infrastructure – Page 5 – Author Carlo Carrasco

DOF considering selling government’s SLEX share

June 12, 2024June 2, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently the Department of Finance (DOF) announced that it is considering selling the government’s share in South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

The Department of Finance (DOF) is considering selling the government’s stake in the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) by the end of this year.

Finance Undersecretary Catherine L. Fong told Manila Bulletin that the government’s ownership in SLEX is included among the assets slated for privatization in 2024.

However, Fong did not provide additional details when asked about the specific shares in SLEX that are being considered for sale.

The government currently holds a 20 percent stake in SMC SLEX Inc., the toll road operator, through the state-owned Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC).

SMC SLEX, formerly known as South Luzon Tollway Corp, operates as a unit of San Miguel Holdings Corp. and is a joint venture with PNCC.

Fong said that the Land Bank of the Philippines will conduct the valuation of the SLEX shares.

In 2006, SMC SLEX was granted a 30-year concession, set to expire on Feb. 1, 2036, to operate and manage SLEX, a major tollway in Luzon.

The proceeds from the sale will help achieve the Marcos administration’s target of generating P42.12 billion in non-tax revenues through privatization in 2024.

Apart from the SLEX shares, Fong said that the DOF is also set to sell the 2.2-hectare Mile Long property in Makati.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think selling the government’s stake in the SLEX will turn out good and sensible?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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P170.6-billion NAIA deal signed

March 28, 2024March 18, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently at Malacañang Palace, the ambitious P170.6 billion agreement to rehabilitate and modernize the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) was formally signed in the presence of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin which symbolically starts the public-private partnership, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

The PHP170.6-billion Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement for the rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is expected to herald economic growth through better collaborations with both local and foreign investors, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said Monday.

At the signing of the concession deal between the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) in Malacañang, Bautista said the PPP project would “open floodgates” of opportunities from investments, business, tourism, and employment.

“We welcome this development for the NAIA PPP Project as this will not only generate revenue for the government but it will also create opportunities for Filipinos. With a modernized NAIA, we are elevating the airport’s facilities and services to international standards,” he said.

The agreement, Bautista said, would send signal to the international business community about the viability of government infrastructure projects.

“This radical transformation comes at no small price Substantial investments in infrastructure and technology will necessitate collaborations with local and foreign partners,” he added.

San Miguel Corporation president and chief executive officer Ramon Ang, for his part, said the NNIC would not only rehabilitate but also improve the airport’s functionality and “establish a new standard in serving excellence.”

“Together with our partner, Incheon, we have assembled a team of experts, focused on implementing immediate improvement, and help us achieve our long-term goal for NAIA,” Ang said.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos who witnessed the signing described the pact as an “investment in our future.”

“This undertaking is not just about revenues that will be remitted to treasury alone, but resources invested in the airport,” Marcos said.

The agreement, signed by Bautista, Ang and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Eric Ines, covers 15 years with an option for a 10-year extension.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction about this recent development? Do you think this new public private partnership will succeed with achieving its goals of modernizing the NAIA, creating new jobs and attract both new investments and a higher number of foreign visitors in the years in the come?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Metro Manila Council (MMC) regulations on the use of electric tricycles (e-trikes) will include fines and penalties

February 24, 2024February 23, 2024carlocarrasco

As the proliferation of electric tricycles (e-trikes) continues, the Metro Manila Council (MMC) announced that a resolution on regulating the use of the said electric vehicles will be released and it will include fines and penalties, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

The Metro Manila Council is set to release a resolution regulating the use of electric motor vehicles, especially along major thoroughfares.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Director Victor Nuñez of the Traffic Enforcement Group said Friday that the resolution, up for discussion and approval next week, would include fines and penalties imposed on e-motor vehicle users.

Nuñez said the resolution would reconcile the policies of local government units (LGUs) on e-trikes with those of the national government.

“Nag-TWG [Technical Working Group] meeting kami last week at halos lahat in unison gusto magkaroon ng tamang regulasyon dito, kasama ang DOTr [Department of Transportation], LTO [Land Transportation Office], LTFRB [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board],” he said in a Bagong Pilipinas briefing aired over People’s Television.

Nuñez said there is an existing LTO circular in 2021 outlining the guidelines on the regulation of e-bikes but without corresponding penalties for violations.

“Nakalagay lang kung saan pwede dumaan pero sa hindi pwede dumaan, kapag dumaan sila wala naman concrete penalty na nakalagay (Only the roads they are allowed to pass are included but it does not indicate penalties or fines). ‘Yun po ang problema kasi (There goes the problem). There’s no definitive fine for them,” he said.

