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Improved right-of-way acquisition key to timely Skyway 3 completion — Villar
Improved acquisition of road right-of-way was among the key reasons behind the recent completion of the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said Saturday. Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar (MARK VILLAR FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) In a statement, Villar commended the department’s task force responsible in speeding up the road right-of-way (RROW) acquisition for the elevated expressway that links the southern and northern parts of Metro Manila. “We are now on the final stage of the Skyway Stage 3 Project that will link the southern and northern portions of Metro Manila by connecting SLEX and NLEX before the end of 2020. This would not be possible if not for the commitment of our DPWH ROW Task Force who have worked relentlessly with concessionaire CITRA Central Expressway Corporation (CCEC) to speed up delivery of needed ROW,” Villar said. Right-of-way acquisition, the secretary stressed, is the most common cause of project delay, especially under public-private partnership. This prompted the creation of a task force for each flagship program and decentralization of ROW operations under Department Order No. 65, series of 2017. According to Villar, prior to the issuance of DO 65, “ROW acquisition for the Skyway Stage 3 was sluggish at 8.64 percent, even though it had been 35 months since it commenced in 2015.” The improved system, he said, allowed them to acquire 95 percent of ROW in two years and seven months. It is instrumental in facilitating the ROW acquisition, particularly on the issue of National Grid Corporation (NGCP) and Meralco on the removal and relocation of their respective facilities, the secretary said. As of September 2020, 40 out of the scheduled 47 service utilities of NGCP had been completely removed/relocated, five ongoing, and two for expropriation. Out of the 1,312 Meralco utilities affected, 1,090 were completely removed or relocated, 24 ongoing, and 198 not to be relocated anymore, while 95.0 percent site possession had been delivered. “We recognize the need to speed-up ROW acquisition for the timely realization of our Build, Build, Build program and with our formed ROW task forces, the public can expect more big-ticket projects to be completed in the coming months and years,” Villar said. He bared that a fifth segment had been introduced at the north end of the project from Balintawak Cloverleaf at Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA). This will connect to the North Luzon Expressway Footbridge to avoid traffic congestion along A. Bonifacio Street and EDSA......»»
‘NLEX Harbor Link a boon to logistics’
The recently completed NLEX Harbor Link project is proving to be a boon to the logistics sector, catering to an average of 30,109 vehicles per day......»»
The Measure of a Man
The 5.58-kilometer NLEX Harbor Link Segment 10 elevated expressway connecting McArthur Highway and C-3 was opened last year......»»
Build, Build, Build amid the pandemic
THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) opened Monday a 2.6-kilometer elevated highway connecting the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) south to C3 in Caloocan City, west to R10 in Navotas, then south to the harbor area in Manila. All these years, huge freight trucks hauling goods from North and Central Luzon to […].....»»
NLEX Harbor Link extension opens
BY ARGYLL GEDUCOS * TRUCKERS and other motorists can now enjoy faster travel between Manila and Quezon City with the opening of the North Luzon Expressway Harbor Link extension project. Malacañang yesterday lauded the completion of the NLEX Harbor Link to help ease the traffic situation in Metro Manila. Executive Secretary Salvador […].....»»
MPTC to support government in economic recovery effort
Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. has committed to play a major role in the country’s economic recovery through its various big-ticket projects, starting with today’s opening NLEX Harbor Link C3-R10 Section......»»
Villar inspects NLEX Harbor Link ahead of June 15 opening
Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar inspected yesterday the Circumferential Road 3-R10 section of the North Luzon Expressway Harbor Link Segment 10, which is scheduled to open on June 15......»»
NLEX Harbor Linku2019s C3-R10 section to open on June 15
The Department of Public Works and Highways said the entire C3-R10 section of the North Luzon Expressway Harbor Link Segment 10 will be opened to motorists on June 15, two months behind of the March t.....»»
NLEX Harbor Link& rsquo;s C3-R10 section to open on June 15
The Department of Public Works and Highways said the entire C3-R10 section of the North Luzon Expressway Harbor Link Segment 10 will be opened to motorists on June 15, two months behind of the March target because of the Luzon lockdown......»»
NLEX to link to smallest Pampanga town
The North Luzon Expressway is set to link soon to Sto. Tomas, Pampanga, the smallest and youngest town in the province, through the construction of a new interchange initiated by the government......»»
