Neda chief: Mega Manila Subway project up for Palace OK in September Read more: http://business.inquirer.net/235275/malacanang-president-rodrigo-duterte-neda-secretary-ernesto-pernia-mega-manila-subway-project-malacanang-approval#ixzz4q00ceC4i Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook

The country’s first subway system will be up for President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval next month ahead of the planned signing of the loan agreement between the Philippine and Japanese governments in November, the country’s chief economist said Thursday.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia told a press conference that the P230-billion Mega Manila Subway Project Phase 1 will be in the agenda of the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) Board, chaired by the President, in its meeting early September.

“The subway is going to be the project of the century for the Philippines,” said Pernia, who heads the state planning agency Neda.

Neda documents showed that the project was still pending approval of Neda’s Investment Coordination Committee (ICC), but Pernia later told reporters that it can be fast-tracked ahead of the Neda Board meeting.

Pernia said the feasibility study for the proposed subway was already completed, while the scope and financing were being finalized at the ICC level.

The Neda chief said they were eyeing below 1-percent interest for the loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), payable in 20 years with a 15-year grace period.

Groundbreaking for the project will be in December next year, for completion by 2022, Neda documents showed.

The loan will be signed by Duterte and Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the Asean Summit set in November.

In June, Pernia disclosed to the Inquirer that the Philippine government was eyeing to secure the largest official development assistance (ODA) from Japan for the subway system that will serve Metro Manila and surrounding areas.

Pernia had said that an estimated $4.4 billion in ODA from Jica was in the pipeline to finance the Mega Manila Subway Project.

To date, the biggest ODA loan package provided by Jica to the Philippines was 241.9 billion yen or about $2 billion for the $2.88-billion North-South Commuter Railway Project that will connect Tutuban in Manila to Malolos City, Bulacan.

According to the government’s “Build, Build, Build” website, the Department of Transportation-led project will connect major business hubs and government centers in the metropolis through a 25-kilometer underground mass transportation system connecting Quezon City and Taguig City.

In its first year of operation, it will serve about 370,000 passengers, complementing existing rail systems in Metro Manila such as the Light Rail Transit and Metro Rail Transit systems.

A separate Jica briefing paper in May showed that the entire subway could extend beyond Metro Manila to San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan up north and Dasmariñas City, Cavite down south.

Based on Jica’s roadmap study, the Mega Manila Subway could run up to 75 kilometers with 23 stations.

So as not to disrupt activity above ground while rolling out the project, Jica had said the plan was to undertake “underground construction adjacent to existing substructures.”

Given that Metro Manila is also prone to floods, the project will entail “application of water shut panels to prevent from inundation during heavy flooding,” Jica had said.

The subway will also spur commercial activities through “non-railway facilities in front of, and along, underground stations,” according to Jica.

Read more: http://business.inquirer.net/235275/malacanang-president-rodrigo-duterte-neda-secretary-ernesto-pernia-mega-manila-subway-project-malacanang-approval#ixzz4q00kM9qw
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Anj Dee for arena swimwear

Ironman challenge raises P413-million tourism receipts for PHL

LOCAL tourism stakeholders were estimated to have earned at least $8.1 million (P413 million) in visitor receipts from the recent Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3, one of largest and most competitive triathlon events in the Asia-Pacific region.

In a news conference at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa, race central for the sports event, Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon T. Teo said: “This event commences 2017 as the banner year for sports tourism in our country. Such events rake in tourism earnings for our people, as well as become excellent participative sports and fitness venue for all, as there are some local and international celebrities who participate. One benefit is that each participant spends about $3,000 [P153,000] and brings in three more companions, as this is a lifestyle activity.”

Teo said the Department of Tourism (DOT) will be cohosting the triathlon event again in 2018, as foreign participants in this year’s competition, held in Cebu on August 6, said they were looking forward to returning to the Philippines, not only to conquer the challenging triathlon competition, but also to enjoy again the Filipino’s unique brand of hospitality.

