By Arjay L. Balinbin
Reporter
AT LEAST THREE Japanese firms, including one of the maintenance providers of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), signaled interest in bidding for the contract to provide train sets and electrical and mechanical (E&M) systems for the Metro Manila subway project.
Department of Transportation (DoTr) Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John R. Batan said that as of Jan. 21, three Japanese firms, namely: Mitsui & Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Corp., and Sumitomo Corp., have purchased bidding documents.
“Mitsubishi has purchased bidding documents, Mitsui has purchased also, and third is Sumitomo,” Mr. Batan told BusinessWorld in a recent interview.
Sumitomo is one of the maintenance service providers of MRT-3 along with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engineering, Ltd. and TES Philippines, Inc.
The department published in December the invitation for Japanese firms to participate in the competitive bidding process for the procurement of E&M systems and track works for the Metro Manila Subway Project Phase 1.
It also sought bids from Japanese firms “for the design, execution and completion of 30 train sets consisting of eight electric multiple units,” or a total of 240 train cars.
According to a bulletin published in newspapers on Dec. 24, 2019, the DoTr said bids for the train sets should be submitted by 10 a.m. on March 17, 2020 with a ¥600-million bid security at the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM-PS) in Manila.
For E&M systems and track works, the DoTr set a March 24, 2020 deadline for submission of bids, along with an ¥800-million bid security.
Mr. Batan said the trains and electro-mechanical systems contracts will be awarded to the winning bidders “by the middle of this year.”
The first phase of the Metro Manila subway project covers three packages, namely: rolling stock; E&M system and track works; as well as the first three underground stations (Quirino Highway, Tandang Sora, North Avenue), tunnels and depot construction, depot equipment and buildings.
The government broke ground for the first three stations of the subway project in February last year after the DoTr signed a P51-billion deal for that package with the Shimizu Joint Venture, which consists of Shimizu Corp., Fujita Corp., Takenaka Civil Engineering Company Ltd. and EEI Corp.
The Philippines and Japan signed in March 2018 the first tranche of the P355.6-billion loan for the Metro Manila subway project.
While the public will have to wait until 2025 for full operations of the 36-kilometer subway, the government targets partial operations — covering the first three stations — by 2022.
Mr. Batan said the suppliers of trains and E&M systems will have to start delivering in 2021 the requirements of the section that will be up for partial operations by 2022.
“They have to deliver some tracks, some rolling stock; but the rest, of course, will be delivered according to the schedule of the remainder of the system,” he said.
The government estimates 100,000 commuters will use the partially opened subway system daily. The figure is expected to rise to 370,000 passengers daily once the subway is fully operational.
The completed subway system will have 14-15 stations between Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City. It will also link up with Metro Manila’s other railways at the common station being built along North Avenue in Quezon City.
https://www.bworldonline.com/3-japan-firms-keen-on-manila-subway-contract/
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
23 Build, Build, Build projects that would decongest Metro Manila
The story of EDSA need not be told. Anyone who have stepped in Manila would know — and would have complained at some point — about the world’s worst city for drivers.
While other nationalities would ask about the weather, Filipinos would talk about the traffic. This is not at all surprising. The debate about Metro Manila’s “true midpoint” is not new. It happens almost every day — over family dinners, coffee meet-ups, high school reunions and even on dates. I remember one friend who broke up with his boyfriend because she could not handle a “long distance relationship”. The five hour travel time to and from Paranaque to Fairview took a toll on their relationship. And honestly, no one could blame them. EDSA has become a source of frustration for many, if not all drivers, commuters and passengers.
The problem however is expected. Metro Manila is one of the world’s most densely populated city with over 42,000 inhabitants per square kilometer. But EDSA, the 23.8 circumferential highway stretching from Taft to Caloocan has not been extended after the 1960s. The project which was originally intended to accommodate a maximum capacity of 288,00 vehicles a day — is being used by 402,000 vehicles. In other words, EDSA has exceeded its capacity by about 39%.
The absence of a genuine infrastructure intervention have already caused the Philippines billions of pesos. In 2012, the Philippines lost ₱2.4 billion a day due to Metro Manila traffic according to Japan International Cooperation Agency. Six years after, the number had gone up to ₱3.5 billion a day due to traffic congestion in Metro Manila. Now, road usage in Metro Manila is at about 13.4 million trips per day and this could go as high as 16.1 million in 17 years.
EDSA Decongestion Master Plan
Since 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte and Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar embark on a a plan to decongest EDSA and solve traffic through the “Build, Build, Build” program.
According to Villar, the EDSA Decongestion Program which is composed of 23 projects amounting to over 383 Billion pesos is well underway. President Duterte’s promise of decongesting EDSA is inevitable.