Clark airport to connect with NLEX, SCTEX
Travelers who want to fly through the Clark International Airport will enjoy direct access to the gateway once the government completes its road link to expressways by 2026......»»
MVP eyes MPTC float by next year
After the voluntary delisting of his infrastructure investment firm Metro Pacific Investments Corp. or MPIC from the local bourse, businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan is now planning to offer the shares of his tollways venture Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. or MPTC to the public by next year. “After the delisting, we will list our tollways... next year. The Maynilad has got to list by 2026. We will list our major subsidiaries,” Pangilinan said in an interview with reporters on the sidelines of the Mining Philippines 2023 International Conference and Exhibition on Wednesday. MPTC is the operator of the North Luzon Expressway, Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, Cavite-Laguna Expressway, Manila-Cavite Expressway, NLEX Connector, and Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway. On the other hand, Maynilad, MPIC’s joint venture with DMCI Holdings, and Marubeni Corp., serves the west zone of the Greater Metro Manila area, covering 17 cities and municipalities. Tender offer closed Relatedly, in a separate disclosure to the stock exchange on Wednesday, MPIC confirmed that the tender offer for its shares is now closed. The company report stated that the total of tendered shares, excluded shares, and other non-public shares is equivalent to 97.22 percent of MPIC’s total issued and outstanding listed shares and has exceeded the threshold required to complete the voluntary delisting. Once tendered shares are accepted and crossed, MPIC’s public float will fall to 2.78 percent. Its total tendered shares, excluded shares, and other non-public shares, on the other hand, will be above the voluntary delisting threshold of at least 95 percent. Thus, bidders can now expect MPIC’s delisting around October. The Cross Date is scheduled for 26 September, while the Settlement Date is scheduled for 28 September. Commenting on these MPIC developments, Pangilinan said: “It’s amazing that the acceptances have been more than 99 percent. What are the implicit messages of that, the times have moved on. My theory is that conglomerates are passe.” Pangilinan noted that companies are now focusing on their ventures that are easier and simpler to analyze with only one product. “Filipinos have a natural aversion to something big, that is why our stock exchange is too small. And because it’s too small it impinges on the issue of liquidity. Investors, even foreign investors, want to go in and be able to get out whenever they want to,” he explained. MPIC currently owns 47.5 percent of Manila Meralco, 99.9 percent of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., 52.8 percent of Maynilad Water Services Inc., 20 percent of Metro Pacific Health Corp., and other assets. It is the Philippine arm of Hong Kong-based investment holding firm First Pacific Company Ltd. It has interests in tollways, water distribution and sewerage services, railways, hospitals, power generation, and distribution. The post MVP eyes MPTC float by next year appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Senators weigh in on Marcos’ Manila Bay reclamation suspension order
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s latest directive halting reclamation works in Manila Bay gained mixed reactions from senators. In separate statements on Wednesday, lawmakers from the upper chamber expressed support for the recent directive on the Manila Bay reclamation activities which is linked to massive floodings in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, who earlier urged the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy to inspect the Chinese vessels undertaking the reclamation in Manila Bay, backed the suspension order. “That is a very welcome development. I support the President’s decision 100 percent,” Ejercito said. Marcos ordered the suspension of all the reclamation projects in Manila Bay except one that he did not identify. Senator Risa Hontiveros also welcomed the chief executive’s suspension of reclamation projects in Manila Bay, particularly those handled by the China state-owned China Communications Construction Co. or CCCC. “We should not take risks with companies like the CCCC,” Hontiveros said in a separate statement. “The government should self-control on projects that destroy the environment. When there is a change in the natural resources, it will be difficult to fix,” she added. Earlier this month, the government of the United States, through its Embassy in the Philippines, expressed concerns over the “negative long-term and irreversible” impact on the environment of the ongoing reclamation projects in Manila Bay, particularly those linked to the CCCC. Of 32 ongoing reclamation projects in Manila Bay, China Communications Construction Co., or CCCC, is involved in two projects such as the Pasay Harbor City Reclamation Project and Manila Waterfront City Development Project. The CCCC is a firm that was added to the US Department of Commerce’s Entity List for its role in helping the Chinese military construct and militarize artificial islands in the South China Sea. “The company has also been cited by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank for engaging in fraudulent business practices,” the embassy said. While many senators supported the President’s decision, Senator Robinhood “Robin” Padilla seems to be against the suspension of