THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) Harbor Link Segment 10 is finally set to open this month.
“We are happy to announce that the NLEx Harbor Link Project will be accessible to the public by January. When this is completed, travel time from C3 in Caloocan and NLEx, will be reduced to 10 minutes,” DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar said in a statement on Tuesday.
The project was originally scheduled for completion in December after the DPWH delivered 100% right-of-way on the toll road’s main line in October.
Harbor Link Segment 10 is an expressway project by the government’s private concessionaire NLEX Corp., which aims to connect Karuhatan in Valenzuela City to C3 road in Caloocan City, with a spur road to Radial Road 10 (R-10) in Navotas City.
About 30,000 cars a day are expected to benefit from the toll road once it opens, a bulk of which are trucks coming from the port area.
NLEX Corp. is part of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., the tollways unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC).
MPIC is one of three key Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT, Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Denise A. Valdez
https://www.bworldonline.com/nlex-harbor-link-segment-10-to-open-this-month/
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 to open this January —DPWH
The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) Harbor Link Segment 10 is set to be opened for motorists this month after the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) acquired 100 percent of the project's site.
The NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 is composed of the 5.65-kilometer elevated expressway traversing the NLEX from MacArthur Highway Karuhatan, Valenzuela City, passing through Malabon City and C3 Road, Caloocan City, and the 2.6-kilometer section between C3 Road, Caloocan City and R10, Navotas City.
“We are happy to announce that the NLEX Harbor Link Project will be accessible to the public by January. When this is completed, travel time from C3 in Caloocan and NLEX, will be reduced to 10 mins,” Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said in a statement.
The Cabinet official noted that since the issuance of Department Order No. 65 last May 2018, the DPWH has acquired 100-percent possession of site of the NLEX Harbor Link Project Segment 10 as of December 2018, after a span of one year and seven months.
The DO No. 65 created a Right-of-way Task force (RTF) for each of the projects being implemented by the DPWH.
“The next phase will connect it to R-10 and reduce travel time from Port Area in Manila to Quezon City to approximately 10 minutes,” Villar said.
The Public Works chief said that since the issuance of DO No. 65, a significant progress in right-of-way acquisition of certain big ticket projects included in the "Build Build Build" program can be seen.
“The delegation of duties and responsibilities to the different RTFs technically decentralized the ROW acquisition process. The decentralization of ROW functions was done with the end in mind of expediting the whole ROW acquisition process,” Villar said.
The DPWH is also currently undertaking the finishing works in concreting the additional 600-meter segment which would make 2.7-kilometers of Mindanao Avenue Extension accessible within the first quarter of 2019.
"The project was started in the 1980s but was stopped for decades due to right-of-way issues. We are happy that it was during the term of President Duterte that we are able to deliver this project," Villar said.
"The P118-million project which is now 87.78% also involves construction of drainage and slope protection, reinforced concrete box culvert, and street lighting," he said.
Resumed in 2017, the construction resulted to the additional 700-meter road section from P. dela Cruz Street to MGM Road which was completed in June 2018, making 2.1-kilometers accessible by the public.
"Upon completion of the additional 600-meter segment, DPWH will be working on right-of-way issues along the missing 500-meter gap which will soon complete the full 3.2-kilometer stretch of the Mindanao Avenue Extension," Villar said.
“The completion of the 8-lane Mindanao Avenue Extension is our utmost priority as it will greatly reduce travel time by linking North Caloocan to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Quezon City and improve traffic flow in the cities of Novaliches, Valenzuela and Caloocan City,” he added. —NB, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/681479/nlex-harbor-link-segment-10-to-open-this-january-dpwh/story/
The NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 is composed of the 5.65-kilometer elevated expressway traversing the NLEX from MacArthur Highway Karuhatan, Valenzuela City, passing through Malabon City and C3 Road, Caloocan City, and the 2.6-kilometer section between C3 Road, Caloocan City and R10, Navotas City.
“We are happy to announce that the NLEX Harbor Link Project will be accessible to the public by January. When this is completed, travel time from C3 in Caloocan and NLEX, will be reduced to 10 mins,” Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said in a statement.
The Cabinet official noted that since the issuance of Department Order No. 65 last May 2018, the DPWH has acquired 100-percent possession of site of the NLEX Harbor Link Project Segment 10 as of December 2018, after a span of one year and seven months.
The DO No. 65 created a Right-of-way Task force (RTF) for each of the projects being implemented by the DPWH.
“The next phase will connect it to R-10 and reduce travel time from Port Area in Manila to Quezon City to approximately 10 minutes,” Villar said.
The Public Works chief said that since the issuance of DO No. 65, a significant progress in right-of-way acquisition of certain big ticket projects included in the "Build Build Build" program can be seen.
