Monday, May 31, 2021
Saturday, May 29, 2021
PNR Clark, Calamba trains arriving in December
The North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine National Railways (PNR) is fast making headway with the arrival of trains in December 2021.
The training simulator for the PNR Clark Phase 1 project will be delivered earlier — between September and October, —DOTr Secretary Art Tugade announced recently.
“The trains for the project will arrive in December. The DOTr is preparing a depot for them,” Tugade, who visited the Valenzuela and Bulacan segments of the NSCR) project this week, said in a news release.
After four attempts to build it, the PNR Clark Phase 1 project did not take off until the Duterte administration assumed office.
Currently, the construction of the rail project is at a 45.82 percent overall progress rate. Girders will be set on piles over the next two weeks.
Conceptualized in 1993 and with funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the PNR Clark Phase 1 Project is a 38-kilometer railway that runs from the Tutuban Station in Manila, through the cities of Caloocan and Valenzuela and the municipalities of Meycuayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto, and ends in Malolos City, Bulacan.
Meanwhile, the PNR Clark Phase 2 (Malolos – Clark) is a 54-kilometer rail line that will also feature the country’s first-ever Airport Express, expected to reduce travel time from the Clark International Airport in Pampanga to Makati City to about an hour.
Shelved for two decades, the PNR Clark Phase 2 Project is now at a 28.79 percent overall progress rate.
Completing the PNR NSCR Project is the PNR Clark Phase 3 Manila – Calamba section.
The NSCR Project forms part of the Duterte administration’s flagship “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure development program, which aims to provide efficient mass transportation and spur economic activities.
Thursday, May 27, 2021
PNR’s Malolos–Valenzuela route to open December
By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
The Malolos-Valenzuela phase of the Philippine National Railways’ (PNR) North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) is expected to be operational by December this year, an official of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Wednesday.
During a site inspection of the railway, DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan said PNR Clark North 1 -- which will connect Tutuban, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan -- will have its train depot at the Valenzuela Station.
Batan said trains from the depot will then pass through Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto, until it reaches Malolos.
DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said the PNR Clark North 1 project is currently 45.82 percent complete and will be completed by the second quarter of 2024.
“This is very historical dahil apat na beses na sinubukan ang paggawa nitong proyektong ito simula 1993, at ngayon ang kauna-unahan na mayroon tayong konstruksyon (This is very historical because there have been four attempts at making this project since 1993, and only now did we begin construction),” Tugade said.
He said his personal inspection of the construction site proves that the project continues to move forward despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
“Siguro tinatanong n'yo kung bakit ako nag-iinspeksyon kahit alam naming may Covid-19. Ito ay upang maipakita namin sa inyo na ang proyektong ito ay tuloy na tuloy na (Maybe you want to ask why I’m inspecting while there’s Covid-19. This is to show everyone that the project will continue on),” Tugade said.
He noted that the training simulator for the train service will arrive in the country between September and October while the trains will arrive in December.
The PNR Clark North 1, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is a 38-kilometer railway with 10 stations that will cut across the cities of Manila, Caloocan, Valenzuela, and the municipalities of Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto, and Malolos.
Once completed, the rail service is expected to serve 300,000 passengers daily and will reduce travel time from Malolos to Tutuban, and vice versa, from an hour and 30 minutes to only 35 minutes.
Duterte OKs bill dividing Caloocan City’s 1st district into 2 districts
President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a bill that divides the first and second legislative district of Caloocan City into three districts and allowing the creation of the city’s third legislative districts.
Republic Act No. 11545 takes effect in the 2022 national and local elections.
Under the new law, the first legislative district will be composed of Barangays 1 to 4, 77 to 85 and 132 to 169.
Meanwhile, Barangays 170 to 175 and 177 to 179 form the city’s third legislative district and 176 and 180 to 188 to form the city’s fourth legislative district.
The law, which was signed on May 26, but was only released to the media on Wednesday, tasks the Commission on Elections to issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations within 30 days of the measure’s effectiveness.
The law will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
In March, the Senate approved a bill reapportioning the first district of Caloocan City into two legislative districts, which will allow the people of the city to have “a stronger and firmer voice in Congress with their additional representation.”
Tugade: PNR Clark Phase 1 on track
After almost three decades, the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark Phase 1 Project is now on track, with a 45.82 percent overall progress rate, and “all moving forward,” Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade announced Wednesday night, May 26.
“This is very historical project because there were four attempts to build it since 1993 and only now did we have the actual construction for the first time,” he explained during the PNR Clark Phase 1 Project site inspection.
Previous administrations tried to start the project but failed, Tugade stressed. “It’s all talks of ground breaking, no construction work. Now, we’re really building and the trains will be delivered soon.”
Phase 1 is a 38-kilometer railway connecting Tutuban Station in Manila to Malolos in Bulacan, part of PNR North which forms the P319.5 Billion North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project.
The NSCR System consists of PNR Clark Phase 1, the 53-km. PNR Clark Phase 2 from Malolos to Clark, and the 72-km. PNR Calamba segments from Solis to Los Banos.
It spans 147-km., afully-elevated, dual-track, electrified, and high capacity commuter railway, with 37 Stations, and a fleet of 58 eight-car Train Sets, or a total of 464 Train Cars. It will connect 26 Local Government Units in all.
The PNR Clark project took the place of the defunct Northrail project, which the government abandoned after reaching an out-of-court settlement with its Chinese contractor after many years of arbitration proceedings.
PNR North will cut across the cities of Manila, Caloocan, Valenzuela and the municipalities of Meycuayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto and Malolos City in Bulacan.
Once completed, the project will serve 330,000 passengers daily and will reduce travel time from Malolos, Bulacan to Tutuban from an hour and 30 minutes to 35 minutes.
Tugade personally inspected the site to prove that the project is continuing and is moving forward.
The project’s training simulator will be arriving between September and October, while the trains will arrive in December, he announced.
Phase 1 employed 7,500 workers during construction, while 2,000 additional jobs will be made available once the project becomes operational, according to the DOTr Secretary.
At least 200 former overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are currently employed in the project, while more jobs to be opened, prioritizing more OFWs, and displaced Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) drivers and conductors.
This first phase will be partially operational in the fourth quarter of this year and fully operational by 2nd quarter of 2024.
This year, the government is spending P38.6 BIllion on the NSCR project and expects to spend P128.8 Billion in 2022.
By 2023, the government has allocated P101Billion for the project; P31.135 Billion, in 2024 and P19.76 Billion, in 2025.
The NSCR System will link with existing railway lines LRT-1, LRT-2, MRT-3 and the Metro Manila Subway.