Over 2,700 triathletes from 52 countries participated in the 10th anniversary of the sports event this year, which was organized by Sunrise Events Inc. in cooperation with the DOT. “Nine years ago, we didn’t even imagine having Ironman 70.3 here in the Philippines, and here we are holding our 10th anniversary in Cebu, in partnership with the DOT,” said Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, Sunrise Events founder and chief executive. Uytengsu is also president and CEO of Alaska Milk Corp.

Teo added that since the Philippines started hosting the Ironman 70.3 challenge in 2003, the event “has branded our country as a crown jewel of sports tourism in Asia.  Such events mark the Philippines as a go-to destination for sports tourism in Southeast Asia.”

Australian Tim Reed, who posted his best time (three hours, 15 minutes and seven seconds) in his third straight victory, said, “I’ll definitely be back next year as Cebu is a special place for me.”

Female champion Amelia Watkinson of New Zealand said she was excited to return, not only to compete in Ironman 70.3, but also to meet the local people. “I find people in Cebu very supportive and exciting with the crowd on the side of the streets smiling, waving little colorful banners, marching bands playing, cheering for us, go-go-go,” she added. Watkinson is no stranger to the Philippines having triumphed in last year’s 5150 triathlon in Subic, Zambales.

Runner-up and fan favorite Mauricio Mendez of Mexico said he was amazed at the beautiful sunrise of Mactan. “It is so beautifully spectacular amid one of the tightest races I’ve ever run. I like how the race was professionally put together. I’m happy here in Cebu and will be back.”

Cebu has been hosting the Ironman 70.3 challenge since 2012.

Other major competitors in the Pro elite category include Caroline Steffen (Switzerland) and Filipino-Australian Kim Kilgroe, along with locals champs, such as August Benedicto and Leanne Szeto. Also spotted were celebrity actors and TV personalities, like Matteo Guidicelli, Paul Jake Castillo, Ivan Carapiet, Raffy Tima, Erwan Heussaff, Drew Arellano, Ryan Agoncillo, Gilbert Remulla, Anthony and Maricel Laxa Pangilinan, Kim Atienza, Bubbles Paraiso, Dyan Castillejo, Dingdong Dantes, Solenn Heussaff, Isabelle Daza, Piolo Pascual, Jake Cuenca, Kim Chui, Gerald Anderson, Enchong Dee and Xander Angeles.

The DOT chief invited all participants to return to Cebu for the Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship next year. “The Department of Tourism and its marketing arm, the Tourism Promotions Board, will host the Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship 2018,” Teo announced.

The Ironman triathlon course started in the Mactan Channel off Shangri-La Mactan Resort where the athletes battled it out in a swimming competition (1.9 km). The next challenge was a bike race (90 km), which traversed four cities of Cebu province forming the M-Loop in urban Cebu.  Finally, the running portion (21 km) along Punta Engaño had thousands of townsfolk cheering up to the last competitor of the race.

Recognized since 2004 by international tourism and lifestyle publications, such as Conde Nast Traveler and Travel and Leisure Magazine, Cebu’s distinct attractions fit any triathlete’s requirements for a meaningful and memorable travel experience. The province has fine-sand beaches, picturesque islands, appetizing native cuisine, local handicrafts, relaxing spas, diverse shopping venues, an exciting nightlife and topped by the talents and natural warmth of the Cebuanos.

https://businessmirror.com.ph/ironman-challenge-raises-p413-million-tourism-receipts-for-phl/

UPVST for SPEEDO

Execution problem

We have a habit of electing officials who talk big, encourage us to dream big, but fail to deliver. They seem to think that their only obligation is to make feasibility studies. Never mind implementation or execution. That’s why they call their programs, The Dream Plan.

I just came upon a memo dated April 11, 1995 jointly signed by then DTI sec. Rizalino Navarro and then finance secretary Roberto de Ocampo that suggested we should have had a new international airport at Clark 20 years ago. That’s right – two decades ago. That Navarro and de Ocampo memo was approved by FVR May 18, 1995.

It was only recently that the current DOTr Secretary Art Tugade finally came out with an official policy calling for the joint development of NAIA and Clark in a dual international gateway strategy.

More specifically, the Navarro-de Ocampo memo established the policy as follows: 1) NAIA and Clark Airports would be developed simultaneously and 2) Clark Airport would be the country’s premier international airport in the medium to long terms.

