Eduard Folayang Determined to Power Himself Out of Slump Against Veteran Yoshihiro Akiyama

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang is coming into his next bout full of motivation, after witnessing his Team Lakay teammates claim victories early into the year.

The 37-year-old ONE Championship veteran is in the most difficult stretch of his 14 year professional career, as “Landslide” has dropped four of his last five. Folayang, however, remains full of hope, and is determined to power himself out of his most recent slump.

ONE Championship recently confirmed Folayang’s highly anticipated return to action. The Team Lakay senior will take on Korean-Japanese superstar Yoshihiro “Sexyama” Akiyama at “ONE on TNT IV,” scheduled for Wednesday 28 April (Thursday, 29 April PH time) at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore.

It’s the fourth installment in the “ONE on TNT” event series, which is broadcast to American audiences on US prime time via B/R Live and TNT.

Folayang is excited to face the 45-year-old Akiyama, and is currently deep in training, looking for his first victory in nearly two years.

“This will be a great fight for me. I’m working hard with the team right now, and I’m definitely up for the challenge. Everyone is gearing up,” said Folayang.

“Our victories in the first half of the year have boosted our morale. I, myself, have been inspired by my team’s victories. With our hard work, and discipline, and by the grace of God, 2021 will be a good year for Team Lakay.”

Folayang’s last victory in the Circle came against tough Mongolian Amarsanaa Tsogookhuu in November 2019. Prior to that, he dropped submission losses to Japanese rival Shinya Aoki and former UFC Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez. Most recently, Folayang experienced decision losses to highly-regarded lightweights Pieter Buist and Antonio Caruso.

It has certainly been a rough stretch for the Filipino star, to say the least. But Folayang remains confident he can still put together a run back to the top, beginning with a solid performance against Akiyama.

“It is always an honor to share the Circle with legends. It gives me added motivation. Yoshihiro Akiyama is a legend and a veteran of the cage. His name is known throughout the world. This fight excites me because I know I’m going up against a great fighter. I’m working hard to come into the Circle well-conditioned with my mind and body,” said Folayang.


“This is a very important battle for me. I didn’t get the results that I wanted in my previous fights, and I wasn’t able to perform the way I wanted. The key to this fight is going to be the preparation. We’re coming up with a solid game plan. He’s not going to be an easy opponent. But at the same time, I’m confident in my skills. This time, I will aim for a steadfast victory.”

To resolve the hampered shipping operations along the Matnog-Allen route

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Due to the perennial traffic congestion along the road leading to Matnog Port, our agencies, namely: the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), in an inter-agency meeting, have laid out measures to address causes of congestion.

The inter-agency investigation revealed that the port is suffering from a lack of roro vessels to ferry the trucks across San Bernardino Strait to Samar. Only nine (9) vessels with Certificates of Public Convenience (CPC) were servicing the route from 01 January to 17 March 2021. Under normal conditions, at least twelve (12) vessels should be operating in the area. Non-operating vessels were reported to be either under repair or are incapable of sailing as they are not equipped for harsh sea conditions.

To encourage more shipping companies to operate in the said route, the MARINA and PPA will initiate a program to provide financial assistance under Republic Act No. 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act (Bayanihan 2).

Meanwhile, MARINA is reviewing the shipping company’s schedule and the number of trips per vessel as provided under their respective Certificates of Public Convenience (CPCs).

MARINA has advised these shipping companies to increase the frequency of their trips to compensate for the shortage of vessels, and replace dry-docked vessels to ensure the stable operations of the route.

As a result, ten (10) vessels are now operating at the Matnog-Samar route.

Further, GT Express Shipping has conveyed its willingness to resume the operations of its LCT (landing craft tank) Star Asia with a capacity to carry 20 cargo trucks.

It is with confidence that the deployment of the vessels will be enough to make sure that cargo trucks can smoothly unload their cargo at the port and resolve the issue of queueing.

For its part, to address the lack of infrastructure and to increase safety at the port, PPA has recently opened two (2) additional roro ramps, to increase the number from the current six (6) to eight (8) ramps.

To increase the efficiency in Matnog Port, the MARINA, PPA and PCG will immediately implement the following:

1. PPA shall implement a maximum of three hours of port stay rule (including maneuvering time).

This helps define the average turnaround time of vessels, which is at least eight (8) hours during normal sea and weather conditions;

2. MARINA shall advise ships to complete three (3) ships calls per day;

3. The PPA will open all ramps. There are seven (7) ramps for regular vessels and one (1) specialized ramp for Fast Cat; and

4. PCG to be the last to board for the conduct of clearance of vessel prior to scheduled departure. This will also help enforce 3-hour maximum stay rule.

