MOA on EDSA busway bridge signed
The Department of Transportation has inked an agreement with property developers SM Prime Holdings, DM Wesceslao and Associates Inc. and Double Dragon Properties Corp. for the construction of EDSA busway bridges......»»
Managers: Phl remains on track
Despite the lackluster 4.3 percent in the second quarter, growth this year is expected to reach the target range of 6 percent to 7 percent gross domestic product expansion, according to Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno. “To do this, we will expedite the implementation of government programs and projects, to provide fiscal stimulus to increase the productive capacity of the public and private sectors and address the adverse recent impacts of typhoons.” Diokno added. Economic managers gathered in Fort Ilocandia in Laoag City to hold the Post-State of the Nation Economic Briefing that discussed the country’s economic situation and plans on 14 August. Diokno said in 2022, GDP increased 7.6 percent from 5.7 a year ago and a 9.5 percent contraction in 2020. Diokno said the economic team is determined to pick up government expenditure in the third and fourth quarters. Revenue collections remain robust from January to June as these totaled P1.9 trillion up 7.7 percent or P132.6 billion year-on-year which is also higher than the mid-year program by 2.7 percent. Hence, Diokno said they have already pipelined 194 infrastructure flagship projects worth P8.3 trillion of which 132 are located in Luzon that will address irrigation, water supply, flood management, agriculture, digital connectivity, physical connectivity, health, and power and energy. Diokno also highlighted some of the projects like the Laoag International Airport Development Project, the EDSA Greenways, the TPLEX Expressway Expansion Project, the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project, the Ilocos Norte-Sur-Abra Irrigation Project, and the Naga Airport Development Project. “The Philippines is determined to be a world leader in the race to net zero and the Ilocos Region will be a strategic partner in this mission. Dubbed to be the renewable energy capital of South East Asia, Ilocos Norte is emerging to be a promising player in the clean energy arena. Being home to the first and largest wind farms in the country,” Diokno stressed. In his address, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona Jr., said from a peak of 8.7 percent in January, headline inflation slowed to 4.7 percent in July due to improving domestic food supply conditions and lower global oil prices. However, he also admitted that core inflation remains high at 6.7 percent although it has already started to decline due to the monetary tightening. The BSP has responded to inflation by aggressively raising its policy rate, as of today, the BSP has raised policy rates by 425 basis points. Prices reined in “The good news is that inflation expectations are still well anchored. The markets continue to believe that we will hit our target range by 2024 and stay there in 2025,” Remolona said. Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman also gave an update on the use pf the budget for 2023. Pangandaman said at the end of July, the total amount of the national budget that has been released already is around 93 percent. “And we expect all our government agencies including all the cabinet members present here, to spend your budget so we can help grow the economy,” Pangandaman said. While for next year, the government budget will amount to 5.768 trillion and it is 21.7 percent of the GDP it has already been submitted to Congress last August 2 and the budget is expected to be passed earlier than expected. The National Economic Development Authority said it wanted to lower the poverty level to single digit. For Socioeconomic Planning Undersecretary Carlos Bernardo Abad Santos, the government has effective regional development plans. In the Ilocos Regional Development Plan from 2023-2028, the NEDA expects the Ilocos region to have a 7 percent to 7.5 percent growth while lowering the poverty incidence by 7.3 percent. ‘Build, Better, More’ under BBM;s watch Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the “Build, Better, More” program of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is very much aligned with the medium-term development plan for 2023 to 2028 and is consistent with the 8-point economic agenda of the president. Bonoan said that from July 2022 to May 2023, the DPWH has built, maintained, rehabilitated, widened, and upgraded 4,082 kilometer of roads, 497 bridges, built 2,103 flood control projects, 55 evacuation centers, 216 kms farm to market roads, 8 kilometers of farm to mill roads, 138 kilometers tourism roads, 18 kilometers of roads to seaports, railway stations, and airports, 4,038 classrooms, and 6,002 rainwater collector system. “Because of climate change, we have to address and be building and developing resilient and sustainable communities in the 18 major river basins in the country,” Bonoan said. Some of the major projects that the department would like to continue are converting the Daang Maharlika which is actually now Asian Highway 26 which starts in Laoag City and will go around Cagayan Valley and has extended all the way to Zamboanga City. Bonoan says that they want to convert this backbone of the national highway into seamless travel. “In other words, there should be no major stops along the way, along this Maharlika highway,” Bonoan said. Bonoan said they’re going to build 12 major bridges, and the first bridge is the Cavite-Bataan Interlink bridge with a span of more than 32 km. Should it be completed, this will be the second-longest bay bridge