Luzon grid under red, yellow alerts for 3rd straight day

The Luzon power grid has been placed under red and yellow alerts again on Friday amid depleting power reserves resulting from outages of several power plants.

In an advisory, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said the red alert status was raised from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

This is the third straight day that the highest alert was in place in the Luzon grid.

A red alert is a system condition in which there is zero ancillary services or a generation deficiency exists.

The grid operator said the Luzon grid has an available capacity of 10,220 MW against a peak demand of 10,334 MW.

Meanwhile, a yellow alert was raised in two intervals for the day, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Yellow alert refers to a condition in which the reserves are less than the capacity of the biggest plant online, which is 647 megawatts for Luzon.

According to the Department of Energy (DOE), the alert statuses were triggered by the unplanned outages of the following plants:

• San Miguel Consolidated Power Corp. (SCPC) Unit 2 (150MW)
• Sual Unit I of Team Energy and San Miguel (647MW)
• Southwest Luzon Power Generation Corp. (SLPGC) Unit 2 of DMCI (150 MW)
• Pagbilao Unit 3 of Team Energy and Aboitiz Power (420MW); and
• South Luzon Thermal Energy Corp. (SLTEC) Unit 1 of Ayala (135MW)

Additional losses of megawatts were due to the de-rated capacity of DMCI's Calaca Unit 2 to 100 MW from 200 MW declared capacity.

Also, there were around 827 MW of losses from previously approved outages due to scheduled maintenance.

The NGCP said in may implement Manual Load Dropping (MLD) — meaning power interruptions can be expected — in the following areas from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. “to maintain the integrity of the power system”:

• ISECO (parts of Ilocos Sur)
• LUELCO (parts of La Union)
• QUEZELCO II (parts of Quezon)
• TARELCO II (parts of Tarlac and Nueva Ecija)
• MERALCO (parts of Metro Manila).

However, the grid operator said the scheduled MLD may be cancelled if system condition improves, such as if actual demand falls below projections.

“Details on the cause to be announced by the Department of Energy (DOE) later in the day,” the NGCP said. —KBK, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/691033/luzon-grid-under-red-yellow-alerts-for-3rd-straight-day/story/?inside_ataglance

Government asks Meralco, PLDT to relocate facilities in infrastructure sites

The Department of Transportation is in talks with power retailer Manila Electric Company and PLDT, Inc. to expedite the relocation of electric and telecommunication lines that will be affected by infrastructure projects.

The agency said these projects included Light Rail Transit Line 1 Cavite Extension Project, MRT-7, North-South Commuter Railway and Metro Manila Subway.

Light Rail Manila Corp., a joint venture of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and Ayala Corp., is constructing the P35-billion LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension Project.

The Cavite extension will connect into the existing system immediately south of the Baclaran station and will extend to Niog, Bacoor, Cavite.

San Miguel Holdings Inc. is building the P69.3-billion MRT 7 project which will have 14 stations.

Once the MRT-7 is built, it would take only 30 minutes to commute from North Ave. in Quezon City to San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan, compared to the current two-hour travel time.

The project also has a road component―a 23-kilometer stretch that would start at the Balagtas Interchange of North Luzon Expressway and end in an intermodal terminal in San Jose Del Monte.

The Philippines earlier signed a P78-billion loan agreement with the government of Japan for the construction of North-South Commuter Railway Extension Project.

Previously divided into three different projects, the NSCR System Project will seamlessly integrate the 38-km PNR 1 from Tutuban, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan; the 53-km PNR 2 from Malolos to Clark International Airport; and the 72-km PNR 3 from Solis to Los Banos, Laguna.

The NSCR System, with a total project cost of P777.55 billion, will have 36 stations, 58 eight-car trains (inclusive of 7 airport express trains) and a double-track fully elevated railway system that will connect Central Luzon, the National Capital Region and Calabarzon.

The Metro Manila Subway Project, a 36-kilometer underground railway system dubbed as the “project of the century,” broke ground on Feb. 27.

The subway’s depot will be located in Barangay Ugong and the project will have 15 stations from Quirino Highway in Quezon City to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City and FTI complex in Taguig City.

The government expects 370,000 passengers to benefit from the subway’s first year of full operations by 2025.

http://manilastandard.net/business/transport-tourism/292285/government-asks-meralco-pldt-to-relocate-facilities-in-infrastructure-sites.html

Motoring Today | Motoring News: Updates on PNR Bicol Express

The DOTr is reviving the Philippine National Railway’s Bicol Express with the reconstruction of a new railway system from Manila to Bicol. Here are updates from DOTr Undersecretary for Railways TJ Batan.