reclamation activities in Manila Bay. During the hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Works, where proposed measures including those on flood control projects were taken up, Padilla clarified that he is not against the reclamation activities in Manila Bay. “Reclamation is considered a sign of progress in a country. I am not against it,” he said. Citing many countries and territories such as The Netherlands, Singapore, Macau, Hong Kong, and Dubai that he visited which have reclamation projects, but are not marred by flooding, Padilla said the Department of Public Works and Highways must implement reclamation projects properly. “You in the DPWH should be aware that flooding has affected not just Bulacan but also Pampanga and Nueva Ecija, which are agricultural areas,” he said. “If flooding affects farmers and their produce, this will lead to importation, and our problems will never end,” he added. He continued: “We are all public servants. I repeat that I am not against reclamation, but I hope the problem of flooding can be solved.” The post Senators weigh in on Marcos’ Manila Bay reclamation suspension order appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DPWH assures: Flood control projects on track
The Department of Public Works and Highways on Tuesday assured the public that its anti-flood control projects are still on track despite delays reported in some “small” projects. DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan admitted that there were some projects that were delayed following the lawmakers’ complaints regarding the unresolved problem of flooding in the country. “I can admit that there are some projects that have been delayed; these are just the minor ones, but most of them are ongoing right now,” Bonoan said when asked about the status of the projects. He attributed the delay to the weather, the right of way, and the locations of the projects but stressed that the projects worth P180 billion is ongoing. “The projects that we’re implementing for flood control under the 2023 budget is ongoing and that the projects that we’re implementing are still ongoing,” Bonoan said. “I believe they have quoted the total amount of around P180 billion, but that amount is distributed all throughout the country. They are ongoing and they are on track actually. We have two years to implement all these projects in our budget,” he added. Meantime, Bonoan disclosed that the agency is still looking for funds for the North Luzon Expressway-San Simon segment to help reduce flooding in the area. “That’s not a very heavy project because it’s an existing bridge, we’ll just have to jack it up, raise it by about 0.7 meters I think... and consequently, once we’ve raised it, the people at NLEX will also elevate their pavement,” Bonoan said. “Perhaps if we have funding right away, we can finish that in about a month’s time because it’s not going to be a technical thing. What we’re going to do is just a matter of jacking it up,” he added. To recall, typhoon “Egay,” Severe tropical storm “Falcon,” and the Southwest Monsoon caused floods on the NLEX past the Viaduct in Pampanga. The post DPWH assures: Flood control projects on track appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos’ plan vs flooding: water dam to catch floods, improve agri
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday called on government entities to implement solutions aligned with the challenges posed by climate change. Marcos made the appeal during his visits to flood-affected communities in Bulacan and Pampanga due to recent typhoons and the intensified southwest monsoon (habagat). "We won't return to how things used to be; this is how climate change is now. We can't do the things we used to do anymore," Marcos said during the situation briefing in Pampanga. Marcos said that the national government has a master plan which includes building a big water dam to help stop floods and improve agriculture at the same time. "If nothing is done, flooding will happen again and again even if we dredge," Marcos said. Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation president Rogelio "Babes" Singson, who previously served as the Public Works and Highways Secretary during the Aquino administration, suggested building a 200-hectare water storage space in the Candaba swamp in Pampanga. Singson, who was present during the situation briefing, explained that the initiative aims to mitigate flooding in the surrounding regions with lower elevations. However, Pampanga Representative Anna York Bondoc disagreed with the suggestion, saying that such a plan could negatively impact the livelihoods of local residents, particularly those engaged in rice farming. Marcos then guaranteed that the government would not do the project without their consent. "If there are people who will be displaced, I will personally guarantee each farmer that they will be transferred to another location that is equally good to ensure they won't encounter difficulties or losses," Marcos said. Marcos also said that the government is planning to raise the North Luzon Expressway bridge in San Simon by 5.2 meters to prevent a recurrence of flooding in the area, adding that they will study other alternative routes. "We'll raise the NLEX so that what recently happened will not happen again. And then we will study alternative routes," Marcos said. For his part, Singson vowed to fix the situation in the San Simon segment to avoid floods since that segment was "very low," with the longest stretch being only 200 meters and the highest point measuring less than 0.7 meters. "The DPWH agreed to let us raise that