“But now with the recent initiatives magkakaroon po ng fines and penalties at mas na-enhance namin ‘yung regulation pertaining to e-trikes, kuliglig and tricycles kasi ‘di lang po e-trikes nakikita natin sa national roads, pati mga tricycles din (We will include the fines and penalties as we enhance the regulation pertaining to e-trikes and even tricycles),” he said.

Several Metro Manila LGUs have existing ordinances on the regulation of e-trikes even before the pandemic, Nuñez said.

“Kinonsider namin ang mga provisions nila dito. Meron kasing LGUs na wala pa at ngayon pa lang gagawa after mailabas ang Metro Manila Council resolution. They will base their ordinances on that (We took into consideration their provisions on this. There are LGUs that have no [resolution] on this yet and said they would pattern theirs after the Metro Manila Council resolution has been released),” Nuñez said.

Several social media posts have raised concerns over the proliferation of e-bikes, with some seen driving along national highways without protective gears.

Such vehicles, including tricycles, are not allowed to ply major roads and national highways as they pose hazard to other motorists.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction about this recent development? Do you think the local authorities will come up with a concrete regulation of the use of e-trikes? Are e-trikes in your city making the flow of traffic worse? Have there been minors driving e-trikes in your local community? Did you spot any abusive e-trike drivers on the local roads lately? When was the last time you saw someone drive an e-trike along the national highway?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Muntinlupa City Government facilitates opening of access road between two villages

February 5, 2024February 4, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, the City Government announced that an access road between two villages will be opened with the easing of traffic in mind, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

The Muntinlupa City government announced the opening of a connecting road between two villages to ease traffic and provide easy access to residents.

The opening of the access road between the government housing project Katarungan Village and South Greenheights Village will happen soon.

According to the city government, the connecting road between R. Pamatina Street in Katarungan Village and Rosemary Street in South Greenheights Village is being built with the pavement being constructed, and installation of lights and security guard post.

The homeowners associations of the two villages signed a memorandum of agreement on Dec. 18 last year to approve the opening of the access road.

“Malaking kapakinabangan kasi they don’t have to go to the National Road papunta ng Daang Hari, Alabang o papunta ng Poblacion so magiging parang declogging road para doon sa dalawang villages (This will have huge benefit because they don’t have to go to the National Road to go to Daang Hari [Road] in Alabang or [Barangay] Poblacion so it will be like a declogging road for the two villages),” said City Administrator Allan Cachuela.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, do you find this development beneficial to you when it comes to traveling locally?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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New SBMA chief Aliño eyes more hotels and infrastructure projects to make Subic Bay freeport more attractive to investors

January 26, 2024January 26, 2024carlocarrasco

Recently a local businessman who has extensive experience of doing business inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone took office as the new head of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and made clear his plan to make the zone more attractive to investors, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. His predecessor served for last than one year.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

Businessman Eduardo Aliño officially assumed post on Monday as chairman and administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

During his first press conference as SBMA head, Aliño noted the vast potential of Subic which should be given priority for development.

“We have so many potentials here in Subic and we may be putting more hotels, more infra projects to attract more investors,” he said, adding that together with his management team, they will study everything to determine what is lacking.

Citing his experience as a locator himself, he also expressed his desire to give investors who are experiencing difficulties in paying their financial obligations to SBMA, a chance or consideration to recover.

He said these businessmen had invested so much money and it would be so painful to lose the business they dreamed of in Subic, so giving them a chance to recover would be like giving them a new lease on life.

Earlier on Monday, Aliño attended the flag ceremony in front of the SBMA Administration Office with his family, and was welcomed by senior officers, members of the board, and employees of the agency.

In his message, he revealed having some apprehensions when President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. offered him the position.

He said he consulted his family and thought about it for a while before saying “yes” to the President.

“How can I say no to your President?” he said. “Because if you always refuse to help our leaders, who else would? So, I said yes.”

Aliño said his acceptance of the post was also driven by his desire to repay for all the help that SBMA people had given him and his business over the past 20 years.

“It is because of you, other than us, that made our terminal into what it is right now. Hindi po namin magagawa ang lahat ng ito kung wala ang tulong ninyo (We won’t be able to accomplish all of these without your help)”, he said.