“The delegation of duties and responsibilities to the different RTFs technically decentralized the ROW acquisition process. The decentralization of ROW functions was done with the end in mind of expediting the whole ROW acquisition process,” Villar said.
The DPWH is also currently undertaking the finishing works in concreting the additional 600-meter segment which would make 2.7-kilometers of Mindanao Avenue Extension accessible within the first quarter of 2019.
"The project was started in the 1980s but was stopped for decades due to right-of-way issues. We are happy that it was during the term of President Duterte that we are able to deliver this project," Villar said.
"The P118-million project which is now 87.78% also involves construction of drainage and slope protection, reinforced concrete box culvert, and street lighting," he said.
Resumed in 2017, the construction resulted to the additional 700-meter road section from P. dela Cruz Street to MGM Road which was completed in June 2018, making 2.1-kilometers accessible by the public.
"Upon completion of the additional 600-meter segment, DPWH will be working on right-of-way issues along the missing 500-meter gap which will soon complete the full 3.2-kilometer stretch of the Mindanao Avenue Extension," Villar said.
“The completion of the 8-lane Mindanao Avenue Extension is our utmost priority as it will greatly reduce travel time by linking North Caloocan to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Quezon City and improve traffic flow in the cities of Novaliches, Valenzuela and Caloocan City,” he added. —NB, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/681479/nlex-harbor-link-segment-10-to-open-this-january-dpwh/story/
Friday, January 11, 2019
Bong Go assures more developments in Cavite
“You must not worry. Change and progress will continue here in Cavite.”
This was the guarantee given to the Caviteños by former special assistant to the President (SAP) and now 2019 candidate for senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, noting that the province has a special place in the heart of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The former SAP gave the assurance during the Ugnayan sa Barangay event on Tuesday afternoon in Trece Martires City.
Go was warmly welcomed by Cavite Governor and congressional candidate Jesus Crispin Remulla, former governor Juanito Victor Remulla, board member Ryan Enriquez, Trece Martires mayoral candidate Gemma Lubigan and other local leaders of the area.
He acknowledged that Cavite is an important contributor to the country’s economic growth given its location and business-friendly environment.
Go said the Duterte administration, through its “Build Build Build” program, has earmarked several important projects that would spur even more growth and development in the province and its people.
These include right-of-way acquisition-related activities, which are ongoing for the P35.43-billion project consisting of a 44.63-kilometer closed system Cavite-Laguna Expressway connecting the Cavitex in Kawit town and South Luzon Exchange in Binan, Laguna.
Also ongoing are pre-construction activities for the P64.9-billion LRT Line 1 Cavite extension, starting from the Baclaran station to Barangay Niyog in Bacoor City.
Go also announced that a Malasakit Center would soon open in Cavite to cater to the need for financial and medical assistance of poor and disadvantaged residents of the province.
The Malasakit Center, a brainchild of Go and Duterte, is a one-stop shop initiative where Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Department of Social Welfare and Development, PhilHealth, and other related government satellite offices are housed together to ease the process for patients in need of speedy medical and financial assistance.
Meanwhile, Go pointed out the need to protect the welfare of barangay (village) officials as well as barangay health workers through proper compensation and benefits packages and by pushing for a Magna Carta for Barangay.
Go also is supporting a move to extend the term of barangay officials, so they can have more time to cater to the needs of their constituents.
The current term has been cut short to two years because of the postponement of the last barangay elections.
https://www.manilatimes.net/bong-go-assures-more-developments-in-cavite/494800/
This was the guarantee given to the Caviteños by former special assistant to the President (SAP) and now 2019 candidate for senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, noting that the province has a special place in the heart of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The former SAP gave the assurance during the Ugnayan sa Barangay event on Tuesday afternoon in Trece Martires City.
Go was warmly welcomed by Cavite Governor and congressional candidate Jesus Crispin Remulla, former governor Juanito Victor Remulla, board member Ryan Enriquez, Trece Martires mayoral candidate Gemma Lubigan and other local leaders of the area.
He acknowledged that Cavite is an important contributor to the country’s economic growth given its location and business-friendly environment.
Go said the Duterte administration, through its “Build Build Build” program, has earmarked several important projects that would spur even more growth and development in the province and its people.
These include right-of-way acquisition-related activities, which are ongoing for the P35.43-billion project consisting of a 44.63-kilometer closed system Cavite-Laguna Expressway connecting the Cavitex in Kawit town and South Luzon Exchange in Binan, Laguna.
Also ongoing are pre-construction activities for the P64.9-billion LRT Line 1 Cavite extension, starting from the Baclaran station to Barangay Niyog in Bacoor City.
Go also announced that a Malasakit Center would soon open in Cavite to cater to the need for financial and medical assistance of poor and disadvantaged residents of the province.
The Malasakit Center, a brainchild of Go and Duterte, is a one-stop shop initiative where Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Department of Social Welfare and Development, PhilHealth, and other related government satellite offices are housed together to ease the process for patients in need of speedy medical and financial assistance.