The adoption of the dual airport policy decision was based by FVR Cabinet members on various studies (Mitsui, Aeroport de Paris, PCI, ADC, Changi Airport Services, BAA and ItalThai). Look at that… ka dami palang studies already and the P-Noy administration was ready to spend more money on a new study until their term mercifully ended.

The same memo called for the immediate construction of NAIA T3 and phase down of T1. That is another horrible chapter in this airport saga that I blame on bad execution on the part of FVR.

As we know, FVR lost his sense of purpose in the tailend of his term after he realized he was not going to get a constitutional change to extend his term. He made such bad decisions like awarding the T3 construction to Piatco based on a faulty apples-to-orange comparison of the Swiss challenge proposal of Piatco to that of the taipans.

Back to the Navarro-de Ocampo memo, they called for Clark’s development to start not later than 1996 “with a targeted initial operating date of 1998…” See that… by the time the new Clark terminal opens in 2020 we would have lost over 20 years.

It is interesting to note that the memo pointed out doing Clark is “in line with our overall objective of shifting development from the Metro Manila area and into the countryside…

 “It will also contribute to the decongestion of the NAIA complex and surrounding vehicular traffic. And the proposed relocation site is sufficiently large to accommodate the country’s premier airport in the long term.”

That Navarro-de Ocampo memo really brought my spirits down. If even the best post EDSA administration we had could have this serious execution problem, what hope do we have?

FVR was so far the best president we have had. Not only did he have a vision, he was meticulous and hands on. He exuded a strong political will to get things done. He showed impatience to bring us to developed nation status.

Or maybe FVR was just a good actor, a good propagandist who knew the right things to say and never mind bringing his good ideas to reality. Maybe FVR fooled us and the international community as well because he made us believe he was a leader with the same foresight and drive as Malaysia’s Mahathir.

If a seemingly hands-on chief executive like FVR could fail to bring a project he approved into reality, can a more parochial and a more detached Duterte, who has left everything to his economic managers, do better?

Maybe what made FVR falter in his waning years can be blamed to politics… he played politics as he tried to gain a term extension. FVR and his successors failed the country in the following cases:

North Rail, for which Spain provided a grant and a go signal given to noted Spanish rail company Ferrocarriles, was f....d up by the then speaker who proposed to divide the contract into two (the other half to his preferred contractor Ital-Thai) for what he called a win-win. That was unrealistic, unfair and senseless but humoring him dragged out the project till the end of the administration without forward progress.

One other bad decision FVR made wasted a lot of big money over the years on an idle Subic container port built with Japanese ODA. Subic would have been fully developed as the region’s key container port by Li Kashing if FVR didn’t side with monopolistic vested interest keen on protecting the obsolete Manila port it holds. Sayang! This decision killed his claim to be a monopoly buster.

Erap seemed more interested in appointing his own people to Clark and Subic (even ousting Gordon). Erap was too preoccupied with self aggrandizement and ended up with scandals like the BW Resources and the alleged jueteng payoffs that caused his impeachment.

GMA was more interested in renaming Clark airport after her father, then proceeded to play footsies with China starting with the North Rail and then the infamous ZTE scam. But at least she began to open Clark up to “international budget flights.”

P-Noy was all talk and no action. He did next to nothing about infrastructure development other than talk about PPP which turned out to be just PowerPoint Presentations. Some speculate he couldn’t countenance having the world land at Macapagal Airport instead of Ninoy Aquino Airport.

Or maybe P-Noy was just incompetent. He called for a market study to do the four-kilometer extension of LRT-2 to Masinag that delayed a go decision. The only market study needed was to visit the area and see the crowd generating the foot traffic that made SM build a mall there.

And P-Noy killed a French study for Clark airport because he found building for eight million passengers too big. He is unaware of the need to build infrastructure for future demand. This same French study is now going to be used by BCDA.

 Execution problem is killing our hopes of catching up with our ASEAN neighbors. We were economically ahead of all the original ASEAN members when the organization was organized 50 years ago. Now we are last, thanks to all our presidents.

