Duterte's Presidency : Expectations, Controversies, Rants, Etc.

[manishbombee]

San Miguel signs deal to build P95-billion Pasig River Expressway - Manila Standard Mobile

San Miguel signs deal to build P95-billion Pasig River Expressway

San Miguel Corp. on Tuesday signed a supplemental toll operation agreement with the Transportation and the Public Works departments for the construction of the P95-billion Pasig River Expressway—an elevated hybrid highway that will stretch 19.37 kilometers along the banks of Pasig River from Manila to Taguig.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said in a virtual briefing the PAREx project was expected to decongest traffic in Metro Manila and help the economy rebound from the global pandemic.

“It’s a game-changer project that could further boost our economy,” he said.

[manishbombee]

Cavite Liberal Party rep throws support behind Mayor Sara | Inquirer News

Cavite First District Rep. Francis Gerald “Boy Blue” Aguinaldo Abaya  threw his support behind the possible presidential candidacy of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

“Walang opo-oposisyon sa mag-amang Duterte, maging ang Pangulo o si Mayor Sara. Kapag kailangan mo ng tulong, naroon sila. Dahil sa malasakit na yan, buong puso kong inaalay ang suporta ko sa kandidatura ni Mayor Sara para sa pagka-presidente sa 2022 (“For the Duterte family, there is no opposition. If you are in need, they will be there. That is my reason for backing the candidacy of Mayor Sara for President in 2022),” Abaya said.

Abaya stressed that his decision is entirely his own, and does not reflect the views of other Liberal Party members in Cavite. “We all have our own minds in the Liberal Party,” he explained. “This is my own.”

Abaya revealed that the assistance in terms of projects from the President, and even from the Davao City mayor, have been “continuous and heavy”, be it “ayuda”, medical help, burial assistance from the DWSD, and others.

 

[francis_0170]

Sana mas maaga yung telecast nya kase recorded naman pla. Sana every 8pm weekly or bi-weekly.

[manishbombee]

Duterte orders SolGen: Ask COA to collect P140 million from Gordon | Philstar.com

Duterte orders SolGen: Ask COA to collect P140 million from Gordon

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the solicitor general to ask state auditors to collect P140 million in state funds that was supposedly misused when Sen. Richard Gordon was chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Duterte said it has been years since the Commission on Audit (COA) issued a notice of disallowance over the funds but Gordon has not returned the money demanded from him. He added that P86 million of the funds used for the disallowed transactions was "attributable" to the senator.

"What happened to your case? You did not pay. It’s a malversed money. It's the people's money that you have used. So where is the money or... what happened to the money? Did you give it to someone or you gave it as a present or you used it for your campaign?," the president said during a pre-recorded public address last Monday.

"I am now asking the Solicitor General to formally ask COA to act on the disallowance and remind them of their constitutional duty to collect the P140 million as stated in the demand letter of SBMA chairperson and administrator (Wilma) Eisma dated August of this year, which was sent via registered mail...This has been duly sustained by the Supreme Court as final and executory," he added.

[camiar]

On 9/12/2021 at 11:44 PM, Behlat said:

Duterte further divided the country instead of uniting it. 

It's like DDS (may sariling mundo) vs the world. 

This is Duterte's popularity rating from 2016 to 2021 sourced from Pulse Asia.
He does not divide the country. As Pulse Asia records show, the country is united in their approval of Duterte.

[manishbombee]

Strong political will is Duterte’s biggest legacy: Corvera | Philippine News Agency (pna.gov.ph)

BUTUAN CITY – For Agusan del Norte Governor Dale Corvera, the strong political will of President Rodrigo Duterte is his greatest legacy that has led to the successful implementation of the administration's various programs, projects, and services in the country.

Corvera spearheaded the launch of the Duterte Legacy Campaign for the Caraga region that was held in Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte on Thursday.

The launch carried the theme “The Duterte Legacy: Barangayanihan Caravan Towards National Recovery”.

“For over 30 years of occupying various elective positions in the government, this is the first time I experienced a President, in the person of President Rodrigo Duterte, who possesses a strong political will to end the decades-long insurgency problem,” he said as he formally opened the event.

The political will of the President, he added, is manifested through the institution of the "whole-of-nation" approach to win back people and communities once enslaved by the communist New People’s Army (NPA).

[manishbombee]

BARMM hails Duterte legacy as 'more than excellent' | Philippine News Agency (pna.gov.ph)

 October 1, 2021, 12:53 pm

PARANG, Maguindanao – The accomplishments of President Rodrigo Duterte's administration in the past five years have been "more than excellent," with the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao being its highlight, a BARMM official said.

“(President Duterte's) best legacy is much felt by the Bangsamoro people,” BARMM Assistant Senior Minister Abdullah Cusain said in a phone interview with local reporters on Friday.

Cusain led BARMM officials during the launch of “The Duterte Legacy: Barangayanihan Caravan towards National Recovery” at the police regional office here on Thursday.

