Tuesday, May 31, 2022
‘We can’t waste any more time’: RSA speeds up work on MRT-7, train depot under construction
San Miguel Corp. (SMC) has started construction of the MRT-7 train depot, a key element of the company’s first mass rail project.
A 20-hectare property in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan will serve as the main stabling area or train depot of the MRT-7 project.
SMC said the depot would have enough capacity to accommodate up to 150 train cars, exceeding the 36 trainsets or 108 rail cars currently set for the project.
The higher capacity will ensure that there will be enough room for future expansion, should the need for more trains based on commuter demand arise, the company said.
The depot will also house essential facilities dedicated to the maintenance and operations of the trains.
“This is yet another important milestone reached by our MRT-7 team, who have been diligently working for several years now, even throughout this pandemic, not only to build the physical structure of the rail system but also to overcome the many rights-of-way and property-related challenges faced by a project of this scale,” SMC president and CEO Ramon Ang said.
“With the necessary land area for the MRT-7 depot finally complete, we can’t waste any more time; our people are fully committed to delivering this vital project to the public as soon as possible,” he added.
With the start of construction on the depot, SMC estimates that the facility will be ready to support essential operations by the end of 2023.
All of MRT-7’s 108 train cars from South Korea are expected to be fully delivered to the country by the end of this year.
SMC said project completion for the MRT-7 currently stands at over 60 percent, with most of the construction work focused on the first 12 of its total 14 stations.
“Construction on the last two stations, as well as the train depot, had been delayed due to right-of-way issues related to their original sites,” it said.
“In recent years, the government was able to identify–and deliver–an alternative site for the depot. However, this meant that stations 13 and 14 also had to be realigned along Quirino Highway towards San Jose del Monte, giving rise to further right-of-way issues that the government and the company are working to resolve at present,” SMC added.
Aquino and Duterte’s men: Babes Singson, Vince Dizon are among Bongbong Marcos’ top choices for Transportation Secretary
President-elect Bongbong Marcos is reportedly considering two former bosses of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) for the Department of Transportation (DOTr) head job.
A Babbler said Marcos’ transition committee has included Rogelio “Babes” Singson and Vivencio “Vince” Dizon among the shortlist of candidates for Transportation Secretary.
Babbler said Marcos has shown his willingness to choose former Cabinet officials from previous administrations to fill up his economic team.
Marcos recently named former Cabinet members Ben Diokno (Finance Secretary), Bienvenido Laguesma (Labor Secretary), and Felipe Medalla (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor) from the Estrada administration; and Arsenio Balisacan (Socioeconomic Planning Secretary).
Both Singson and Dizon are proponents of aggressive infrastructure development programs.
Singson pushed for the the public-private-partnership (PPP) initiative when he was Public Works Secretary under the presidency of Benigno Aquino III while Dizon steered the Build, Build, Build program as President Rodrigo Duterte’s Adviser of Flagship Programs and Projects.
Singson, who was BCDA president from 1998 to 2002, is currently president and CEO of Metro Pacific Water.
Dizon resigned from Duterte Cabinet last December.
San Miguel begins construction work MRT-7 depot in Bulacan
San Miguel Corp on Tuesday said its subsidiary has commenced construction of the MRT-7 depot on the 20-hectare property in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan after delays due to right-of-way issues.
SMC Infrastructure said the project will have enough capacity to accommodate up to 150 train cars, exceeding the current capacity set at 36 trainsets or 108 rail cars to ensure room for future expansion, it said.
MRT-7 trains are made in South Korea by rail systems provider Hyundai Rotem. All 108 MRT-7 train cars are expected to be delivered by the end of the year, SMC said.
The company has already received several train cars for the rail line.
“This is yet another important milestone reached by our MRT-7 team, who have been diligently working for several years now, even throughout this pandemic, not only to build the physical structure of the rail system, but also to overcome the many right-of-way and property-related challenges faced by a project of this scale,” said SMC president and CEO Ramon S. Ang.
“With the necessary land area for the MRT-7 depot finally complete, we can’t waste any more time; our people are fully committed to delivering this vital project to the public as soon as possible,” he added.
Ang said the project, which would also house maintenance and operations of the trains, would be ready to support operations by the end of 2023.
SMC said the MRT-7 is currently at over 60 percent completion, with most of the construction work focused on the first 12 to 14 stations.