Overall, it will serve some 700,000 passengers per day once it is fully operational,connecting Clark Airport to Buendia in 55 minutes, and Clark Airport to Calamba in 1 hour and 40 minutes.
https://mb.com.ph/2021/05/27/tugade-pnr-clark-phase-1-on-track/
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
Tutuban-Malolos-Clark railway to cut travel time
TWO segments of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), which is the Philippine National Railway (PNR) Clark Phase 1 and 2, will soon cut the travel time from Manila to Bulacan province.
The Department of Transportation (DoTr) said the railway is 45.82 percent finished. The 38-kilometer rail line can accommodate 300,000 passengers daily and will shorten travel time from Malolos, Bulacan to Tutuban, Manila to 35 minutes from 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, the PNR Clark Phase 2 is also seen to reduce travel time from Clark, Pampanga to Malolos, Bulacan from 1 hour and 30 minutes to just 35 minutes. DoTr said the 54-kilometer rail line will also feature an Airport Express that will connect arriving travelers from Clark International Airport to Makati City in Metro Manila for only 55 minutes.
The two segments will be integrated with the PNR Calamba Phase 3 segment, a 56-kilometer Tutuban to Calamba line, to form the 148-kilometer mammoth NSCR project, a joint undertaking of the DoTr and PNR. LEA DEVIO
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
PNR's North-South railway to cut travel time by more than 50%--DoTr
THE two segments of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) are expected to cut the travel time of commuters travelling to and from north and south by more than half, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) said.
The DoTr reported that the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark Phase 1 is 45.82 percent complete as of May 17. Upon completion, the DoTr said the 38-kilometer rail line can accommodate 300,000 passengers daily and will shorten travel time from Malolos, Bulacan to Tutuban, Manila to 35 minutes instead of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The PNR Clark Phase 2 from Clark, Pampanga to Malolos, Bualcan will reduce travel time from 1 hour and 30 minutes to 35 minutes, the DoTr said.
The 54-kilometer rail line will also feature an Airport Express which will take arriving travelers from Clark International Airport (CRK) in Pampanga to Makati in Metro Manila in 55 minutes.
According to the DoTr, the two segments will be linked with the PNR Calamba Phase 3 segment -- a 56-kilometer Tutuban to Calamba line, to form the 148-kilometer mammoth NCSR project.
NSCR is one of the railway projects of the DoTr which promises comfort and convenience to the riding public.
The NSCR is a joint-project of the DoTr and PNR.
Meanwhile, the DoTr announced that the Light Rail Transit 2 (LRT-2) extension from Marikina to Antipolo will open on June 22. The extension project will also cut travel time from Manila to Antipolo from three hours to 40 minutes and boost ridership by 80,000 daily.
Monday, May 24, 2021
Saturday, May 22, 2021
92 infra projects approved in last 5 years, 43 more in pipeline
In its nearly five years in office, the Duterte administration has green-lit 92 projects worth a total of P3.86 trillion, of which the bulk were big-ticket infrastructure projects financed by official development assistance (ODA) loans and grants, the latest National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) data showed.
These projects were approved by the Neda Board chaired by President Duterte between July 2016 and mid-May this year. The latest addition to the list was the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) P19.18-billion retrofitted second additional financing for the Philippine rural development project, which was aimed at supporting programs and projects that would benefit farmers and fisherfolk who were vulnerable during crises and calamities, and contribute to the overall food resiliency of the country.
The Neda said this DA project, to be co-financed by the World Bank and a European Union grant, “will complement the government’s recovery initiatives under the ALPAS Kontra COVID-19 program, and support the creation of jobs in rural areas under the new normal” through its infrastructure and enterprise development components.
Separate Neda data showed that as of May 15, the Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee also had 17 big-ticket projects to be financed by ODA and by the national budget that were pending approval. These are worth a total of P394.95 billion.
The biggest project of these projects was the P175.69-billion Laguna lakeshore road network project phase one, which will be financed by a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and public-private partnership.
The Neda said this 376-kilometer road project around Laguna de Bay would include an 11.8-km viaduct from Lower Bicutan, Taguig City, to Tunasan, Muntinlupa City, plus a 25.8-km shoreline viaduct and embankment from Tunasan to Calamba City.
Another big-ticket project up for action of the ICC c, which is co-chaired by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua, was the P80.65-billion Davao City expressway.
Other projects awaiting the ICC’s green-light are the P2.84-billion expansion of General Santos City’s fish port; P7.57-billion construction of steel flyovers in Regions 4A, 10 and 11; P5.96-billion “iconic” bridges project; P28.98-billion Pasig-Marikina River basin flood management; P12.8-billion Philippine multisectoral nutrition project to be financed by the World Bank; and P25.8-billion acquisition of 40 units (20 imported and 20 locally built) of weapon-ready, fast-patrol craft by the Philippine Coast Guard.
The ICC’s technical board is also reviewing 26 other projects, including the P2.81-billion comprehensive master development plan to transform the Libingan ng mga Bayani into a “world-class memorial facility”; a P938.7-million “super maximum security compound” at the Bureau of Corrections; P7.13-billion Panglao-Tagbilaran City offshore bridge connector; P87.52-billion Quezon-Bicol Expressway; P4.54-billion Metro Cebu Circumferential Road; P4.85-billion urban cable car project in the Santolan-Eastwood-Pasig corridor.
https://business.inquirer.net/323369/92-infra-projects-approved-in-last-5-years-43-more-in-pipeline
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
House panel OKs bill seeking to institutionalize ‘Build,Build, Build’
THE House of Representatives’ Committee on Public Works and Highways approved on Wednesday a measure seeking to adopt a 30-year national infrastructure plan.
House Bill (HB) 8151 that was sponsored by committee chairman Rep. Romeo Momo, Sr. aims to institutionalize the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” program from 2023 to 2052.
Momo stressed the need for a long-term perspective as “major infra projects are generally capital-intensive [and] take several years to prepare, design, and implement.”
“This will ensure continuity in the development and implementation of projects in the 30-year program across administrations, regardless of changes in national leadership,” he said, adding that it would serve as a “predictable road map for the construction industry, investors, and related sectors in crafting and carrying out their long-term business plans.”
The CWS party-list lawmaker further said that the need to provide “more lasting and effective engineering measures” were further prompted by the recent calamities, coupled with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
The bill will rationalize the six-year, medium-term and annual infrastructure programs, and will serve as the framework for the locations, magnitudes, inkages, and timing of public and private investments in major infrastructure projects for “maximum socio-economic impact.”