Aliño is the former president and chairman of the S.T.A.R. Group of Companies and former chairman of the Subic Bay Yacht Club. The S.T.A.R. Group of Companies is engaged in integrated supply chain services and port operations.

He is also the former president and chairman of the Subic Bay Freeport Grain Terminal Services Inc. and Mega Equipment International Corp. which is now being managed by one of his sons.

Addressing the employees of SBMA, the new administrator and chairman assured fairness and honesty in serving the people, while asking for their support.

“I promise you that I will be fair. I promise you to be honest,” he said, adding that he has no agenda other than to help and to serve SBMA as a gesture of love for the country, God and the President.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the new SBMA head Aliño and his team will succeed in revitalizing business in the Subic Bay Freeport over the next six months?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Fines and penalties for Maynilad over pipe repair project that caused damage on the National Road in Muntinlupa

November 27, 2023November 23, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, it was announced that water concessionaire Maynilad will be slapped with fines and penalties for their pipe repair project that caused damage on the National Road in the barangay of Tunasan, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…

The Muntinlupa City government will impose fines and penalties on Maynilad Water Services over a pipe repair project that damaged the National Road in Barangay Tunasan.

Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon summoned representatives of Maynilad over their pipe repair project that has caused severe traffic.

Biazon said on Nov. 21, a pipe valve of Maynilad along the National Road in Barangay Tunasan got disconnected that led to water spilling out and causing cracks on the road. The crack got so big that one lane of the road had to be closed to traffic. This resulted in heavy traffic in the area. The City Engineering Office and Maynilad immediately responded to the incident.

Maynilad is repairing the pipe and road damage. The crack will be cemented to restore it that will allow the national road to be fully opened again to motorists.

According to Maynilad, Biazon said, the restoration will be finished by Nov. 25 and the national road will be fully opened again. But the City Engineering Office recommended additional days to totally cure the cement.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa, were you stuck in heavy traffic along the National Road due to the reported damage? Do you think Maynilad has a lot to answer for in this case?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Parañaque City finishes as the 24th Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City, dead last on Government Efficiency and Innovation (CMCI 2023)

October 5, 2023October 5, 2023carlocarrasco

The official results of the Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index (CMCI) for 2023 have been published and it shows Parañaque City did worse this time finishing as 24^th Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City (HUC) of the nation and this includes finishing dead last (33^rd place) among the HUCs in the categories of Innovation and Government Efficiency.

To put things in perspective, the HUCs (which covers very dense cities in the National Capital Region and the provinces) are determined by means of Competitiveness (the main category) as well as other related categories such as Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure, Resiliency and Innovation.

The 2023 CMCI showed that Parañaque City scored 36.301 for 24^th place in Competitiveness (versus 19^th place in 2022). The city’s highlight is finishing 11^th place on Economic Dynamism with a score of 5.3264, 16^th place on Infrastructure with 5.2753, and 26^th place on Resiliency with 11.4956.

What is most notable is that Parañaque finished dead last among the 33 HUCs on the categories of Government Efficiency and Innovation with scores of 8.2859 and 5.9169 respectively.

How and why did Parañaque end up as the worst HUC on Government Efficiency and Innovation needs to be explained in detail by the local officials. I know for a fact that Parañaque has been a hot spot for crime but that alone does not explain the CMCI’s 2023 findings. I can only wonder how efficient the City Government of Parañaque has been over the past 24 months as well since the day Mayor Eric Olivarez took office.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? If you are a resident of Parañaque and had been doing transactions with the City Government, did you notice anything wrong? Has the City Government been performing sluggishly in recent times? Did transparency at the City Government weaken? What do you think should the City Government do with regards to innovation in relation to public service?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Muntinlupa City declared 5th Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City of the nation (CMCI 2023)

October 2, 2023September 30, 2023carlocarrasco

The City of Muntinlupa has officially been declared as the 5^th Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City of the nation based on the 2023 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) results which also showed strong finishes by the said city on other categories, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

Muntinlupa City was named the No. 5 overall most competitive highly urbanized city in the Philippines and landed in the top three in resiliency and infrastructure.

Mayor Ruffy Biazon received the awards at the Philippine Creative Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Congress held on Sept. 28 at the Manila Hotel.

Local government units were ranked based on the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index by the National Competitiveness Council.

“Cities and municipalities are ranked on their competitiveness based on an overall competitiveness score. The overall competitiveness score is the sum of scores on five main pillars which pool data from several sub-indicators. The five main pillars are: economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure, resiliency, and innovation. Scores are determined by the values of the actual data, as well as the completeness of the submitted data. The higher the score of a city or municipality, the more competitive it is,” according to the CMCI website.