Aside from the depot, the last 2 stations were also delayed due to right-of-way issues, the company said.
SMC earlier said the project, which will link with MRT-3 and LRT-1, is set to open by December 2022.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/31/22/san-miguel-begins-construction-work-mrt-7-depot
Monday, May 30, 2022
Subway tunnel boring machine expected to be in place before Duterte leaves
THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said Monday that the lowering of the tunnel boring machine to start actual construction of the Japan-funded Metro Manila Subway project will take place in June, before President Rodrigo R. Duterte steps down.
“In the first or second week of June, the Transportation department will perform an activity to convince the people of the Philippines that the subway is real… Ibababa na natin ‘yung (we will lower the) tunnel boring machine,” Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said during the Duterte Legacy Summit.
“Once we put down the tunnel boring machine, the actual construction will start. In the first or second week of June, we will do a simulation on what to do with the subway,” he added.
The Transportation department signed on May 5 a contract with Tokyu Construction Co., Ltd, Tobishima Corp. and Megawide Construction Corp. (Tokyu-Tobishima-Megawide Joint Venture) for the construction of two underground stations and tunneling works of the Metro Manila Subway Project Phase 1.
According to the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, the Japan International Cooperation Agency has provided assistance amounting to 104 billion yen in the first tranche and 253 billion yen in the second tranche for the construction of the first phase of the subway project.
“After the Duterte administration, tuloy po ba ang subway? (Will the subway go ahead?) Yes, tuloy na tuloy (yes it will)… The funds are in place, most of the contracts involved have been awarded and in fact have already started, at ‘yung right of way, nasimulan na (work on acquiring the right of way has started),” Mr. Tugade said.
“Sana lang pabaunan niyo ng dasal at tulong ang mga darating na administrasyon upang matuloy na itong proyekto na ito (I hope you welcome the new administration with prayers and cooperation so this project goes through),” he added.
Once fully operational, the 17-station subway project will cut travel time between Quezon City and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to 35 minutes from one hour and 10 minutes currently. It is expected to serve 370,000 passengers per day.
Transportation Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John R. Batan said at a forum in April that the Metro Manila Subway involves 13 contracts, six of which have been awarded. This includes a P26.75-billion contract to supply 240 train cars that were awarded to the joint venture of Japan Transport Engineering Co. and Sumitomo Corp.
The government initially planned to launch partial operations this year and full operations in 2025, but Mr. Tugade has said this is no longer possible due to the limitations imposed by the pandemic.
Partial operation of the subway is now expected in 2025, while the full operation is eyed by 2027.
Two out of 25 tunnel boring machines from Japan that will be used for the project arrived in Manila in February.
The project was first proposed and planned in 1973 as part of the Urban Transportation Study in the Manila Metropolitan Area, according to the DoTr. — Arjay L.Balinbin
Sunday, May 29, 2022
SM Mall of Asia update
just went to SM MOA yesterday, these were the updates:
- Tapa King has now relocated to North Carpark Building near the Hypermarket entrance and KFC
- Fully Booked will be relocated to the ground floor of S'Maison at Conrad
- St. Pauls has now re-opened on the third floor
- Samsung Experience Store is under renovation in the cyber zone
- Gong Cha is now closed, IDK where it will be relocated
- the second floor of the McDonald's at the North Parking Building is now closed, and parties and other events are now hosted once again at the ground level of the restaurant
- Office Warehouse is now relocated to the second floor, South Entertainment Mall
- Gerry's has now reopened at the South Entertainment Mall
- Meat Plus Cafe is now permanently closed
- El Pollo Loco has now relocated to the My South Food Hall at S'Maison from North Entertainment Mall
- Matimco House of Wood is now open at MOA Square
Saturday, May 28, 2022
Friday, May 27, 2022
Thursday, May 26, 2022
A new SM logo
I'm guessing they want to break the formality of the former logos? As @thethirtysixth said, intentional yung pagkaka-tilt ng logo. Surely, they've consulted branding experts about this redesign, and if ever it doesn't work out, they can simply change it again. They have all the money and resources in the world so "fixing" these small details won't be a problem if they see an actual need to "fix" them.
I don't see any problem with the tilting of the logo, I mean there's a reason naman kung bakit siya naka-tilt.
Kagaya nga nung sabi sa Annual Report ng SM, "the refreshed SM logo brings renewed energy to our brand, evolving it as it takes its place among the best brands in the world.."
