San Miguel Corporation to resume construction of Skyway Extension on May 15

After two months of work stoppage, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) will resume construction of the Skyway Extension Project tomorrow, May 15, following the issuance of guidelines for construction projects by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Once completed, the project will extend Skyway up to Susana Heights/Muntinlupa Cavite Expressway. Its Phase 1 was initially targeted for completion in December 2020. At the moment, SMC is unable to determine a new completion date, given that only a limited number of workers can resume construction to ensure that safety, sanitation, and health requirements can be enforced.

“We have been given the go-signal by government to resume work on the Skyway extension, and while we cannot yet go full blast, we will do whatever we can to deliver this project as close as we can to the original deadline,” said SMC president and COO Ramon S. Ang. “We have to work smart, be efficient, and most of all, keep the workers safe.”

SMC guaranteed that workers will follow the basic rules of social distancing. Masks, gloves, hand sanitation, and disinfection facilities will be provided, and workers will be housed on-site.

Skyway management said that upon the resumption of work, about 700 meters of Lane 3 of the Skyway At-Grade northbound section, from the old Alabang Entry Plaza, will be closed to traffic for one month. This is to enable the installation of scaffoldings to build the columns for Pier 34-39.

https://www.topgear.com.ph/news/motoring-news/skyway-extension-construction-resumes-a2578-20200514

Over 10,300 sign up for gov't transport service for stranded students

Over 10,000 students stranded in schools and dormitories due to coronavirus lockdowns have asked the government for help to return home, a transportation official said Tuesday.

Philippine Ports Authority General Manager Jay Santiago said more than 10,300 have registered online for the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) "Hatid Estudyante" program, which seeks to transport stranded students to their hometowns.

Santiago, who heads the program, clarified that they still need to "filter" the figure as some registrations may be double entries.

Stranded students may sign up for the program through an online form, where they will be asked to provide personal details, said Santiago.

Santiago noted that stranded students aged 18 and below need to provide a letter indicating their parents' consent.

"We will try to consolidate their request with other students who are similarly situated, meaning, same location where they are now, same location where they want to go home," he told ABS-CBN in an interview.

The DOTr will fetch the students from their dormitories once the agency gets confirmation from the local government of their respective destinations that they would accept them, said Santiago.

"We treat it on a per LGU (local government unit) basis, we coordinate with the local chief executives so they will understand the plight of the students and accept the students when they come back," he said.

Santiago said they have made arrangements with 2 local government units to bring home the first batch of stranded students by Thursday.

An earlier survey by the Commission on Higher Education found that over 9,000 tertiary education students were stranded in dormitories and schools nationwide.

Local governments have implemented strict border control as a measure against the spread of the new coronavirus disease. Restrictions are expected to ease in more areas shifting to general community quarantine by Saturday.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/12/20/over-10300-sign-up-for-govt-transport-service-for-stranded-students

Church, LGU leaders asked to discuss ban on religious gatherings

Church leaders should coordinate with officials of local government units (LGUs) to come up with a plan if they want to implement a resumption of religious gatherings in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ), Malacañang said on Monday.

In a virtual presser, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this statement after Apostolic Administrator of Manila, Bishop Broderick Pabillo called on the government to allow church services stressing that “religious services are also essential services” during this time of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

Roque bared that while the majority of the members of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) are supportive of church leaders’ calls to reopen churches, they are simply heeding to local officials’ call to prohibit the resumption of religious gatherings.

“I’m sure po na karamihan naman ng mga miyembro sa IATF ay sang-ayon na ipatuloy ang mga religious gatherings. Pero ang sabi ko nga po noong binawi iyan ng IATF, ang mga nagreklamo ay mga mga local na opisyales din natin (I’m sure majority of the IATF members agree that religious gatherings should be allowed. But as I said, the IATF had to retract it after local officials complained),” Roque said.

In its initial guidelines on the GCQ released April 30, the IATF said mass gatherings are still prohibited but essential work and religious gatherings may be allowed as long as strict social distancing is observed.

The local officials warned that resuming religious gatherings could lead to more transmissions of coronavirus disease (Covid-19), prompting IATF to review its guidelines on religious assemblies in GCQ areas.

On May 1, the IATF considered the local officials’ recommendation and decided that essential work and religious gatherings should remain prohibited in places under GCQ.

Roque said church leaders and local officials should meet and discuss ways to compromise.

“Kinakailangan po talaga magkaroon ng (There should really be) close coordination between the different churches and their local government units at sila po mismo (and they themselves), they have to present a plan to the local government units,” he said.