“It lays down policies and strategies to be pursued by the government to select and prioritize the component national infrastructure projects in the program and includes [an] initial list of priority projects, subject to regular updating by the [National Economic and Development Authority], in coordination with oversight and implementing agencies,” said Momo.
Under HB 8151, the proposed budget allocation is at least five percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which should be consistent with the ceilings set by the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC).
PNR Clark Phase 1 almost 50% complete
THE PNR Clark Phase 1 from Tutuban Metro Manila to Malolos, Bulacan is almost 50 percent complete.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said the project is already 45.82 percent complete despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Walang patid sa pag-arangkada ang konstruksyon ng 38-kilometer PNR Clark Phase 1, na bahagi ng massive North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project, sa kabila ng pandemiya," the agency stated.
The DOTr said the PNR project was conceptualized in the 1990s but was never completed because of several issues.
"Alam niyo ba na 1990s pa na-conceptualize ang NSCR project? Ngunit, sa kasawiang palad, hindi ito umusad dahil sa kabi-kabilang disagreements at samu't saring mga isyu," the agency added.
With the commitment of DOTr, under the leadership of Secretary Arthur Tugade, the implementation project was prioritized.
"Ngayon, dahil sa pagpupursige ng Department of Transportation, sa pamumuno ni Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, at ng Philippine National Railways, sa panumuno ni GM Junn Magno, nabigyang prayoridad ang proyekto, at unti-unti na ngang naisasakatuparan," it said.
Once completed, travel time from Malolos in Bulacan to Tutuban in Metro Manila will be reduced from one and a half hours to 35 minutes.
"Oras na maging operational na ang PNR Clark Phase 1, na ko-konekta sa Malolos, Bulacan, at Tutuban, Manila, magiging 35 minuto na lamang ang biyahe ng ating mga kababayan, mula sa kasalukuyang isang (1) oras at 30 minuto," the DOTr stated.
The agency said the railway is expected to accommodate 300,000 passengers. "Inaasahan din na nasa 300,000 pasahero ang mase-serbisyuhan ng PNR Clark Phase 1."
The project will also generate employment, it added.
"Sa katunayan, tinatayang nasa kabuuang bilang na 7,500 katao ang estimate na mabibigyan ng trabaho habang isinasagawa ang konstruksyon ng proyekto. 2,000 trabaho naman pa ang naghihintay oras na matapos at maging operational ang kabuuan nito," the agency said.
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1895095/Pampanga/Local-News/PNR-Clark-Phase-1-almost-50-complete
Sunday, May 16, 2021
Saturday, May 15, 2021
Mga ahente ng PDEA dinisarmahan ang ilang pulis-QC matapos magsabay sa operasyon kontra droga
Wheng Hidalgo, ABS-CBN News
Muling nagkasabay sa isang operasyon kontra droga ang mga operatiba ng Quezon City Police District at Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency sa isang mall sa Fairview, Quezon City Biyernes ng hapon.
Magsasagawa sana ng drug buy bust operation ang mga tauhan ng QCPD Station 4 Drug Enforcement Unit sa parking lot ng isang mall sa Fairview, Quezon City kaninang alas-dos ng hapon pero naroon din pala ang mga operatiba ng PDEA Region 4A.
Ayon kay QCPD Director BGen. Antonio Yarra, habang naghihintay ang mga pulis sa kanilang target, napagdudahan ng PDEA agents ang kanilang kilos kaya sila ay sinita. Nagpakilalang taga-PDEA ang mga ahente at dinisarmahan ang mga pulis na nagpakilala ring mga operatiba ng QCPD Station 4.
Dumating sa lugar ang hepe ng Station 4 na si Police Lt.Col. Richard Ang at kinausap naman ni Yarra ang regional director ng PDEA Region 4A. Matapos ang berepikasyon, nag-usap ang dalawang grupo at naghiwalay nang payapa.
Ayon pa kay Yarra, naging maingat ang mga operatiba dahil sa leksyon ng Commonwealth shootout. Nilinaw din ni Yarra na parehong may pre-operations coordination ang dalawang grupo, hindi lang talaga naka-specify dito ang eksaktong lugar para hindi masunog ang operasyon. At dahil sa nangyari, na-abort ang anti-drug operation.
"They were immediately checked by the group of armed med introducing themselves as PDEA so when they heard PDEA, they also introduced themselves as policemen. So learning from the experience nung last incident involving PDEA and QCPD, so naging cautious ang ating mga operatives and then they submitted themselves to the PDEA," aniya.
Samantala, hindi pa naglalabas ng opisyal na pahayag ang PDEA dahil naghihintay pa sila ng official report mula sa commander ng Region 4A.
Matatandaang nagkasagupa ang mga pulis at PDEA sa isang operasyon sa Commonwealth Avenue sa Quezon City noong Pebrero kung saan dalawang pulis ang namatay.
Friday, May 14, 2021
As Metro Manila reverts to GCQ, will PBA then hold practices in NCR?
The move to put back NCR Plus — covering Metro Manila and nearby Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal provinces — under general community quarantine is a welcome development for the PBA.
The league has been planning to hold scrimmages outside NCR Plus, including Batangas City and Ilocos Norte, to get its preparations for the 46th season going.
But with President Rodrigo Duterte's approval to shift NCR Plus back to GCQ "with heightened restrictions" starting this weekend, heading outside Metro Manila may not be needed anymore,
"Also continued to be allowed in GCQ areas with heightened restrictions are non-contact sports in outdoor contact sports, games, scrimmages; and personal care services that allow for services not requiring mask removal, such as salons, parlors, beauty clinics, etc at 30% capacity," Inter-agency task force spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement Thursday.
Prior the announcement, the PBA already got the green light from the IATF to hold 5-on-5 scrimmages in venues located in general community quarantine or modified GCQ areas.
This prompted the league to make arrangements with Batangas City officials to allow several PBA clubs to use some of the city courts as practice venues.
The Meralco Bolts and the TNT Tropang GIGA will train in a bubble in Laoag, Ilocos Norte where they will be hosted by Gov. Matthew Manotoc.
As part of the league protocols, PBA teams began undergoing swab tests in preparation for their return to practices.
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Sunday, May 9, 2021
Cash aid distribution in NCR Plus at 81 percent, says DILG
Nearly 81 percent of local governments in the NCR Plus bubble have finished the distribution of government's cash aid ahead of its deadline, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said Sunday.
Eighteen local governments or 80.95 percent have distributed some P18.6 billion to beneficiaries, according to the agency. Indigent families are qualified to receive up to P4,000 as aid following the strict lockdown imposed in late March.