Earlier today, I attended the SM Young Business Innovators Summit and had the opportunity to personally ask about the new logo.
The talks for the refresh started pre-pandemic and they said that there's more to expect with the rebranding this June/July.
DOTr hopes for continuity in transport infra projects under Marcos Jr.
The Department of Transportation is hopeful that the incoming administration will continue work on infrastructure projects in the rail sector under the Duterte administration's flagship "Build, Build, Build" campaign.
As it currently stands, projects that are still in the works include:
- Light Rail Transit-1 Cavite Extension
- Light Rail Transit-2 West Extension project
- Mindanao Railway Project
- Metro Rail Transit-Line 4
- Metro Manila Subway
- North-South Commuter Railway
- and the Subic Clark Railway.
At a press briefing, Transportation Undersecretary TJ Batan said that he remained optimistic about Marcos Jr's earlier statements on the "Build, Build, Build" program, adding that he hoped the new president would make good on these promises during his campaign trail.
"These are viable investments as evaluated by the [National Economic and Development Authority] Board. We give deference to the new administration, their projects, and program priorities but at least what we will try to do is to transition these projects the best we can [so] the decision can be made by the next administration accordingly," he said in mixed Filipino and English.
"[President-elect] Bongbong Marcos has noted that the Build Build Build program is one of those programs that is intended not only to be continued but expanded, so we are hopeful that the current pipeline that we have in the railways' sector will be continued by the incoming administration."
In the twilight years of his administration, President Rodrigo Duterte, who earlier promised to solve Metro Manila's traffic woes within six months, chalked the unfinished works up to lack of time.
Marcos, who was proclaimed the next president of the country Wednesday night, has said on the campaign trail that he "will expand and improve" the Build, Build, Build campaign in hopes of boosting the economy post-pandemic.
"We need to continue the Build, Build, Build program for infrastructure started by President [Rodrigo] Duterte. We are already discussing what must be done to pursue," he was quoted as saying at the Tamasak Arena, Barotac Nuevo on February 24.
He has not yet disclosed who he plans to appoint as his Transportation Secretary. Rumors earlier claimed that he would be giving current transport chief Arthur Tugade a fresh six-year term at the DOTr. His camp eventually denied these rumors, but other rumored names in that viral list have since come true.
Transport and commuter groups have since come out in protest of the rumored move, saying Tugade's leadership of the transport department only worsened the problems of the sector instead of solving them.
PNR set to open the San Pablo-Lucena line by end-June
At the same press briefing, DOTr officials said that some projects can still be delivered before the administration's turnover date on June 30. Others are slated to be continued by the incoming Marcos administration.
The Philippine National Railways, for instance, disclosed it is set to open its San Pablo-Lucena line on June 30.
"Any time soon we will be ready to operate and extend our service all the way to Lucena, we are looking at the service if we can open the San Pablo to Makati Service and the inter-Lucena service before June 30, 2022," PNR general manager Junn Magno said.
"The proposed operation is part of our strategic objective on the social impact of railways and to bring value and relevance to the service to our underserve clientele, especially in the corridor between San Pablo and Lucena. Traffic has been really bad and they have no means of undertaking mass transport, particularly our underprivileged passengers."
With transition to Marcos gov’t, DOTr gives rundown of railway projects status
Jasmin Romero, ABS-CBN News
Weeks before the Duterte administration ends, MRT, PNR, and LRT administrations gave a list of developments the public can expect and the incoming administration may continue under the Build, Build, Build program.
Some of them will be delivered before June 30, while some are poised to be continued by the incoming Marcos administration.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON/ BEFORE JUNE 30
Good news to passengers of MRT-3 – free rides are extended until June 30.
"This aims to continue helping our commuters ease the financial burden dahil sa taas ng ating inflation and rising fuel prices," MRT-3 general manager Michael Capati said in a virtual press conference Wednesday.
The Philippine National Railways (PNR) is also set to open its San Pablo- Lucena line on June 30, 2022, which would mean travel time between San Pablo, Laguna and Lucena, Quezon will be shortened up to 1 hour and 30 minutes, charging P1.07 per kilometer, with 55-65 kilometers in between.
"Any time soon we will be ready to operate and extend our service all the way to Lucena, we are looking at the service if we can open the San Pablo to Makati Service and the inter-Lucena service before June 30, 2022," PNR general manager Junn Magno said.