Overall, Muntinlupa ranked fifth under the most competitive highly urbanized cities category in the country with a score of 49.59.

It is also No. 3 in the resilience and infrastructure pillars, and No. 6 in the innovation pillar.

“Infrastructure pertains to the physical assets that connect, expand, and sustain a locality and its surroundings to enable provision of goods and services,” according to CMCI.

Resilience, on the other hand, “applies to the capacity of a locality to build systems that can absorb change and disturbance and being able to adapt to such changes.

For a closer look at the CMCI results, click https://cmci.dti.gov.ph/rankings-data.php?unit=Highly%20Urbanized%20Cities

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, what is your reaction to what the city achieved in the latest CMCI rankings? Do you believe that Muntinlupa is a blossoming and highly competitive city among all highly urbanized cities of the nation?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Muntinlupa City Councilor wants solution related to ongoing Skyway project in Alabang

September 15, 2023September 13, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, a member of the City Council wants a solution to the potential traffic problem that could happen in connection to the Skyway’s off-ramp project in Alabang, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. Previously a local committee wanted to halt the said project.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

A Muntinlupa councilor wants to open a village road in Alabang as a solution to the impending traffic problem that will be created by the Skyway off-ramp widening project on the West Service Road.

Councilor Francis Ian Bagatsing, chairperson of the City Council’s Committee on Engineering, Public Works and Infrastructure, had earlier recommended to stop the Skyway off-ram widening project due to lack of permits.

Skyway complied with the requirements and was given a permit by the Office of the City Building Official.

Bagatsing, in the committee report, said the Skyway project will narrow a portion of the West Service Road and will cause heavy traffic.

The committee said the “narrowing of the West Service Road south bound towards Filinvest Northgate is due to the additional exit tollbooth being constructed by the Skyway management.”

It said the portion of the West Service Road affected by the project will lose about 1.2 to 2 meters of “carriage way because of the said expansion.”

“Residents, establishments, and some stakeholders along West service road are not amenable to the said Skyway exit tollbooth expansion since this will result to a ‘funneling’ and traffic jam,” according to the report.

The City Council’s Committee on Land Use and Zoning held a hearing on Sept. 11 with Filinvest and recommended to having a portion reclaimed at the easement of the company’s fire station and water treatment facility.

Bagatsing said he is proposing to open Rizal Village in Alabang from the West Service Road leading to the main road in the Northgate portion of Filinvest as an alternate route for motorists.

He said the opening of the village road will be done through an ordinance.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a Muntinlupa resident, do you think the Skyway off-ramp project will cause more traffic problems than improvements on the flow of traffic?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Muntinlupa City Council committee wants to halt Skyway off-ramp project in Alabang

September 7, 2023September 5, 2023carlocarrasco

Recently in the progressive City of Muntinlupa, a committee under the Muntinlupa City Council wants to halt the construction of Skyway’s off-ramp project in Alabang citing a lack of permits and other factors, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin news report. Some parts in boldface…

A Muntinlupa City Council committee wants the Skyway management to stop its construction of an off-ramp widening project in the city due to lack of permits.

The project will result in narrowing of a portion of the West Service Road that will affect traffic flow.

The Committee on Engineering, Public Works and Infrastructure headed by Councilor Francis Ian Bagatsing submitted its recommendation to the City Council after conducting a public hearing on the “inquiry on the widening of Skyway resulting to narrowing of West Service Road.”

The project involves that ongoing widening of the Skyway off-ramp at Filinvest in Alabang towards the Alabang-Zapote Road that will narrow the existing West Service Road in the area.

In its report, the committee said the “narrowing of West Service Road southbound towards Filinvest Northgate is due to the additional exit tollbooth being constructed by the Skyway management.”

It said the portion of the West Service Road affected by the project will lose about 1.2 to 2 meters of “carriage way because of said expansion.”

“Residents, establishments and some stakeholders along West service road are not amenable to the said Skyway exit tollbooth expansion since this will result to a ‘funneling’ and will only result to traffic jam,” according to the report.

The City Engineering Office and Office of the City Building Office said the Skyway widening project did not apply for a permit, the committee added.

The committee recommended that “since the said construction project at the time of the hearing does not have any permits from the city, the Chair/Committee recommended for its stoppage.”

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a Muntinlupa resident, have you seen the off-ramp project of Skyway in Alabang recently?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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