Among these were 13 cities and towns in Laguna, Guiguinto and Pandi towns in Bulacan; Tagaytay City, and Amadeo and Naic towns in Cavite.
Laguna has a 93.84 percent completion rate, followed by Metro Manila with 81.92 percent, Bulacan with 80.52 percent, Rizal with 74.41 percent, and Cavite with 72.99 percent, according to the DILG.
"Some of the reasons that LGUs have not yet completed their ayuda distribution are the huge number of beneficiaries, the big number of appeals that are undergoing deliberation, the tedious and lengthy process of partnering with banks and remittance centers for ayuda payout for those doing electronic distribution, and the difficulty of mobilizing personnel in this time of pandemic," DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said.
"Despite these challenges, however, we are confident na matatapos rin nila ang pagbibigay ayuda sa takdang oras (that we will finish the distribution of aid in time)."
Several lawmakers earlier called for a third stimulus measure to give 108 million Filipinos P2,000 each, regardless of social class or age, to help them deal with the COVID-19 crisis.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/09/21/cash-aid-distribution-in-ncr-plus-at-81-percent-says-dilg
Saturday, May 8, 2021
New PNP chief Eleazar warns cops vs enforcing physical exercise to punish quarantine violators
The country’s top cop on Saturday said policemen may not enforce physical exercise to quarantine violators as only courts or local government units may impose penalties or fines.
Newly installed Philippine National Police chief Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the police force continues to remind unit commanders that quarantine violators must go through the right process.
“Hindi tayo pwedeng magbigay ng penalty. Only the court can give the penalty or in the case of the LGUs, itong mga fines, mga multa nila. So hindi pwedeng pag-exercisin 'yan. Hindi pwedeng bigyan ng anumang punishment 'yan,” said Eleazar, former Joint Task Force Covid Shield commander.
(We cannot impose a penalty. Only the court can give penalty, or in the case of the LGUs, fines. So we don’t allow physical exercise, we can’t give other punishments.)
Eleazar has just been named as the 6th PNP chief under President Rodrigo Duterte’s term. He will be serving as head of the 220,000 strong police force for about 6 months until Nov. 13, when he reaches the PNP’s mandatory retirement age of 56.
“Sisiguraduhin po natin 'yan at mananagot ang ating unit commanders 'pag nilabag nila 'yan kaya magpapatawag ako ng command conference mamaya para ulitin itong mga dati pa na patakaran na,” he said in an interview on TeleRadyo on Saturday morning.
We will make sure of that and unit commanders would be answerable if they violate this that’s why I am calling for a command conference later today to reiterate these old guidelines.)
The death of Darren Peñaredondo of General Trias, Cavite went viral on social media as he was allegedly made to do 300 rounds of pumping exercise after being found outside during curfew hours along with 7 other people.
Eleazer said quarantine violators will be penalized with the right sanctions, based on local ordinances and guidelines from the Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 response.
“Sa unang offense, fine o multa, pangalawa maaring doon na po file-an ng kaso. Maari sa ibang ordinansa, sa unang offense ay community service, 'yun po ang susundin,” he said.
(They can be fined for the first offense, and a case may be filed against them on the second offense. In other ordinances, first time violators may be made to do community service.)
Duterte recently ordered police to arrest people who do not wear their face masks as part of prevention protocol against COVID-19.
Eleazar said that from May 6 to 7, police accosted 14,800 violators, but only 1,001 were arrested.
One of Eleazar’s first orders as the new police chief is ensure that health protocols are observed.
“Mahigit isang taon na nating sinasabi ito, puro pakiusap tayo sa punto na ayaw na nating mag-arestuhan. Subalit kung kinakailangan talaga after nating makausap, after nating mag-warning at talagang insisting pa rin sila, wala tayong magagawa kundi sila ay dalhin natin sa police station, bigyan ng lecture doon while observing the protocol at saka po sila pauwiin,” he said.
(We have been saying this for more than a year, we continue to remind them and we don’t want to arrest them. But after we talk to them and they continue to insist, we will be forced to bring them to the police.)
As of Friday, the Philippines has logged 1,087,885 total confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 66,626 active infections.
Meanwhile, Eleazar said he would still continue to go after rogue cops even during the pandemic.
“Hindi tayo magdadalawang-isip na tanggalin ang mga bugok na pulis natin dahil hindi natin sila kailangan dito at napakaraming gustong pumunta,” he said.
(We will not have second thoughts about removing rogue cops because we don’t need them here and many are willing to join the police.)
He said he relies on his chain of command— the 17 regional directors, the 81 provincial directors, 20 city directors and around 1,500 chiefs of police to do what is right.
“'Wag nilang hintayin na ako pa ang pumunta doon para mag-inspect doon. Pero gagawin ko pa rin 'yun, sisilip pa rin tayo doon pero gusto ko sila na manguna sa bawat area nila. Ayokong magaabuso, gusto kong gawin ang tama dahil 'yan ang ini-expect sa atin,” he said.
(Don’t wait for me to go there. But I will still check on them but I want them to lead in their area. I want them to do the right thing because that is what is being expected of us.)
On the issue of red tagging, Eleazar assured that the PNP would not make baseless accusations.
“Hindi ilegal na alamin namin ang background ng ibang tao, kasama po sa amin 'yun kaya kami po ang nata-task na magsagawa ng complete background investigation,” he said.
(It’s not illegal to find out the background of other people because that is part of our job and that’s why we are always tasked to make a complete background investigation.)
He assured that the PNP will only stick to its job.
“Ang bottomline dito hindi natin bigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga tao na mag-isip na sila po ba ay napupunta sa panganib,” he said.
The bottomline here is that we don’t give the people the impression that they are in danger.)
He said that anti-drug operations would likewise continue and stepped up even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Hindi po titigil 'yun, kung pwede palalakasin pa natin itong ginagawa natin on running after high-value targets pero back to basic tayo.
At the end of the day, our campaign against illegal drugs will be measured on the barangays and communities that will be declared drug-cleared,” he said.
(We will not stop and if possible, strengthen our efforts in going after high-value targets but we go back to basics.)
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/08/21/eleazar-pnp-chief-quarantine-violators
Friday, May 7, 2021
Thursday, May 6, 2021
100 new cities by 2050: Architecture, planning, urban design, infrastructure and real estate
FURTHER to last week’s article, I want to continue sharing with you global best practices and model cities that we can follow for our future cities.
As I mentioned in the previous article, the Philippines will need 100 new cities by 2050 as our population is projected to increase to 148.3 million by that time.