Aside from the above actions currently being undertaken by the maritime agencies, the following are also proposed for the approval of DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade:

1. Ship calls shall be increased based on the maximum shipping capacity in Matnog Port. If maximum 3 hours is implemented, one (1) regular ramp can accommodate eight (8) ship calls within 24 hours. Meanwhile, one (1) specialized ramp for the Fast Cat ship will be accommodating three (3) ship calls per day. Hence, the agencies can enforce 59 ship calls per day at normal sea and weather
conditions;

2. MARINA must provide at least 18 ships to maximize the shipping capacity of Matnog Port, with due consideration to the safety of navigation along the route;

3. Alternate ports shall be opened to divert other rolling cargoes. The PPA has initially identified Bulan and Castilla Ports as possible alternate ports;

4. The PPA shall implement the Terminal Appointment Booking System;

5. PPA to study the construction of a dry port/truck holding facility to decongest the highway; and

6. PPA to study the expansion of the port through reclamation.

On the issue of “fixing” and corruption that has also compounded the problem of cargo truck queuing, it must be emphasized that this involves queuing of cargo trucks outside the port premises. The Sorsogon Provincial Police is tasked to implement the First In, First Out (FIFO) policy and to maintain orderly and efficient queuing of rolling cargoes along the highway. Hence, the policy and occurrences outside the port premises are beyond the control of the DOTr maritime sector agencies.

It must be noted that queuing of vehicles does not occur inside the port. All rolling cargoes allowed entry to the port have already secured slots on board vessels prior to entry.

To prevent corruption, in addition to introducing the procedure of issuing priority numbers to maintain orderly queuing, the PPA has deployed additional operations personnel and deployed additional Port Police Officers.

As an additional precautionary measure, the PPA has been engaging the public through an active information dissemination campaign on the process flow, as well as the applicable fees of the PPA and the shipping lines. Notices to the Public have been posted along the highway, within the Matnog Terminal Complex, and the port premises.

Port Police personnel have been directed to remove unauthorized persons from the port premises.

With these measures, and the intensified cooperation between the port users, trucking companies, shipping companies, the PPA, PCG, and MARINA, we are confident that congestion along the highway to Port of Matnog will be alleviated, if not finally be resolved.

Omnibus guidelines on public transportation during ECQ

Wazzup Pilipinas!


In accordance with the resolution issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID), which was approved by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, to place Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), all four (4) sectors of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) shall stringently implement updated protocols to safeguard the welfare of the riding public amid the alarming surge of COVID-19 cases in the country.

Under Resolution No. 106-A, which imposes stricter guidelines to curb the spread of the disease, the National Capital Region and its nearby provinces, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal, will be placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) status effective 12:01AM of 29 March 2021 until end of 04 April 2021.

Officials of the DOTr announced today, 28 March 2021, the latest transport and travel protocols that will be implemented in the air, maritime, rail and road transport sectors.

Aviation and Airports
In the Aviation Sector, air transportation shall still be allowed to operate following the protocols as provided for by the DOTr with IATF Resolution 106-A:

1. International inbound passenger capacity at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) shall remain to be limited at the maximum of 1,500 passengers per day;

2. Domestic commercial operations shall be allowed subject to compliance with the requirements or restrictions on capacity and frequency of flights that may be imposed by all the local government units (LGUs) outside of the NCR+ bubble;

3. Movement of persons shall be limited to essential purpose or activities and Authorized Persons Outside of their Residence (APOR). Airlines shall screen departing passengers to validate the passengers’ purpose of travel.

Maritime
In the Maritime sector, the following protocols shall be observed:

1. Maritime transport shall continue servicing the public but will only operate at fifty percent (50%) capacity;

2. Only those allowed under the IATF Omnibus Guidelines shall be allowed to travel on board maritime vessels and through the ports, whether in government or private ports;

3. Travel through maritime vessels and the ports shall be subject to requirements as may be imposed by local government units (LGUs) where voyages originate and end;

4. Vessel operations, Cargo handling operations and other related port ancillary services and activities shall continue subject to compliance with the Omnibus Guidelines in the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines, as amended in the NCR Plus bubble;

5. Strict adherence and observance of health protocols shall be observed in all maritime vessels and port facilities.

Railways
In the country’s rail lines, the DOTr Railway sector shall implement the following:

1. Passenger capacity for all rail lines will be retained to 20-30%.

With 20-30% capacity, rail lines can accommodate the following number of passengers per train set: 370 for LRT-1, 274 for LRT-2, 372 for MRT-3, and 310 for PNR.

