Sunday, October 31, 2021
Saturday, October 30, 2021
Friday, October 29, 2021
Thursday, October 28, 2021
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Monday, October 25, 2021
'4th gen' LRT-1 trains arrive in PH
By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
Several new "fourth generation” trains meant to be used for the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) have arrived in the Philippines on Monday and are set to go into operation next year.
In an interview, Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) president and CEO Juan Alfonso said 12 out of the 30 trains have so far arrived in the country from Mexico and Spain and would undergo testing and commissioning by Spanish engineers.
These trains will be used in the entire LRT-1 line by 2022 and will replace the service’s 40-year-old first-generation trains.
Alfonso said the trains would also ply the soon-to-be-completed Cavite Extension project.
Compared to first-generation trains, the fourth generation trains are more efficient, faster, and PWD-friendly, he added.
In addition to the new trains, he said the LRT-1 is also upgrading its signaling system to reduce its headway, or the wait time between trains, from the current three and a half minutes to two and a half minutes.
“Halos 30 percent mas mabilis siya, 'yung headway between trains (It’s faster by almost 30 percent, the headway between trains),” Alfonso said.
In August, the LRT-1 Cavite Extension was reportedly 60 percent complete and is on track to begin partial operations in the first quarter of 2024.
Composed of eight stations running along an 11.7-kilometer stretch of railway, the LRT-1 Cavite Extension is expected to be completed by 2027.
LRT-1 adds more 4th generation trains
Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), the private operator of LRT-1, received its twelfth brand-new 4th Generation (Gen-4) train set at its Baclaran Depot in Pasay on Oct. 25, 2021.
LRT-1’s newest trains will be deployed for revenue use by mid-2022, after undergoing complete safety checks, inspections, plus required test runs with minimum kilometers and acceptance tests.
“Since assuming the operations and management of LRT-1, we have increased the number of trains available to our customers by almost 50% and shortened waiting times,” announced Juan F. Alfonso, LRMC President, and CEO.
“We continue moving forward with our upgrades and fleet modernization, in line with our commitment to service excellence,” he added.
LRMC, together with partners from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), and Manila Harbor Center Port Services, Inc. (MHCPSI), has been receiving the Gen-4 train sets in batches this year since January.
Each Gen-4 train set consists of 4 light rail vehicles (LRVs) with a total capacity of 1,300 passengers per trip.
A total of 30 train sets (or 120 LRVs) from Spain and Mexico are scheduled for delivery until June 2022 to be used for the existing system and Cavite Extension project of the Light Rail Transit Line 1.
The state-of-the-art passenger train sets measure 106 meters in length and 2.59 meters in width, with maximum design speeds of up to 70 kph.
They have destination signs to inform passengers if the trains are heading north or south.
The driver station inside features a modern design, with a monitor that shows the temperature.
The new trainsets are also PWD-friendly with special areas for wheelchairs.
https://mb.com.ph/2021/10/25/lrt-1-adds-more-4th-generation-trains/
Sunday, October 24, 2021
Saturday, October 23, 2021
Friday, October 22, 2021
Thursday, October 21, 2021
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
Monday, October 18, 2021
New DPWH secretary inspects NLEX Connector
NEWLY installed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Roger Mercado recently inspected the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Connector to familiarize himself with the construction progress and right-of-way requirements of the project.
With him were DPWH Undersecretary Catalina Cabral, DPWH Public-Private Partnership Director Alex Bote, DPWH Project Manager Dave Galang, and NLEX Corporation Vice President for Tollway Development and Engineering Nemesio Castillo.
NLEX Corporation is accelerating the construction of the NLEX Connector as the DPWH remains committed to fast-track the right-of-way delivery so motorists can soon benefit from this high-impact infrastructure that will provide ease of travel and support economic growth.
“This new expressway will greatly benefit the public. We will continue our efforts to deliver the right of way needed for the NLEX Connector as we target to complete this in the first quarter of next year,” Mercado said.