Polycentric cities
According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat’s (CTBUH) definition, tall polycentric cities have three or more clusters of tall buildings that are clearly separated, visually and geographically. These clusters are a group of buildings that are significantly taller than the surrounding urban fabric and are visually and geographically distinct, with at least five buildings (completed or topped out) of at least 100 or 150 meters, depending on local height context. I am a fellow, regional leader, and country representative of the Chicago-based CTBUH.
In polycentric cities, multiple economic centers distribute resources and inclusive growth among towns and cities, allowing other areas and regions to be developed properly. This is the opposite of urban sprawl, which is the rapid expansion of the geographic extent of cities and towns, often characterized by low-density residential housing, single-use zoning and increased reliance on private automobiles for transportation. This definition certainly suits Metro Manila: low-density and gated communities within the business districts and inefficient mass transportation system forcing many to opt for private vehicles. Monocentric city development causes sprawl development toward the outskirts of the core. Just like in Metro Manila, the distance from the CBDs affects the housing type and affordability, hence employees cannot afford the housing stock close to their places of work.
Livable cities
According to the Global Liveability Index 2019, the world’s most livable city is Vienna, followed by Melbourne, Sydney, Osaka, Calgary, Vancouver, Tokyo, Toronto, Copenhagen and Adelaide. For the second year in a row, Vienna ranked No.1 for its high scores in stability, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure and health care. Vienna’s exceptional and progressive housing system offers superior yet affordable housing to residents. In fact, 62 percent of its residents live in social housing. For its infrastructure programs, the city allotted €1.3 billion, or $1.4 billion, to ensure that its water and energy supply and wastewater management can serve the projected population of the city.
Resilient cities
In 2014, the top 10 most resilient cities identified were Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Stockholm, Boston, Zurich, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta. Their resiliency scores were based on their “adaptive capacity” to react to categories of vulnerabilities like climate change, resources, environment, and infrastructure, among others. Part of Toronto’s “resilience strategy” are road maps to retrofit and improve the city’s more than 1,000 apartment towers, enhance a sustainable and resilient food system, scale up green and blue infrastructure systems, address housing needs, and increase flood resilience, among others.
Walkable, bikeable cities
Last year, the Institute for Transportation and Development Study released a study showing a list of the most walkable cities in the world, which included London, Paris, Bogota, Hong Kong and Tokyo. The study also presented the numerous benefits of walkability, such as it makes cities more equitable, it is good for people’s health and the environment, it has a safe and reliable mode of transportation, especially when social distancing is required, and it helps people save money if their daily needs can be accessed through walking instead of using private vehicles, among others.
For the world’s most bike-friendly cities, the 2019 Copenhagenize Index included Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Utrecht, Antwerp, Strasbourg, Bordeaux, Oslo, Paris, Vienna and Helsinki. As you will observe, the list is dominated by European countries that are famous for setting this global best practice. In Copenhagen, 62 percent of the people use their bikes for trips to work or school, there are more than 104 miles of new cycle highways, and there has been “more than $45 per capita in bicycle infrastructure investments.”
Transport-oriented development
According to the World Bank, transit-oriented development is a “planning and design strategy that consists of promoting urban development that is compact, mixed-use, pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly, and closely integrated with mass transit by clustering jobs, housing, services, and amenities around public transport stations.” The World Bank also recognized Stockholm, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore as having successfully applied this concept.
Mixed-use developments
In contrast to single, stand-alone developments, mixed-use developments are characterized by the Urban Land Institute as: 1) having three or more mutually supporting, revenue-generating uses such as offices, residential condominiums, retail, restaurants, hotels and others; 2) with significant physical and functional integrations, including pedestrianization; and 3) developed in conformity with a coherent plan. This type of development is seen as ideal for urban renewal and revitalization where people of all ages can live their best lives in communities that blend residential, commercial, cultural, institutional, and natural spaces.
Better connectivity
Connectivity goes beyond the physical, beyond the distribution systems — roads, mass transit and communications. Connectivity refers to the integration of activities that define the character of the city, including its social, economic and cultural links. Improving connectivity can be achieved by infusing new activity to areas outside the city core or by creating new development corridors between these outlying areas and the core.
I had the opportunity to write and publish more than 700 articles and three books about global best practices. I have given lectures and attended speaking engagements in 20 countries and applied these best practices and principles in 40 countries through projects that I was part of as architect, urban planner, environmental planner and development consultant.
Based on what I have learned through the years, we should not wait until 2050 to transform our communities, towns and cities to become more sustainable, inclusive, healthy and resilient. It is urgent that we learn from the design and planning mistakes of Metro Manila and apply global best practices that have helped transform cities into exemplars of good architecture, planning and urban design.
Monday, May 3, 2021
Makati to manage mild Covid-19 cases at home
By Lade Jean Kabagani
The Makati city government has prioritized a program aimed at ensuring proper treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients with mild symptoms and asymptomatic cases at home, Makati Mayor Abby Binay shared Monday.
The initiative magnifies the urgent need for the city government to put up additional quarantine and isolation facilities that will address increasing Covid-19 patients being treated at the Ospital ng Makati (OsMak).
"Ganito rin ang kalagayan ng iba pang ospital sa ibang panig ng Metro Manila, private man o government hospital (This is also the state of various hospitals in other areas of Metro Manila, whether private or government hospitals)," Binay posted on social media.
"Bunsod nito, binigyang-prayoridad ng lungsod ang pagbuo ng (Because of this, the city has prioritized the) Makati Covid-19 Home Care Program sa ilalim ng paggabay ng (under the guidance of the) Department of Health," she added.
Under the home care program, Makati will isolate and treat mild cases at their own homes, provided a patient has a separate bedroom, bathroom, and toilet and should not have household members belonging to vulnerable groups, such as senior citizens, persons with comorbidities, individuals with a weak immune system, and those who are pregnant.
"Kailangan din ang mag-aalaga o caregiver sa bahay ay may malakas na resistensya o pangangatawan para hindi delikadong mahawahan (The caregiver at home must also have a strong immune system so that further virus transmission can be avoided)," she added.
Caretakers are required to wear masks and use gloves at all times and observe a one-meter or more physical distance from the infected ones.
"Bibigyan namin ang bawat pasyenteng sasailalim sa programa ng (We will provide each patient undergoing the program a) home care package," Binay said.
The city's program package includes a Covid-19 Home Care Handbook, monitoring sheets, maintenance medicines for other comorbidities, and medical kits (Vitamin C with Zinc, pulse oximeter, thermometer, oral disinfectant spray, mask, and hand sanitizer or alcohol).
The handbook contains all the guidelines and protocols for proper isolation at home and notes on Covid-19 symptoms and various emergency care needed.
