DOTr: MRT-3 Rehab Not Delayed

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) wishes to clarify that the Japan-funded MRT-3 Rehabilitation Project is NOT DELAYED.

Rehabilitation and maintenance service provider Sumitomo Corporation, together with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), started advance transition works as early as November 2018.

Following the signing of a Rehabilitation and Maintenance Agreement (RMA) with the DOTr last December 28, Sumitomo-MHI started mobilizing advance engineering teams to MRT-3, and in February, started advance procuring of tracks, train parts, and other components necessary for the comprehensive rehabilitation of MRT-3.

To clarify earlier reports, what is currently pending is DOTr's advance payment to Sumitomo under the RMA, due to the pendency of the enactment of the 2019 General Appropriations Act, or the national budget, which is the funding source for the MRT-3 Rehabilitation Project.

Fortunately, despite the pendency of the advance payment, trust and confidence in the DOTr led to Sumitomo agreeing to advance the purchase of major components for the rehabilitation, which included rail tracks and train parts for the general overhaul of the MRT-3's 72 train cars or bagons.

Because of this, the rehabilitation of MRT-3 is still on track to completing in 26 months.

Under the project, the MRT-3 will undergo rehabilitation and maintenance of its electromechanical components, power supply, rail tracks, depot equipment, and overhaul of its 72 light rail vehicles.

Once rehabilitated, the MRT-3 will return to its high-grade infrastructure condition. It will increase the number of its operating train sets from the current 15 to 20 at peak hours, double the train operating speed to 60 kilometers per hour, and slash by half the time between trains from the current 7-10 minutes down to 3.5 minutes.

Three Reasons Why Filipinos Need To Watch ONE: REIGN OF VALOR

Wazzup Pilipinas!

ONE Championship will once again make its return to Yangon, Myanmar on Friday, 8 March for ONE: REIGN OF VALOR at the iconic Thuwunna Indoor Stadium.

While all of the Filipino champions are scheduled in ONE: A NEW ERA, there are still plenty of reasons for local martial arts from the Philippines to tune-in and enjoy another loaded match card.

Here are just three main reasons why ONE: REIGN OF VALOR is a must-see.

Rene Catalan’s path to desired ONE World Title shot

Rene “The Challenger” Catalan’s amazing run in the talent-filled strawweight division is something that cannot be overlooked anymore.

After losing his first two matches in ONE Championship, Catalan finally found his rhythm and is now riding high on a five-match winning streak.

Standing in his way is former ONE Strawweight World Champion Yoshitaka “Nobita” Naito, who undoubtedly poses to be the ultimate test to Catalan’s World Title aspirations.

It will be a classic striker-versus-grappler affair, but Catalan has shown tremendous improvement when it comes to grappling in his previous matches.

At age 40, Catalan shows no signs of slowing down, and if he keeps his pace, then the next Filipino World Champion could very well come from the Catalan Fighting System.

Road to redemption of Jomary Torres

Jomary Torres is an exciting young Filipina who burst into the organization’s stacked women’s atomweight scene with three consecutive victories.

She may be on a slump as of late following consecutive decision losses to Priscilla Hertati Lumban Gaul and Mei “V.V” Yamaguchi, but those define does not ultimately define her as a mixed martial arts competitor.

Admittedly struggling to ankle issues in her past bouts, Torres has completed her training camp in tip-top condition and is raring to go back to her winning ways.

Given that her back is against the wall, Torres vows to be aggressive as she cannot afford to lose her third-straight match.

While her opponent in Lin Heqin is known for her willingness to stand and trade, this match has the potential to steal the whole show.

Zebaztian Kadestam’s first ONE World Title defense
Headlining the blockbuster event is knockout artist Zebaztian Kadestam as he defends his ONE Welterweight World Title against surging submission wizard Georgiy Kichigin. With World Title gold on the line, the stakes could not be higher in this classic clash of styles.

Kadestam put everyone on notice when he knocked out erstwhile-unbeaten American Tyler McGuire last November to be crowned as the ONE Welterweight World Champion.

His win over McGuire was Kadestam’s ninth knockout victory, making him one of the most fearsome competitors in the whole organization.

Kichigin, on the other hand, is a grappling wizard who is coming into ONE Championship on 14-match winning streak, with his last victory coming against another submission artist in Rousimar Palhares.

With two world-class talents bannering the card, there is no reason for Filipino martial arts fans to miss this event.

MARINA to Open 8 Industry-Proposed RoRo Routes

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) will open eight (8) RoRo missionary routes proposed by shipping operators in support of the Road Roll-on / Roll-off Terminal System (RRTS) and the priority program relating to the upgrading of the domestic shipping in support of the nautical highway development under the 10-year maritime industry development plan (MIDP).

At the latest Oversight Meeting of the House Committee on Transportation chaired by House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, MARINA OIC Vice Admiral Narciso Vingson Jr presented the eight (8) industry-proposed RoRo missionary routes, in addition to the 19 newly-opened RoRo missionary routes in January 2019.

House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo commended the MARINA of its effort to promote greater connectivity and economic interactions of the various islands of the archipelago.

The eight (8) industry-proposed RoRo missionary routes were the following:

1. Daanbantayan, Cebu to Calbayog City, Samar

2. Tabuelan, Cebu to Ajuy, Iloilo

3. Laoay, Bohol to Cagayan de Oro

4. San Juan, Batangas to Calapan, Oriental Mindoro

5. Iloilo City to Cuyo, Palawan

6. San Pascual, Burias Island, Masbate to Pasacao, Camarines Sur

7. San Andres, Quezon to Pasacao, Camarines Sur

8. Lucena, Quezon to San Fernando, Cebu

The MARINA will issue a letter approval that will give a proponent shipping operator four (4) months to start vessel operation on its proposed route, while processing the acquisition of its Certificates of Public Convenience (CPCs).

Upon granting of the CPC, the proponent shipping operator shall enjoy a five-year route protection or protection of investment, as well as 50% discount on the processing on the regular fees of all applications and renewal of ship documents, licenses, certificates, and permits.

In February 2019, seven (7) of the 19 newly-opened RoRo missionary routes were already applied for by shipping operators, signifying their interest to serve the unserved routes within the Philippine nautical highway.

The other 12 RoRo missionary routes that have been opened for prospective shipping operators include the following:

1. Basco, Batanes – Currimao, Ilocos Norte

2. San Juan, Batangas – Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro

3. Real, Quezon – Polillo Island, Quezon

4. Lucena, Quezon - Buyabod, Marinduque

5. Pantao, Albay – San Pascual, Masbate

6. Calbayog City, Samar – Cataingan, Masbate

7. Cuyo, Palawan – San Jose de Buenavista, Antique

8. Oslob, Cebu – Dumaguete, Negros Oriental

9. Punta Engano, Mactan Island, Cebu – Jetafe, Bohol

10. Poro, Camotes, Cebu – Isabel, Leyte

11. Lipata, Surigao del Norte – Dapa, Surigao del Norte

12. Siaton, Negros Oriental – Dipolog City

Shipping companies are further encouraged to propose new missionary routes in addition to the existing list that can be developed.