Meanwhile, Go pointed out the need to protect the welfare of barangay (village) officials as well as barangay health workers through proper compensation and benefits packages and by pushing for a Magna Carta for Barangay.
Go also is supporting a move to extend the term of barangay officials, so they can have more time to cater to the needs of their constituents.
The current term has been cut short to two years because of the postponement of the last barangay elections.
https://www.manilatimes.net/bong-go-assures-more-developments-in-cavite/494800/
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Third Dalian train set for MRT-3 to undergo test run
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is set to conduct a test run on the third set of Dalian trains for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), an official said yesterday.
Goddes Hope Libiran, DOTr communications director, said in a statement that “commissioning of the third train set is ongoing.”
She said commissioning involves “1,000 kilometers of test runs during off-peak hours.” The train set would then undergo 150 hours of test runs in the MRT-3’s main line for “validation testing.”
Once the tests are done, the Philippine National Railways (PNR), which conducts the test runs for the Dalian trains, would evaluate the performance of the train set.
The first Dalian train was deployed in October last year and the second in December.
The then Department of Transportation and Communication purchased 48 coaches produced by China’s Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co. for P3.759 billion in 2014.
They sat unused until DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade forged a deal with Dalian to fix the trains at no cost to the government.
The rehabilitation of the entire rail line is expected to start this month.
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/01/08/1883112/third-dalian-train-set-mrt-3-undergo-test-run
Goddes Hope Libiran, DOTr communications director, said in a statement that “commissioning of the third train set is ongoing.”
She said commissioning involves “1,000 kilometers of test runs during off-peak hours.” The train set would then undergo 150 hours of test runs in the MRT-3’s main line for “validation testing.”
Once the tests are done, the Philippine National Railways (PNR), which conducts the test runs for the Dalian trains, would evaluate the performance of the train set.
The first Dalian train was deployed in October last year and the second in December.
The then Department of Transportation and Communication purchased 48 coaches produced by China’s Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co. for P3.759 billion in 2014.
They sat unused until DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade forged a deal with Dalian to fix the trains at no cost to the government.
The rehabilitation of the entire rail line is expected to start this month.
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/01/08/1883112/third-dalian-train-set-mrt-3-undergo-test-run
MRT-3 rehab to start soon
By Emmie V. Abadilla
The P18-billion, 43-month rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit Line (MRT-3) is scheduled to begin anytime between late this month to early next month.
First of all, the Japanese consortium of Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Corp. will rehabilitate MRT-3’s fleet composed of 72 light rail vehicles (LRVs).
At the same time, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) committed to keep 15 trains operating – the daily average.
Gradually, they will increase the number of operating trains during the 26-month overhaul so as not to inconvenience MRT-3’s 360,000 daily passengers.
By the 26th month, MRT-3 would have a maximum of 20 trains running at 60 km per hour.
The rehabilitation will also cover periodic maintenance, including the restoration and overhaul of MRT-3’s power supply, overhead catenary system, signaling system, tracks, closed-circuit television camera and public address systems, as well as its elevators and escalators.
The Japanese consortium undertaking the rehabilitation will also be the one to decide on how to maintain 42 of 48 Dalian LRVs still sitting unused at the MRT-3 depot, according to DOTr officials.
https://business.mb.com.ph/2019/01/07/mrt-3-rehab-to-start-soon/
The P18-billion, 43-month rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit Line (MRT-3) is scheduled to begin anytime between late this month to early next month.
First of all, the Japanese consortium of Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Corp. will rehabilitate MRT-3’s fleet composed of 72 light rail vehicles (LRVs).
At the same time, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) committed to keep 15 trains operating – the daily average.
Gradually, they will increase the number of operating trains during the 26-month overhaul so as not to inconvenience MRT-3’s 360,000 daily passengers.
By the 26th month, MRT-3 would have a maximum of 20 trains running at 60 km per hour.
The rehabilitation will also cover periodic maintenance, including the restoration and overhaul of MRT-3’s power supply, overhead catenary system, signaling system, tracks, closed-circuit television camera and public address systems, as well as its elevators and escalators.
The Japanese consortium undertaking the rehabilitation will also be the one to decide on how to maintain 42 of 48 Dalian LRVs still sitting unused at the MRT-3 depot, according to DOTr officials.
https://business.mb.com.ph/2019/01/07/mrt-3-rehab-to-start-soon/
Monday, January 7, 2019
3rd set of Dalian trains to hit MRT-3 tracks soon
Another set of trains purchased from Chinese firm, CCRC Dalian, is set to be deployed to the rail line of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
“(The) commissioning of the third train set is ongoing. This will be deployed to the mainline for validation testing by February,” DOTr communications director, Godess Hope Libiran, said in a text message to reporters Monday.