In 2020, six big-ticket projects in Metro Manila will be accessible to the public. These includes: the NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10, the NLEX Harbor Link R-10 Exit Ramp, the Mindanao Avenue Extension Segment 2C; Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3; Fort Bonifacio-Nichols Road (Lawton Avenue) Widening; and the Bonifacio Global City-Ortigas Center Link Road Project.
Manila to QC in 15 minutes
The NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 is a 5.58 km, 6-lane divided elevated expressway utilising the existing PNR railroad tracks connecting McArthur Highway, C-3 road in Caloocan and Malabon. The project when completed effectively shortens travel time from Valenzuela City to C3 in Caloocan from 1 hour to only 5 minutes.
The NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 will extend and connect to the Radial Road 10 Exit Ramp, a 2.6km, 4-lane elevated ramp which connects Caloocan, Malabon, and Valenzuela to Manila. When the project is completed, travel time from port area in Manila to NLEX will be reduced from two hours to only 10 to 15 minutes.
Quirino Highway to Gen. Luis Road in 20 minutes
Another project that eases the travel in the east-west thoroughfare and targets to decongest and connect Quirino Highway and General Luis Road is the Mindanao Avenue Extension Segment 2C project, which was started in the 1980s.
The Mindanao Avenue Extension Segment 2C project is a 3.2 km, 4 lane divided highway from NLEX to Gen. Luis Avenue, connecting the areas of Bulacan, Valenzuela, North Caloocan and Quezon City. When completed, travel time between Quirino Highway, and General Luis Road, will be reduced from 1 hour and 30 minutes to only 20 minutes.
Makati to QC in 20 minutes
The main line of the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 Project (MMSS3), an 18.30 km elevated expressway spanning from Buendia in Makati City to the North Luzon Expressway in Balintawak, Quezon City, will also be completed. It will have eight (8) access ramps or interchanges, namely Buendia Avenue, (South Super Highway, Makati City), Pres. Quirino Avenue (Malate, Manila), Plaza Dilao (Paco, Manila), Nagtahan/Aurora Boulevard (Manila), E. Rodriguez Avenue (Quezon City), Quezon Avenue (Quezon City), Sgt. Rivera St. (Quezon City) and NLEX.
The project is expected to decongest Metro Manila by at least 55,000 vehicles daily and reduce travel time from Makati to Quezon City from 2 hours to only 15 to 20 minutes.
BGC to Taguig in 12 minutes
Widening of the 3.3 km Fort Bonifacio – Nichols Field Road from four lanes to six lanes will also be completed in 2020.
It is expected to complement the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) – Ortigas Centre Link Road Project, which effectively connects BGC and Ortigas Central Business within 12 minutes. The project is composed of the Sta. Monica-Lawton Bridge, a 440 meter four lane bridge across Pasig River connecting Lawton Avenue in Makati City and Santa Monica St. in Pasig City, and the Lawton Avenue – Global City Viaduct, a 565 meter four lane viaduct structure traversing Lawton Avenue onwards to the entrance of BGC.
Civil works to begin this year
DPWH is also set to begin civil works on the following projects this year: NLEX Harbor Link Segment 8.2 from Mindanao Avenue to Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City; the Metro Manila Priority Bridges Seismic Improvement Project covering the retrofitting of Guadalupe and Lambingan Bridges; and the Pasig River & Manggahan Floodway Bridges Construction Project inclusive of five (5) bridges namely: North & South Harbor Bridge, Palanca-Villegas Bridge, Blumentritt-Antipolo Bridge, and Beata-Manalo Bridge crossing Pasig River, the Eastbank-Westbank Bridge 2 crossing Manggahan Floodway.
Other projects
Apart from these, the EDSA Decongest Masterplan also includes the following projects: Radial Road 10, NLEX-SLEX Connector Road, Katipunan Avenue Extension, Southeast Metro Manila Expressway (C6 Phase 1), Samar Street, Laguna Lake Highway, C5 South Link Expressway, NAIA Expressway Phase 2, Binondo-Intramuros Bridge, Estrella Pantaleon Bridge, JP Rizal-Lopez Jaena Bridge, JP Rizal-St. Mary Bridge, Marikina-Vista Real Bridge, and the Bataan Cavite Interlink Bridge.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/01/26/23-build-build-build-projects-that-would-decongest-metro-manila/
While other nationalities would ask about the weather, Filipinos would talk about the traffic. This is not at all surprising. The debate about Metro Manila’s “true midpoint” is not new. It happens almost every day — over family dinners, coffee meet-ups, high school reunions and even on dates. I remember one friend who broke up with his boyfriend because she could not handle a “long distance relationship”. The five hour travel time to and from Paranaque to Fairview took a toll on their relationship. And honestly, no one could blame them. EDSA has become a source of frustration for many, if not all drivers, commuters and passengers.