A public-private partnership project between Metro Pacific Tollways led-NLEX Corporation and the DPWH, the NLEX Connector is an 8-kilometer elevated expressway aimed at alleviating traffic congestion and improving mobility within Metro Manila.
Participating in the government’s “Build Build Build” program, NLEX has allotted P23 billion for this massive infrastructure investment.
The first five-kilometer section of the expressway, which is now halfway complete, traverses Caloocan Interchange on C3/5th Avenue to España Boulevard in Sampaloc, Manila.
The next three-kilometer section spans from España Interchange up to the vicinity of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
When completed, this new elevated road is expected to serve around 35,000 motorists daily and is seen as a viable 24/7 route for truckers delivering goods between north and south of Metro Manila.
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Saturday, October 16, 2021
Friday, October 15, 2021
New DPWH chief hits ground running, inspects Binondo-Intramuros bridge
A day after he formally assumed the post, the newly installed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Roger Mercado led Friday, Oct. 15, the inspection of the ongoing Binondo-Intramuros Bridge project.
DPWH Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, who is in charge of the Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations, assisted Mercado in his first project visit as the new DPWH Chief.
He was also the first Cabinet official to step on the completed deck slab of the two-way, four-lane, basket-handle tied steel arch main bridge.
Mercado said that although reports can be read inside his office or while seated on a vehicle, the best decisions are made if “you really get to know and feel the situation [on] the field.”
The DPWH-UPMO Roads Management Cluster 1, with the contractor China Road and Bridge Corporation, has already accomplished about 82.75 percent of the work for the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge project.
“We are almost there and the project is scheduled to be finished early next year,” Mercado said.
He also lauded Sadain’s team for their “excellent job in coming with solutions to project implementation challenges, as well as mitigating the impact of the pandemic to construction activities.”
According to Sadain, the ₱3.39-billion bridge project across the Pasig River is part of the two bridges financed by a government aid grant from the People’s Republic of China.
The other China-granted project was the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge linking Makati and Mandaluyong which was earlier completed and inaugurated by President Duterte.
The new Binondo-Intramuros Bridge is a 680-meter, basket-handle tied steel arch bridge that will soon connect districts of Intramuros (at Solana Street and Riverside Drive) and Binondo (at San Fernando Bridge) in Manila with a viaduct structure over Estero de Binondo.
This new bridge under the Build, Build, Build program funded by Official Development Assistance is expected to cut travel time between Intramuros and Binondo and benefit at least 30,000 vehicles daily.
https://mb.com.ph/2021/10/15/new-dpwh-chief-hits-ground-running-inspects-binondo-intramuros-bridge/
Acting DPWH chief vows continuity of key infra projects
By Ferdinand Patinio
Acting Secretary Roger Mercado of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) vowed to continue the government’s infrastructure projects as he assumed his new post on Thursday.
Former Secretary Mark Villar handed over the agency's leadership to Mercado during the turnover ceremony at the DPWH Central Office, Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila.
“I vow to sustain the current momentum in the Department so we can deliver more high-impact projects that will benefit the Filipino people including those living in remote communities," Mercado said in his speech.
"It is an honor to work with the professional men and women of DPWH and to be able to continue to oversee the completion of the Department’s flagship infrastructure programs and projects,” he added.
Mercado was appointed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte as the agency's acting chief on Oct. 12, replacing Villar who stepped down to run for senator in the 2022 elections.
Prior to his appointment, Mercado was the representative of the lone district of Southern Leyte. He is also the vice chairperson of the House Committee on Public Works and Highways Committee.
Mercado, a lawyer by profession, is also known for his tourism, environmental protection, and agriculture (TEA) programs in his province.
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
30-year nat'l transport infra program hurdles House panel
By Filane Mikee Cervantes
The House Committee on Transportation on Wednesday approved a measure that would adopt a 30-year National Transportation Infrastructure Program to ensure continuity amid changes in leadership.
In his sponsorship remarks, committee chair and principal author Edgar Sarmiento said there is a need for the measure to address the concerns of the aviation, railway, and land sectors, adding that it is only proper to finally have a roadmap for the next 30 years.