Patients will also have two dedicated online consultations with medical doctors.
Binay said the Department of Health policies on isolating mild cases state quarantine until 10 days from the day the symptoms come out; doctors should make sure the patients are clinically recovered within three days; and that those who have been exposed to Covid-19 patients should isolate for 14 days, starting from the day of their exposure.
Patients should request clearance from a doctor or the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit.
There is no need to undergo another reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test for clearance.
Makati residents, workers, and visitors are required to wear masks and other protective gear in public places.
QC hires 1.3K more contact tracers under DOLE program
By Marita Moaje
The Quezon City government will hire 1,347 contact tracers under the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) emergency employment program.
During the orientation given by the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) at the Quezon Memorial Circle on Monday, Mayor Joy Belmonte recognized the importance of contact tracers in the fight against the dreaded coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
"Contact tracers ang pinakasusi para mapigilan na natin itong pagkalat pa ng virus sa ating mga komunidad. Balewala ang lockdown kung hindi mabilis at maagap ang pagkilos ng contact tracing army ng lungsod (are the keys to mitigating the spread of the virus in our community. The lockdowns we are doing will be of no value if our contact tracing army is not alert)," she said.
The contact tracers, hired through DOLE's Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program, increased the city’s assets to 2,600.
The city government will provide their needs, such as protective gear, and other necessities in the performance of their duties.
Belmonte recalled improving their contact tracing capabilities when the Department of the Interior and Local Government also deployed 1,300 contact tracers last year.
“Contact tracers were able to identify up to 30 close contacts per Covid-19 positive,” she said.
Body cameras among major projects of retiring PNP chief Sinas
By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
Police officers equipped with body cameras will be one of the legacies of outgoing Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Debold Sinas.
PNP Directorate for Logistics Director Maj. Gen. Angelito Casimiro confirmed on Monday that Sinas has signed the final acceptance document for the equipment.
The PNP chief is scheduled to step down on May 8 when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56.
Casimiro said they are finishing the final protocols in the use of video in the presentation of evidence to the court.
“That is the challenge for now especially as there are privacy rules. We will be finalizing the memorandum circular on protocols of presentation," he said in an interview.
Casimiro said the body cameras have been distributed to major cities.
"We will be appealing for some funds so all police stations will be equipped," he added.
The PNP acquired 2,696 body-worn cameras and their associated systems from San Juan City-based EVI Distribution Inc.
Each major police station will be given 16 body cameras, eight of which will be used by patrolling operatives while the remaining eight will be reserved for other operations.
The cameras will be equipped with SIM (subscriber identity module) cards that will be used to feed videos to the PNP Command Center.
The body cameras are waterproof and can record video for up to eight hours.
The officers wearing them cannot interfere with its configuration and they cannot turn those off while on duty.
MRT-3 has new OIC general manager
By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade has appointed DOTr Assistant Secretary Eymard Eje as the new officer-in-charge general manager of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).
Eje would be taking over the helm even while serving in his concurrent capacity as DOTr Assistant Secretary for Project Implementation – Mindanao Cluster.
He is replacing Rodolfo Garcia who passed away due to the coronavirus last February.
“We will remain faithful to the guidance of Secretary Tugade to provide comfortable public transport to all our commuters. We are dedicated to pursue only the highest of public service standards from the smallest to the biggest decisions and management tasks that we need to fulfill,” Eje said.
Before his appointment at his current position in the DOTr, Eje served as a presidential staff officer at the Office of the President – Presidential Management Staff.
In 2009, he became chief of staff of Court of Appeals Justice Agnes Reyes-Carpio; beginning his public service career in 1994 as a legislative staff assistant in Parañaque City.
Palace alarmed by slow implementation of free Wi-Fi project
By Azer Parrocha
Malacañang is alarmed by the “slow” implementation of the government’s PHP1.3-billion nationwide free Wi-Fi project.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said currently, only 10,000 sites out of the 120,000 sites across the country have achieved free internet access.
He said that it was “unacceptable” that only 10,000 sites have managed to acquire free Wi-Fi access since Republic Act (RA) 10929 or the “Free WiFi for All” program was signed in August 2017.
“Mula noon hanggang ngayon eh talagang medyo nakakabahala po iyong bagal nang pag-implement nitong libreng Wi-Fi ‘no (From then until now, the slow implementation of this free Wi-Fi is really a bit alarming),” he said in a Palace press briefing on Monday.
Roque said the national government is “unhappy” with the performance of the multinational contractor, Speedcast, which was hired by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to import telecom equipment for the free Wi-Fi project.
“Bilang isang pangunahing awtor nung batas, siyempre po hindi tayo happy. Kinakailangan ang pangako natin libreng Wi-Fi sa lahat, dapat magkaroon pa rin iyan ng katuparan sa administrasyon ni Presidente (As the primary author of the law, of course, we’re not happy. Our promise of free Wi-Fi for all should be accomplished in the administration of President) Duterte and we have one year to go,” he said.
He said President Rodrigo Duterte and the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) are considering to kick Speedcast out of the project, echoing the view of Speedcast’s local consignee, the semi-government Philippine Communication Satellite Corp. (Philcomsat) which exposed Speedcast’s technical smuggling and bribery deals discovered in July 2020.
“With this latest controversy, ang posisyon po talaga ng Presidente at ng DICT ay itigil na iyong involvement nitong current contractor, na foreign contractor na ito at ibalik na iyong mga pera na naibayad na sa kanila dahil pupuwede na pong ipagpatuloy iyan ng ating DICT (With this latest controversy, the position of the President and the DICT is to stop the involvement of the current foreign contractor and retrieve the money given to them because the DICT can take over the project),” he said.
Amid controversies, Roque said the DICT is now competent enough to roll out the project.
“Ngayon po eh may ganiyang kakayahan na mag-roll out ang DICT at sa katunayan po na sa taong 2020 alone eh nakapag-install po ang DICT nang 500 percent more Wi-Fi sites compared doon sa mga total na in-install nitong foreign contractor na ito from the year 2015 to 2019 (Now, DICT has such the ability to roll out and in fact, in the year 2020 alone, DICT was able to install 500 percent more Wi-Fi sites compared to the total installed by this foreign contractor from the year 2015 to 2019),” he said.
He also backed plans of Congress to probe the Wi-Fi project, noting that it has been suffering from delays and now marred by a series of reports of smuggling, bribery, and allegations of negligence and incompetence.
“We support any further investigation to be conducted by the legislative branch of government as part of their oversight functions,” he said.