The train set will be undergoing a 1,000 kilometer-test run for 150 hours before these are deployed during peak hours of the MRT-3’s operations.
Once the validation testing is concluded, the Philippine National Railways (PNR) will evaluate if the train set can be utilized for the regular operations of the railway system.
“If PNR endorses that the train set be allowed to run regularly at the MRT-3 mainline, MRT-3 will sign an acceptance document,” according to Libiran.
The MRT-3 has deployed its first train set, which consists of three cars from Oct. 27 to Nov. 21 last year, while another was deployed from December 11 to 23, 2018.
A total of 48 Dalian light rail vehicles were delivered to the country in 2016 but were not deployed to the MRT line due to compatibility issues.
Supplier CCRC Dalian eventually agreed to absorb the costs for the adjustments of the trains.
This development comes as the MRT management starts the rehabilitation of the railway system and its facilities this month.
The upgrade of the MRT-3 will take about 43 months, with the first 26 months focused on the rehabilitation of the entire system.
The 16-kilometer MRT rail line from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City currently accommodates an average of 300,000 passengers per day.
http://www.canadianinquirer.net/2019/01/07/3rd-set-of-dalian-trains-to-hit-mrt-3-tracks-soon/
“(The) commissioning of the third train set is ongoing. This will be deployed to the mainline for validation testing by February,” DOTr communications director, Godess Hope Libiran, said in a text message to reporters Monday.
The train set will be undergoing a 1,000 kilometer-test run for 150 hours before these are deployed during peak hours of the MRT-3’s operations.
Once the validation testing is concluded, the Philippine National Railways (PNR) will evaluate if the train set can be utilized for the regular operations of the railway system.
“If PNR endorses that the train set be allowed to run regularly at the MRT-3 mainline, MRT-3 will sign an acceptance document,” according to Libiran.
The MRT-3 has deployed its first train set, which consists of three cars from Oct. 27 to Nov. 21 last year, while another was deployed from December 11 to 23, 2018.
A total of 48 Dalian light rail vehicles were delivered to the country in 2016 but were not deployed to the MRT line due to compatibility issues.
Supplier CCRC Dalian eventually agreed to absorb the costs for the adjustments of the trains.
This development comes as the MRT management starts the rehabilitation of the railway system and its facilities this month.
The upgrade of the MRT-3 will take about 43 months, with the first 26 months focused on the rehabilitation of the entire system.
The 16-kilometer MRT rail line from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City currently accommodates an average of 300,000 passengers per day.
http://www.canadianinquirer.net/2019/01/07/3rd-set-of-dalian-trains-to-hit-mrt-3-tracks-soon/
Sunday, January 6, 2019
Gov’t kicks off 3-year rehab for glitch-ridden MRT-3
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has assured commuters of better Metro Rail Transit-3 (MRT-3) service as it kicks off the three-year rehabilitation of the glitch-ridden train system.
DOTr Undersecretary for rails TJ Batan said the service provider Sumitomo and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) are set to begin the rehabilitation of the original 72 light rail vehicles of the MRT-3 by the end of this month.
“We are fixing the trains, railway, power supply, catenary system, signaling, communications so that the MRT-3 will be able to operate smoothly,” Batan said in an interview.
The DOTr terminated the MRT-3’s service contract with its previous service provider Busan Universal Rail Inc. in 2017 due to its alleged poor performance that paved the way for the comeback of Sumitomo and MHI.
Batan added that its service providers are also studying the maintenance of the 48 Dalian trains procured by the former administration and use them while the rehabilitation is being conducted.
“We will maintain, at least, and maximize the use of 15 trains during peak hours,” Batan said.
Meanwhile, the MRT-3 reported zero technical problem and zero unloading incident yesterday with six operational and running trains deployed on non-peak hours and 12 to 13 trains during the rush hours.
Sumitomo and MHI designed and built the MRT-3 system from 1989 to 2000 and maintained it from 2000 to 2012, according to the DOTr.
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/01/06/1882604/govt-kicks-3-year-rehab-glitch-ridden-mrt-3
DOTr Undersecretary for rails TJ Batan said the service provider Sumitomo and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) are set to begin the rehabilitation of the original 72 light rail vehicles of the MRT-3 by the end of this month.
“We are fixing the trains, railway, power supply, catenary system, signaling, communications so that the MRT-3 will be able to operate smoothly,” Batan said in an interview.
The DOTr terminated the MRT-3’s service contract with its previous service provider Busan Universal Rail Inc. in 2017 due to its alleged poor performance that paved the way for the comeback of Sumitomo and MHI.
Batan added that its service providers are also studying the maintenance of the 48 Dalian trains procured by the former administration and use them while the rehabilitation is being conducted.
“We will maintain, at least, and maximize the use of 15 trains during peak hours,” Batan said.
