Abaya presents planned MRT improvements

 Entertainment
Sep 092014
 
Abaya presents planned MRT improvements

The Metro Rail Transit (MRT) train slams the barrier at the corner of EDSA and Taft Avenue Station on Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 13, 2014) in Pasay City. (MNS photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya on Monday enumerated the list of planned improvements for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) including 48 new coaches, an automated ticketing system and replacement of rails. Speaking before a televised press conference at the Department of Transportation and Communications, Abaya said they expect three to four coaches to be delivered per month starting the last quarter of 2015. “We anticipate the requirements for the new 48 (coaches),” he said, adding that the agency is already working on procuring ancillary systems. He said power-substations will be upgraded while additional tracks will be laid down at Taft Avenue station. Certain parts of the rails will also be replaced. An automated fare collection system is also expected to be unveiled by 2015. Abaya admitted that they only recently learned that the train overhaul done in 2006 was not completed. “After the Senate hearing we found out that the 2006 overhaul done by the previous maintenance provider wasn’t the complete overhaul required,” he said, adding that only the traction motors were replaced. He said they will address the problem and will complete the overhaul by 2016. To address the complaints of passengers, he said they are also reviewing the conveyance systems. He said they will consider purchasing new elevators and escalators if it can no Read More …

Palace apologizes for NLEX traffic nightmare

 Entertainment
Sep 092014
 
Palace apologizes for NLEX traffic nightmare

“We ask for forgiveness of the public,” President Benigno Aquino III said as acknowledged that traffic problems have an impact on the growth of the economy. Malacañang on Saturday apologized to motorists and commuters for the traffic nightmare at the North Luzon Expressway, but maintained there is a need to decongest the Port of Manila. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda also said Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson is now monitoring the traffic situation in the area. “Humihingi kami ng paumanhin sa malaking trapik na nangyari kahapon,” Lacierda said on government-run dzRB radio, adding Singson is monitoring the situation in the NLEX. As of noon Saturday, the traffic at NLEX had improved. The NLEX website also indicated traffic at all areas was light as of noon (www.tollways.net.ph). But Lacierda also said there is a need to decongest the Port of Manila. “We really need to decongest and move these to Subic,” he said. On Wednesday, Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras announced the last mile routes and an all-day access to truck lanes. This is a “special privilege” for truckers, importers and brokers who would pull out their cargo from Manila ports in the next two Sundays and Monday mornings. (MNS)

Remittances from Fil-Ams a big boost to PHL economy

 Entertainment
Sep 092014
 
Remittances from Fil-Ams a big boost to PHL economy

The Philippine economy grew by 6.4 percent during the second quarter of 2014 also because of the millions of dollars that our kababayans, especially those in the US, have been sending home says Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Remittances from Filipinos in the United States and other parts of the world helped the Philippines regain its position as Southeast Asia’s best performing economy during the first semester of the year. “The Philippine economy grew by 6.4 percent during the second quarter of 2014 also because of the millions of dollars that our kababayans, especially those in the US, have been sending home,” Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. said after the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) announced the good news. “Our diaspora plays a very important role in the economic transformation now taking place in the Philippines,” Ambassador Cuisia said as he paid tribute to the 3.5 million members of the Filipino-American Community who consistently account for more than half of the total remittances the Philippines receive annually from abroad. Citing NEDA figures, Ambassador Cuisia said remittances by overseas-based Filipinos reached a new high for the year in June when inflows went up by 5.9 percent to $2.050 billion that month, raising the total for the first half by 5.8 percent to $11.422 billion. “Our economy is performing well as result of a stronger industry and services sector and robust remittances from overseas Filipinos,” Ambassador Cuisia said. “This should make the Philippines more competitive and more attractive Read More …