“So whatever current programs and projects relevant to aviation, maritime, land sector and railway should go on for us to finally have the needed public transportation the country needs,” Sarmiento said.
House Bill 9468 provides a list of core projects to be implemented between 2023 and 2052.
It may be updated every five years by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), in coordination with the oversight and implementing agencies.
NEDA shall also be primarily responsible for formulating the details of the infrastructure program.
To ensure funding, the NEDA and the Department of Budget and Management shall ensure that the total budget allocation by the government for the program shall be at least 5 percent of the gross domestic product.
For infrastructure projects related to road transport, the bill prioritizes the North Luzon Expressway to Ilocos Region, Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Expressway, Metropolitan Manila Circumferential 5 Southlink Expressway, Metropolitan Cebu Expressway, and Metropolitan Davao Expressway, among others.
For rail and other mass transport, the bill includes the Subic-Clark Railway, Mindanao Rail Network, Metro Manila Subway, Metro Manila Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), EDSA Greenways Project, Intelligent Transport System for Mega Manila and Cebu BRT.
It prioritizes the Mega Manila Airport System, which includes the improved Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Bulacan Airport, and Sangley Airport; as well as the regional airports for Puerto Princesa, Iloilo, Kalibo, Bacolod-Silay, New Zamboanga, and Davao.
It also supports alternative modes of transportation such as elevated walkways and bicycle lanes and other support facilities for cyclists.
New DPWH chief, MMDA general manager named
Southern Leyte Lone District Representative Roger Mercado was named as the next Department of Public Works and Highways secretary.
Mercado confirmed this in a message through his Facebook account.
His son, Maasin City Mayor Nacional Mercado, also posted on social media that his father already took his oath as the new DPWH head on Wednesday.
The congressman will replace Mark Villar who resigned from the post to file his certificate of candidacy for senator in the May 2022 elections.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority also appointed Romando Artes as its new general manager.
He will replace Jojo Garcia who is running for a House seat as Rizal 3rd district representative.
Artes previously served as MMDA’s assistant general manager for finance and administration.
Leyte-based correspondent Wil Mark Amazona contributed to this report
https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/10/13/New-DPWH-chief-MMDA-general-manager-.html
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Monday, October 11, 2021
PNR Clark trainset to arrive in December
THE first trainset of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Clark is scheduled to arrive in the country before Christmas, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) stated.
The trainset is set to depart Yokohama, Japan in October after undergoing a series of Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT).
The DOTr said it is expected to arrive at the Malanday Depot on the first week of December 2021.
Through the FAT, the newly manufactured trainset will undergo verification if it meets its intended purpose, according to the agency.
The trainset also needs to pass through a test if it complies with international standards including the International Standard Office (ISO) and Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS).
The DOTr said the construction of the PNR Clark Phase 1 from Tutuban, Metro Manila to Malolos, Bulacan, is on track.
Once completed, the railway is expected to accommodate 300,000 passengers every day.
Aside from this, travel time between Tutuban and Malolos will be cut from more than one hour to only 35 minutes by train.
Sunday, October 10, 2021
Saturday, October 9, 2021
Friday, October 8, 2021
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Road transport gets P1-M budget
Of the Department of Transportation (DOTr)’s proposed P19.8 billion 2022 budget for Road Transport, only P1 million was included in the National Expenditure Program (NEP).
Needless to say, it was a preposterous amount.
“More funds should be allotted for the road sector, P1 million will not suffice,” DOTr Secretary Art Tugade stressed during the Senate Committee on Finance Hearing on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021.
He appealed for Senate assistance to increase the budget, especially now in pandemic times.
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For locally funded projects for the road sector, the DOTr proposed P13.2 billion, while foreign-assisted projects (FAPs) amounted to P6.61 billion.
