DOTr to Pursue Multi-Airport Strategy in PH

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In a bid to enhance mobility and connectivity, and to help address congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade once again reiterated his position to develop multiple airports in the country.

In a senate hearing to discuss issues and proposed solutions in line with the NAIA mishap involving Xiamen Air held last Monday, 10 September, Sec. Tugade reiterated that the direction of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is to construct new airports, and improve/rehabilitate/expand existing gateways, such as the NAIA.

"We have our Aviation Roadmap. Phase 1 is to improve and enhance our primary gateways such as NAIA and Clark International Airport. Kasama din nito ay ang paghahanap ng bagong airports such as Sangley and Bulacan," Sec. Tugade said.

Expansion of the Clark International Airport, which is pushed as an alternative to the premier gateway NAIA, is currently underway. The new passenger terminal building (PTB) broke ground on December 20, 2017, only six months after NEDA Board approval. 

The new PTB is designed to accommodate an additional 8 million passengers every year. Construction of the new terminal, which is now 10% complete, will complement other infrastructure projects in the area such as Manila-Clark Railway, Subic-Clark Cargo Railway, and the New Clark City. 

The MIAA Board has also recommended the granting of Original Proponent Status to the NAIA Consortium for the NAIA rehabilitation project, which includes the improvement and expansion of terminals, construction of additional taxiways, and other support infrastructure. The Concession Agreement will run for 15 years. 

The DOTr is finalizing the Terms of Reference and completing all the documentary requirements that will be submitted to NEDA ICC. 

Further, the DOTr is likewise working to develop and rehabilitate regional airports, and make them available for night-rated operations. 

"Before we came, nasa 15 lang, ngayon higit 20 na ang commercially-operated airports na night-rated. Kasama nito ang improvement ng runway," he added. 

Meanwhile, the new Rapid Exit Taxiways (RETs) at runway 06-24 of the NAIA Terminal 1 had been inaugurated yesterday. These runway exits aim to decongest the long lines of departing aircraft as they allow an aircraft to leave the runway at a faster speed. 

“This has been conceived a long time ago. It's only now that [because of] political will, [we are able] to do it. Indeed, this is a milestone project and will benefit our passengers,” said Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, who witnessed the inauguration along with Tugade, DOTr Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Manuel Antonio Tamayo, MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal and CAAP Director General Jim Sydiongco. 

Moreover, Sec. Tugade explained that proposed airports in Bulacan and Sangley, Cavite, are part of the Aviation Roadmap, which will address the congestion issue in NAIA. 

The Concession Agreement for the new Bulacan airport is being finalized, while the legal framework for the implementation of the Sangley airport project must first be identified by the Cavite Provincial Government.

Come to the European Higher Education Fair on 10 October 2018 at Shangri-La Plaza

Wazzup Pilipinas!

EHEF 2018 slated on October 10, to feature more than 20 institutions from the EU region

Education will always be a main priority for Filipinos and in a world that’s getting more and more connected, it always pays to have a world–class higher education.

On 10 October 2018 at the Shangri-La Plaza, the European Union provides this opportunity as it opens its doors to Filipino students looking to expand their horizons through post-graduate studies.

Organized by the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines together with EU Member States’ Embassies and Campus France, Instituto Cervantes, Philippine-Italian Association, Goethe Institut in partnership with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the EHEF will feature universities and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) from Europe.

This year’s theme, “Sustaining Innovation and Excellence,” further promotes EU as a center of excellence and quality in higher education.

EU Ambassador Franz Jessen said that this year's exciting fair will once again be a platform for the EU to offer a fusion of “old and excellent teaching and cutting–edge, innovative higher education.”

Getting a postgraduate degree from the European Union offers many advantages.

An EU degree affords better possibilities for those who want to move up on their professional careers. It is also an excellent destination for academic and scientific research opportunities.

An educational experience in the EU provides a new dimension to learning new languages, immersing in its member states’ many rich and diverse cultures, and being part of an international network of students and peers.

Studying in Europe also proves to be a cost-effective investment.

With an array of scholarship options available, international students can pursue postgraduate degrees. One such option is the Erasmus+ programme, which encourages deserving individuals to take further studies in the EU.

The EHEF is designed to enable students to get quick yet comprehensive information on higher education and mobility programmes.

Filipino youth can learn more about the EU educational system and way of life through lectures and direct interaction with university and HEI representatives, alumni volunteers, and Erasmus+ alumni.

There will also be country presentations from each member state to showcase all the best reasons in studying in Europe.

Admission to the fair is free. Interested parties can pre–register online for the country presentations via www.ehef–philippines.com.

For more information, visit @EHEFPhilippines on Facebook, Instagram, and on Twitter.

Last Call for Orgs to Showcase Innovations at 2018 EAS Congress Exhibition

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) is calling on organizations to join the 2018 East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress Exhibition happening on November 27 to 29, 2018 at the Iloilo Convention Center, Iloilo City.

With only two months left before the EAS Congress, a few booths remain up for grabs for organizations who want to showcase their innovations and progress on various aspects of sustainable coastal and ocean management, including tools, technologies, products, experiences and best practices. The triennial exhibition coincides with the EAS Congress International Conference that will see some 1,000 local and international delegates in attendance.

Themed “25 Years of Partnerships for Healthy Oceans, People and Economies: Moving as One with the Global Ocean Agenda”, the 2018 EAS Congress Exhibition aims to share information on various initiatives and tools contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDG 14 or Life Below Water), the Sustainable Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS- SEA) and blue economy development in the region.

With categories such as Governance & Management, Science & Technology and Blue Economy & Industry, the exhibition aims to provide a venue for sharing contributions and initiatives within the ocean community, as well as provide a platform for partnership/networking to connect with other experts and organizations towards accelerating the achievement of sustainable development targets for coasts and oceans.

The 2018 EAS Congress Environmental Exhibition is open to institutions, organizations and groups who wish to showcase their innovations and progress on various aspects of the sustainable coastal and ocean management, not only in the East Asia Seas but also around the world.

Registration for the exhibit is until September 30, 2018. For more details on how to participate, download the 2^nd Exhibitors’ Prospectus by visiting the EAS 2018 Congress website at http://eascongress2018.pemsea.org/.