in the world. The department also plans to start the Luzon Spine Expressway which will run from Laoag City to Bicol, Bonoan says that this will be 1,073 kms more. As for Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, major Department of Transportation projects like the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan, Metro Manila Subway, EDSA Greenway Projects, EDSA Busway, MRT-3 Rehabilitation, LRT-1 Cavite, LRT-2 West Extension, MRT-7, and the modernization and capacity expansion of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport are proceeding. For the Department of Information and Communications Technology Ivan John Uy, there is already a cybersecurity plan for 2023 to 2028 which is a consolidated output of all the stakeholders in designing which includes the best practices all over the world. “We’ve ramped up in our cybercrime detection, we are busting cybercrime syndicates all over the country especially those that are dealing with scammers,” Uy said. Uy said agency is also enhancing cybersecurity status by designing courses to upgrade cybersecurity professionals. He admits that worldwide, there is a 3 million job vacancies on cyber security. DICT said by the end of the year, the department will have Two Terabits of capacity from Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan all the way to Manila and we should expect very good Internet connectivity by the start of next year especially on the Luzon area. These structures also open opportunities to data centers and BPOs along the places mentioned which produces employment. DICT expects that foreign investment opportunities and interest in those areas will boom. The post Managers: Phl remains on track appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MMDA clears obstacles at EDSA bypass
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has cleared the proposed alternative routes in connection with road repairs being done on the highway. The agency said clearing operations were done at the Mabuhay Lanes, Timog, Tomas Morato and West Avenue. Citation tickets were issued to parked vehicles, as well as public vehicles loading and unloading in unauthorized areas. The MMDA said road repairs being done in the EDSA carousel will continue until 5 a.m. on 9 August. Affected roads are: Both directions of the EDSA Busway in Caloocan; the road along SM North Edsa to MRT Quezon Avenue station, in front of Corinthian Gardens past Camp Aguinaldo, in front of the BBM headquarters and near Ricoa in Mandaluyong City; and four other areas in Makati City, from the Guadalupe Bridge to Rockwell Kalayaan Footbridge. Repairs along EDSA began Friday night and resulted in traffic build-up on Saturday morning. The traffic build-up was on the northbound lane stretched from North Avenue to just before the Quezon Avenue flyover in Quezon City. Motorists are advised to take the following alternate routes during the road repairs: Caloocan — Use Rizal Avenue, A. Bonifacio Avenue, or EDSA Balintawak; Quezon City Use Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon Avenue, or Sgt. Rivera Street; Mandaluyong City — Use Boni Avenue, Shaw Boulevard, or EDSA Guadalupe; Makati City — Use Ayala Avenue, Buendia Avenue or EDSA Guadalupe. The post MMDA clears obstacles at EDSA bypass appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Expect EDSA road repair gridlock — MMDA
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority warned motorists that repair work on roads damaged by continuous downpour will cause traffic congestion along EDSA next week. The asphalt overlay and reblocking will be conducted by the Department of Public Works and Highways in 15 EDSA sites from 10 p.m. of 4 August, Friday, until 5 a.m. of 9 August Wednesday. MMDA acting Chairman Romando Artes said they decided that instead of conducting asphalt overlay and reblocking every weekend that sometimes left unfinished, they will instead conduct one-time, big-time repairs. “Fifteen sites will be repaired simultaneously. The road works will run for the whole day. If it will be limited to nighttime, the repairs will take 15 days, there will be heavy traffic,” said Artes, thus he urged commuters to use alternate routes, avoid EDSA during the repairs, or take the MRT. Also, Artes told motorists to plan their commute and if they finish the activities that would entail passing through EDSA this Thursday and Friday, for them to enable reducing the volume of vehicles. The MMDA said the repairs are also part of government efforts to prepare for hosting the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Quezon City to be held later this month. The roads that will be affected will be along these areas: Both directions of the EDSA Busway in Caloocan; Road along SM North Edsa to MRT Quezon Avenue station; in front of Corinthian Gardens past Camp Aguinaldo; In front of the BBM headquarters and near Ricoa in Mandaluyong City; four other areas are in Makati City, and from the Guadalupe Bridge to Rockwell Kalayaan Footbridge. Motorists traveling from North-to-South in Metro Manila are advised to use the Skyway as an alternative route while the repairs are ongoing. There are also 11 other alternative routes along the Mabuhay lanes which are posted on the MMDA website. Artes said the agency will deploy additional enforcers to guide motorists during the repairs. The post Expect EDSA road repair gridlock — MMDA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MOA on EDSA busway bridge signed
The Department of Transportation has inked an agreement with property developers SM Prime Holdings, DM Wesceslao and Associates Inc. and Double Dragon Properties Corp. for the construction of EDSA busway bridges......»»