"The proposed operation is part of our strategic objective on the social impact of railways and to bring value and relevance to the service to our underserve clientele, lalo na ’yung corridor between San Pablo and Lucena. Traffic has been really bad and they have no means of undertaking mass transport, lalo na ’yung mga underprivileged natin na passengers."
Meanwhile, facilities of LRT Line 2 were also improved according to LRTA administrator Jeremy Regino, with eight more operational train cars expected next week.
"This is in preparation for the projected and incoming opening of classes, the face-to-face opening of classes. We have commissioned additional 8 car trains, and also in the event of a surge, the 8 additional operational car trains will be of great help in contributing to social distancing in our passenger trains,” Regino said.
Their elevators, escalators, and restrooms were enhanced or repaired.
"As to the elevators … As of today (Thursday), we already have 35 out of 40 elevators in Line 2 … We also conducted immediate repair works at the revenue line, and ongoing right now is the repair of our roofing system in our stations," Regino added.
UNFINISHED RAIL PROJECTS
According to the DOTr, some of the projects that are still in the works include LRT 2 West Extension, Mindanao Railway Project, MRT 4 and Subic Clark Railway.
"For LRT-2 West Extension … We have already awarded the consultancy contract for this. The design is built for the contractor, we have already prepared the designs, the bidding documents are actually ready and we are just working on some internal compliance requirements and documentation with the DBM and we are expecting to publish this within the year for the contractor’s contract package," DOTr Undersecretary for Railways TJ Batan said.
Meanwhile, a loan issue continues to stall the Subic Clark and Mindanao Railway projects.
"Subic Clark Rail Project … We already completed the procurement for this, we have a contract with the Chinese contractor. Currently, together with the Department of Finance, we are working on the loan … As soon as we get that loan arranged, then construction will start a full blast," Batan said.
While there are "ongoing construction works" with Subic Clark Rail, construction for Mindanao Railway has not yet begun.
"As soon as we get that loan arranged, works for Mindanao Rail will progress," the DOTr Undersecretary added.
"Since we have not received the shortlist of design-build contractors yet from the China side, we are unable to proceed with the construction as originally scheduled … There’s (an) ongoing review and request by the Philippines’ side to China’s side for this shortlist of contractors and we are hoping that this list is provided soon," Batan added.
CONTINUITY
The DOTr hopes that the incoming Marcos administration will continue the projects started by the outgoing president.
"We give deference to the new administration, their projects and program priorities but at least what we will try to do is to transition these projects the best we can… so that the decision can be made by the next administration accordingly," he said.
But Batan is banking on earlier statements from Marcos Jr. about the Build, Build, Build program.
"Presumptive elect president (sic) Bongbong Marcos has noted that the Build Build Build program is one of those programs that is intended not only to be continued but expanded, so we are hopeful that the current pipeline that we have in the railways' sector will be continued by the incoming administration," Batan added.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/05/26/22/dotr-gives-rundown-of-unfinished-railway-projects
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Monday, May 23, 2022
DOTr eyes full operation of MRT7 by 2023
The P68.2-billion Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) project, which runs from North Avenue, Quezon City, to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, is expected to be fully operational by 2023, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Monday.
"Our progress rate is at 65%, and our target is for it to be ready for partial operations by December 2022 and fully operational by 2023," DOTr Undersecretary Timothy Batan said during the Laging Handa briefing.
"This will bring great convenience to our commuters since it will reduce travel time from San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, to North Avenue from two hours to 30 minutes."
The six train sets, which account for 18 train cars, were delivered in December 2021 in a ceremony led by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Batan said the MRT7 is expected to serve 300,000 passengers on a daily basis and is equipped to service more.
"While 300,000 passengers per day are the figure we expect for its first year, MRT7 has the capacity to service 800,000 passengers on an everyday basis," he said.
"So 10 to 15 years down the line, MRT7 is equipped to deal with an increased number of passengers," Batan added.
The MRT7 project involves the construction of electric power systems, computer and communications systems, signaling systems, and automatic fare systems, among others. —KBK, GMA News
Sunday, May 22, 2022
Saturday, May 21, 2022
Friday, May 20, 2022
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Erap APPCU Hall of Fame awardee
FORMER president Joseph "Erap" Estrada has been chosen as one of the 2022 Awardees for Promoting Philippines-China Understanding (APPCU) Hall of Fame honorees.