I like Build Build Build. I like it that it is starting to break ground. But given the quality of politicians surrounding the President, I worry its lofty ambitions are in danger. Political interference (as what happened in the unbundling of domestic airports due for O and M bidding) shows the problem.

MRT-3

As expected, my friend Rene Santiago, an experienced expert in transport and infra development, reacted sharply to my column last Friday. Here is his comment:

“BRT on MRT-3 tracks is regression, not progression.

“Simple math. With 22 trains (without the Dalian LRVs), MRT-3 has capacity for 22,000 pax/hour/direction. The BRT at one minute headway can deliver 12,000 pphd. At 30-seconds headway, which is very dangerous for buses driven by human beings on a single lane, that would be 24,000 pphd.

“A radical option (and more dramatic) is government expropriation of MRT-3 assets. That would be better than EVBO that DOF is struggling with. Compensation is already stated in the BLT agreement. Besides, more than 50 percent of the assets are already owned by the government since the BLT is more than halfway.

“Expropriation can immediately be followed by a tender for private sector takeover plus $300 million new investments to double MRT-3 capacity (40,000 pphd). Template from LRT-1 extension already on hand.”

Anj Dee for TIMEX

Anj Dee

Catch Anj Dee for TIMEX IRONMAN!

Enchong Dee for arena swimwear

Catch Enchong Dee for arena Swimwear and TIMEX IRONMAN WATCH combo!

Enchong Dee

He was 2009 UAAP Swimming Championship Senior’s Division MVP and 2009 UAAP Swimming Champion – DLSU Green Tankers! Also, he was a member of Bodyworx Spa and Fitness Club!

Enchong Dee’s Arena Swimwear and Timex Ironman combo contains 2011 Nike DLSU Centennial Jacket and Pant, Nike DLSU Tee (White), ARN-4091-blk swimcap, AGL- 1400-EMBL goggle, Timex Ironman Triathlon 100-Lap Resin Strap Watch #T5F591 and ＡＲＮ-６０１４ 　ｎｕｘ-F　ニュークスＦ スパッツ  DGRNDグリーン　jammer!

How daughter helps Dingdong with ‘Alyas Robin Hood’ role

The teaser of the second season of “Alyas Robin Hood” speaks loudly of the action scenes inherent to the series that start sairing Aug. 14 on GMA-7.

So how did Dingdong Dantes prepare for such scenes?

The actor proudly shared his training involve mainly his one-year old daughter, Zia.

A hands-on father, Dingdong revealed that whenever she puts down Zia, he has to “sprint” to catch up with his daughter who’s fond of running.

According to Dingdong, the new season has more to offer compared to its predecessor. He believes the excitement of avid followers will be doubled this time around.

“Our week one will showcase a lot of stunts,” said Dingdong. “We recently shot ’yung isa sa mga pinakamahirap pero very rewarding kasi kapag pinag dikit dikit na masarap panuorin.”

The season starts on a thrilling note with Dingdong’s character working hard to solve his mother’s kidnapping case.

“Para sa akin gustong-gusto kong malaman kung anong nangyari sa nanay ko kasi ’yung dulo ng first season, she was kidnapped. And gagawin niya talaga ang lahat para makuha niya nanay niya. ’Yun ang umpisa and ’yun ang quest niya sa paghahanap,” related Dingdong.

Dingdong hinted his character will have more adventures in the new season.

“It’s a challenge to show the complexities of Pepe’s character and his problems,” he commented.

Directed by Dominic Zapata, “Alyas Robin Hood” is an original drama series created by GMA ETV Drama group.

• • •

Token performs with singing soldiers

Like Joel Cruz, fellow-collaborator for the fundraising concert “Awit sa Marawi,” Token Lizares was impressed with the singing abilities of the soldiers she performed with recently at Dusit Thani Hotel.

She’s so delighted she’s performing with them again in “Awit sa Marawi,” to be held at the AFP Theater in Camp Aguinaldo on Aug. 13, 5 p.m.

Token has been a professional singer since she was just 19 years old. She was then working in a bank, accepting singing engagement at night.

In 1984, Token, who used the names Ken Villareal and Riza Roma as a singer, had singing stints in Singapore, Japan, Malaysia and the US. She also composed songs under the names Token Tia and Ruby Tia.