Another U-turn slot to close along EDSA on Nov. 9
Heads up, motorists! The fourth U-turn slot that will be closed on EDSA is the one near Dario Bridge in Quezon City. (Photo from MMDA) The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said it will be closed to vehicular traffic on Monday (November 9). Per the agency, they have already installed signages on EDSA to inform motorists of the impending closure. The agency has advised affected motorists to take the following alternate routes: From northbound going southbound, they may take the U-turn slot near Oliveros Drive in front of Shell station. Those southbound, meanwhile, may utilize the U-turn slot beneath the EDSA-Quezon Avenue flyover. MMDA Chairman Danny Lim said the agency is one with the Department of Transportation (DOTR) in exploring ways to facilitate faster movement of both commuters and private motorists on EDSA, adding that the closure of 13 U-turn slots along EDSA are aimed at easing traffic congestion on the major thoroughfare. The MMDA said this will pave the way for the new EDSA Busway/ Carousel project of DOTR which designates the innermost lane as exclusive for buses travelling along the national highway. So far, MMDA has closed three U-turn slots — the ones near North Avenue, in front of Quezon City Academy and near Corregidor Street. The 13 U-turn slots are targeted to be closed by the end of this year to make travel time on EDSA faster, or at least reduced by 20 minutes from the opposing points of the major road. .....»»
CCLEX safety enhancements pushed after US bridge tragedy
Cebu City, Philippines — In light of recent events, a call for increased CCLEX safety measures has been made to the Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corporation (CCLEC) by a Cebu City legislator. Councilor Rey Gealon penned a resolution urging CCLEC to implement precautionary measures at the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway to prevent disasters, considering the high.....»»
Baltimore bridge accident: Freighter pilot called for tugboat help before plowing into bridge
BALTIMORE — The pilot of the cargo freighter had radioed for tugboat help and reported a power loss minutes before the Baltimore bridge accident, federal safety officials said on Wednesday, citing audio from the ship’s “black box” data recorder. The head of the National Transportation Safety Board also said that Francis Scott Key Bridge, a.....»»
Baltimore bridge collapse could lead to delayed shipments, higher shipping costs
The closure of the Port of Baltimore in the US following the collapse of the Baltimore key bridge is expected to lead to shipment delays and higher shipping costs......»»
Emergency protocols in case of bridge collapse sought
Emergency protocols in case of bridge collapse sought.....»»
Baltimore Bridge collapse: Police had about 90 seconds to stop traffic before bridge fell
BALTIMORE — It was the middle of the night when a dispatcher’s warning crackled over the radio: A massive cargo ship had lost its steering capabilities and was heading toward the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Within about 90 seconds, police officers who happened to be nearby responded that they managed to stop vehicle traffic over.....»»
Hope for more survivors from Baltimore bridge collapse fades
BALTIMORE – The coast guard announced on Wednesday that hope of finding more survivors of the Baltimore bridge collapse has dimmed, and efforts have switched to searching for the bodies of the missing persons, as well as seeking more answers as to why a container ship crashed into the span. The coast guard announced on.....»»
EXPLAINER: Why did the Baltimore bridge collapse and what is the death toll?
(Reuters) -Divers recovered the remains of two of the six missing workers more than a day after a cargo ship smashed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge. The bodies of two men were found in a red pickup truck submerged in the icy waters of the Patapsco River. Rescuers pulled two workers from the water.....»»
No Pinoy hurt in Baltimore bridge collapse
The Philippine embassy in Washington has not received any report of Filipinos hurt in the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland on Tuesday......»»
Victims of Baltimore bridge collapse include those from Mexico, Guatemala
Maryland [US], March 27 (ANI): Among those reported missing following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in the US are Mexican nationals, CNN reported, citing Rafael Laveaga, Chief of the Consular Section of Mexico's Embassy in Washington. Laveaga refrained from specifying the exact number of missing Mexican nationals when he addressed reporters near the scene on Tuesday. A reporter asked Laveaga: ".....»»
Six presumed dead after ship destroys major US bridge
Authorities on Tuesday suspended their search for six people missing after a packed cargo ship slammed into a Baltimore bridge, causing it to collapse and blocking one of the busiest US commercial harbors......»»
Cargo ship lost power and issued mayday before hitting Baltimore s bridge, governor says
Cargo ship lost power and issued mayday before hitting Baltimore s bridge, governor says.....»»
Baltimore bridge collapses after cargo ship rams it
A major bridge in the US city of Baltimore almost entirely collapsed Tuesday after being struck by a cargo ship, sending multiple vehicles and up to 20 people plunging into the harbor below. Dramatic footage shows a container ship hitting a footing of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, sending the steel-built structure into the Patapsco.....»»
New Anao bridge in Mexico opened
New Anao bridge in Mexico opened.....»»
Bohol Circumferential Road, Urdaneta Bypass Road, Tambacan Bridge renamed
Aside from renaming the roads and bridge, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also approved a law naming a national highway in Camarines Sur.....»»
Water under the bridge
Last year, Razon-led Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. and Lopez-owned First Gen Corp. said they were in discussions to develop a gas aggregation framework using the latter’s liquified natural gas (LNG) terminal in Batangas......»»