Of the total P13.2 billion for local road projects, the DOTr allotted P10 billion for Service Contracting Program, P1.5 billion for Active Transportation Infrastructure and Related Programs, P800.71 million for PUV Modernization Program , P472.97 million for EDSA Busway Project, P125.91 million for Makati-BGC Greenways, P40 million for the Feasibility Study for Ilocos Norte Transport Hub, P10.71 million for Taguig City Integrated Terminal Exchange and P100 million for the Feasibility Study for Bataan Bus Rapid Transit.
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The agency also proposed counter-part funding for the FAPs such as the EDSA Greenways Project (P243.47 million), Davao High Priority Bus System (P3.59 billion), Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project (P2.47 billion) and the Metro Manila BRT Line Project – Quezon Avenue (P300 million).
Furthermore, “It is not true that DOTr only proposed funding for the rail sector,” Transport Undersecretary for Railways TJ Batan clarified. “
“We proposed funding for all of DOTr’s four sectors, including projects in the road, maritime, aviation, and railways sectors,” he elaborated. “It just so happened that most of the funding approved by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) are for railways sector projects.”
While the road sector should be allotted with more budget, the DOTr pushed for more rail projects to close the gap created by decades of compounded under-investment.
The country also needs to catch up with its neighbors in terms of railways infrastructure because the Philippines ranked 119th, at the bottom of 119 countries, which the World Bank surveyed in 2019.
“We need to close the massive infrastructure gap in the rail sector,” Secretary Tugade reiterated.
“Most of the rail projects the DOTr is catching up on implementing were conceptualized, planned, and started decades ago, such as the Mindanao Rail in 1957, the Metro Manila Subway in 1973, the North South Commuter Railway or PNR Clark in 1994, LRT-2 East Extension in 1999, LRT-1 Cavite Extension in 2000, MRT-7 in 2001, and the Common Station in 2006,” Usec. Batan added.
“Cars, jeeps and buses can no longer handle the demand of a dense population,” he argued. “We need higher capacity public mass transport and the highest capacity land-based transport is the rail sector.” A single train set of the North South Commuter Railway at Metro Manila Subway with eight coaches per set is capable of carrying passengers equivalent to what 1,318 cars, 224 jeeps or 64 buses can accommodate.
https://mb.com.ph/2021/10/01/road-transport-gets-p1-m-budget/
Monday, October 4, 2021
Hitachi Rail asked to submit proposal for Malolos-Tutuban E&M, track works
THE TRANSPORTATION department said it has initiated the process of directly contracting a Japanese supplier for the Japan-funded North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Project (Malolos-Tutuban) and hopes to award the contract for the electrical and mechanical (E&M) systems and track works by the end of the year.
“The target is within this quarter,” Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John R. Batan said in a statement Monday, after a query from BusinessWorld on the timetable for awarding of the contract.
The department issued a “request for proposal” on Aug. 20 addressed to Jorma Oksanen, head of sales and business development at Hitachi Rail STS Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., a subsidiary of Japan’s Hitachi, Ltd.
The department said the procurement method for the contract is “direct contracting” in accordance with the applicable “Guidelines for Procurement” of the Japanese ODA (official development assistance) Loan.
This means that the procurement process is open only to the prospective supplier selected for the project.
Hitachi Rail STS, as the prospective supplier, was instructed to submit its “offer” on Sept. 20 this year accompanied by offer security of ¥1 billion.
Part of the proceeds that the Philippine government received from the Japan International Cooperation Agency for the NSCR (Malolos-Tutuban) will be used for the project’s E&M systems and track works contract.
The 38-kilometer first phase of the 148-kilometer NSCR project aims to connect Malolos, Bulacan to Tutuban, Manila. It is expected to accommodate more than 200,000 commuters daily.
Hitachi, Ltd. announced recently that a Philippine subsidiary has also been tapped to provide elevators and escalators for the NSCR Phase 1 project.
Hitachi Elevator Philippines has been awarded a contract to supply 13 elevators and 26 escalators for the railway project’s Manila, Meycauayan, Marilao, and Bocaue stations.
The company will also deliver eight elevators and 20 escalators for Balagtas, Guiguinto, and Malolos stations. — Arjay L. Balinbin