portion by 0.7 meters, and we will leave a clearance of 4.5 meters. This will allow legally sized trucks to pass through there," Singson said. Marcos also mentioned that fixing the dredgers is just as a short-term solution, as flooding will happen again if the government does not do anything to solve the problem. The latest data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council showed that more than 3.2 million individuals across the country had been impacted by Typhoons "Egay" and "Falcon" and the intensified southwest monsoon. The Department of Agriculture assessed the total agricultural damage resulting from the combined impact of the inclement weather at P4.66 billion. Preliminary evaluations by the NDRRMC indicated that the initial destruction to infrastructure is estimated at P3.6 billion. The post Marcos’ plan vs flooding: water dam to catch floods, improve agri appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Truckers protest caravan slows traffic flow in Port Area
A group of truckers called ACTOO (Alliance of Concerned Truck Owners Organization) on Friday morning held their protest caravan against the excessive toll fees being charged by North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) that slowed traffic flows at Bonifacio Drive Road, in Port Area, Manila. The said protest caravan started at 7:00 a.m. at the Anda Circle participated 40 trucks. The protest convoy, around two kilometers long, reached the Manila North Harbor up to Anda Circle. The protesters planned to barricade their trucks in front of the entrance of NLEX to signify their protest. The toll fee increases were from P19 up to P100. It was learned from ACTOO that their previous protest against toll hikes gained success last 15 June. The post Truckers protest caravan slows traffic flow in Port Area appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
New Candaba Viaduct to make travel faster, safer
Motorists can expect a much faster and safer journey to Central and Northern Luzon once the third Candaba Viaduct is completed. The third viaduct will be constructed by NLEX Corp., a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. or MPTC, the tollways unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. The first 5-kilometer Candaba Viaduct connects Bulacan and Pampanga along the North Luzon Expressway. It has been an important bridge for motorists traveling from Metro Manila to Central and Northern Luzon for over 50 years. The viaduct has withstood natural disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes. The current project was recently inaugurated in a groundbreaking ceremony led by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales, Toll Regulatory Board Executive Director Alvin Carullo, Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda, Department of Public Works and Highways Region 3 Director Roseller Tolentino, MPTC president Rogelio L. Singson, and NLEX president and general manager Jose Luigi L. Bautista. Targeted for completion in November 2024, the P7.89-billion third viaduct requires the construction of a new bridge between the two existing viaducts. Once completed, the road capacity of the new viaduct will increase from three lanes without shoulders to three lanes with inner and outer shoulders in each direction. These lanes and shoulders will be wide, boosting safety and convenience for travelers. According to MPTC president and CEO Singson, who is a former Public Works and Highways secretary, “This project will not only increase the capacity of the 5-km Candaba Viaduct but will ultimately improve safety and convenience of the motorists and will aid in the acceleration and growth of trade and commerce in Central Luzon.” Speaker Romualdez emphasized the importance of the new bridge which is expected to decongest traffic and reduce travel time for motorists. “This project will not only enhance the efficiency of our transportation network but also contribute to the overall socioeconomic development of the region. It will create jobs, attract investments, and stimulate economic growth,” Romualdez said. The third Candaba Viaduct will be built using green and sustainable engineering practices and comply with the country’s latest bridge design requirements. It will have piers every 20 meters, with each pier supported by two columns and two bored piles, strengthening the structure amid the swampy condition of the natural ground beneath it. NLEX president and general manager Bautista assured motorists the construction of the new bridge would not affect the operation and traffic flow on the two existing viaducts. Based on the studies, constructing the third viaduct is necessary because the existing structures are aging and operating at a lower capacity. Competent engineers and management teams will manage the construction site to ensure efficiency and safety. “This new mobility project will offer easy journeys and make travel safer for the public traveling between Metro Manila and Central and Northern Luzon as there will be a new structure to augment the existing ones and that will safely allow the speed limit to be increased to 60 to 80 kilometers per hour from the current 40 to 60 kilometers per hour,” said Bautista, adding that upon completion, Class 3 vehicles or large trucks will be directed to the new bridge so that the old structures will be relieved of heavy loads. Since 2005, MPTC has been upgrading the viaduct. Among the upgrades were pavement resurfacing, bridge link slab, girder, and deck replacement; girder and column strengthening; and construction of lay-bys or emergency bays in the northbound and southbound