She appeared in such shows as “Suerte sa Syiete,” “Kuarta o Kahon,” “Student Canteen,” “Penthouse Live” and “The Lala Aunor Show.” Token also sang the theme song of Weng Weng’s movie “The Impossible Kid.” She was also a member of the group Smile which popularized “Mr. Macho.”

Along the way, Token became a businesswoman and philanthropist, producing benefit concerts for charitable organizations and foundations such as St. Vincent Home for the Aged in Bacolod, Bantay Bata 163 Negros, Bacolod Foundation, Bacolod Breast Care Foundation, Missionaries of Charity and St. Mary’s Home for the Aged Bacolod, among others. Because of her charity work, Token was dubbed the Charity Diva.

Token has three albums to her credit: “Token of Love,” “Ikaw Lamang Sinta” and “Til the World is Gone” produced by Ivory Music and Video, Inc.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Aug. 12, go to actor Aga Muhlach, Ramon Zaragoza, Annie Gaw, Tessie Rosales, Gloria Ignacio, Roberto Lim Zamora, Nemia D. Bonoan, Edwardine Hartman, Catherine Carrabin of PCSO PR Dept., Ferdinand Romero, Pinky David, Yolanda Federigan, and Kapuso star Marian Rivera… Aug. 13 celebrators: top ABS-CBN honcho Gabby Lopez, historian Ambeth Ocampo, Gen. Vidal Querol, Aurora Udarbe Gonzalez, Concordia Goco, Ace Palabrica, Rosita Arcenas, Sunny dela Luna, Prof. Reynaldo A. Tamayo, Daisy B. Vergara, Cedric Tuazon Ranada, Joel M. Garcia, Josephine Angelo, Nellie Samson, Mark Guingona and Menchu Suntay… Belated b-day greetings to Mon Isberto, Mala Jean Luga, Marichie Josue and Michelle Sampilo (Aug. 7); Gov. Baby Ortiz, Carmi Martin, Homer Pili and Pamela P. Tuazon (Aug. 8) and  "TWBA" production manager Lani Gutierrez and Bong Quintana (Aug. 9)…Aug. 14: Auggie Cordero, Nolie Hans, Hubert de Joya, Zeny Salgado, Letty Tumangan, Nancy Quimpo, Gigi Buhay, Lyle Marie Escano Bodomo, Carlo Gonzalez, Mayor Charlie Pizarro, Ligaya Salonga and Kim Rodriguez…

DOTr eyes 5 stations of Mega Manila Subway operational by 2022

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is eyeing to operate five stations of the proposed Mega Manila Subway System by the end of the Duterte administration in 2022.

DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Cesar Chavez said the department is coordinating with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the speedy implementation of the subway project.

“DOTr Secretary Tugade is negotiating with JICA that the implementation schedule will be expedited without sacrificing quality and good governance,” Chavez said during the Dutertenomics forum held Thursday afternoon at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati City.

President Rodrigo Duterte and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are set to sign in November an agreement that will pave the way for the construction of the Mega Manila Subway Project.

Japan has committed to provide US$4 billion for the construction of the Mega Manila Subway System, which is seen to further ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila and provide an alternative mode of transportation to commuters.

The subway system is envisioned to be an underground mass transportation system connecting major business districts and government centers which is expected to serve 370,000 passengers daily in its opening year.

It will have stations from Mindanao Avenue to FTI-Taguig which is expected to reduce travel time from Quezon City to Taguig to just 31 minutes from the present one and a half hours.

These stations are Mindanao Avenue, North Avenue, Quezon Avenue, GMA-Kamuning, Cubao, Santolan-Annapolis, Ortigas North, Ortigas South, Kalayaan Avenue, Market-Market, Cayetano Boulevard and Food Terminal Incorporated.

Earlier, Tugade proposed that the subway system be extended all the way to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to help promote ease of mobility for passengers going to and from the airport.

The construction of the Mega Manila Subway Project is set to start by the fourth quarter of 2019 and expected to be completed by 2024.

Anj Dee for Speedo and arena