati and Mandaluyong is now also 79 percent done and on track for an opening date in the first half of 2021.
The embassy said three priority bridges funded by China "just concluded the commercial contracts last December and is expected to kick off by June this year."
Citing Huang, the embassy noted that the government-to-government cooperation projects between Manila and Beijing have now entered into a new stage of implementation.
"With the joint efforts of both sides, 11 projects have been completed and 12 projects are being implemented or are about to be implemented," it said.
Among these infrastructure projects are the Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology-Technical Cooperation Program Phase III and the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project both expected to be completed by the end of 2021.
There are also 10 more projects under active negotiation, the embassy said. (With reports of Ferdinand Patinio)
Monday, February 1, 2021
Mag-asawa patay sa pamamaril sa Taguig
Isang mag-asawa ang patay matapos sila pagbabarilin sa Central Bicutan, Taguig City Lunes ng hapon.
Ayon sa mga awtoridad, tinambangan sina Marcelo at Zener Tomas ng mga di pa kilalang salarin sa San Diego St. ala 1:10 ng hapon.
Dead on the spot ang dalawa dahil sa tama ng bala.
Nagsasagawa na ng follow-up operation ang Taguig PNP sa mga salarin na agad tumakas. Inaalam pa ang motibo sa pamamaril.
Ayon sa pulisya, parehong call center agent ang mag-asawa.--Ulat ni Jeck Batallones
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/01/21/mag-asawa-patay-sa-pamamaril-sa-taguig