Once operational, the revived Bicol Express is seen to take six hours to reach Bicol from Manila with a design speed of 120kph and operational speed of 80kph.



This project is being built through the P175 billion loan from the Chinese government which was signed on November 2018 during the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Meeting in Manila. It was followed by the signing of contract with the Project Management Consultant or the PMC for the said project.



Moreover, Transport Undersecretary TJ Batan added that the PMC has presented their outputs to Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade during his recent visit to China for the regular official bilateral meeting.



According to the department, there would be nine new train stations from Paco in Manila to Matnog town in Sorsogon.



The government highlights that the PNR-Bicol Express will be reconstructed instead of rehabilitated, which means everything will be new—from the trains to the stations.

DPWH postpones Quezon-Bicol road feasibility study to third quarter

THE feasibility study for the Quezon-Bicol Expressway (QBEx) is now expected to be submitted in the third quarter to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said the delay is due to the additional work needed in regard to finalizing the road’s alignment.

Secretary Mark A. Villar said on Wednesday: “It’s going to be done third quarter of this year… Paglabas ng FS, isa-submit na namin kaagad sa NEDA (After the feasibility study, we’ll submit it to NEDA right away),” he told reporters on Wednesday after inspecting the C5 South Link Project in Taguig City.

“The expressway is about 220 kilometers. It’s a big project… It’s very complicated. There will be bridges too. It’s really long,” he added.

In February, DPWH Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Director Alex G. Bote said the agency is hoping to submit the QBEx feasibility study to NEDA in March. At the time, the road was expected to run between Lucena City and San Fernando, Camarines Sur, which is near Naga.

In a text message on Sunday, Mr. Bote said the alignment of QBEx may still change until the detailed engineering design is completed, which is the next step after NEDA evaluates the plans.

“Available alignment (conceptual) for QBEx still has a chance of moving/changing, kasi magkaron lang talaga yan ng finality ‘pag may detailed engineering design na [because it will only have finality once there’s a detailed engineering design]. Now, FS for QBEx is ongoing,” he said.

Once the DPWH finishes the feasibility study, the NEDA will determine the cost of the project and its mode of financing. Mr. Bote earlier said it may take a public-private partnership scheme, financing from official development assistance (ODA) or the general appropriations act (GAA), or a mix of any of the three modes. — Denise A. Valdez

https://www.bworldonline.com/dpwh-postpones-quezon-bicol-road-feasibility-study-to-third-quarter/

Meralco, Japan partners investing P6.3b in Clark

The joint venture of Manila Electric Co., Marubeni Corp., The Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc. and Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc. are investing P6.3 billion over 25 years to operate and maintain the electric power distribution system in New Clark City.

The decision followed the signing of a joint venture agreement between the Meralco Marubeni Consortium and Bases Conversion Development Authority on April 3 for the financing, design and engineering, establishment, construction, development and operation and maintenance of the electric power distribution system in New Clark City project.

“This transaction involves the financing, design and engineering, establishment, construction, development and operation and maintenance of the electric power distribution system in New Clark City for an initial period of 25 years, renewable for another 25 years,” Meralco said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Friday.

Meralco said the necessary regulatory requirements included Philippine Competition Commission’s approval, legislative franchise, certificate of public convenience and necessity and capital expenditures and rate approvals by the Energy Regulatory Commission.

“The transaction is an opportunity for Meralco to participate in the development of New Clark City and generate additional revenues in the operation of its electric distribution system there,” Meralco said.

The Meralco-Marubeni consortium special purpose vehicle is majority-controlled by Meralco with a 60-percent stake, Marubeni Corp. with 20 percent, Kansai Electric Power Co. with 10 percent  and Chubu Electric Power with 10 percent. BCDA will reportedly take the remaining 10 percent.

BCDA already issued the notice of award to Meralco as the power distributor of New Clark City after offering the lowest power supply rate. Meralco and Marubeni submitted the lowest power distribution rate for the New Clark City at P0.6188 per kilowatt-hour.

The Meralco consortium  is initially investing around P1 billion to put up the power distribution facilities at New Clark City in preparation for the 30th Southeast Asian Games slated late this year.

Meralco senior vice president Rogelio Singson said the company was initially looking at a demand of 10 to 14 megawatts for the New Clark City facilities.

“It can still be ramped up. So we were telling them, at first they want everything smart, underground. I said, with that demand, how much tariff are you prepared to pay…Overhead, we can do it….Smart city yes, but not immediately until you have the consumption,” Singson said.