Meeting the target
With current efforts underway, Roque expressed hope that the government could still meet its target of achieving 110,000 more Wi-Fi sites before the end of the Duterte administration in 2022.
“Titingnan naman po natin kung talagang mapapatupad natin ‘yan ‘no (We will see if we can really implement that) -- 10,000 sites installed; 120,000 so 110,000 sites left to go. Pero sa bilis naman po ng galaw ng DICT ngayon (But at the speed of DICT’s movement now), we have confidence that we can meet at least close to the target if not a 110,000 more sites,” he added.
He also emphasized the need to recognize internet access as a human right.
“Importante po ang Wi-Fi talaga na isang human rights na po iyan. Karapatang-pantao na po iyan, ang tawag po diyan ay (Wi-Fi is a human right. It’s called) right to connectivity,” he said.
Last month, the Bureau of Customs informed the DICT of its discovery of UNDP’s Speedcast undervaluing on the importation of telecom equipment.
BOC said Speedcast should be held liable for the misdeclaration of shipment values.
Manila receives share of Sputnik V jabs for pilot rollout
By Marita Moaje
The city government of Manila received on Monday its share of 3,000 doses of Sputnik V jabs from the national government.
The Russian-made vaccines were delivered straight to the city’s storage facility at the Sta. Ana Hospital.
Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, and Manila Health Department acting chief Dr. Arnold Pangan received the delivery.
A total of 15,000 Sputnik V jabs arrived in the country on Saturday. Taguig, Makati, Parañaque, and Muntinlupa will also get 3,000 doses each for the pilot rollout.
“As per the Department of Health, the 3,000 doses are for the first doses. There will be another batch for the second doses. If clearance and guidance will be given today, we are ready to deploy,” Domagoso said.
Medical front-liners who have not received their Covid-19 vaccines yet will be prioritized for the Sputnik V jabs, which touts a 91.6 percent efficacy.
After two or three days, the city government will next offer the vaccine to individuals in the A2 (senior citizens) and the A3 (persons with comorbidities aged 18 to 59) priority lists.
Domagoso said the Sputnik V vaccines will be initially administered at the Sta. Ana Hospital and Ospital ng Maynila.
“Due diligence kailangan natin gawin. As you can see, metikoloso ‘yung handling, even the condition na kailangan para sa Gamaleya Sputnik (We need due diligence here. As you can see, Gamaleya Sputnik vaccines require meticulous handling),” he said.
Only a few medical front-liners in the city’s six district hospitals have not received their Covid-19 shots yet. They are doctors and nurses who prefer brands other than Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines that were first offered.
There are also healthcare workers who contracted Covid-19 and can’t receive vaccines yet.
Pangan will coordinate with directors of the six district hospitals to collate the names of personnel who want to receive the Sputnik V vaccine.
Manila’s storage facility at the Sta. Ana Hospital can handle several vaccine brands that require different storage temperatures.
Domagoso said that based on the public’s response, he can say that vaccine confidence has increased.
“Nung unang araw namin, naka-170 lang kami. Sumunod 300, sumunod 1,000, so nagkaron dati, totoo ‘yung takot pa muna. Pero ngayon baligtad na. Kinakapos na ‘yung bakuna sa demand ng tao na gustong magpabakuna. Kahapon may dumating kami na 4,200. In a matter of six hours, na-ubos (Initially, we only vaccinated about 170, then it became 300 then 1,000. So it’s true that before, people were afraid, but it has turned around. We are already running out of vaccines because of the number of people who wants to receive them. Yesterday, we received 4,200, and in a matter of six hours, they’re gone),” Domagoso said.
Umano’y tulak patay sa anti-drug operation sa Cavite
Anjo Bagaoisan, ABS-CBN News
Nauwi sa pagkamatay ng isang lalaki ang buy bust ng pulisya sa bayan ng General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite, Biyernes ng gabi.
Ayon sa ulat ng GMA Municipal Police Station, napatay umano ang target na si Jonathan Mulos, 36, nang mauwi sa engkwentro ang pagbili sa kaniya ng droga sa Pasong Saging, Poblacion 5.
Sabi ng mga pulis, nagpaputok ng baril si Mulos sa mga pulis na aaresto sa kaniya pagkatapos ng transaksyon kaya pinaputukan siya pabalik.
Binilhan siya noon ng 5 sachet ng shabu sa halagang P600.
Dineklara siyang dead on the spot ng rumespondeng municipal rescue team.
Binawi ng pulis bilang ebidensya mula sa suspek ang baril, mga sachet, at buy-bust money.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/03/21/umanoy-tulak-patay-sa-anti-drug-operation-sa-cavite
Lalaki tiklo sa umano’y panggagahasa ng 15 anyos na babae sa Bulacan
Jervis Manahan, ABS-CBN News
Ikinulong ng San Jose del Monte PNP ang 20 anyos na lalaking inaakusahang nanggahasa ng 1 babaeng menor de edad sa Barangay Minuyan Proper, lungsod ng San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.
Kuwento ng tita ng 15 anyos na biktima, nahuli niya ang mga mensahe sa cellphone ng biktima kung saan tinatakot siya ng suspek.
Nagse-send umano ng mga malaswang video ang suspek sa biktima.
Magkapit-bahay lang ang suspek at ang biktima, kaya madali silang nagkikita.
Tinakot pa ng suspek ang bata na huwag magsusumbong sa kahit kanino.
Ayon pa sa tita, pinagsamantalahan talaga ng suspek ang kaniyang pamangkin.
Nitong Sabado, nahuli ang dalawa na magkasama sa isang talahiban at nakahubad ang lalaki.
Depensa ng suspek, kasintahan niya ang bata at inaaway lang siya ng ate ng biktima. Hindi naman umano niya sinaktan ang biktima.
Nakatakdang sampahan ng kasong statutory rape ang suspek.
Tulak umano ng droga patay sa buy bust sa Bulacan
Lyza Aquino, ABS-CBN News
Dead on the spot sa gilid ng kalsada ang isang lalaki matapos umanong mauwi sa engkwentro ang anti-drug operation ng pulisya sa Barangay Santo Cristo, bayan ng Pulilan, Bulacan.
Batay sa impormasyon mula sa PNP Regional Office 3, kilala sa alyas JR ang napatay na suspek, habang nakatakas naman sa gitna ng engkwentro ang kasamahan niyang lalaki sakay ng isang motorsiklo.
Inaalam pa ang pagkakakilanlan ng tumakas na lalaki.
Nagkasa ng joint operation ang Bulacan Provincial Police Office at Pulilan Municipal Police Station laban sa suspek noong Sabado.
