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Friday, May 5, 2017

DOTr to Investors, Businesses: Maximize Opportunities of New ASEAN RORO Shipping Link



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The Department of Transportation (DOTr) reiterated President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s invitation to investors and business leaders of both the Philippines and Indonesia on “harnessing the potentials” of the newly inaugurated ASEAN roll-on, roll-off (ASEAN RORO) shipping network during the arrival ceremonies of the maiden voyage of M/V Super Shuttle RORO 12 at the port of Bitung in Indonesia on Tuesday, May 2.

Addressing before government officials, trade and maritime leaders of Indonesia, DOTr Undersecretary for Maritime Felipe A. Judan has urged the Indonesian business community to participate in the shipping trade using the said link.

“Let me take this opportunity to echo President Duterte’s invitation to the people of Indonesia, particularly the private sector and business community here, to harness the potentials of this new shipping route by maximizing the opportunities it offers while fostering improvements and sustainability in maritime connectivity and relations in the region,” Judan said.

Last Sunday, April 30, President Duterte and Indonesian President Joko Widodo jointly officiated the formal opening of the new route and the maiden voyage of M/V Super Shuttle RORO 12.

The ASEAN Roro Shipping Service, the first of three routes identified to boost trade in BIMP-EAGA or the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area, will cross the Philippine cities of Davao and General Santos and Bitung (DGB) in the province of North Sulawesi in Indonesia.

On Friday, April 28, the transportation heads of both Indonesia and the Philippines formally signed a Joint Declaration that would establish this sea connection. The document also stated that both countries ensure sea connectivity services that would meet the safety, security and environmental standards set by international conventions, not just be limited to the newly-opened ASEAN RORO service.

This new trading route will significantly reduce shipping time of transported goods from the usual five weeks to just two to three days.

This will, in effect, reduce the logistical cost of trade by about US$1,500 (Php75,000) per twenty-foot unit or TEU. The expected cost would only become US$700/TEU (Php35,000) from the previous US$2,200/TEU (Php110,000) freight cost of taking the previous route of Davao, Manila, Singapore, Jakarta and Bitung.

With greater accessibility and cost-efficient shipment of goods, the connecting line is expected to open new opportunities for trade, investments and tourism. This will, in turn, spur local economic activities in both countries and provide jobs to its people.

The two governments are also targeting to eventually open the ASEAN RORO route for the operation of passenger vessels, enticing the movement of people in the two countries.

“In the years to come, we are hopeful that this new shipping network could entice more businesses to participate in maritime trade and logistics and eventually venture possible opportunities for movement passenger vessels. In doing so, we may not only be facilitating the movement of goods but also of people, thus promising a more vibrant socio-economic exchange,” Judan said.


Trade in goods

The M/V Super Shuttle Roro 12 which is operated by the Cebu-based company Asia Marine Transport Corp., has an initial capacity of 500 TEU, voyaging once every week.

Mindanao products such as fresh fruits, poultry, meat, coffee blends, fishing supplies, and synthetics were identified for export to Indonesia. On the other hand, Bitung will export coconut, copra, corn, high value crops, soya products, coffee beans, sugar, cement, and charcoal to Mindanao.

Times Change, But the Celebration Stays the Same


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Feliz Cinco de Mayo, Compadres!

For almost two centuries, Cinco de Mayo has served as one of Mexico’s greatest cultural traditions. Often mistaken as the country’s day of Independence, Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 05th, 1862.

The combination of the Mexican-American war and the Mexican Civil War, also known as the Reform War, crippled the Mexican economy. In an attempt to ease the financial burdens of his people, Mexican President Benito Juárez suspended payments of interests on foreign debts for two years. Seeing an opportunity, Emperor Napoleon III of France sent naval forces to France as a means of establishing an empire in Latin America.

Mexico's triumphant victory against the French was hailed as the first step towards independence and because of it’s significance to the people of Mexico, Cinco De Mayo is now observed all over the world, with many countries getting the chance to celebrate Mexico’s rich culture and traditions. 



One of Mexico’s greatest contributions to the world is tequila and no other brand represents that more than Jose Cuervo®. For over 200 years, Jose Cuervo® paved the way at the forefront by producing the world’s most recognized brand of tequila. 

DOTR, LRMC Lead LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project Ground Breaking


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Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade and Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) President and CEO Rogelio L. Singson led the ground breaking ceremony of the LRT-1 Cavite extension project, a government and private sector initiative that will create an additional eight passenger stations through an extended alignment of 11-kilometers, passing the cities of Parañaque, Las Piñas and of Bacoor in Cavite.

"Mobility and connectivity are the platforms upon which you can be assured of development and growth in any nation. The realization of this project establishes that connectivity. If you have an honest to goodness, well-meaning partnership between government and the private sector, then things will move,” Secretary Tugade said.

The transportation chief noted that activities were laid as early as 2006, but it was only this year, during the term of President Rodrigo Duterte, that the project is gaining actual momentum. The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) approved the extension and alignment project in 2011.

“Imagine a situation where in 2011 na-approve na ng NEDA, ngayon pa lang – after 6 years – magi-inaugurate tayo. That is indeed delayed – gargantuan delay. But when you put partnership, well-meaning partnership between private sector and government, then you can fast-track the projects,” Tugade explains.
Ang Pambansang Blog ng Pilipinas Wazzup Pilipinas and the Umalohokans. Ang Pambansang Blog ng Pilipinas celebrating 10th year of online presence
 
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