The other Hall of Fame winner was the former ambassador to China, Francisco Benedicto, the Association for Philippines-China Understanding (APCU) and the Chinese Embassy in Manila said as they announced the 10 APPCU laureates for 2022.
The APPCU committee on Wednesday also said that it extended a special award posthumously, the Gawad Sultan Paduka Pahala, to the late Philippine ambassador to China, Jose Santiago "Chito" Sta. Romana, who died on April 19.
APCU said the APPCU pays special tribute to Filipinos who have promoted mutual understanding between the Philippines and China using their advocacies and expertise in mass media and public service; trade and commerce; and arts, culture and the sciences.
The awardees for the APPCU Outstanding Contributions category are Wilson Lee Flores, honorary chairman of Anvil Business Club and moderator of Pandesal Forum; Rodrigo "Rod" Kapunan, Manila Standard columnist and contributor of China Daily Global Edition; Mauro Gia Samonte, The Manila Times columnist and book author; and Princess Jacel Kiram of the Sultanate of Sulu, co-founder and president of the International Center for Peace, Reconciliation and Development.
For the Major Contributions category, the awardees are Paul Gutierrez, columnist/reporter for the Philippine Journalists Inc. (PJI); Prof. Cavin Franco Pamintuan, director of the Confucius Institute at Angeles University Foundation; Prof. Celso Cainglet, senior lecturer at the University of the Philippines Visayas; and April Marie Dayap, chief of the Davao City Investment and Promotions Center.
The awarding ceremony will be held on June 10. All the awardees will receive a trophy, a recognition plaque and a certificate. Prize money will also be given to each awardee for the Outstanding Contributions and Major Contributions categories.
Since the launch of the second year of APPCU in January 2022, APPCU said its members have streamlined its search for deserving individuals whose works have fostered amity between the Philippines and China.
It added that the 10 awardees have passed the three-stage selection and judging process from a list of nominees beginning the early quarter of this year.
"Their works' prestige, nature and extent are essentially the bases for identifying their respective awards category," the APPCU committee said.
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Monday, May 16, 2022
MRT-7 now 63.35% complete: DOTr
By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz
The Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7), one of the flagship transportation projects of the Duterte administration, is now 63.35 percent complete, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said on Monday.
In a Facebook post, the DOTr said the construction of the project continues to accelerate to serve the public as soon as possible.
“Oras na matapos at maging operational ang MRT-7, ang dating 2-3 hours na biyahe ng ating mga kababayan mula North Avenue, Quezon City patungong San Jose del Monte sa Bulacan, ay magiging 35 minutes na lamang (Once the MRT-7 is complete and operational, the previous two to three-hour travel between North Avenue and San Jose del Monte will be reduced to just 35 minutes),” the DOTr said.
The MRT-7, it said, will be capable of serving an average of 300,000 to 500,000 passengers in a single day.
First conceptualized in an unsolicited proposal in August 2001, the MRT-7’s concession agreement was signed on June 8, 2008.
By the beginning of the Duterte administration in 2016, the project had yet to materialize.
“Ni walang poste o isang tren man lang ang kanilang nadatnan. Kaya naman, sinikap ng DOTr at San Miguel Corporation (SMC) na simulan at isakatuparan ang proyekto (There was not a single post or train by then. That’s why the DOTr and SMC strived to start and turn the project into reality),” the DOTr said.
In December last year, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade unveiled the first six trains to be used in the MRT-7.
Sunday, May 15, 2022
Saturday, May 14, 2022
SM Mall of Asia Redevelopment
Friday, May 13, 2022
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
ERC allows Meralco to relocate electrical facilities affected by government project
By Danessa Rivera (The Philippine Star)
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has cleared Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to relocate its electrical facilities affected by government projects worth P9.97 billion.
The cost of relocating the facilities shall be shouldered by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) so it will not be recovered under the account of Meralco, the power regulator said.
In its decision, the ERC has approved Meralco’s various contingency capital projects to relocate electric facilities affected by DOTr projects.
Meralco said some of its existing electrical sub-transmission and distribution facilities such as wires, transformers, and poles in Metro Manila, Bulacan, and parts of Batangas, Laguna, Pampanga, and Quezon will be affected by government projects under the Build Build Build (BBB) program.