The problem however is expected. Metro Manila is one of the world’s most densely populated city with over 42,000 inhabitants per square kilometer. But EDSA, the 23.8 circumferential highway stretching from Taft to Caloocan has not been extended after the 1960s. The project which was originally intended to accommodate a maximum capacity of 288,00 vehicles a day — is being used by 402,000 vehicles. In other words, EDSA has exceeded its capacity by about 39%.
The absence of a genuine infrastructure intervention have already caused the Philippines billions of pesos. In 2012, the Philippines lost ₱2.4 billion a day due to Metro Manila traffic according to Japan International Cooperation Agency. Six years after, the number had gone up to ₱3.5 billion a day due to traffic congestion in Metro Manila. Now, road usage in Metro Manila is at about 13.4 million trips per day and this could go as high as 16.1 million in 17 years.
EDSA Decongestion Master Plan
Since 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte and Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar embark on a a plan to decongest EDSA and solve traffic through the “Build, Build, Build” program.
According to Villar, the EDSA Decongestion Program which is composed of 23 projects amounting to over 383 Billion pesos is well underway. President Duterte’s promise of decongesting EDSA is inevitable.
In 2020, six big-ticket projects in Metro Manila will be accessible to the public. These includes: the NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10, the NLEX Harbor Link R-10 Exit Ramp, the Mindanao Avenue Extension Segment 2C; Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3; Fort Bonifacio-Nichols Road (Lawton Avenue) Widening; and the Bonifacio Global City-Ortigas Center Link Road Project.
Manila to QC in 15 minutes
The NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 is a 5.58 km, 6-lane divided elevated expressway utilising the existing PNR railroad tracks connecting McArthur Highway, C-3 road in Caloocan and Malabon. The project when completed effectively shortens travel time from Valenzuela City to C3 in Caloocan from 1 hour to only 5 minutes.
The NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 will extend and connect to the Radial Road 10 Exit Ramp, a 2.6km, 4-lane elevated ramp which connects Caloocan, Malabon, and Valenzuela to Manila. When the project is completed, travel time from port area in Manila to NLEX will be reduced from two hours to only 10 to 15 minutes.
Quirino Highway to Gen. Luis Road in 20 minutes
Another project that eases the travel in the east-west thoroughfare and targets to decongest and connect Quirino Highway and General Luis Road is the Mindanao Avenue Extension Segment 2C project, which was started in the 1980s.
The Mindanao Avenue Extension Segment 2C project is a 3.2 km, 4 lane divided highway from NLEX to Gen. Luis Avenue, connecting the areas of Bulacan, Valenzuela, North Caloocan and Quezon City. When completed, travel time between Quirino Highway, and General Luis Road, will be reduced from 1 hour and 30 minutes to only 20 minutes.
Makati to QC in 20 minutes
The main line of the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 Project (MMSS3), an 18.30 km elevated expressway spanning from Buendia in Makati City to the North Luzon Expressway in Balintawak, Quezon City, will also be completed. It will have eight (8) access ramps or interchanges, namely Buendia Avenue, (South Super Highway, Makati City), Pres. Quirino Avenue (Malate, Manila), Plaza Dilao (Paco, Manila), Nagtahan/Aurora Boulevard (Manila), E. Rodriguez Avenue (Quezon City), Quezon Avenue (Quezon City), Sgt. Rivera St. (Quezon City) and NLEX.
The project is expected to decongest Metro Manila by at least 55,000 vehicles daily and reduce travel time from Makati to Quezon City from 2 hours to only 15 to 20 minutes.
BGC to Taguig in 12 minutes
Widening of the 3.3 km Fort Bonifacio – Nichols Field Road from four lanes to six lanes will also be completed in 2020.
It is expected to complement the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) – Ortigas Centre Link Road Project, which effectively connects BGC and Ortigas Central Business within 12 minutes. The project is composed of the Sta. Monica-Lawton Bridge, a 440 meter four lane bridge across Pasig River connecting Lawton Avenue in Makati City and Santa Monica St. in Pasig City, and the Lawton Avenue – Global City Viaduct, a 565 meter four lane viaduct structure traversing Lawton Avenue onwards to the entrance of BGC.
Civil works to begin this year
DPWH is also set to begin civil works on the following projects this year: NLEX Harbor Link Segment 8.2 from Mindanao Avenue to Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City; the Metro Manila Priority Bridges Seismic Improvement Project covering the retrofitting of Guadalupe and Lambingan Bridges; and the Pasig River & Manggahan Floodway Bridges Construction Project inclusive of five (5) bridges namely: North & South Harbor Bridge, Palanca-Villegas Bridge, Blumentritt-Antipolo Bridge, and Beata-Manalo Bridge crossing Pasig River, the Eastbank-Westbank Bridge 2 crossing Manggahan Floodway.