2. In observance of the Lenten Season and to give way for the annual maintenance and rehabilitation of the country’s rail lines,’ the following schedule will be observed from 30 March to 04 April 2021:

- MRT-3: NO OPERATIONS from 30 March 2021 (Holy Tuesday) up to 04 April 2021 (Easter Sunday)
- LRT-1: NO OPERATIONS from 31 March to 04 April 2021 (Easter Sunday)
- LRT-2: NO OPERATIONS from 31 March to 04 April 2021 (Easter Sunday)
- PNR: NO OPERATIONS on 01 April 2021, except for the Calamba-Tutuban trip; NO OPERATIONS as well on 02-03 April 2021

* On 04 April 2021 (Easter Sunday), the PNR will immediately resume operations on the following routes: Tutuban-Alabang and vice versa, Tutuban-Calamba and vice versa, Tutuban-Gov. Pascual and vice versa, Gov. Pascual-Bicutan and vice versa, and Naga-Sipocot and vice versa.

*Regular operations for all rail lines will resume on Monday, 05 April 2021.

(2)

Road Transport
Public Transportation shall be allowed in areas under ECQ at reduced capacity in accordance with the guidelines of the IATF-MEID. All other modes of transportation - privately-owned, with special permit, and/or dedicated service under government initiative, among others, shall strictly observe the prescribed physical distancing and sanitary measures at all times.

1. For public utility buses (PUBs) and public utility jeepneys (PUJs), 50% of the vehicle’s capacity will be allowed, excluding the driver and the conductor. Passengers will observe the one seat apart rule, and no standing passengers will be allowed.

2. Entry of provincial buses with only APOR as passengers shall be allowed provided that these are point-to-point trips.

3. For UV Express, only a maximum of 2 passengers per row will be allowed and the vehicle should not exceed 50% of its capacity. Only 1 passenger will likewise be allowed on the driver’s row.

4. Taxis and TNVS are also required to only allow two (2) passengers per row and 1 passenger on the driver’s row.

5. Shuttle service vehicles shall be allowed to operate, subject to strict physical distancing (one-seat apart) and sanitary practices in accordance with the guidelines of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) JMC 2020-04-A.

6. For tricycles, only 1 passenger will be allowed to ride in the side-car and no passenger shall be seated right beside/behind the driver. Further, the operations of tricycles shall be approved by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and respective LGUs, in compliance with the existing policies on its operational limitations.

7. The operation of motorcycle taxis shall be allowed for those considered as APOR. Moreover, enforcement agencies shall continue to apprehend informal and illegal MC Taxi services or the “habal-habal.”

8. The operations of free transport services for medical frontliners will be sustained during the enforcement of ECQ. This is in consideration of the decrease in the capacity of PUVs due to physical distancing measures.

9. Non-Motorized Transport and Personal Mobility Device are encouraged, such as bicycles, provided that the rider will strictly abide by the physical distancing measures imposed by the Department of Health (DOH).

Moreover, only APOR identified by the IATF will be allowed for essential travel and the operations of road-based transportation in areas identified by the IATF. The LTFRB and the LTO shall provide the appropriate issuances to implement the guidelines mentioned. Enforcers from the LTFRB, LTO, Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP, Inter-Agency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) and other IATF authorized personnel will be deployed at strategic locations to conduct daily random inspections of PUV operations, offices, terminals, and depots to ensure strict compliance with the service, sanitary, and operational requirements.

Enforcement of Safety and Health Protocols for all public transportation modes
Meanwhile, all transport sectors are ordered to continue the strict enforcement of the following 7 Commandments inside public transport: (1) Wearing face masks and face shields; (2) No talking and making telephone calls; (3) No eating; (4) Keeping PUVs well-ventilated; (5) Conducting frequent disinfection; (6) No passengers with COVID-19 symptoms are to be allowed inside public transportation; and (7) Observing appropriate physical distancing rule.