Roque emphasized the need to observe strict social distancing and good hygiene, reminding of how the spread of the Covid-19 in South Korea was linked to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus.

“Supposing na itutuloy nga po ang (we resume) religious gatherings, how sure are we po na magkakaroon ng (that there will be) social distancing kasi may mga lugar po kagaya ng South Korea kung saan kumalat nga po iyang Covid-19 dahil sa mga (because there are places like in South Korea where Covid-19 was further spread because of) religious gatherings),” he said.

In a May 4 statement released on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines' website, Pabillo said religion is very important to many Filipinos for it gives them strength, especially in difficulties.

“Allowing people to go back to Church to thank the Lord, to ask for his protection and implore his help, are deemed very important by the people,” he said, stressing that allowing public masses “will uplift their spirits to a great extent”.

Fr. Elias Ayuban, superior of the Claretian congregation in the Philippines, also called for the reopening of churches, particularly in dioceses where there are no Covid-19 cases.

He said that if going to the market is allowed, he saw no reason why an organized Sunday gathering in a cathedral or spacious parish church, where physical separation can easily be executed, is not permitted.

“It is about time to reopen the doors of our churches for people to pray. While it is true that we can pray anywhere, there is no place like the church and no celebration like the mass,” Ayuban said.

Last week, the Archdiocese of Manila prepared guidelines for religious services, including the holding of masses once the government allows the conduct of these activities.

Among the protocols to be followed by the clergy and the faithful is the wearing of face masks, no holding of hands during Our fathers, and having their body temperature checked using a thermal body scanner.

Churches are also encouraged to hold masses on weekdays, but live streaming will continue for the benefit of those unable to participate in the community celebrations.

Metro Manila; Central Luzon, except Aurora; Calabarzon; Benguet; Pangasinan; Iloilo province; Cebu province; Bacolod City; Davao City, Zamboanga City, and Albay province are still under ECQ which is expected to end on May 15.

The GCQ, with relaxed quarantine measures, is currently being implemented in all low-risk and moderate-risk areas nationwide since May 1.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1102526

LRMC resumes works on LRT1 Cavite extension project

Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC), the private operator of Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1), has resumed works on the 11.7-kilometer Cavite extension project.

In a statement Thursday, LRMC said it secured the green light from the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and Department of Transportation (DOTr) to carry on with select repair and infrastructure works while the enhanced community quarantine is still in place.

“The scheduled test pit works (bridge and pipe inspection) required for the construction along the CAVITEX-Parañaque bridge is set to begin on May 7, 2020 (7 a.m.) until May 22, 2020 (11:59 p.m.),” the railway operator said.

There will be a temporary road closure of the innermost lane or northbound along CAVITEX-Parañaque bridge to give way to the necessary activities in the area during the same period.

This was previously announced and rescheduled due to the government’s implementation of enhanced community quarantine last March 17.

Design works, assembly works, and select tasks at the precast yard area are also ongoing for the Cavite extension project—which would see the LRT 1 line reach Bacoor, Cavite, LRMC said.

As part of the DOTr’s request to allow the resumption of maintenance and construction work on current rail projects, the company complied with the IATF’s stated guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in their workplace.

LRMC said it has implemented the following measures in their workplace at all times:

• Reducing operations to a skeletal workforce
• Providing accommodations and point-to-point shuttle services for workers
• Regular disinfection of all workplaces, shuttles, and accommodations
• Regular monitoring of personnel health and COVID-19 symptoms
• Imposition of physical distancing and proper hygiene

Preventive and corrective maintenance works, including the replacement of air-conditioning compressor units, are now in progress to ensure the public of better service when LRT1 resumes operations, according to LRMC.

Public transport operations have been suspended since March 17 in line with the government’s enhanced community quarantine enforced in Luzon.

“Rest assured that we are taking every opportunity during this time to come back better for Filipino commuters. We are taking great efforts to make sure our workers remain safe and healthy by following the proper guidelines and precautions set by the government,” LRMC chief operating officer Enrico Benipayo said.—AOL, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/737275/lrmc-resumes-works-on-lrt1-cavite-extension-project/story/

LRT 1 extension project resumes

The Light Rail Transit 1 extension to Cavite province has restarted “limited works” after the government allowed railway projects to resume amid strict quarantine measures.

Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC), the Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and Ayala Corp.-led operator of LRT 1, said they had started “select repair and infrastructure work.”