Meanwhile, the MRT-3 reported zero technical problem and zero unloading incident yesterday with six operational and running trains deployed on non-peak hours and 12 to 13 trains during the rush hours.
Sumitomo and MHI designed and built the MRT-3 system from 1989 to 2000 and maintained it from 2000 to 2012, according to the DOTr.
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/01/06/1882604/govt-kicks-3-year-rehab-glitch-ridden-mrt-3
Friday, January 4, 2019
MRT-3 overhaul repair to start soon
The rehabilitation of the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) will start this month and is expected to end after more than three years, according to a report on Unang Balita.
Officials said there is a need to overhaul the transport system, which has 72 light rail vehicles.
The repairs will include the rails, power supply, signalling system, public address system and the CCTV Network.
Also included in the repair program are the escalators and elevators of the 13 train terminals.
The work on the MRT-3 will be affecting about 300,000 passengers a day.
However, officials said, the agency will maintain at least 15 running trains every day.
Additional LRVs will be added as the as the repair work progresses.
If there would be a need to suspend operations due to the repair work, this would be scheduled on a holiday.
Officials also assured, there will be no fare hike as the system undergoes the needed repairs. — BAP, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/metro/680298/mrt-3-overhaul-repair-to-start-soon/story/
Officials said there is a need to overhaul the transport system, which has 72 light rail vehicles.
The repairs will include the rails, power supply, signalling system, public address system and the CCTV Network.
Also included in the repair program are the escalators and elevators of the 13 train terminals.
The work on the MRT-3 will be affecting about 300,000 passengers a day.
However, officials said, the agency will maintain at least 15 running trains every day.
Additional LRVs will be added as the as the repair work progresses.
If there would be a need to suspend operations due to the repair work, this would be scheduled on a holiday.
Officials also assured, there will be no fare hike as the system undergoes the needed repairs. — BAP, GMA News
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/metro/680298/mrt-3-overhaul-repair-to-start-soon/story/
YEARENDER 2018: A year of hits and misses for DOTr
It was a year of hits and misses for the Department of Transportation (DOTr) as far as delivering its promises of bringing change in the lives of Filipino commuters and the general public that use various mode of land, sea and air transport.
Solving the country’s transportation woes is no easy task and as the DOTr puts it, no single solution could address the numerous issues, but instead, it would require a basket of solutions.
The man currently at the helm in undertaking this gargantuan effort, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, has set very high standards for his agency to accomplish. These standards often entail timetables that even the transportation chief himself admits are hard to meet.
“Ako pag nagse-set ng targets yung mahirap. Kaya pag lumagpas ng konti yung target, please don’t say na hindi namin ginagawa yung trabaho namin. Mahirap po ako mag-set ng target, ask the people in our office,” Tugade said.
As a result, the agency has had a number of missed targets in 2018 that range from scheduled project groundbreakings to loan agreement signings and actual start of project operations. However, it also had its fair share of hits.
So if one would ask the agency for an assessment on how it fared last year as far as the pace of the rollout of the Build Build Build projects under its belt, the DOTr would have given itself a pat on the back.
“The DOTr is very much satisfied with the pace of the rollout of the BBB projects in 2018, as numerous projects under the program were finished and inaugurated last year. These include big-ticket projects across our aviation, roads, railways, and maritime sectors,” it said.
Commuters traversing the busy roads of Metro Manila, however, may have a different opinion on the matter based on their daily experience.
Last February, the Japan International Cooperation Agency reported that the worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila is now costing the country P3.5 billion in missed economic opportunities daily, a significant rise from the previous estimate of P2.4 billion in 2014.
The DOTr said it continues to work on a basket of solutions to provide not only safe and comfortable transport, but also improved connectivity and enhanced mobility to Filipinos, not only for the roads sector, but also for railways, aviation, and maritime sectors.
DOTr communications director Goddes Hope Libiran said considered as among the most important DOTr-led undertakings last year is the MRT-3 rehabilitation project, which she said turned out to be the fastest loan processing the Duterte administration has completed by far.
In November, the Philippines and Japan signed the P18-billion loan agreement for the rehabilitation of the MRT-3. The project will run until 2022, and covers the rehabilitation and maintenance of the system’s electromechanical components, power supply, rail tracks, depot equipment, and overhaul of its 72 18-year old light rail vehicles.
“The MRT-3 is integral to the mobility and connectivity of hundreds of thousands of Filipinos shuttling across cities mostly for work and school. Once rehabilitated, the MRT-3 will increase its number of operating train sets from the current 15 to 20 at peak hours, increase train operating speed from 30 kilometers per hour to 60 kilometers per hour, and slash by half the time between trains from the current seven to 10 minutes to up to 3.5 minutes. All these will significantly improve train service and commuter experience on this railway line,” Libiran said.