He said Meralco committed that the power lines to the facilities would be ready by June or July.

“We’re helping them [BCDA] out in terms of specifications so that when it is eventually turned over to Meralco, it is acceptable,” Singson said.

The New Clark City managed by BCDA is envisioned to be the first smart, green and sustainable metropolis in the country where locators and residents will enjoy low utility rates.

The New Clark City will have the first completely smart power grid in the country. Supported by state-of-the-art facilities comparable with other smart cities throughout the world, the New Clark City smart grid also has better reliability standards.

Locators can also enjoy access to real-time information from the distribution utility, allowing them to manage their electricity consumption more effectively.

Phase 1 of the New Clark City development includes the construction of the National Government Administrative Center and world-class sports facilities to be used for the Philippines’ hosting of the Sea Games.

http://manilastandard.net/business/corporate/292013/meralco-japan-partners-investing-p6-3b-in-clark.html

Chinese contractors best bet for railway projects — DOTr

Chinese contractors are seen as the Philippines’ best bet in undertaking its biggest and most ambitious long haul railway projects to date, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Transportation Undersecretary for railways Timothy John Batan said  China is deemed the most capable to handle the development of the country’s major long haul railway lines given its expertise and experience in embarking on these projects.

“We know that our needed capability, experience, and expertise, China has and will be able to provide,” he said.

“That is our way of choosing our partners for ODA (official development assistance) loans. First, identify what is the project that we need. Second, look if the development partner which has the capability to provide our need. If we look over the past two, three decades of China, they have deployed and built the largest and the most, especially for the long haul lines,” Batan said.

Three major railway projects are currently in the pipeline for financing by China. These are the 639-kilometer Philippine National Railways South long haul project, the Mindanao railway project, and the 71.13-km Subic-Clark railway project.

The DOTr signed in November last year the project management consultancy contract with a Chinese consortium composed of China Railway Design Corp. and Guangzhou Wanan Construction Supervision Co. Ltd. for the PNR South Long Haul project.

The consortium is tasked to conduct all pre-construction surveys, preparation of designs for bidding, preparation of bidding documents, bidding assistance, construction supervision, and defects liability period supervision.

“Since the contract was signed, the project management consultant has been working on the design and alignment for that,” Batan said.

Upon completion, the PNR South Long Haul project will connect Metro Manila, Region IV-A, and Region V, reducing travel time from Manila to Legazpi City from 13 hours to under six hours.

Meanwhile, Batan said bidding documents for both the Subic-Clark railway project and the Mindanao Railway project are ready, and certain documentation processes with China are currently being finalized.

Once the documentations are finalized, Batan said procurement for the projects’ contractors will commence.

The Mindanao Railway project in its entirety will consist of 1,532 circumferential and spur lines that will connect Davao provinces, Iligan, Cagayan De Oro, General Santos City, and Zamboanga.

Phase 1 of the project, which will cover the Tagum-Davao-Digos segment, is a 102-kilometer rail line that will have eight stations and a depot in Tagum.

The railway project is now being envisioned to be a two-track, electric, and standard train system, instead of a previously single-track system with diesel trains.

https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/04/03/1906742/chinese-contractors-best-bet-railway-projects-dotr

Airport terminals to display Metro timings

Move aimed at encouraging arriving passengers to take transit system

The Chennai airport’s domestic and international terminals will soon display Metro timings to encourage air passengers to take the transit system.

The Metro station located inside the premises of the airport is one of the most popular in the city and about 6,500 people travel through it on a daily basis.

Officials of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) said they recently held discussions with Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) and agreed that displaying Metro timings will get more people to use public transport.

“Specific areas in both domestic and international arrival halls will have the displays. As soon as air passengers step out of the aircraft, they will be able to spot the timings displayed on real-time basis. We want them to know there is such an option, as many of them may not know it. It will be good if many people take the public transport,” an official said.

Signage to be put up

CMRL will provide the display screens and the other necessary facilities for putting them up inside the terminals. Besides, signage will be put up in various locations of the terminals directing passengers to the Metro station as well.

Both the terminals are connected to the station by a walkalator and a tube.

“The AAI has already begun the work to install the signage and this work should be complete by the end of this month,” another official said.

CMRL had carried out a study of the domestic and international flight timings, after which it was decided to extend the timings of the early morning and late night services.