The project, which will extend the LRT 1 in Metro Manila by 11.7 kilometers to Bacoor, Cavite, was slated for completion next year.

It was stalled along with other infrastructure projects last March when the government imposed a lockdown in Luzon.

According to LRMC, the scheduled bridge and pipe inspection needed for construction along the Cavite Expressway will take place from May 7 to May 22.

This will require the temporary road closure of the innermost northbound lane along Cavitex-Parañaque bridge.—Miguel R. Camus

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1270361/lrt-1-extension-project-resumes

Infra, Repair Works Resume In LRT-1 Cavite Extension

The Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), the private operator of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1), has resumed infrastructure and repair works on the LRT-1 Cavite Extension project after being given green light by government regulators.

In a statement on Tuesday, the LRMC said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), with support from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), has allowed the resumption of infrastructure works, with compliance to guidelines set by the IATF-EID to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

The resumption of works includes scheduled pit works (bridge and pipe inspection) which require temporary road closure of the innermost northbound lane along the Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) – Parañaque Bridge from May 7 (Thursday) at 7 a.m. to May 22 at 11:59 p.m.

It said the temporary road closure was previously announced and was rescheduled due to the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

“Design works, assembly works and select tasks at the precast yard area are also ongoing for the Cavite Extension Project — which would see the LRT-1 line reach Bacoor, Cavite,” the LRMC said.

It said the works would comply with guidelines set by the IATF-EID such as the reduction of personnel to a skeletal workforce, accommodation and transportation for workers, regular disinfection of workplaces, shuttles, and accommodations, regular health monitoring, physical distancing, and proper hygiene.

Better Service

Following preventive and corrective maintenance works, such as replacement of air-conditioning compressor units, the LRMC said the LRT-1 will be ready and will provide better service to commuters once it resumes operation after the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila.

“Rest assured that we are taking every opportunity during this time to come back better for Filipino commuters. We are taking great efforts to make sure our workers remain safe and healthy by following the proper guidelines and precautions set by the government,” said LRMC Chief Operating Officer Enrico Benipayo. (PNA)

http://pageone.ph/infra-repair-works-resume-in-lrt-1-cavite-extension/

Work on LRT 1 Cavite Extension resumes–LRMC

Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC) has resumed limited works on the Cavite Extension of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1, after it received the approval of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infections Diseases (IATF-EID) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Enrico Benipayo, the company’s COO, said the two government agencies have agreed to allow the company to “carry on with select repair and infrastructure works while the enhanced community quarantine is still in place.”

He noted that scheduled test pit works, including bridge and pipe inspection, will start on Thursday and will last until May 22. This will necessitate the temporary closure of the innermost lane of the Cavitex-Parañaque bridge.

Benipayo added that design works, assembly works and select tasks at the precast yard area are also ongoing for the Cavite extension.

“Rest assured that we are taking every opportunity during this time to come back better for Filipino commuters. We are taking great efforts to make sure our workers remain safe and healthy by following the proper guidelines and precautions set by the government,” he said.

LRMC has complied with the IATF’s health and safety measures, including the deployment of a skeleton work force, the provision of accommodations and shuttle services for employees, regular disinfection of surfaces, monitoring of personnel, and keeping with social distancing and proper hygiene protocols.

To recall, coronavirus disease 2019 has forced infrastructure companies to temporarily halt work due to the risk of spreading the virus. But the IATF recently announced that construction activities are necessary to economic growth, especially once the situation improves.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/05/06/work-on-lrt-1-cavite-extension-resumes-lrmc/

Ayala and MPIC resume works on LRT 1 extension

Light Rail Manila Corp., a joint venture between Ayala Corp. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., resumed works on the extension of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 to Cavite after receiving the green light from the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and Department of Transportation (DOTr) amid the enhanced community quarantine.

“Rest assured that we are taking every opportunity during this time to come back better for Filipino commuters. We are taking great efforts to make sure our workers remain safe and healthy by following the proper guidelines and precautions set by the government,” Enrico Benipayo, chief operating officer of LRMC, said.

The scheduled test pit works (bridge and pipe inspection) required for the construction along the CAVITEX–Paranaque bridge is set to begin on May 07 until May 22, 2020.

As a result, there will be a temporary road closure of the innermost lane (northbound) along CAVITEX–Paranaque bridge to give way to the necessary activities in the area during the same period.

This was previously announced and rescheduled due to the government’s implementation of Enhanced Community Quarantine program on March 17.

LRMC also said preventive and corrective maintenance works, including the replacement of air-conditioning compressor units, were in progress to ensure the public of better service when LRMC resumes operations of LRT-1.