The Duterte Legacy Campaign was simultaneously held across the country on the same day.

Edited October 2, 2021 by manishbombee

[manishbombee]

Bicol International Airport begins operation | The Manila Times

 

AFTER 11 years of delay, the Bicol International Airport (BIA) in Daraga, Albay is ready to start operations and receive commercial domestic flights on Friday, October 8, the Department of Transportation and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) assured.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade led an inspection of the gateway on Sunday, October 3.

"The BIA is touted as the country's 'Most Scenic Gateway' with the iconic Mayon Volcano for its backdrop. I encountered doubts in accomplishing this project that is why I took it as a personal challenge," said Tugade during his inspection of the BIA.

Tugade explained the airport went through three groundbreaking ceremonies, but the nonstop construction works only began under the Duterte administration's Build, Build, Build program.

Once fully operational, the BIA is expected to accommodate a total of two million passengers per year. Construction of the airport also created 755 jobs with 1,100 more indirect jobs expected to become available once the airport begins commercial operations.

[manishbombee]

New Bicol International Airport part of Duterte's legacy – Bong Go | The Manila Times

October 10, 2021

 

 

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte, together with Sen. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and other officials, attended the inauguration of the Bicol International Airport (BIA) in Daraga town, Albay province on Thursday, October 7.

The BIA, considered the first international airport in Luzon south of the National Capital Region, is expected to boost tourism and economic development in the Bicol Region.

"Even in the middle of a pandemic, our government pursues the completion of important projects for our communities," said Go in Filipino.

"This is a proof of concern and the dedication of the Duterte administration in serving the whole of the citizenry. We will ensure that no one will be left behind in our recovery from the crisis," he added.

The airport includes a 2,500-meter runway with take-off capabilities and night landing, as well as cargo and passenger terminal and an air traffic control tower, fire station, parking lot, and amenities.

[manishbombee]

Tutuban-Malolos train set slated to arrive December - Manila Standard Mobile

October 10, 2021

The Department of Transportation said over the weekend it expects the first train set for the PNR Clark Phase 1 (Tutuban-Malolos) to arrive in the Philippines by the first week of December.

It said the first train set of the rolling stock contract of PNR Clark Phase 1 was now undergoing a series of factory acceptance tests in Japan.

“Through the factory acceptance tests, the newly manufactured train set will undergo verification if it meets its intended purpose, and its compliance with several international standards, such as the International Organization of Standardization and Japanese Industrial Standards,” DOTR said.

“The FATs shall also ensure that the rolling stock’s equipment are correctly and fully functioning, prior to shipment of the trains,” it said.

It said the train set would depart Yokohama Port in October and arrive at Malanday Depot in Valenzuela in the first week of December.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade earlier said the P106-billion PNR Clark Phase 1 Project, a 38-kilometer railway connecting Tutuban Station in Manila and Malolos in Bulacan, was on track to be completed by the second quarter of 2024.

At least 7,500 workers are being employed during the construction of the project, while 2,000 additional jobs would be made available once the project becomes operational, according to Tugade.

PNR North 1 has 10 stations, which will cut across the cities of Manila, Caloocan, Valenzuela and the municipalities and cities of Meycuayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto and Malolos in Bulacan.

Once completed, the project is expected to serve 300,000 passengers daily and will reduce travel time from Malolos to Manila from an hour and 30 minutes to 35 minutes.

Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the North-South Commuter Railway Project (Malolos-Tutuban), also known as the PNR North 1 Project, was signed in November 2015.

PNR Clark Phase 1 will be seamlessly connected to the P150-billion PNR Clark Phase 2 (Malolos-Clark) and PNR Calamba, forming one integrated commuter railway system that will serve commuters traveling to, from, and within NCR, Region III, and Region IV-A.

PNR Clark Phase 1 and Phase 2 form part of the massive 147-km. North-South Commuter Railway line, which will have 35 stations and operate 464 train cars, with 58 eight-car train sets configuration.

The NSCR System is the single largest infrastructure project funded by the Asian Development Bank and is the longest greenfield commuter railway project to be financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

It is also the biggest project to be undertaken under the “Build, Build, Build” program of the Duterte administration with a total cost of P777.55-billion. It is one of the key infrastructure railway projects supported by Japan, in addition to the Metro Manila Subway and the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 rehabilitation projects.

Edited October 11, 2021 by manishbombee

[manishbombee]

MRT-7 to start operations by April 2022, says DOTr | Inquirer News

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Monday said the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7) will begin to operate by April 2022.

“Tuloy-tuloy na po ‘yan operational na po ito ng April next year (it will be operational by April next year),” said DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade in an interview.

“Gusto ko pang paspasan, ‘yung tren nandiyadiyan na (I want to further speed it up, the train is already there),” he added.

The MRT 7 is a P63-billion project that started construction in April 2016. It will link North Avenue in Quezon City to San Jose del Monte in Bulacan.

On September 7, two train sets or a total of six train cars for MRT-7 already arrived in the country from South Korea.