At present, the first service starts as early as 4:30 a.m. and the last one at 12 midnight.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/airport-terminals-to-display-metro-timings/article26708723.ece

‘Build, Build, Build’: TR4 starts construction after ‘eight and final’ groundbreaking

The story of South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Toll Road 4 (TR4) is a peculiar one. The project spanning 66.74 km broke ground for at least seven times. But Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar promised that the March 26 groundbreaking would be the last one. People who attended the event joked that “hopefully, this is the final groundbreaking.” The right-of-way problem which had previously hounded the project has finally been resolved. Construction will immediately commence the day after.

When completed, the 66.74-km 4-lane expressway is expected to reduce travel time from Manila to Batangas, Quezon, and Laguna by as much as three hours. Villar noted that motorists who usually had to endure a 4-hour drive from Sto. Tomas in Batangas to Lucena  in Quezon Province during rush hour via the Daang Maharlika Highway will only take an hour once the TR4 is complete.

The project, which will be implemented by concessionaire South Luzon Tollways Corporation (SLTC) within four years, is divided into six phases:

11.32-kilometer Package A from Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Makban, Laguna.

12.75-kilometer Package B from Makban to San Pablo, Laguna.

7.5-kilometer Package C from San Pablo to Tiaong, Quezon.

15-kilometer Package D from Tiaong to Candelaria, Quezon.

10.21-kilometer Package E from Candelaria to Tayabas, Quezon.

9.96-kilometer Package F from Tayabas to Lucena City, Quezon.

Fortunately, another big-ticket project broke ground the day after — the 27-km Cavite section of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX), a 45-kilometer expressway expected to reduce traffic congestion along Governor’s Drive, Aguinaldo Highway and Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road.

CALAX, which starts from the Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) in Kawit, Cavite, and ends at the SLEX-Mamplasan Interchange in Biñan, Laguna, is expected to reduce travel time from CAVITEX to South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) by about 45 minutes. It is implemented by  MPCALA Holdings, Inc. of the Metro Pacific Group.

The Laguna Segment which commenced in June 2017 involves the construction of an 18-kilometer new road from Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange to the existing Mamplasan Interchange of South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) in Biñan, Laguna.

Both projects is particularly important for Calabarzon, which recorded the largest population as of 2015 with 14.4 million, despite being the 4th smallest region in the country at 16,000 sq. km. The improved road network would also further boost the tourism potential of Calabarzon, which in 2015 is already the top region in terms of same-day visitor arrivals (4,318,625). This is also seen to improve trade and economy of the region which already recorded a Gross Regional Domestic Product valued at 1.45 trillion pesos, according to the National Economic Development Authority.

In essence, Build, Build, Build is a three-pronged strategy meant to counter traffic, poverty, and inequality. According to the World Economic Forum, well-developed infrastructure not only reduces the distance between regions but also integrates national markets and connects them at low costs to other economies.

https://mb.com.ph/2019/03/30/build-build-build-tr4-starts-construction-after-eight-and-final-groundbreaking/

Cavite portion of CALA-Ex on the works

PLDT-DPC Metro Manila Telephone Directory (1995-present)

• 1994 Introduction of the 5 column directory.
• 1995 Segmentation of Household & Business (HB) and Commercial & Industrial (CI) Yellow Pages.
• 1996 Separation of Residential and Government & Business Listings in the White Pages

For 23 years, the DPC-PLDT Metro Manila Telephone Directory has initially had three volumes, later four, and now back to 2 in 2017.

"PLDT Inc. is urging it's subscribers to make full use of their directories because the significant rise in new subscribers is expected to more pressure on its 114 operations." 

x x x 

The higher volume of subscribers and corresponding changes being made on telephone numbers were expected to create a high demand for inquires. 

x x x 

"Due to limitations of printing schedules, some of the more- recent cut-overs, may not be incorporated in the new directories." 

x x x 

"That the latest directory, to be made available to residential subscribers in July 2017," 

x x x 

The white pages will now have a total of 1,XXX pages from 1,xxx of previous year. The Metro Manila Directory's Yellow Pages will now be up to 1,xxx from 1,720 last year. This book is distributed in the Metro Manila areas like Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Pateros, Quezon City, San Juan, San Pedro, Taguig, and Valenzuela. 

x x x

Artemio Bongawan Jr. of the University of Mindanao won the grand prize of the 31st Visual Arts Competition (VAC 31) of the Directories Philippines Corporation and PLDT, Inc. (formerly Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company).

87 artworks with different interpretations of the theme were submitted for the competition, with 30 entries moving up as finalists. The 30 finalist entries were exhibited at the Pasilyo Vicente Manansala at the Cultural Center of the Philippines prior to the final judging and awarding ceremony.

The final judging of VAC31 was held Thursday, March 23, 2017, at the Main Lobby of the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City.

