DOTr Stresses Importance of MRT-3 Safety Inspection, Says Interagency Efforts to Minimize Effect to Passengers in Place

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Transportation today stressed the importance of conducting safety inspection in all MRT-3 trains, which resulted to the temporary decrease in speed and the number of trains running during peak hours.

According to DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Cesar B. Chavez, the instructions given to him by Secretary Arthur Tugade to prioritize safety of the riding public was very clear.

“Malinaw po ang utos sa atin ni Secretary Tugade. Hindi na baleng paulanan kami ng mura kaysa tahimik ang tao dahil nasa ospital sila o sementeryo. Parte po ito ng proseso upang masiguro ang kaligtasan ng ating mga mananakay kaya kahit paulanan niyo kami ng puna, ito ay kailangan naming gawin,” Usec Chavez explains.

Currently, the MRT3 maintenance team is working double time to ensure the fast completion of the safety inspection in order to deploy additional trains so as to minimize the impact of speed reduction. As of this morning, there are already 17 trains in operation as compared to yesterday’s reported 15.

To assist passengers, DOTr has sought the help of MMDA and LTFRB to prepare the deployment of additional buses in all MRT3 stations.

LTFRB Chairman Martin B. Delgra III said that additional city buses were deployed to give MRT-3 passengers an alternative mode of transportation.

On the other hand, MRT-3 Director for Operations Deo Leo Manalo clarified that the previously announced 4-day safety inspection is just an estimate. He reassured passengers that the MRT3 maintenance team is focused in completing the safety inspection at the soonest possible time for the rail line to be able to deploy additional trains.

“We will do everything to complete it earlier,” Dir. Manalo said.

It may be recalled that yesterday afternoon, the MRT 3 management has mandated a thorough inspection of wheel axles of all its trains following an incident yesterday when the train driver of Car 64 observed an abnormal noise and strong lateral movements on the train. When ignored the conditions could possibly lead to more serious problems.

SM Youth Go-See Season 2 Announces Macauly Lofgren and Erika Kristensen as New SM Youth Ambassadors!

Wazzup Pilipinas!

From the thousands who auditioned online, to the top 50, down to the 14 finalists, only two were hailed as winners of the second season of the SM Youth Go-See – Macauly Lofgren and Erika Kristensen.

For weeks, they’ve surpassed challenge after challenge -- from styling themselves in their own fashion shows, posing with a snake for a high fashion shoot to producing their own campaigns aimed to empower the Filipino youth, Macauly and Erika have shown that they have what it takes to be the latest SM Youth ambassadors.

"The past few weeks have been an incredible journey. To me this has always been more than a competition, this truly was an opportunity to reach out and inspire the youth. What I didn't expect was to be inspired by all of you — my family, friends, supporters, and fans I made along the way. I truly am so grateful for all the support you have given me. As I begin my journey as the next SM Youth ambassador I hope this inspires you all to never give up on your dreams. I am so glad to be a part of not just a brand but a family that is more than an audience to change, a family that instigates change. Remember, always aspire to inspire until you expire,” shares Macauly Lofgren.

Smart, Twitter Bring ‘Lite’ Experience to More Filipinos

Wazzup Pilipinas!

More Filipinos will now have access to up-to-date information as PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications partners with Twitter to bring the Twitter Lite experience to mobile users across the country.

Twitter has launched a data-friendly version of its service called Twitter Lite, which will enhance Filipino users’ mobile-first experience with fast and real-time information on what’s happening around the world and what people are talking about.

Twitter's head of sales for Southeast Asia Tina Pang and head of business development for Southeast Asia and Australia Dwi Adriansah pose for photos with Smart Communications’ senior manager for digital platforms and product development Paul Pajo and vice president for digital products and partnerships Harvey Libarnes during the launch of Twitter Lite in the country in partnership with Philippine telecommunication providers.

Twitter Lite users will still get to enjoy the key features of Twitter on mobile web, without consuming too much data. To activate Twitter Lite, users must log on to mobile.twitter.com on their phone browser, click on their user photo to go to settings, and activate the Data Saver mode. On the Twitter Lite timeline, users will see a preview of images and videos, before choosing which ones to fully load.



Optimal use via TNT, Opera Mini

To maximize the Twitter Lite experience, TNT, Smart’s value brand, is offering three-day access to Twitter, whether via Twitter app or mobile web browser, for just P10. To avail of this service, TNT subscribers may text TWITTER10 to 4545.

Smart Prepaid users may also avail of All Out Surf 30, which offers 300 MB open access that can be used for Twitter for two days, apart from unlimited texts to all networks and 30-minute calls to Smart, TNT, and Sun. Smart Prepaid subscribers may text ALLOUT30 to 9999 to get this data package.

Using Opera Mini further amplifies Smart, Sun and TNT users’ Twitter Lite experience, as the browser compresses data and loads faster. The Twitter Lite option is set on the speed dial of Opera Mini upon installation, giving Smart, Sun and TNT subscribers easy access to the latest news and information on their favorite entertainment and sports celebrities.



Beneficial partnership

“We are happy to partner with Twitter to offer the Twitter Lite experience to our more than 63 million subscribers across the Philippines,” said Harvey Libarnes, vice president for digital products and partnerships at Smart. “This partnership will benefit our subscribers, especially those who have limited connectivity, because they will get to fully enjoy the mobile web features of Twitter while at the same time have access to the latest information anytime and anywhere in the country,” Libarnes added.

“Entertainment is one of the most talked about topics in the Philippines on Twitter. For example, we saw over 4.6 million tweets during AlDub’s first-ever teleserye Destined to be Yours’ pilot episode,” said Dwi Adriansah, head of business development for Twitter Southeast Asia and Australia. “We are excited to partner with two of the largest telcos in the country to bring data-friendly, real-time updates from what’s happening with love couples like AlDub, KathNiel, and JaDine, to the latest teleseryes, as shared experiences to more Filipinos across the nation with Twitter Lite.”

With more than 313 million active users worldwide, Twitter has become a vital platform for social media-savvy Filipinos to stay updated on events and personalities in and out of the country.