These projects include the Common Station project, the Phase 1 of the Metro Manila Subway Project, the North-South Commuter Railway System composed of PNR North 1 (Tutuban-Malolos), PNR North 2 (Malolos-Clark), and PNR South Commuter (Solis-Calamba), and the PNR South Long Haul (Manila-Sorsogon, Batangas).
Specifically, the projects will affect 154 distribution circuits and 18 sub-transmission circuits, which have a total conductor length of 47,520 meters and 717,290 meters, respectively.
The DOTr projects will also initially displace 10,732 electric poles, which could change pending the projects’ completion.
In terms of cost, the reallocation design cost for PNR North 1 amounts to P1.44 billion, P310.32 million for PNR North 2, P2.05 billion for PNR South Commuter, P5.11 billion for PNR South Long Haul, P1 billion for Metro Manila Subway project, and P55.36 million for the Common Station project.
Meralco needs to relocate the affected facilities to allow the construction work for DOTr projects to proceed.
It will install permanent poles and electrical facilities in the rights-of-way (ROW) to be provided by the Philippine National Railways (PNR).
The ERC, however, denied Meralco’s application to implement the expansion projects it can implement alongside the relocation of affected facilities worth P4.24 billion.
Broken down per project, Meralco proposed to implement capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects P660.22 million for PNR North 1, P152.95 million for PNR North 2, P910.08 million for PNR South Commuter, and P2.52 billion for PNR South Long Haul.
These projects, as Meralco applied for, will install distribution facilities to address reliability and load growth requirements.
Meralco said that due to the relocation of affected facilities, it may be constrained to retire some of the facilities before the end of their respective useful lives.
The ERC said it disapproved Meralco’s application to implement capex projects because of the absence of cost data and other details and directed the power distributor to re-file the capex projects.
“While the Commission recognizes the necessity of the project in order for the DOTr projects to be implemented, still, there are guidelines to be followed in the implementation of capex projects,” it said.
Monday, May 9, 2022
Sunday, May 8, 2022
Saturday, May 7, 2022
Friday, May 6, 2022
Thursday, May 5, 2022
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Large crowds gather in Manila, Danao City for ‘Switch a Candle’ prayer rally for Isko Moreno
100,000 expected to attend May 4 Cebu grand rally
With just six days to go before the elections, large crowds supporting Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso flocked to the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila and Danao City, Cebu Tuesday evening for the “Switch a Candle” prayer-rally to show their unwavering support for the Aksyon Demokratiko presidential candidate, and pray for his success as well as for a clean, honest and peaceful elections.
The simultaneous events drew more than 20,000 supporters in Liwasang Bonifacio in front of the Central Post Office in Manila while the crowd in Danao City event reached a peak of 80,000 with Moreno’s wife Dynee Domagoso, sons Patrick and Joaquin and only daughter Frances leading the concert-rally in Cebu.
Organizers, led by the Alagang Isko Movement (AIM) and the United Defenders for Democracy and Sovereignty (UDDS), said the Liwasang Bonifacio event showcased not only their full support for Mayor Isko, but also their firm faith that God will guide Filipinos in their choice for the next President on May 9.
“Sa pagtitipon na ito, humingi tayo ng gabay sa Banal na Espirito, anuman ang ating mithiin at adhikain, nawa’y nauukol sa banal na kalooban ng Maykapal. Makatulong sana tayo para mabuo ang isang layunin para sa ikabubuti ng bawat mamamayang Pilipino,” intoned Father Erwin Mendoza in the prayers.
“Panginoon, sa inyong patuloy mong pagtulong at saklolo, kami’y nagkakaroon ng lakas ng loob at pag-asa na ang aming mga pagsisikap ay gagantimpalaan mo ng tagumpay. Panginoon basbasan mo ang Pilipinas, basbasan mo ang Alagang Isko, lahat ng grupong sumusuporta sa ating susunod na pangulo, at sa lahat ng nagtataguyod ng pagkakaisa sa ating bansa,” Fr. Mendoza said.
For his part, Moreno thanked all the volunteer groups, organizations and all his supporters for their solid support in the face of numerous disinformation campaigns waged against him, hoping that the candle lighting event will serve to enlighten the whole nation in their choice of candidate who will lead them towards real change.
“Maraming-maraming salamat sa inyong pagpupursige na ialay natin sa ating mga kababayan na ang ilaw na inyong sisindihan ay maging liwanag sa kaisipan ng ating mga kababayan, na mahanap natin yung matagal na nating inaasam na kapanatagan sa pamumuhay,” Moreno said in a video message that was flashed in the screens of both events, and also posted in his Facebook page.