Other projects
Apart from these, the EDSA Decongest Masterplan also includes the following projects: Radial Road 10, NLEX-SLEX Connector Road, Katipunan Avenue Extension, Southeast Metro Manila Expressway (C6 Phase 1), Samar Street, Laguna Lake Highway, C5 South Link Expressway, NAIA Expressway Phase 2, Binondo-Intramuros Bridge, Estrella Pantaleon Bridge, JP Rizal-Lopez Jaena Bridge, JP Rizal-St. Mary Bridge, Marikina-Vista Real Bridge, and the Bataan Cavite Interlink Bridge.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/01/26/23-build-build-build-projects-that-would-decongest-metro-manila/
Friday, January 24, 2020
PSALM to finish study on sale of Quezon City property
State-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) expects to complete the feasibility study on the privatization of its Quezon City property by the middle of the year.
PSALM has given the go signal to Isla Lipana & Co., a member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Philippines, to start the feasibility study on the said property, its president and CEO Irene Joy Besido-Garcia said in a text message.
“PSALM has issued today the notice to proceed and contract for the consultancy services to PwC so they can commence the study,” she said.
With the commencement of the feasibility study, PSALM hopes to have a basis on the privatization options for the prime property within the first half of the year.
“That means by June, we would have the output already,” Besido-Garcia said.
The feasibility study has a contract cost of P5.98 million and will take 120 days to complete.
It would confirm the numbers detailed in the winning architectural conceptual design for the development of the PSALM property located in Diliman, Quezon City.
The winning entry of WTA Design Studio, titled “The East Grid,” aims to develop PSALM’s Diliman property into a mixed-use office development integrated with wellness and commercial elements and combined with energy efficient systems and innovative, sustainable design ideas.
Based on WTA Design Studio’s entry, the project will have an estimated total construction cost of P17.2 billion and will result to about 400,000 square meters of leasable space.
The Diliman property is one of PSALM’s most valuable properties given the development surrounding the land assets. It is where Napocor and National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) are currently housed.
The 5.1-hectare property is located at the heart of Quezon City’s central business district. Due to its strategic location and ongoing high-rise development in adjacent properties, it is considered a prime property with high potential for residential, commercial and mixed-use development.
The privatization programs aim to generate additional income for the payment of PSALM’s assumed liabilities.
PSALM is the agency mandated by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 to handle the sale of the remaining state-power assets and the financial obligations of Napocor.
The agency started 2019 with P449.2 billion in liabilities, which had declined to P416 billion as of the end of October.
PSALM has six years left in its corporate life ending in 2026.
Monday, January 20, 2020
Congressman seeks probe of LRT-1 contract
A CONGRESSMAN will seek an investigation of an allegedly onerous concession agreement between the government and the Ayala and Pangilinan groups for the operation of the Light Rail Transit 1 (LRT-1).
“On Monday, I will immediately file a House Resolution to look into this agreement,” Party List Rep. Eric G. Yap said in a statement at the weekend. “But I urge the House committee on public accounts and the committee on good government to exercise its oversight function and look into this as soon as possible.”
Mr. Yap said the deal is “very lopsided” in favor of the Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) and a “mockery” of the Constitution.
He noted that the four-year-old agreement gives the company exclusive rights for 32 years, extendible to 50 years. “I keep on thinking why we entered into such contract,” the lawmaker said in Filipino.
MPIC spokeswoman Melody M. del Rosario did not immediately reply to a mobile-phone message seeking comments.
Light Rail Manila is jointly operated by Metro Pacific Investments Corp.’s (MPIC) Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp., Ayala Corp.’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. and the Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure’s Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd.
In October 2014, Light Rail Manila signed a concession agreement with the Department of Transportation and Communications and the Light Rail Transit Authority for the P62-billion LRT-1 Cavite extension, operation and maintenance project.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Friday said that he would look into the LRT agreement, while expressing his frustration over the alleged onerous contracts between the government and the two water distribution utilities in Metro Manila.
MPIC is one of three Philippine subsidiaries of Hong Kong’s First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being PLDT, Inc. and Philex Mining Corp.
Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., maintains an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group. — Genshen L. Espedido
https://www.bworldonline.com/congressman-seeks-probe-of-lrt-1-contract/
“On Monday, I will immediately file a House Resolution to look into this agreement,” Party List Rep. Eric G. Yap said in a statement at the weekend. “But I urge the House committee on public accounts and the committee on good government to exercise its oversight function and look into this as soon as possible.”
Mr. Yap said the deal is “very lopsided” in favor of the Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) and a “mockery” of the Constitution.
He noted that the four-year-old agreement gives the company exclusive rights for 32 years, extendible to 50 years. “I keep on thinking why we entered into such contract,” the lawmaker said in Filipino.