directions of the bridge. Since 2020, stricter anti-overloading policies, such as the 33-ton gross vehicle weight limit for the southbound viaduct, were implemented to ensure the safety and stability of the bridge. With projects like the third Candaba Viaduct underway, motorists can expect even more improvements in the quality of the road infrastructure and service along the NLEX. These projects aim to ensure the utmost comfort and safety of motorists traveling to Central and Northern Luzon through the expressway. With the BBM administration’s vision of taking the country into the golden age of infrastructure, this project will certainly add to the many programs in the pipeline that in the end will benefit millions of Filipinos. The post New Candaba Viaduct to make travel faster, safer appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Former DPWH chief heads Metro Tollways
Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, the biggest toll road developer and operator in the country, has appointed Rogelio “Babes” Singson as the new chief executive officer and president. The company formally announced Singson’s appointment on Wednesday. He replaced his predecessor and now retired Rodrigo Franco. According to MPTC chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, Singson, who holds vast industry experience, is capable of further amplifying the company’s customer-centric approach in serving the customers of its six expressways locally, as well as other businesses in the ASEAN region. Greater MPTC role Before joining MPTC, Singson served as the president and CEO of Metro Pacific Water Investments Corporation. From 2010 to 2016, he served as the secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways. He had also overseen some companies under the MVP Group such as Maynilad, Light Rail Manila Corporation and Meralco Powergen Corp. Meanwhile, Franco, with over 20 years of service in the MPTC Group of Companies, served as CFO, president, and CEO of the Manila North Tollways Corporation — now NLEX Corporation. Franco also led the creation and management of the south Luzon concession companies MPT South Management Corp, Cavitex Infrastructure Corp., and MPCALA Holdings to build and operate CAVITEX and CALAX. Among the latest business expansions that Franco spearheaded was MPTC’s mobility infrastructure business via MPT Mobility. Its products and services are aimed to fulfill MPTC’s vision of providing a safe, convenient and pleasurable mobility experience for Filipinos. The post Former DPWH chief heads Metro Tollways appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ICTSI’s Harbor Center receives urea shipment
Manila Harbor Center, the largest international bulk and breakbulk handling operation at the Port of Manila and a subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services Inc. or ICTSI, facilitated the safe and efficient handling of 20,000 metric tons of urea fertilizers from China last 7 June 2023. The fertilizers were donated by the Chinese government as part of the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation with the Philippines, and will distribute to local farmers across the regions of Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON and Bicol in Luzon. Chinese envoy witnesses “Despite the intermittent inclement weather, the MHC team was able to achieve high discharging productivity under safe working conditions,” said Kevin Randall, MHC terminal director. From the Port of Manila, the shipment was taken to Valenzuela City for the official turnover ceremony with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian. The post ICTSI’s Harbor Center receives urea shipment appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DPWH prioritizes 2 Luzon river basins
The Department of Public Works and Highways and the Japan International Cooperation Agency have regarded two river basins in Luzon were seen as priorities in a joint flood control study to improve flood control management in the concerned areas. DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain named the Pasig-Marikina River Basin and the Cagayan River Basin as infrastructures that will be subjected to a Japan-funded “Project for Enhancement of Flood Control Strategy in Prioritized River Basins.” The inclusion of the Pasig-Marikina River Basin is intended for “an urgent alternative flood control measures” in areas such as the Upper Marikina River, Rosario Weir, Manggahan Floodway and the Upper Wawa Dam, which will be subjected to various river projects. Meanwhile, Sadain said that the masterplan in some Cagayan River Basin works, including slope protection and dredging, must be updated ahead of a pre-feasibility study. “Our flood-control interventions along these river basins can be improved to better protect nearby densely-populated areas due to recurrent and extensive flooding during rainy and typhoon seasons,” Sadain said. DAN NAVARRO The joint study between DPWH and JICA is an 18-month project that would look into existing flood-control master plans ahead of future projects to improve flood control management in the country. JICA has been a known partner in DPWH projects, financially backing the Central Luzon Link Expressway, Davao City Mountain Tunnel and Bypass Construction Project, Cebu-Mactan Bridge and Coastal Road Project, Marawi Transcentral Road and access roads in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao through the Road Network Development Project in Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao. The post DPWH prioritizes 2 Luzon river basins appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»