San Miguel Corp. earlier said it expects the delivery of 108 coaches in the coming months.

Meanwhile, Tugade said the facility known as the Common Station in North Avenue, Quezon City, will be completed by December 2021.

The Common Station will connect MRT-3, MRT-7, and the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1).
 

[manishbombee]

 

[Qin Nan V2]

The only president who tried and acted on the things he promised the Filipinos last 2016. Just proves that the country's illness can't be fixed by a single leader.

[manishbombee]

MRT-3 service disruptions now 'a thing of the past’: Duterte | Philippine News Agency (pna.gov.ph)

 

MANILA – President Rodrigo R. Duterte believes that technical glitches are now “a thing of the past” following the inauguration of the newly-rehabilitated Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3.

The MRT-3 rehabilitation project, which started in May 2019 and was completed in December 2021, aims to restore the MRT-3 to its high-grade design condition.

“I want to take this opportunity to promote the rehabilitated MRT in the commuting public and assure our kababayans (countrymen) that service disruptions are a thing of the past,” Duterte said in his speech during the MRT-3 rehabilitation completion ceremony at the MRT-3 Shaw Boulevard Station in Mandaluyong City.

Duterte said the government continues to strive to finish crucial projects like the MRT-3 rehabilitation project despite setbacks caused by Covid-19.

He described the newly-rehabilitated MRT-3 as “proof” that the government is keeping its momentum in improving connectivity and mobility, which is critical in sustaining economic growth and development.

Duterte emphasized the need for urgent response to challenges that confront Filipinos daily, noting that he is determined to keep championing programs and projects for their best interests.

He vowed that he would give “no more room for laxity and complacency” in public service.

Duterte also congratulated the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for realizing its commitment to improving service delivery, especially after the completed the comprehensive rehabilitation of the MRT-3 with the help of private partners.

“Our train system would have not returned to its original hybrid design condition without the technical competencies and professional aid of our service providers,” he said.

The MRT-3 rehabilitation project was funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) while the rehabilitation and upgrade were undertaken by its original contractor and maintenance provider, Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

He welcomed the MRT-3 upgrades, particularly the trains which now operate with a speed of 60 kilometers per hour from the previous 25 kilometers per hour.

The number of trains also increased from a low of 12 to 15 operating units, now up to as high as 18 to 22 operational trains.

The waiting time between trains has also been reduced from a high of eight to 10 minutes, down to as low as 3.5 minutes.

“I extend my sincerest appreciation to the government of Japan for your assistance in the project. Your country has always been a friend, an active partner of the Philippines in our development projects,” Duterte said.

Meanwhile, Duterte announced that the public will receive free MRT-3 rides from March 28 to April 30, 2022.

Free rides were also offered to women on March 8 in line with the celebration of National Women's Day.

In his prerecorded Talk to the People aired on Tuesday, Duterte urged the public to take the MRT, Light Rail Transit (LRT), or bus to get around Metro Manila amid inflated oil prices.

“You better learn from our practice now to ride itong mga (these) MRT, LRT because that is -- that would be the single functional move -- to use to move people from one place to another, or from one point to another,” he said. (PNA)

[manishbombee]

Duterte thanks China for funding Binondo-Intramuros Bridge project – Manila Bulletin (mb.com.ph)

President Duterte thanked the Chinese government for its help in funding the 680-meter Binondo-Intramuros Bridge Project which was inaugurated on Tuesday, April 5.

”I thank and with gratitude the People’s Republic of China for the confidence and for being a partner in enhancing key infrastructure projects in our country,” Duterte said in his speech.

“Ambassador Huang, the Philippines and China we do not have any quarrel. And we can talk about the Spratly Islands and probably the fishing rights of my countrymen — plain talk, nothing else,” he added, referring to Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian.

 

The President and Ambassador Huang were both present during the inauguration of the bridge which is a joint undertaking of the Philippine government, through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the People’s Republic of China.

The four-lane bridge crossing the Pasig River in the City of Manila is fully-funded through China-grant, along with the completed Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge in Makati and Mandaluyong.

“In doing so, our people are given the chance to experience economic growth and enhanced productivity. In doing so, our nations are likewise working together towards greener, more sustainable and climate change resistant infrastructure,” Duterte added.

 

He likewise lauded the DPWH for completing another key project of the administration’s “Build, Build, Build” Program amid restrictions brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

“Despite the unprecedented challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, you have all remained devoted to connecting people and places by completing this project,” he said.

The Binondo-Intramuros Bridge is a basket-handle tied steel arch bridge that links Intramuros at Solana Street and Riverside Drive and Binondo at Rentas Street and Muelle dela Industria having a viaduct structure over Estero de Binondo.

Bike lanes with reflective thermoplastic road lines and protected sidewalks on both sides are also features of the project as part of DPWH’s program to build safe infrastructure for non-motorized road users.

The new bridge also conforms to the standard design under DPWH seismic guidelines, criteria and specifications in an effort to make it resilient in the event of large magnitude earthquakes.