MinDA, PBSP launch economic program

 General
Sep 082014
 
MinDA, PBSP launch economic program

THE Mindanao Inclusive Agri-Business Program was officially launched on Monday in a bid to foster inclusive growth and peace in the island. “The initiative we launch today, the Mindanao Inclusive Agribusiness Program, comes at an opportune time, as we seek to transform Mindanao from the Land of Promise to the Land of Promises Fulfilled,” said President Beningo S. Aquino III in his key note message during the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Mindanao Membership Meeting and Launch of Mindanao Inclusive Agri-Business Program yesterday at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier, Davao City. The program is a partnership between the Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) and the PBSP, a business-led social development organization in the country with some 250 members of small to large companies. The partnership was formalized yesterday with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two parties. The MOU was signed by Minda chair Sec. Luwalhati R. Antonino and PBSP Mindanao regional committee chair Paul G. Dominguez. “This program… outlines clear strategic imperatives towards harnessing the resources of Mindanao for the common good,” Aquino said. He said through the Mindanao Inclusive Agribusiness Program, PBSP and its member companies and supporting agencies seek to engage the private sector to invest in Mindanao by helping build the capacities of its small farming communities, thus enabling them to capitalize on the rich resources and the many opportunities available in the region. “It is worth noting that the [initiative] moves along the direction of Minda’s mandate to enhance Read More …

Jinggoy sees Binay’s ratings taking a hit, but only temporarily

 News
Sep 082014
 
Jinggoy sees Binay’s ratings taking a hit, but only temporarily

Detained Senator Jinggoy Estrada on Monday admitted that he thinks Vice President Jejomar Binay’s rating could dip, given the ongoing Senate investigation into the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building II. “Maaapektuhan bahagya [ang ratings niya] pero alam naman ng mga tao na political persecution yun,” Estrada said during an interview after his bail hearing. Estrada is currently detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center on accusations that he pocketed millions in government funds by diverting his pork barrel allocations to alleged pork-scam operator Janet Lim-Napoles. He has repeatedly denied the accusation. Estrada also linked his arrest over the pork barrel scam to political persecution. “Parang kami, three senators were jailed, they already achieved their purpose, wala nang sumunod, eh. Itong si Secretary De Lima, laging sinasabi na may susunod na batch, pero until now, she’s silent on that. Ngayon pinupunterya naman nila si Vice President. Inuubos talaga nila ang members of the opposition,” Estrada said. A plunder and graft complaint had been filed against Binay and his son, incumbent Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, over the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building II. The younger Binay was a city councilor in 2007. The Senate, meanwhile, is conducting its own inquiry into the allegedly overpriced 11-story Makati building. The building has a total floor area of 31,928 square meters and has five parking floors, five office floors and a basement. The investigation was launched after Renato Bondal, the younger Binay’s opponent in the 2013 mayoralty race, alleged that the building Read More …

‘Pork’-like items in proposed 2015 budget alarms policy research group

 News
Sep 082014
 
‘Pork’-like items in proposed 2015 budget alarms policy research group

A policy reseach group said on Monday that lump-sum items in the P2.6-trillion proposed national budget for 2015 that the Palace submitted are alarming because of their discretionary nature. According to Sandra Aguinaldo’s report on “24 Oras”, Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CENPEG) senior fellow Prof. Bobby Tuazon explained that with lump sums, “you give ‘yung mga lawmaker at saka ang president huge amounts of money upon their discretion. Eh ‘di binubukas mo ang kaban ng yaman ng bansa sa pagiging vulnerable sa corruption.” ‘President’s pork barrel’ In the proposed budget for 2015, P48.1 billion is allotted for the lump-sum special purpose fund. Only the president can give the green light to use this fund, which includes the P14-billion calamity fund and P2-billion contingent fund for new and urgent projects and activities. This is why some critics of the government call these items the “president’s pork barrel.” Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad defended the existence of lump-sum items that other countries have lump sum items in their budgets too because it’s difficult to determine where exactly the fund will be used. “Halimbawa, ‘yung calamity fund, kailangan maglaan ka ng pondo para kung may tumamang mga bagyo. Dito naman sa atin sigurado namang may tatamang bagyo. Hindi mo lang alam kung kailan at kung gaano kalakas at kung saan tatama.” “Parang pareho ‘yan sa contingency fund. Halimbawa, nagkagulo sa Syria tapos kailangan maglikas ng mga Pilipino, magbigay ng legal assistance… Hindi mo inaasahan ‘yun so doon natin china-charge sa contingency Read More …

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