For the aviation sector, the agency considers the inauguration last year of a new Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) system, a state-of-the-art computer and satellite-based air traffic management technology similar to those being used in other countries, as a significant milestone.
The CNS/ATM system brings better air traffic flow and space management, thereby optimizing airport capacity and harnessing efficient use of airspace that will, in turn, minimize flight delays.
A key achievement in the maritime sector last year, the DOTr said, was the reopening in October of the Davao to Manila passenger shipping route. The re-establishment of ferry operations from Davao to Manila and vice versa aims to address the lack of an accessible and affordable passenger shipping route that has been unavailable for almost 10 years.
Aside from embarking on and completing a number of key projects, Libiran said the DOTr has also surmounted several major challenges last year and successfully settled longstanding issues that have beleaguered the agency during the previous administration.
“When the Duterte administration took over, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) was still infamously known as one of the world’s worst airports. Today, NAIA ranks 10th among the most improved airports in the world. Gone, too, are the days of ‘laglag-bala’ modus,” she said.
On the Northrail-Sinomach case, the DOTr said the government was supposed to pay over P5 billion in claims and legal fees, but the matter has already been cleared, as both parties have agreed to waive claims against each other.
“The Duterte administration also inherited a three-million backlog in driver’s licenses, and applicants had to contend then with paper receipts to allow them to drive a vehicle without being apprehended. As of end November, the Land Transportation Office has printed a total of 7,640,323 driver’s license cards with five-year validity and armed with 32 security features designed to end the proliferation of fake licenses,” Libiran said.
But along with the list of achievements also came some mishaps, foremost of which was the controversial Xiamen incident in August where a Chinese passenger aircraft veered off the NAIA runway and affected close to 200,000 passengers due to hundreds of delayed and cancelled flights.
Following the incident, the DOTr has moved to review its current protocols and processes in the airport sector, and at the same time, ensure the modernization of the country’s airports through the DOTr aviation roadmap.
The Xiamen incident, according to Tugade, served as an “eye opener” as it exposed the country’s urgent need to rehabilitate the NAIA and build other international gateways, such as those in Bulacan and Sangley.
Tugade had wanted to complete the Swiss Challenge process for the three unsolicited airport proposals but it seemed not even one would be finished before the year ends.
“Kilala nyo naman ako. Ang gusto ko matapos ito lahat within the year,” Tugade previously said.
The DOTr is still finalizing the concession agreement for the Bulacan International Airport unsolicited proposal of San Miguel Holdings Corp. The proposed airport will have four parallel runways and a passenger terminal building that can accommodate 100 million passengers per year once completed in four to six years.
Talks also continue for the Sangley Airport, with the DOTr agreeing to the proposal submitted by the local government unit of Cavite. It is envisioned that the Sangley Airport will accommodate 70 million passengers annually.
As for the rehabilitation of the NAIA, the Manila International Airport Authority board approved in August the grant of original proponent status to the NAIA Consortium composed of some of the country’s biggest conglomerates, namely Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp., Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.
All these airport projects are aimed at decongesting NAIA, the country’s main international gateway, which at present handles far more passengers than it was built for, having a capacity for 31 million passengers per year but handled 42 million last year.
Moving forward to 2019, the DOTr looks to accomplish more of its ambitious targets that would enable more Filipinos to experience positive change in the aviation, roads, railways, and maritime sectors.
The agency said big-ticket projects to be started this year include the PNR Bicol, LRT Line 1 Railway (Extension), Subic Clark Cargo Railway, and the MRT-3 Rehabilitation project.
Meanwhile, projects to be completed this year include the Davao Sasa Port Phase I (August 2019), Isabela Port in Basilan (November 2019), Malalag Port (May 2019), Road Transport Information Technology Infrastructure Phase I, Construction of Sheltered Port in Brgy. Pag-asa, Kalayaan, and the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project Phase I.
“Expect the DOTr to build, build, build in 2019. Our sleeves are all rolled up for projects across the four transportation sectors,” Libiran said.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/01/04/1882073/yearender-2018-year-hits-and-misses-dotr
Solving the country’s transportation woes is no easy task and as the DOTr puts it, no single solution could address the numerous issues, but instead, it would require a basket of solutions.
The man currently at the helm in undertaking this gargantuan effort, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, has set very high standards for his agency to accomplish. These standards often entail timetables that even the transportation chief himself admits are hard to meet.
“Ako pag nagse-set ng targets yung mahirap. Kaya pag lumagpas ng konti yung target, please don’t say na hindi namin ginagawa yung trabaho namin. Mahirap po ako mag-set ng target, ask the people in our office,” Tugade said.
As a result, the agency has had a number of missed targets in 2018 that range from scheduled project groundbreakings to loan agreement signings and actual start of project operations. However, it also had its fair share of hits.
So if one would ask the agency for an assessment on how it fared last year as far as the pace of the rollout of the Build Build Build projects under its belt, the DOTr would have given itself a pat on the back.
