Radisson Bhopal opens its doors to guests in the city of lakes

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Radisson, an upscale hotel brand today announced the opening of Radisson Bhopal in the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. Situated in the heart of the city, the hotel is conveniently located within a 40-minute driving distance from Raja Bhoj International Airport and 10 minutes from Habibganj Railway Station. The hotel spans across 4,500 sqm and provides an ideal stay for both leisure and business travelers visiting the city. Radisson Bhopal also provides easy access to tourist attractions like Sanchi Stupa, Upper Lake, Van Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary and Bhimbeteka Caves.

“We are delighted to strengthen our footprint in Madhya Pradesh with the opening of Radisson Bhopal. It is a welcome addition to our existing portfolio in the state where we also have hotels located in Indore, Gwalior and Khajuraho. Being a smart city, Bhopal is poised to emerge as a strong economic and investment hub for multiple sectors in the years to come,” said Zubin Saxena, Managing Director and Vice President Operations, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group.

Radisson Bhopal features 104 uniquely designed and spacious rooms and suites - Superior Room, Executive Room, Junior Suite, Deluxe Suite and Executive Suite equipped with facilities like work desks, free high-speed Wi-Fi and in-room entertainment. The rooms and public areas of the hotel derive their design inspiration from Madhya Pradesh’s Gond art. The signature wall mural located in the hotel’s lobby is a personification of the state’s folklores and was brought alive by local artisans over more than 200 man hours.

The hotel boasts over 3,900 sqm of event and meeting space with seven indoor venues and two outdoor venues offering stunning, 360-degree views of the city. Indoor venues include Grand Ballroom 1, Grand Ballroom 2, Nurture, Nirvana, Review, Refresh and Renew, that can host up to 1,200 pax while outdoor venues include Grand Terrace and Infinity Terrace, that can host up to 1,400 pax. All meeting and event spaces come equipped with modern audio-visual technology, making them ideal for hosting corporate conferences, weddings, and other social occasions.

“It gives us immense pleasure to partner with Radisson Hotel Group to deliver a memorable experience to travelers. The Group’s operational expertise and brand reputation will help us in setting a new benchmark for hospitality in this part of the country. We look forward to welcoming guests in this beautiful city of lakes,” said Mr. Adarsh Malhotra, Managing Partner, Shiva Infrastructures.

The hotel offers an array of dining options catering to all tastes including - Fusion Café, the world cuisine restaurant that offers delicacies from Italy, Mediterranean, South-East Asia and India; Just Baked, an all-day patisserie that serves a variety of baked goods, designer cakes, gourmet sandwiches, and hand-rolled pralines; Urzza Lounge Bar, presenting a wide range of innovative cocktails, local and international beers, and wines from around the world; and Wok Thai, a Pan-Asian restaurant with exotic flavors of Thai, Indonesian, Japanese and Chinese cuisines.

Saurabh Thakur, General Manager, Radisson Bhopal said, “It gives me great pleasure to welcome guests to Radisson Bhopal. With the hotel’s ideal location and our commitment to our Yes I Can! service philosophy, we are confident of delivering memorable stays to guests. Radisson Bhopal is a perfect getaway for guests looking for an all-inclusive hospitality experience in the city.”

The hotel also features a full-service fitness center and rooftop swimming pool overlooking the city.

With the health and safety of guests and team members as its top priority, Radisson Bhopal is implementing the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol program. The in-depth cleanliness and disinfection protocols were developed in partnership with SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, and are designed to ensure guest safety and peace of mind from check-in to check-out.

Akbayan Youth, Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking, and First Time Voters Network gave out free alcohol spray bottles to youth registrants

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

With two weeks left before the deadline to register, Akbayan Youth, Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking (CYAN), and First Time Voters Network (FTVN) gave out alcohol spray bottles to youth registrants lining up outside COMELEC QC to urge first time voters to join the call for the extension of voters' registration.

"We are proud of our fellow youth who are braving the pandemic and are lining up to get registered every day. With these alcohol spray bottles, we wish for them to stay safe but we also want this to serve as a reminder to COMELEC that voters are safer when we extend the registration," Gladys Milioga, First Time Voters Network convenor said.

"We are hearing reports of unbearable long lines and of people lining up as early as 3AM outside COMELEC. These are potential health risks that can be mitigated if COMELEC finally decides to extend voters registration," Alyannah Lagasca of Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking said.

After the Senate resolution supporting calls to extend the registration, the youth groups want COMELEC to declare the extension weeks before the deadline on September 30.

"Wala nang excuse ang Comelec not to extend the registration. Lahat nananawagan na nang extension: House of Representatives, Senate, media, youth and student groups and other sectors. All concerns were fully deliberated and considered. Lahat nag-aagree na kaya ang ligtas na extension at ito ay nararapat," Justine Balane, Secretary General of Akbayan Youth said.