Entries were judged on the basis of visual composition, originality, adherence to the theme, overall impact, and suitability as cover.

Ding Villamayor, traditional artist and former Art Director at McCann Erickson; Jaime “Jim” Battad, Creative Director at PublicisJimenezBasic and Grand Prize Winner of the 2nd DPC-PLDT Visual Arts Competition in 1988; Ma. Rosario “Rica” Estrada of the CCP’s Visual Arts and Museum Division; Robert Alejandro, former host of TV art show Art is Kool, painter, award-winning graphic artist, crafter and one of the pillars of Filipino arts and crafts shop, Papemelroti; and James “Bong” Baual, Tape Art Pioneer in the Philippines and singer-songwriter of Filipino indie band Dystoria made up the panel of judges.

Covers

1 - June 1987-May 1988, on the cover: "Pacific Rhythm" by Perfecto “Jun” Baloloy, Jr.

2 - June 1988-May 1989, on the cover: "Epoch in Communication" by Jaime “Jim” Battad, Jr.

3 - June 1989-May 1990, on the cover: "A Rich Heritage of Race and Spirit" by Neil Manalo

4 - June 1990-May 1991, on the cover: "Aanhin Pa ang Damo kung Patay na ang Kabayo" by Mario Uy

5 - June 1991-May 1992, on the cover: "Magkabalikat sa Iisang Mithiin" by Rizal D. Maddela

6 - June 1992-May 1993, on the cover: "Sama-sama, Tulong-tulong, Kaunlaran Para sa Ating Lahat" by Modesto P. Saldana, Jr.

7 - June 1993-May 1994, on the cover: "Seal of the noble Filipino" by Rodrigo Clapano

8 - June 1994-May 1995, on the cover: "Paghubog at Paglinang sa mga Bagong Sibol Tungo sa Maunlad at Matatag na Kinabukasan" by Armando E. Flaviano

9 - June 1995-May 1996, on the cover: "Sa Pamilya Magmumula ang Pagbabago at Pag-asa" by Wesley Valenzuela of the University of Santo Tomas

10 - June 1996-May 1997, on the cover: "Sagisag ng Tagumpay" by Alberto Emmanuel Villavert III,

11 - June 1997-May 1998, on the cover: "Sama-sama sa Pagdiwang ng Kalayaan" by Marcial Pontillas

12 - June 1998-May 1999, on the cover: "Kasarinlan at iba pa (Ang Tagumpay ng Bayang Pilipinas)" by Resty A. Tica

13 - June 1999-May 2000, on the cover: "Transformation of Time Towards a Bountiful Life"

14 - June 2000-May 2001, on the cover: "Pagdiriwang"

15 - June 2001-May 2002, on the cover: "Ang Ilog Pasig Noon, Ay Siya Na Muli Ngayon" 29" x 29", oil/acrylic entry of Ronnie T. Tres Reyes of the University of the East-Kalookan.

16 - June 2002-May 2003, on the cover: "I.T. An opening To A New World", 24" x 25", Tempera Watercolor entry of Jaime B. Gubaton

17 - June 2003-May 2004, on the cover: "I Belong to One Big Happy Family" Oil on Canvas entry by Allan Jay Ballisi

18 - June 2004-May 2005, on the cover: "Huwarang hangarin: kabataan pag-asa pa rin ang bayan", 29" x 29" oil on canvass entry of Jaypee Samson

19 - June 2005-May 2006, on the cover: "Manggawang Pinoy: pinagbuklod ng isang layunin, kaya't tawagin natin silang mga bagong bayani", 29" x 29" oil on canvass entry of Jermaine W. Alvarez

20 - June 2006-May 2007, on the cover: "Kabataan, Iguhit Mo ang Bukas, Kulayan Mo ang Pag-Asa", 29"x29" oil entry of Randy T. Solon of the University of the Philippines-Diliman

21 - June 2007-May 2008, on the cover: "Gagamba Noon, Video Game Ngayon"
22 - June 2008-May 2009, on the cover: "Sentro ng Kalakalan" by Arnica Acantilado
23 - June 2009-May 2010, on the cover: "Bantayog"
24 - June 2010-May 2011, on the cover: "Ika-25 ng Pebero, 1986"
25 - June 2011-May 2012, on the cover: "Mga Linyang Tulay ng mga Filipino"
26 - June 2012-May 2013, on the cover: "The Blink"
27 - June 2013-May 2014, on the cover: "Splash of Fun"
28 - June 2014-May 2015, on the cover: "Saranggola"
29 - June 2015-May 2016, on the cover: "
30 - June 2016-May 2017, on the cover: "