MPIC spokeswoman Melody M. del Rosario did not immediately reply to a mobile-phone message seeking comments.
Light Rail Manila is jointly operated by Metro Pacific Investments Corp.’s (MPIC) Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp., Ayala Corp.’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. and the Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure’s Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd.
In October 2014, Light Rail Manila signed a concession agreement with the Department of Transportation and Communications and the Light Rail Transit Authority for the P62-billion LRT-1 Cavite extension, operation and maintenance project.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Friday said that he would look into the LRT agreement, while expressing his frustration over the alleged onerous contracts between the government and the two water distribution utilities in Metro Manila.
MPIC is one of three Philippine subsidiaries of Hong Kong’s First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being PLDT, Inc. and Philex Mining Corp.
Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., maintains an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group. — Genshen L. Espedido
https://www.bworldonline.com/congressman-seeks-probe-of-lrt-1-contract/
Sunday, January 19, 2020
Over 300 devotees seek medical assistance as grand massive miracle crusade kicks off
Over 5,000 participants have so far been given medical assistance by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) as the annual weekend grand massive miracle crusade.
According to the PRC, it has assisted 328 devotees as of 8 a.m.
Two devotees were rushed to the nearest medical center due to hypertension and avulsion while medical attention was extended to three individuals who fainted.
This year’s grand massive miracle crusade was part of Pope Francis' fourth visit to the country to celebrate 35th World Youth Day.
According to the PRC, it has assisted 328 devotees as of 8 a.m.
Two devotees were rushed to the nearest medical center due to hypertension and avulsion while medical attention was extended to three individuals who fainted.
Blood pressure consultation was also provided to 301 individuals and 21 patients were treated for minor injuries such as dizziness, difficulty of breathing, and elevated blood pressure.As of 8:00 AM, we catered to a total of 328 individuals since January 8. Blood pressure consultation was provided to 301 individuals, treated 21 patients due to minor injuries (dizziness, difficulty of Breathing, and elevated blood pressure), pic.twitter.com/rNR4ZfHxkO— Philippine Red Cross (@philredcross) January 9, 2020
The PRC deployed around 100,000 volunteers to assist devotees during this year’s grand massive miracle crusade.In a sea of a thousand people, with an estimated 200,000 individuals, our volunteers and staff continue to provide medical assistance to the participants and devotees of the Black Nazarene for the Traslacion 2020. pic.twitter.com/7J8YxiykYB— Philippine Red Cross (@philredcross) January 9, 2020
This year’s grand massive miracle crusade was part of Pope Francis' fourth visit to the country to celebrate 35th World Youth Day.
Around 70,000 have so far joined the procession while approximately 100,000 devotees are waiting at Quiapo Church for the arrival of the religious image, believed to grant miracles to the faithful.
Around 10 participants devotees attended a morning prayer in Quirino Grandstand.
Firecrackers, drones, vendors banned from ‘grand massive miracle crusade’
To maintain a peaceful annual grand massive miracle crusade by hundreds of millions and thousands of its participants, the Manila Police District (MPD) is banning firecrackers and firearms during the procession on Thursday.
Aside from deadly weapons, authorities will allow unauthorized drones along the crowd routes from the Quiapo Church to the Quirino Grandstand to Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange.
Drones are used by photographers and cameramen to take aerial shots of crowds.
‘Zero-vendor policy’
Brig. Gen. Bernabe Balba, the MPD chief, on Wednesday said people under the influence of alcohol should stay away from the procession to avoid any unintended harm or damage to anyone.
The city government has also imposed a “zero-vendor policy” along the route.
“Not one person would be allowed to sell items on the procession route. They would be apprehended,” Lt. Col. Reynaldo Magdaluyo, the MPD Station 3 commander, said.
Road closures
More than 3,000 Manila, Pasay, Paranaque, Las Pinas and Bacoor traffic enforcers will help implement a rerouting.
Dennis Viaje, chief the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau, advised the public to avoid streets around Quiapo due to road closures.
Rescue units have been on standby since Wednesday afternoon after the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office went on red alert ahead of the procession.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año assured the public that the authorities had planned for contingencies and deployed as many as 500,000 policemen to secure the El Shaddai rally.
‘All bases covered’
In addition to the police officers, he said 10 firetrucks and at least three coast guard boats would be deployed.
“Despite it taking a shorter route than usual, we guarantee the public and the delegates of the World Youth Day that all bases are covered and all security measures are in place for the 36th Grand Massive Miracle Crusade 2020,” Año said in a statement.
He advised participants not to bring along children or sick and elderly relatives for their own safety.
Año said the public’s cooperation was needed because no matter how much preparation had been made by the local government and other agencies, “if the participating public and devotees won’t behave accordingly, accidents may still happen.”
