DOTr, DPWH, MMDA to Enhance Coordination to Address Traffic Woes

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In a bid to alleviate traffic congestion in Metro Manila, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), met yesterday afternoon to discuss measures to enhance inter-agency coordination, especially on the conduct of road diggings, excavations, and similar works in the region.

The meeting was spearheaded by DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade and DPWH Secretary Mark Villar in order to settle any issue arising from road works, especially on the major thoroughfares of the metropolis.

In the meeting, Usec. Romeo Momo of DPWH requested the MMDA to issue excavation clearance to DPWH districts instead of contractors to prevent delays and for them to efficiently manage road works.

“Instead of issuing permits to contractors, issue it to DPWH and we will ensure that they will abide by our guidelines,” Usec. Momo said.

In order to prevent long delays on project start date, DPWH likewise suggested for the MMDA to allow them to apply for an excavation clearance once a project is advertised instead of waiting until the project has been awarded to a certain contractor.

For her part, MMDA Traffic Discipline Office Director Neomie Recio reminded DPWH to ensure that a Traffic Management Plan be in place before a road work project starts in order to guarantee its minimal effect to traffic flow.

"The contractors should submit their traffic management plan to you so you can review it before passing to us. Once it is submitted to MMDA, we will determine if it is acceptable and recommend necessary adjustments or revisions if needed,” Recio said. “Also, remind these contractors that excavation in major roads are only to be done between 10pm and 5am,” she added.

To sustain the level of coordination and review of existing guidelines, regular inter-agency meetings shall be conducted by the said agencies every 2nd Tuesday of each month. Further, erring contractors shall be determined during such meetings for the imposition of appropriate sanctions.

Inewvation Soars Higher in 2017

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Inewvation International Corporation, the leading digital display and advertising solutions provider in the country, is set to achieve greater heights this year targeting bigger projects in the international business landscape.

With the opening of its Visayas office by 2nd quarter of the year, Inewvation continues to expand its reach in the country as well as in Asia by launching its office in Singapore last July 2016.

Inewvation is led by company’s head honcho Mr. Jayson So, President and Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Billy So, Chief Operating Officer.

“Last year marks our 5th year in this digital solution business here in the country. I can consider 2016 as a good year, since most of clients are now open to digital age and already appreciated the "quality vs price", that we have been explaining to them since I started the business. Moving forward, 2017 is promising. Just on our first quarter for this year, we already got so much in our pipeline. This year will also be the year for our expansion of the business. We will officially open Visayas branch and looking forward to reach Mindanao as well, ” Mr. Jayson said.

Its first project outside the country is the biggest indoor LED displays in Shoppes at Parisian Casino, Macau. This pitch 4mm LED screen adds up to the elegance and sophistication of the Temptations Store as it displays different brands as well as its promotions.

Moreover, several projects were done by Inewvation in the past year.

Ash Wednesday Rituals Causing Traffic Congestion? Blame the Christians!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"When it's Iglesia ni Cristo causing traffic jams, social media is flooded with shame campaigns against that religion. How about when it's the Catholic Church? Hardly a word." - Bo Reus

We've read on our Facebook timeline that a traffic congestion along Commonwealth resulted because of the Ash Wednesday rituals happening at many Christian churches on the first day of March 2017. There was an issue raised that hardly news about the struggle comes out when it's the Catholic church that cause the congestion. However, when the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) holds an event, all media outfits, including social media, are all furious with the INC that they could literally strangle the church leaders and members when given the opportunity.

We all know that the majority could easily be manipulated or brainwashed by sensationalized news aggravated by certain groups who have vested interests in mind - there are the "fake news" and the pro or anti political or religious parties who will connect the issue with other issues, and come up with absurd analysis or interpretations.

In any case, we believe the time has come when we should no longer be expressing our thoughts out on the streets where clarity of purpose could never be found.

Regardless of always being able to submit to the authorities your plans to hold strikes or rallies, it is unfair to let the local government provide for the rerouting and contingency plans just to accommodate you. We all know our roads are not enough for all our vehicles that every disruption causes further chaos for all.

The reason why people complain is because they do not clearly understand why you are out there, when we could very well use other means like online networks to reach out to more people, and then personally meet them where both of you will be comfortable and in the best of condition.

Reach out to only a few at certain times to gain more positive results. Going out in the streets could just be perceived as a publicity stunt to get attention. It could be seen only as a show of force to either taunt or ridicule the public of your supremacy.

This suggestion goes out to all religions. We believe the higher form of beings out there would agree with us.

When you're stuck in traffic, and tired, hungry, stressed, and needed to pee, the mind has no room for logical thinking. We would readily curse the ones causing the congestion regardless how noble their cause or intentions are.