Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

DOTC on MRT Capacity Expansion Project: We Will Defend The Interest Of Millions Of Passengers

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Following the Makati Regional Trial Court’s (RTC) issuance of a “Temporary Order of Protection” which essentially prevents government from adding coaches to the country’s most-heavily congested rail transit line, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has assured the Metro Rail Transit III (MRT-3) system’s more than 500,000 passengers that it will defend their interest in court to deliver the long-overdue Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) at the soonest possible time.

“We will fight for the interest of the hundreds of thousands of MRT-3 riders who have been waiting for more LRVs for too long. At the time when government is finally ready to deliver these projects, the public good is now being held hostage by a private company,” said DOTC Spokesperson Michael Arthur Sagcal.

The court order names the Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRTC), which owns the MRT-3 facilities, and Metro Rail Transit Holdings II, Inc. (MRTH-II), one of its affiliated companies, as the petitioners for the Temporary Order of Protection.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Marine ecotourism will be at the centerpiece of this year’s 5th World Ecotourism Conference to be held on February 20 to 22, 2014 in the island-province of Cebu.

With the theme, “Marine and Coastal Ecotourism: Oceans of Uncertainties, Waves of Opportunities,” the 5th World Ecotourism Conference will discuss the impacts of ecotourism activities linked to the seas such as whale and shark watching, snorkeling, scuba diving, and recreational fishing. The conference will also tackle the socio-economic aspects of the industry such as development of destinations, management of marine ecotourism spots, marketing, and the elimination of poverty through sustainability. The event is co-organized by the Department of Tourism and DISCOVERYMICE of Malaysia and endorsed by the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

Representatives from government, industry, civil society, and the academe from all over the world are expected to discuss development and sustainability of industries linked to marine and coastal ecotourism.

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The first and only mountain I've climbed so far was Mount Pulag. Many said I should have started with a lesser challenging mountain like Mount Pinatubo but I never chose which one should be my first - there was an opportunity so I grabbed it.

My way to the top was fast because I wanted to catch up with the rest of the group. I never really made much effort to stop for awhile and look at the scenery. There was a schedule to maintain and regardless of the fact that I was so damn tired, sweaty, and thirsty... I had to move on so that the entire group can make it on time. Having to climb with a group also adds some form of motivation on me because I dare not become the weakest link.

The path was toxic, but I endured! Especially during part two of the climb - an early morning trek towards the top trying to make it before sunrise. Suffering from the extreme cold, it was the very first time I felt my body shaking and my teeth quivering relentlessly. The pitch black darkness added more worries as we were only guided by flashlights while following a narrow path.