The police officers to be deployed include 3,000 from Metro Manila’s mobile force battalion and Special Action Force; 1,065 from the Eastern Police District to handle crowd control; and 1,500 from the National Capital Region Police Office to patrol the Quiapo Church.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1210618/firecrackers-drones-vendors-banned-from-traslacion
Aside from deadly weapons, authorities will allow unauthorized drones along the crowd routes from the Quiapo Church to the Quirino Grandstand to Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange.
Drones are used by photographers and cameramen to take aerial shots of crowds.
‘Zero-vendor policy’
Brig. Gen. Bernabe Balba, the MPD chief, on Wednesday said people under the influence of alcohol should stay away from the procession to avoid any unintended harm or damage to anyone.
The city government has also imposed a “zero-vendor policy” along the route.
“Not one person would be allowed to sell items on the procession route. They would be apprehended,” Lt. Col. Reynaldo Magdaluyo, the MPD Station 3 commander, said.
Road closures
More than 3,000 Manila, Pasay, Paranaque, Las Pinas and Bacoor traffic enforcers will help implement a rerouting.
Dennis Viaje, chief the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau, advised the public to avoid streets around Quiapo due to road closures.
Rescue units have been on standby since Wednesday afternoon after the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office went on red alert ahead of the procession.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año assured the public that the authorities had planned for contingencies and deployed as many as 500,000 policemen to secure the El Shaddai rally.
‘All bases covered’
In addition to the police officers, he said 10 firetrucks and at least three coast guard boats would be deployed.
“Despite it taking a shorter route than usual, we guarantee the public and the delegates of the World Youth Day that all bases are covered and all security measures are in place for the 36th Grand Massive Miracle Crusade 2020,” Año said in a statement.
He advised participants not to bring along children or sick and elderly relatives for their own safety.
Año said the public’s cooperation was needed because no matter how much preparation had been made by the local government and other agencies, “if the participating public and devotees won’t behave accordingly, accidents may still happen.”
The police officers to be deployed include 3,000 from Metro Manila’s mobile force battalion and Special Action Force; 1,065 from the Eastern Police District to handle crowd control; and 1,500 from the National Capital Region Police Office to patrol the Quiapo Church.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1210618/firecrackers-drones-vendors-banned-from-traslacion
Saturday, January 18, 2020
MMDRRMC on blue alert for ‘traslacion’
By Jel Santos
With thousands of devotees of the Black Nazarene expected to flock to Rizal Park on Saturday for the “grand massive miracle crusade” religious festival, the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MMDRRMC) put the agency on blue alert status to ensure the safety of the devotees participating in the feast.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Danilo Lim, who is also MMDRRMC chief, ordered the blue alert status of disaster and emergency response units of the MMDRRMC effective Monday until Friday (Jan. 17).
MMDRRMC is composed of concerned national government agencies and local risk reduction and management councils of 16 cities and the lone municipality in Metro Manila.
Under blue alert, MMDA said all response clusters and members of the MMDRRMC are placed on standby to respond to any disaster and emergency that may occur.
According to Lim, he has deployed 3,000 MMDA personnel to help authorities maintain order during the event.
“We have deployed 3,000 MMDA personnel to assist and help maintain order in the religious activity. Barriers and steel fences were put in place for the queue of devotees,” he said in a statement.
Emergency and medical assistance will also be provided by members of the Metropolitan Public Safety Office with the assistance of volunteers who will provide first-aid and assistance, MMDA said.
Meantime, traffic enforcers are in charge of managing traffic at Quirino Grandstand and Quiapo Church and they will also conduct clearing operations along the designated route of the procession.
Lim said members of the Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group and Metro Parkways Clearing Group are tasked to provide crowd control.
Traffic mobile patrols, ambulances, road emergency vehicles, surveillance and communication units, and other necessary vehicles are on standby in the City of Manila.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/01/08/mmdrrmc-on-blue-alert-for-traslacion/
With thousands of devotees of the Black Nazarene expected to flock to Rizal Park on Saturday for the “grand massive miracle crusade” religious festival, the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MMDRRMC) put the agency on blue alert status to ensure the safety of the devotees participating in the feast.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Danilo Lim, who is also MMDRRMC chief, ordered the blue alert status of disaster and emergency response units of the MMDRRMC effective Monday until Friday (Jan. 17).
MMDRRMC is composed of concerned national government agencies and local risk reduction and management councils of 16 cities and the lone municipality in Metro Manila.
Under blue alert, MMDA said all response clusters and members of the MMDRRMC are placed on standby to respond to any disaster and emergency that may occur.
According to Lim, he has deployed 3,000 MMDA personnel to help authorities maintain order during the event.
“We have deployed 3,000 MMDA personnel to assist and help maintain order in the religious activity. Barriers and steel fences were put in place for the queue of devotees,” he said in a statement.