“Muli, samahan ninyo ako hanggang May 9, hindi tayo susuko, may awa ang Diyos. May awa ang Diyos. mapagtatagumpayan natin ang laban na ito. paulit-ulit nating ipapaalala sa ating mga kababayan na makamit sana natin ang peace of mind,” he said.
Moreno again rallied the people to finally put a stop to the decades-long conflict between the Marcoses and the Aquinos, and vote for a candidate who will give them peace of mind by addressing the real problems confronting Filipinos – unemployment, high cost of electricity and fuel, rising prices of basic commodities, inequality and injustice, among others.
“Samahan ninyo ako, tapusin na natin ang away ng pula at dilaw. Alam na natin ang mangyayari sa ating bansa sa hirap ng buhay na kinakaharap ng ating bansa at nang bawat tao. Sana itong liwanag na inyong ibibigay ay maging liwanang sa isipan, sa puso ng ating mga kababayan sa mundo, sa Mindanao, sa Visayas at Luzon. Karapatan nila na magkaroon ng kapanatagan sa pamumuhay,” Moreno said.
“Muli, ako’y taos puso na nagpapasalamat sa inyo sa lahat ng effort, gastos, puyat, pagod, sakrispiyo ninyo para maipanalo lamang natin ang laban na ito para sa mga kababayan natin na ordinaryong pamilyang Pilipino. Tuloy-tuloy tayo, walang susuko, may awa ang Diyos,” he said.
The mammoth crowd that flocked to the “Switch a Candle” event in Danao City serves as a preview to Wednesday’s “Isinggit Nato, Isko” grand concert rally in Cebu City where more than 100,000 Cebuano supporters of Mayor Isko are expected to attend to reaffirm their full support to the Aksyon Demokratiko standard bearer.
The grand rally, which will take place along 3rd Avenue, in front of Robinsons Galleria, Cebu City at 4:30 p.m. was organized and initiated by local supporters of Mayor Isko with the direct participation of Deputy Speaker and Cebu 3rd District Rep. Pablo John “PJ” Garcia.
Organizers said they are expecting the very large crowd based on Tuesday’s Danao City event, and previous highly-attended ISKOncert rallies in the province where tens of thousands of supporters packed the venues to see and hear their chosen candidate despite the absence of famous artists and celebrities.
Last April 8, 35,000 Cebuanos trooped to the Mactan Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City to show their support for Moreno. This was followed by followed by another free concert on April 9 at the Toledo City Sports Center parking lot that was attended by over 20,000 people.
The “silent majority” being touted by Moreno that was always present in his campaign sorties was again in full force last April 24 in Carcar City with about 65,000 people attending the “Grand ISKOncert-Rally.”
The three Cebu concert-rallies were organized by the group of Cong. “PJ” Garcia, who is a staunch supporter of Moreno. It can be recalled that Cong. PJ has affirmed his unwavering support Moreno’s presidential bid despite One Cebu’s endorsement of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son and namesake of the ousted Philippine dictator.
In fully supporting Moreno, Garcia said Moreno’s track record and brand of leadership best exemplify the ideals of “Dili sulti ang pabuhaton; buhat ang pasulti-on.”
“Hindi salita ang gumagawa, ang gawa ang magsasalita. Gawa ang nagsasalita para kay Isko Moreno. Kaya malaking karangalan para sa akin na ipinaglalaban siya sa Cebu,” Garcia said.
Cong. PJ has been instrumental in drumming up support for Mayor Isko during his previous visits in the province, where he personally accompanied Moreno during his visits in Barili, Dumanjug, Moalboal, Carcar City and Talisay City on November 5 and 6 during Team Isko’s “Listening Tour.”
He also accompanied Moreno as he visits Lapu-Lapu City, Naga City, Balamban and Carmen on December 5 and 6. On both occasions, Cong. PJ had directly endorsed Moreno as his presidential candidate.
Tonight’s grand concert rally will again feature Joaquin Domagoso and local Cebuano bands that include Range999, Kurt Fick, Oh! Caraga, Jerika Teodorico, Sound Megre, Just Freshie, Super Renan, Christine, Cookie$, Emping, Furio, MakII G, Kyle, Ruzz, RKTEQ, J-Blaque, and Spins by DJ Jhess, among others.