“The DOTr is very much satisfied with the pace of the rollout of the BBB projects in 2018, as numerous projects under the program were finished and inaugurated last year. These include big-ticket projects across our aviation, roads, railways, and maritime sectors,” it said.
Commuters traversing the busy roads of Metro Manila, however, may have a different opinion on the matter based on their daily experience.
Last February, the Japan International Cooperation Agency reported that the worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila is now costing the country P3.5 billion in missed economic opportunities daily, a significant rise from the previous estimate of P2.4 billion in 2014.
The DOTr said it continues to work on a basket of solutions to provide not only safe and comfortable transport, but also improved connectivity and enhanced mobility to Filipinos, not only for the roads sector, but also for railways, aviation, and maritime sectors.
DOTr communications director Goddes Hope Libiran said considered as among the most important DOTr-led undertakings last year is the MRT-3 rehabilitation project, which she said turned out to be the fastest loan processing the Duterte administration has completed by far.
In November, the Philippines and Japan signed the P18-billion loan agreement for the rehabilitation of the MRT-3. The project will run until 2022, and covers the rehabilitation and maintenance of the system’s electromechanical components, power supply, rail tracks, depot equipment, and overhaul of its 72 18-year old light rail vehicles.
“The MRT-3 is integral to the mobility and connectivity of hundreds of thousands of Filipinos shuttling across cities mostly for work and school. Once rehabilitated, the MRT-3 will increase its number of operating train sets from the current 15 to 20 at peak hours, increase train operating speed from 30 kilometers per hour to 60 kilometers per hour, and slash by half the time between trains from the current seven to 10 minutes to up to 3.5 minutes. All these will significantly improve train service and commuter experience on this railway line,” Libiran said.
For the aviation sector, the agency considers the inauguration last year of a new Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) system, a state-of-the-art computer and satellite-based air traffic management technology similar to those being used in other countries, as a significant milestone.
The CNS/ATM system brings better air traffic flow and space management, thereby optimizing airport capacity and harnessing efficient use of airspace that will, in turn, minimize flight delays.
A key achievement in the maritime sector last year, the DOTr said, was the reopening in October of the Davao to Manila passenger shipping route. The re-establishment of ferry operations from Davao to Manila and vice versa aims to address the lack of an accessible and affordable passenger shipping route that has been unavailable for almost 10 years.
Aside from embarking on and completing a number of key projects, Libiran said the DOTr has also surmounted several major challenges last year and successfully settled longstanding issues that have beleaguered the agency during the previous administration.
“When the Duterte administration took over, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) was still infamously known as one of the world’s worst airports. Today, NAIA ranks 10th among the most improved airports in the world. Gone, too, are the days of ‘laglag-bala’ modus,” she said.
On the Northrail-Sinomach case, the DOTr said the government was supposed to pay over P5 billion in claims and legal fees, but the matter has already been cleared, as both parties have agreed to waive claims against each other.
“The Duterte administration also inherited a three-million backlog in driver’s licenses, and applicants had to contend then with paper receipts to allow them to drive a vehicle without being apprehended. As of end November, the Land Transportation Office has printed a total of 7,640,323 driver’s license cards with five-year validity and armed with 32 security features designed to end the proliferation of fake licenses,” Libiran said.
But along with the list of achievements also came some mishaps, foremost of which was the controversial Xiamen incident in August where a Chinese passenger aircraft veered off the NAIA runway and affected close to 200,000 passengers due to hundreds of delayed and cancelled flights.
Following the incident, the DOTr has moved to review its current protocols and processes in the airport sector, and at the same time, ensure the modernization of the country’s airports through the DOTr aviation roadmap.
The Xiamen incident, according to Tugade, served as an “eye opener” as it exposed the country’s urgent need to rehabilitate the NAIA and build other international gateways, such as those in Bulacan and Sangley.
Tugade had wanted to complete the Swiss Challenge process for the three unsolicited airport proposals but it seemed not even one would be finished before the year ends.
“Kilala nyo naman ako. Ang gusto ko matapos ito lahat within the year,” Tugade previously said.
The DOTr is still finalizing the concession agreement for the Bulacan International Airport unsolicited proposal of San Miguel Holdings Corp. The proposed airport will have four parallel runways and a passenger terminal building that can accommodate 100 million passengers per year once completed in four to six years.
Talks also continue for the Sangley Airport, with the DOTr agreeing to the proposal submitted by the local government unit of Cavite. It is envisioned that the Sangley Airport will accommodate 70 million passengers annually.
As for the rehabilitation of the NAIA, the Manila International Airport Authority board approved in August the grant of original proponent status to the NAIA Consortium composed of some of the country’s biggest conglomerates, namely Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp., Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.