Nakikipagtransaksyon ang police poseur-buyer para sa P1,000 halaga ng ilega na droga nang mangyari ang engkwentro.
Nakumpiska sa pinangyarihan ng engkwentro ang 29 na sachet ng hinihinalang shabu na nagkakahalaga ng P20,400 at mga basyo mula sa 9mm na baril.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/03/21/tulak-umano-ng-droga-patay-sa-buy-bust-sa-bulacan
Higit P1 milyon halaga na droga nasabat sa Metro Manila
Jekki Pascual, ABS-CBN News
Arestado ang 5 drug suspek sa magkakahiwalay na anti-illegal drugs operation sa Quezon City, Taguig at Manila.
Aabot sa higit P1 milyong ang halaga ng mga nasabat na droga.
Ayon sa NCRPO, nahuli ang isang babaeng drug suspek sa buy bust sa Barangay Central Bicutan, Taguig nitong Sabado.
Nasa 59 grams ng hinihinalang shabu ang nakumpiska sa kaniya at may dagdag pang 7.5 grams na hinihinalang marijuana. May kabuuang halaga na P402,000 ang mga ilegal na droga.
Sa Quezon City, nahuli naman ng QCPD Station 5 ang isang lalaki na si alyas Tadz sa buy bust sa Barangay Greater Fairview.
Nakuha sa suspek ang ilang sachet ng hinihinalang shabu na may bigat na 80 grams. Nagkakahalaga ang mga droga na P544,000.
Sa Maynila, 3 suspek ang inaresto ng MPD Station 5 sa kanto ng Taft at Ayala sa Ermita.
Nakuha sa kanila ang 4 na sachet ng hinihinalang droga na may street value na P173,000.
Nakakulong na ang 5 mga nahuling drug suspek at nahaharap sa kasong paglabag sa Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/03/21/higit-p1-milyon-halaga-na-droga-nasabat-sa-metro-manila
Saturday, May 1, 2021
Ina ng Maginhawa community pantry organizer, di maiwasang mag-alala sa anak
Naging maugong na kakambal ng community pantry ang pangalan ni Ana Patricia Non, ang nag-umpisa ng inisyatibong nagbibigay ng libreng pagkain sa mga nangangailangan ngayong panahon ng pandemic.
Ang naturang inisyatibo ay umusbong na rin sa maraming lugar hindi lang sa kalakhang Maynila.
Para sa ina ni Non na si Zena Bernardo, habang proud sa kanyang anak ay hindi nito maaalis ang pag-aalala, lalo na ng lumutang ang isyung red tagging laban dito.
“Nag-post ako last 2 days ago na sabi ko please allow me a moment of weakness. Normal lang naman ito and I am really worried. But then mas worried si Patricia, and mas worried kami doon sa iba,” ayon kay Bernardo.
Kuwento ni Bernardo sa TeleRadyo na hindi nila inakalang magba-viral ang simpleng community pantry ng anak na magiging inspirasyon din para sa iba na magtayo ng parehong inisyatibo sa kanila-kanilang lugar.
“Kinikilabutan nga ako nung nakita ko 'yung sa East Timor and we know kung gaano kahirap ang situation sa East Timor and then Myanmar and I’ve also seen some in Thailand,” sabi ni Bernardo.
Pakiusap naman niya sa anak na magbigay ng panahon para tutukan din ang sarili.
“Patreng, I know you are very, very tired. I know you are absorbing a lot of bad energies and good energies, as well. I know you feel that you need to help everyone. Patreng, there’s only so much that you can do and you are doing so much. Please, be kind din to yourself na hindi mo kaya lahat. Andito naman kaming lahat. It’s ok to take a pause, people will understand. Mahal na mahal ka namin and we're so proud of you,” mensahe ni Bernardo sa anak.
Ayon kay Bernardo, higit 1,000 na ang community pantries na nakatayo sa ilang mga lugar sa Pilipinas.
“Sa lahat po ng pumipila we hear you po. Naririnig namin kayo. Naiintindihan namin 'yung sitwasyon,” sabi niya.
Hindi naging madali ang pinagdanaan ng anak sa pagtatayo ng community pantry na layon lamang makatulong sa mga taong apektado ng pandemya lalo na’t naging biktima siya at mga kasama ng red tagging.
Pero sa kabila nito, tiniyak niya na patuloy silang makikipagtulungan sa gobyerno, sa local government unit, at civil society organizations sa pagtugon sa pandemya.
“We are part of the solution. We are not part of the problem,” sabi ni Bernardo.
Handog ng Manila Police sa mga tsuper: Drive-thru community pantry
Nagtayo ng drive-thru community pantry ang Manila Police District Station 4 sa Sampaloc para sa mga tsuper bilang tulong at pasasalamat ngayong Labor Day.
Ayon kay Police Capt. Philipp Ines, Administrative officer ng Sampaloc Police Station, target na beneficiary nila ang mga jeepney driver, taxi driver at tricycle driver, at lahat ng dumaan ay nabigyan ng libreng almusal at ayudang food packs.
May mga driver rin na pumila at hindi na muna dinala ang kanilang sasakyan, pero pasok pa rin sila sa ayuda.
"Meron po silang sopas, itlog, tinapay at bottled water at kasama na rin po ang aming food packs: bigas, noodles at canned goods," ayon kay Ines.
Dagdag niya, ito'y "tanda ng pagsaludo sa mga uring manggagawa na nakalinya dito sa transportasyon kung saan nakita natin ang ambag nila sa lipunan. Ito'y tanda ng aming pasasalamat."
Bukod sa ayuda, nagpa-raffle rin sa mga tsuper at ang premyo ay katumbas ng kanilang boundary sa isang araw. Kaya marami ang natuwa dahil malaking bagay na anila ang mga ibinigay sa kanila.
"Malaking tulong din po kasi kahit papaano nadagdagan kita namin. Sinasagot nila ang boundary at konting bigas," ayon sa jeepney driver na si Randy Escala ng grupong Fejodap.
Sabi ni Escala, mahirap ang kalagayan nilang mga tsuper ngayon dahil hindi naman sila nakakapamasada araw-araw.
"Alternate po 'yung biyahe namin tapos 50% na laman lang dahil sa social distancing. Talagang kulang na kulang sa pangangailangan namin," sabi niya.
Para naman kay Daisy Torreda ng grupo ng mga tricycle driver at operator na Amatoda, masaya sila at napansin rin sila.
"Sana po tuloy-tuloy pa rin po yung pagtulong nila sa mga ganitong bagay lalo na sa panahon ngayon ay least mabawasan 'yung hirap sa pamamasada," sabi ni Torreda.