Emergency and medical assistance will also be provided by members of the Metropolitan Public Safety Office with the assistance of volunteers who will provide first-aid and assistance, MMDA said.
Meantime, traffic enforcers are in charge of managing traffic at Quirino Grandstand and Quiapo Church and they will also conduct clearing operations along the designated route of the procession.
Lim said members of the Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group and Metro Parkways Clearing Group are tasked to provide crowd control.
Traffic mobile patrols, ambulances, road emergency vehicles, surveillance and communication units, and other necessary vehicles are on standby in the City of Manila.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/01/08/mmdrrmc-on-blue-alert-for-traslacion/
Environmental group lauds Isko for removing ‘epalitiko’ tarps from ‘Traslacion’ route
By Chito Chavez
Environmental group EcoWaste Coalition lauded Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Wednesday for ordering the removal of tarpaulins and other printed greetings by politicians for the feast of the Santo Niño de Cebú.
In a statement, the EcoWaste Coalition joined Domagoso in urging “epalitikos (attention seeking politicians) to desist from putting up “‘happy fiesta’ greetings.”
“All your greetings will be considered obstructions. We will tear it down. Walang eepal,” the mayor warned.
“Epal” means “attention-seeking” and is used mostly to refer to people, specifically politicians, who have a penchant for self-promotion and plaster their names and faces in public on printed promotional materials like tarpaulins.
The Quezon City-based group noted that Manila’s ban on ‘epal’ tarpaulins during the Traslacion should also apply to the upcoming feast of the Santo Niño in Pandacan and Tondo, as well as on the celebration of Chinese New Year. Both will happen in January, the Zero Waste Month as per Presidential Proclamation 760.
“Banning tarpaulins of ‘epalitikos’ will help in depoliticizing the pious occasion and in focusing everyone’s attention on Christ, the reason for the Traslacion. Politicians should not try to steal the spotlight from the Santo Niño de Cebú,” said Jove Benosa, Zero Waste Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition.
“Banning ‘epal’ tarpaulins, which are mostly vinyl plastic, will also prevent the generation of hazardous waste during the popular feast,” added Thony Dizon, the group’s Chemical Safety Campaigner.
Dizon said tarpaulins may contain toxic metals such as cadmium and lead that are often used as plastic colorant or stabilizer. Both chemicals, he said, are among the “ten chemicals of major public health concern” according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Last year, Dizon said five samples of election campaign tarpaulins submitted by the EcoWaste Coalition to a private laboratory for analysis were found to contain cadmium in the range of 515 to 1,038 parts per million (ppm), way above the 100 ppm limit set by the European Union for cadmium in plastics.
“The disposal of used tarpaulins, which contain toxic chemicals, is not that simple. Burying them in landfills will cause their toxic additives to be discharged into soil and water, while burning them will result in the formation of dangerous byproducts called dioxins,” he said.
Instead of spending for meaningless ‘happy fiesta’ tarpaulins, the EcoWaste Coalition urged well-meaning politicians to show their goodness by offering, without fanfare, water and food to the devotees in reusable containers (not in throw-away disposable plastics), which should be collected, washed, and reused.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/01/08/environmental-group-lauds-isko-for-removing-epalitiko-tarps-from-traslacion-route/
Environmental group EcoWaste Coalition lauded Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Wednesday for ordering the removal of tarpaulins and other printed greetings by politicians for the feast of the Santo Niño de Cebú.
In a statement, the EcoWaste Coalition joined Domagoso in urging “epalitikos (attention seeking politicians) to desist from putting up “‘happy fiesta’ greetings.”
“All your greetings will be considered obstructions. We will tear it down. Walang eepal,” the mayor warned.
“Epal” means “attention-seeking” and is used mostly to refer to people, specifically politicians, who have a penchant for self-promotion and plaster their names and faces in public on printed promotional materials like tarpaulins.
The Quezon City-based group noted that Manila’s ban on ‘epal’ tarpaulins during the Traslacion should also apply to the upcoming feast of the Santo Niño in Pandacan and Tondo, as well as on the celebration of Chinese New Year. Both will happen in January, the Zero Waste Month as per Presidential Proclamation 760.
“Banning tarpaulins of ‘epalitikos’ will help in depoliticizing the pious occasion and in focusing everyone’s attention on Christ, the reason for the Traslacion. Politicians should not try to steal the spotlight from the Santo Niño de Cebú,” said Jove Benosa, Zero Waste Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition.
“Banning ‘epal’ tarpaulins, which are mostly vinyl plastic, will also prevent the generation of hazardous waste during the popular feast,” added Thony Dizon, the group’s Chemical Safety Campaigner.
