DOTr, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Sign Contract for Supply and Delivery of 2 New PCG Multi-role Response Vessels

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The capability of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to secure the country's waters and coastal areas received a needed boost with the signing today, Feb. 7, 2020, of a contract for the supply and delivery of two 94-meter multi-role response vessels (MRRVs).

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade led the signing ceremony between the agency and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., which won the contract.

The new MRRVs to be delivered to the Philippines from Japan are part of the PCG Maritime Capability Improvement Project Phase II.

The project's first phase was completed in August 2018 with the delivery of 10 MRRVs from Japan. Both projects are funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The two 94-meter MRRVs feature a secured communications system; has a capability for Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance, detection, tracking, and interdiction; and can be used for search and rescue operations and disaster response.

It also has helideck and a hangar for helicopter operations, an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for subsurface search and survey, and two high-speed rubber boats. The vessel also has a maximum speed of not less than 24 knots, and an endurance of not less than 4,000 nautical miles.

These new assets will further boost the capabilities of the PCG in responding to offshore and coastal maritime incidents.

In his message, Secretary Tugade said that this development helps in the fulfillment of President Rodrigo Duterte’s vision to modernize the PCG.
He also thanked the government of Japan for their support to the projects of the DOTr, especially in the improvement of the country’s maritime force.

“The modernization of Philippine Coast Guard has been going fast and quick and very meaningful. In fact, in this effort to make it quick, fast, and very meaningful, the government of Japan has contributed very much. And to which I express my appreciation for your continued support,” the transportation chief said.

For their part, JICA Philippines and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., assured that they will continue their support and cooperation with the programs and projects of the DOTr.

“Through the time, JICA partnering with PCG is a testament to the strong friendship between our two nations: Japan and the Philippines – both maritime nations where seaborne trade plays a crucial role in our economic growth,” JICA Chief Representative Yoshio Wada said.

“We look forward to work with you all in this important project and we sincerely appreciate your continuous cooperation to make this project successful,” Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., President and CEO Koji Okura expressed.

Meanwhile, PCG Commandant Admiral Joel Garcia expressed his enthusiasm in the delivery of the vessels as this will greatly benefit the PCG in delivering its mandate to enforce maritime laws, safeguard life and property at sea, and protect the marine environment.

“We are making a milestone, not just for the Department of Transportation and Philippine Coast Guard, but also for the Philippines – acquiring the first-ever biggest ship for the Coast Guard. It is a 94-meter multi-role response vessel. And It is a big stride to the development of this country in the context of maritime security and maritime safety.”

The two vessels are expected to be delivered in 2022.

eZee and ZEN Rooms Join Forces to Modernize Southeast Asian Travel

Wazzup Pilipinas!

ZEN Rooms partners with one of the leading hotel management software providers

Southeast Asian travel is booming. The number of international visitors is expected to expand up to 155.4 million in 2022.1 Rapid growth and transition of the sector to online drastically increases the transparency, putting a pressure on hoteliers to stay efficient, competitive and provide higher standards services. More so in times of turbulence, caused by natural disaster, accident or political unrest, that may heavily affect travel, as we were reminded by Taal volcano eruption and recent Coronavirus outbreak. Accommodation market has to transform and adaptation of technology will be a key for many hotels to compete and succeed.

To help close the technology gap and modernize Asia’s accommodation market, ZEN Rooms, the leading budget and mid-range hotel group in Southeast Asia, and eZee - global provider of end-to-end hospitality technology, signed a landmark agreement to deploy eZee solutions across the region. At present, this is the largest deal for hospitality technology deployment in Southeast Asia. 

The alliance will allow the companies to deploy eZee hospitality software in 1000+ properties under ZEN umbrella, and integrate the technologies and expertise of both companies to create a unique, flexible and affordable product for independent hoteliers and chains in the region. The product will aim to help hoteliers maximize their profitability, by increasing the revenue streams and improving operational efficiency.

Additionally, eZee, ZEN Rooms and Yanolja, #1 Travel Group in South Korea, announced the development of 'Y Flux', the Hotels' Automated Future, at ITB Asia in 2019, promising a fully-integrated and automated environment in hotels. ZEN Rooms own and partner properties will be the first to start using this technology already in the first half of 2020.

“We are excited to announce the partnership with eZee. In today’s increasingly demanding and competitive market, technology is the way to improve the industry, make it safer and more affordable, benefiting the travelers and the well being of hoteliers,” said Nathan Boublil, the co-founder and CEO at ZEN Rooms.

“Today eZee supports 13,000+ hotels and restaurants in 160+ countries. The reason behind eZee’s strong presence in the industry today is that we dig deep into the market to understand the pain-points of its players and always aim to offer a solution to our users, rather than a product. With this, our up-to-date products running on the latest technology is what made ZEN Rooms select us as their technology partner. We’re looking forward to working with Yanolja and ZEN Rooms and bring forth a brand new technology experience for the hotel industry in the region,” said Aeijaz Sodawala, the CEO of eZee.

Over the years, eZee was acclaimed for its innovative technology in small to big hotels, hotel chains and restaurants; gradually seeping into other industry segments like hostels and B&Bs. Encompassing unique segments of the hospitality industry in its bandwagon continues to make eZee the frontrunner in the industry today.

To find out more about eZee and ZEN Rooms’ partnerships, please email sales@zenrooms.com.

1 https://www.globaldata.com/tourist-arrivals-to-asean-will-reach-155-4-million-by-2022-says-globaldata/

Colorum Riders in Motorcycle Taxi Pilot Study Apprehended in Metro Manila

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In line with its continuous action to assure the smooth implementation of the extended Pilot Study for Motorcycle Taxis, agents of the Other Law Enforcement Agencies (OLEAs) have apprehended several motorcycle for hire that are illegally operating in Metro Manila.

The OLEAs is comprised of officers from the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Philippine National Police – Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG), Local Police Officers, and the Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT).

In its latest operation, OLEAs, through its regular anti-colorum operations, has apprehended two (2) motorcyclists later identified as SAMPA riders and another five (5) who belong to ANGKAS, but are not included in its submitted riders' master list as of this date.

According to OLEAs, "mystery passengers" or undercover informants book a ride with Angkas to check on the safety gear and documents of the rider, only to find out that they are not registered in the accredited master list of the TWG.

Further, according to the Inter-Agency Technical Working Group (TWG) on Motorcycle Taxis, there are riders who operate under the Trade Application of SAMPA and i-SABAY, which are not accredited by the TWG as participants in the Motorcycle Taxi Pilot Implementation.

For the Pilot Study, which will run until March 2020, only three motorcycle transport network companies (TNCs) are permitted to operate: Angkas, Move It, and JoyRide.

“Those who will insist to operate in the guise of a participant of the study and is not registered in the master list will be apprehended as colorum. We will not have second thoughts to penalize those who defy the authority. I also appeal to our participating players to please register your participants with the TWG and submit a daily ridership report,” TWG Chairman Antonio Gardiola, Jr. said.

Meanwhile, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade likewise denounced the recent violations of unauthorized riders taking part in the pilot study on motorcycle taxis.

“The TWG and the players in the pilot study have been working hard to push for its smooth implementation. ‘Wag kayong makisawsaw sa maayos na pamamalakad sa pag-aaral. Do not make livelihood as an excuse to put the lives of our riding public in jeopardy,” Secretary Tugade warned.

The TWG likewise issued a stern warning for the three TNCs participating in the study to strictly comply with safety protocols in serving the riding public. TWG Chairman Gardiola specifically pointed out that "mystery passengers" will be regularly deployed to verify motorcycle classification and documents, and check if riders are equipped with the proper safety gears as required.