All these airport projects are aimed at decongesting NAIA, the country’s main international gateway, which at present handles far more passengers than it was built for, having a capacity for 31 million passengers per year but handled 42 million last year.
Moving forward to 2019, the DOTr looks to accomplish more of its ambitious targets that would enable more Filipinos to experience positive change in the aviation, roads, railways, and maritime sectors.
The agency said big-ticket projects to be started this year include the PNR Bicol, LRT Line 1 Railway (Extension), Subic Clark Cargo Railway, and the MRT-3 Rehabilitation project.
Meanwhile, projects to be completed this year include the Davao Sasa Port Phase I (August 2019), Isabela Port in Basilan (November 2019), Malalag Port (May 2019), Road Transport Information Technology Infrastructure Phase I, Construction of Sheltered Port in Brgy. Pag-asa, Kalayaan, and the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project Phase I.
“Expect the DOTr to build, build, build in 2019. Our sleeves are all rolled up for projects across the four transportation sectors,” Libiran said.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/01/04/1882073/yearender-2018-year-hits-and-misses-dotr
Sumitomo asked to start MRT 3 rehabilitation in ‘19
The Department of Transportation said it expects Sumitomo Corp. of Japan to start the rehabilitation and maintenance of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 system in 2019.
The department and Sumitomo earlier signed a contract for the rehabilitation and maintenance of MRT 3 system, which will cover the entire 16.9-kilometer line, all its 13 stations, the remaining 72 light rail vehicles and the MRT-3 Depot on North Avenue, Quezon City.
“All sub-systems will be restored, renewed or upgraded, including MRT-3’s track works, signaling system, power supply system, overhead catenary system, communications system, and maintenance and station equipment,” the DOTr said.
The agency said the rehabilitation period for the MRT-3 was expected to last 43 months.
The government signed a P18-billion loan agreement with the government of Japan in November for the MRT 3 system’s rehabilitation and maintenance.
The Transportation Department in September 2017 granted the original proponent status to a group led by Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which submitted the unsolicited bid for the rehabilitation and O&M of MRT 3.
The consortium of MPIC and Ayala Corp. submitted an unsolicited proposal to DOTr to upgrade and rehabilitate MRT 3 for P12.5 billion.
The consortium is also looking at buying out the stake of the government and private investors in MRT 3.
The government through Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines own a combined 80-percent economic interest in MRT 3, while the balance is held by creditors of Metro Rail Transit Corp.
MPIC in 2011 offered to buy out the shares of Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines in MRT 3 for $1.1 billion.
MPIC also submitted a proposal to the Department of Transportation in 2011 to invest $524 million to rehabilitate and upgrade MRT 3.
The Aquino administration, however, rejected Metro Pacific’s offer that would involve raising commuter fares.
MRT 3, which runs along Edsa from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City, serves over 500,000 passengers a day, beyond its rated capacity of 350,000.
The line has a fleet of 73 Czech-made air-conditioned rail cars.
http://manilastandard.net/business/transport-tourism/284200/sumitomo-asked-to-start-mrt-3-rehabilitation-in-19.html
The department and Sumitomo earlier signed a contract for the rehabilitation and maintenance of MRT 3 system, which will cover the entire 16.9-kilometer line, all its 13 stations, the remaining 72 light rail vehicles and the MRT-3 Depot on North Avenue, Quezon City.
“All sub-systems will be restored, renewed or upgraded, including MRT-3’s track works, signaling system, power supply system, overhead catenary system, communications system, and maintenance and station equipment,” the DOTr said.
The agency said the rehabilitation period for the MRT-3 was expected to last 43 months.
The government signed a P18-billion loan agreement with the government of Japan in November for the MRT 3 system’s rehabilitation and maintenance.
The Transportation Department in September 2017 granted the original proponent status to a group led by Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which submitted the unsolicited bid for the rehabilitation and O&M of MRT 3.
The consortium of MPIC and Ayala Corp. submitted an unsolicited proposal to DOTr to upgrade and rehabilitate MRT 3 for P12.5 billion.
The consortium is also looking at buying out the stake of the government and private investors in MRT 3.
The government through Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines own a combined 80-percent economic interest in MRT 3, while the balance is held by creditors of Metro Rail Transit Corp.
MPIC in 2011 offered to buy out the shares of Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines in MRT 3 for $1.1 billion.
MPIC also submitted a proposal to the Department of Transportation in 2011 to invest $524 million to rehabilitate and upgrade MRT 3.
The Aquino administration, however, rejected Metro Pacific’s offer that would involve raising commuter fares.
MRT 3, which runs along Edsa from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City, serves over 500,000 passengers a day, beyond its rated capacity of 350,000.
The line has a fleet of 73 Czech-made air-conditioned rail cars.
http://manilastandard.net/business/transport-tourism/284200/sumitomo-asked-to-start-mrt-3-rehabilitation-in-19.html
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