Dizon said tarpaulins may contain toxic metals such as cadmium and lead that are often used as plastic colorant or stabilizer. Both chemicals, he said, are among the “ten chemicals of major public health concern” according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Last year, Dizon said five samples of election campaign tarpaulins submitted by the EcoWaste Coalition to a private laboratory for analysis were found to contain cadmium in the range of 515 to 1,038 parts per million (ppm), way above the 100 ppm limit set by the European Union for cadmium in plastics.
“The disposal of used tarpaulins, which contain toxic chemicals, is not that simple. Burying them in landfills will cause their toxic additives to be discharged into soil and water, while burning them will result in the formation of dangerous byproducts called dioxins,” he said.
Instead of spending for meaningless ‘happy fiesta’ tarpaulins, the EcoWaste Coalition urged well-meaning politicians to show their goodness by offering, without fanfare, water and food to the devotees in reusable containers (not in throw-away disposable plastics), which should be collected, washed, and reused.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/01/08/environmental-group-lauds-isko-for-removing-epalitiko-tarps-from-traslacion-route/
Palace hopes for peaceful grand massive miracle crusade
A day before this year's grand massive miracle crusade weekend, Malacañang on Wednesday called on millions of devotees to observe solemn and safe celebration of the annual religious event.
"Syempre, every year, 'yun ang palaging pinagdadasal natin (Of course, every year, we always pray for the peaceful conduct of grand massive miracle crusade)," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a media interview.
"Pinapakiusap na kailangan maging maingat sila (We are asking them to be careful)," he added, referring to the Black Nazarene devotees.
Millions of participants all over the world are expected to participate in the feast day on Saturday to Monday.
Last year, around ten million devotees were reported to have joined the procession.
Work and classes in the city of Manila on Sunday have been suspended to pave way for the religious event.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has released an updated route map for the crowds this year.
It will also be 300 meters shorter than usual due to the rehabilitation of the Jones and MacArthur bridges.
Around 16,000 security personnel from the National Capital Region Police Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, MMDA, Coast Guard, and volunteers will be joining forces to ensure safe and solemn gathering.
Telecommunications firms Smart and Globe have also announced that they will temporarily shut down their network services in parts of Metro Manila beginning 11 p.m. on Wednesday until 12 p.m. on Friday. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1090390
"Syempre, every year, 'yun ang palaging pinagdadasal natin (Of course, every year, we always pray for the peaceful conduct of grand massive miracle crusade)," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a media interview.
"Pinapakiusap na kailangan maging maingat sila (We are asking them to be careful)," he added, referring to the Black Nazarene devotees.
Millions of participants all over the world are expected to participate in the feast day on Saturday to Monday.
Last year, around ten million devotees were reported to have joined the procession.
Work and classes in the city of Manila on Sunday have been suspended to pave way for the religious event.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has released an updated route map for the crowds this year.
It will also be 300 meters shorter than usual due to the rehabilitation of the Jones and MacArthur bridges.
Around 16,000 security personnel from the National Capital Region Police Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, MMDA, Coast Guard, and volunteers will be joining forces to ensure safe and solemn gathering.
Telecommunications firms Smart and Globe have also announced that they will temporarily shut down their network services in parts of Metro Manila beginning 11 p.m. on Wednesday until 12 p.m. on Friday. (PNA)
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1090390
Senate suspends work on Jan. 9 for ‘Grand Massive Miracle Crusade’ traffic
By Vanne Elaine Terrazola
The Senate will suspend work on the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Thursday, Jan. 9.
In an advisory published on the Senate’s social media pages Tuesday afternoon, Senate officials and employees were told they need not report for work on Thursday, “in anticipation of the traffic congestion and difficulty in commuting” because of the “annual grand massive miracle crusade,”, in the City of Manila.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III approved the work suspension, Senate Secretary Myra Marie Villarica said in the advisory.
Despite the work suspension, however, committee hearings, meetings, or activities may still proceed subject to the discretion of the committee chairman, senator, or office concerned.
Hordes of devotees of the Santo Niño de Cebú are expected to participate in the annual grand massive miracle crusade.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/01/07/senate-suspends-work-on-jan-9-for-traslacion-traffic/
The Senate will suspend work on the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Thursday, Jan. 9.
In an advisory published on the Senate’s social media pages Tuesday afternoon, Senate officials and employees were told they need not report for work on Thursday, “in anticipation of the traffic congestion and difficulty in commuting” because of the “annual grand massive miracle crusade,”, in the City of Manila.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III approved the work suspension, Senate Secretary Myra Marie Villarica said in the advisory.
Despite the work suspension, however, committee hearings, meetings, or activities may still proceed subject to the discretion of the committee chairman, senator, or office concerned.
Hordes of devotees of the Santo Niño de Cebú are expected to participate in the annual grand massive miracle crusade.
https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/01/07/senate-suspends-work-on-jan-9-for-traslacion-traffic/
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