Public transport operations have been suspended since March 17 in line with the government’s enhanced community quarantine enforced in Luzon.

https://manilastandard.net/index.php/business/corporate/323155/ayala-and-mpic-resume-works-on-lrt-1-extension.html

Infra, repair works resume in LRT-1 Cavite Extension

WORKS RESUME AT LRT-1. Personnel of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) conduct maintenance works after being given the green light by government regulators. The Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) on Tuesday said works for the LRT-1 Cavite Extension resumed, aside from improvement works that would benefit commuters once the enhanced community quarantine is lifted in Metro Manila. (Photo courtesy of LRMC)

The Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC), the private operator of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1), has resumed infrastructure and repair works on the LRT-1 Cavite Extension project after being given green light by government regulators.

In a statement on Tuesday, the LRMC said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), with support from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), has allowed the resumption of infrastructure works, with compliance to guidelines set by the IATF-EID to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

The resumption of works includes scheduled pit works (bridge and pipe inspection) which require temporary road closure of the innermost northbound lane along the Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) – Parañaque Bridge from May 7 (Thursday) at 7 a.m. to May 22 at 11:59 p.m.

It said the temporary road closure was previously announced and was rescheduled due to the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

“Design works, assembly works and select tasks at the precast yard area are also ongoing for the Cavite Extension Project — which would see the LRT-1 line reach Bacoor, Cavite,” the LRMC said.

It said the works would comply with guidelines set by the IATF-EID such as the reduction of personnel to a skeletal workforce, accommodation and transportation for workers, regular disinfection of workplaces, shuttles, and accommodations, regular health monitoring, physical distancing, and proper hygiene.

Better service

Following preventive and corrective maintenance works, such as replacement of air-conditioning compressor units, the LRMC said the LRT-1 will be ready and will provide better service to commuters once it resumes operation after the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila.

“Rest assured that we are taking every opportunity during this time to come back better for Filipino commuters. We are taking great efforts to make sure our workers remain safe and healthy by following the proper guidelines and precautions set by the government,” said LRMC Chief Operating Officer Enrico Benipayo.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1101974

Work on infra projects resumes

Private contractors want to get ‘Build, Build, Build’ back on track

Big contractors are raring to begin work on major infrastructure projects to help bring the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program back on track.

Major public and private construction projects from railways to elevated roads have stalled since the Duterte administration imposed strict quarantine measures last March amid the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Some of those restrictions have been rolled back with proper safety protocols in place, allowing some construction activities to continue.

EEI Corp. CEO Roberto Jose L. Castillo told the Inquirer they have resumed work on the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 just before the weekend.

Controlled by conglomerate San Miguel Corp., the MRT-7 is a 23-kilometer railway line that will link San Jose del Monte in Bulacan and North Ave. in Quezon and cut the usual two-hour travel time by car to about 30 minutes.

“The rail authorities got permission from the IATF to restart work on all rail projects in Metro Manila,” Castillo said, referring to the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force.

Castillo said they have adequate safety protocols and personal protective equipment (PPE).

“We had the opportunity to train many of our people in observing safety protocols and wearing of the additional PPEs when we worked on the conversion of some the PICC Forum tent, Rizal Memorial Stadium,” he said.

Megawide Construction Corp.,the builder of the Mactan Cebu International Aiport and the new passenger terminal in Clark International Airport, said they were preparing to restart business.

“We’re ready with new health and safety standards,” Megawide CEO Edgar Saavedra said in a text message.

The IATF on April 29 issued Resolution No. 30 that outlined which construction projects may resume.

For areas under the less strict general enhanced community quarantine, essential public and private construction projects will be allowed. These include water sewerage, health facilities and other “priority projects.”

Areas under enhanced community quarantine, which was extended in places such as Metro Manila and Central Luzon until May 15, are still subject to strict guidelines. Priority projects are health facilities, disaster-risk and rehabilitation activities.

In a virtual briefing on Friday, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the government would continue its “Build, Build, Build” projects despite the COVID-19 crisis.

These include the 35-km Metro Manila Subway from Quezon City to Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport and the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 rehabilitation project. The Department of Transportation also imposed safety requirements such as on-site accommodation for workers and point-to-point shuttle services.

Over the weekend, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar also announced the partial resumption of the “Build, Build, Build” program. He said only workers aged 21 to 59 years old without preexisting health conditions would be included in the workforce

https://business.inquirer.net/296380/work-on-infra-projects-resumes