The spray bottles contained calls like: "Stay safe and Extend!", "Safe na safe sa voters reg extension!" and "Kapit lang! Ipapaextend din natin to!" (Hang tight! Let's call for extension!)

DOTr's P151.34 Billion 2022 budget gets approval of the House Committee on Appropriations

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The budget proposal of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) advances to the Plenary for deliberations following the approval of the House Committee on Appropriations during its budget briefing on 15 September 2021.

The DOTr's proposed budget for 2022 is P151.34 billion. Of this amount, P150.763 billion needs to be included in the 2022 General Appropriations Act, while P579.8 million are already covered by existing appropriations previously authorized by Congress.

DOTr Secretary Art Tugade was joined by other department officials to explain before the Committee the budget proposals of each attached agency and corporation, and present a review of the agency’s performance over the past five years.

During the briefing, DOTr Undersecretary for Finance Giovanni Lopez explained that the proposed 2022 budget of the DOTr will be allocated for the following: Personnel Services (P16.75 billion), Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (P16. 86 billion), Financial Expenses (P7.88 million), and Capital Outlays (P117.13 billion).

Infrastructure Projects get a share of 88% out of the total Capital Outlays budget, with the Railway Sector getting the biggest chunk of 98% of the total infrastructure budget for 2022.

Meanwhile, the Service Contracting initiative emerged as a prominent topic during the deliberations. Several lawmakers expressed their manifestations and support for the implementation of the program, which gives weekly payouts to drivers according to the number of trips they completed per week, and allows the operation of ‘Libreng Sakay’ for medical frontliners and essential workers amid the pandemic.

To note, the DOTr requested from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) a total of P10 billion to fund the Service Contracting Program. However, the proposed fund was not included in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2022.

“‘Yung Service Contracting, hindi lang ‘ho makikinabang dito yung konduktor, ‘yung drayber, ‘yung tsuper – buong ekonomiya ‘ho ang makikinabang dyan dahil kailangan ‘yan sa pagpasok ng trabaho, sa pagpunta ng palengke, sa eskwelahan,” Secretary Art Tugade pointed out.

Recognizing the crucial contribution of the Service Contracting program to critically-impacted transport stakeholders amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Samar 1st District Representative Edgar Mary Sarmiento who is also the chairman of the House Committee on Transportation, appealed to his fellow lawmakers to reevaluate proposed Service Contracting budget and for it to be included in 2022 NEP.

“From the Chairman on Committee on Transportation, I would strongly manifest that we, the Committee, will assist the budget and provide Service Contracting the amount of no less than P3 billion for the 2022 budget," Rep. Sarmiento said.

Meanwhile, several lawmakers also expressed equal support and positive manifestations during the briefing of the DOTr’s 2022 budget. They underscored the various accomplishments of the DOTr in terms of the implementation of transformational initiatives and the building and rehabilitation of much-needed transport infrastructures all over the country.

“Kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa ating matalino, magaling, maasikaso, masipag na Secretary sa magandang mga maitulong niya sa ating distrito,” Ilocos Sur 1st District Rep. and Deputy Speaker Deogracias Victor Savellano said.

“Gusto ko lang ipaalam sa ating lahat na nakikinig dito ngayon na ‘yung Salomague Port po ay maganda ang nagawa ni Secretary Tugade doon – na nakadaong ‘ho ang dalawang malalaking cruise ships na maraming nangangarap na dumaong sa kani-kanilang lugar. Pero sa ginawa ni Secretary doon, hindi na lang dream kung hindi ay nagkatotoo ‘ho,” Cong. Savellano added.

“Alam niyo ‘ho noong panahon ng pandemya, nakikita ko na malaki ang tulong ng DOTr. Isinaalang-alang nila ang personal na kapakanan to make sure na ma-deliver nila at matulungan ang taumbayan. Naalala ko – March 14, [2020] noong first na nag-lockdown. Marami pong mga OFWs na sa airport, seaport at sa lahat ng mga areas na kung saan puwedeng delikado ang buhay nila. Hindi po nanaig ang takot – isang text lang kay Secretary Art, natulungan nila tayo para po sa pagpapadala ng mga health essentials sa Iloilo City,” Iloilo City Lone District Rep. Jam Baronda shared.

Wrapping up the 4-hour deliberations, Zamboanga City 2nd District Rep. and House Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Manuel Jose Dalipe adjourned the briefing stating that the Committee will support the passage of the DOTr’s 2022 budget.

"Like a true valedictorian, delivering his valedictory address splendidly in this Committee on Appropriations, we admire the hard work and determination of the Secretary of Department of Transportation through his stewardship of leading under the Duterte administration, the programs and projects, which spur development in this country,” Congressman Dalipe said.

"Vice Chair Joet Garcia, with this, we truly support the budget of the Department of Transportation,” Dalipe concluded.