Signing of the Supplemental Toll Operations Agreement for the Pasig River Expressway

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The goal of inclusive growth for the country, easing Metro Manila traffic, and preserving major waterways will soon be realized as Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade and San Miguel Corporation (SMC) President Ramon Ang led the signing of the Supplemental Toll Operations Agreement (STOA) for the Pasig River Expressway (PAREX).
The signing of the STOA is a crucial part in the construction of the PAREX, a 19.4-kilometer, six-lane elevated expressway along the banks of the Pasig River.

Secretary Tugade and Ang were joined by officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Toll Regulatory Board (TRB), Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC), Pasig River Expressway Corporation, and Skyway O&M Corporation during the signing ceremony today, 21 September 2021.

Secretary Tugade said that the game-changing project will trigger inclusive economic growth and recovery during the pandemic as this will further facilitate mobility and connectivity from north to south and east to west sides of Metro Manila. The transportation chief also stated that the PAREX attests to the solid partnership between the public and private sectors.

“Iyong mga proyektong ganito, ang buong sambayanan, ang buong ekonomiya ay makikinabang. Pagkat kung a-addressin mo ‘yung decongestion, kung aaddressin mo ‘yung pagpapaigsi ng biyahe at paglalakbay, hindi lang po ‘yung mga nagmamaneho, ‘yung mga gumagamit ng kalsada ang makikinabang kundi ang buong sambayanan,” Sec. Tugade said.

“Ang buong ekonomiya ay makikinabang pagkat kung may pasilidad na ganito, ‘yung pagpunta sa mga lugar ng inyong paghahanap buhay, ‘yung pagsasama-sama ng mga pamilya upang magkaroon ng family time, ‘yung pamamalengke, ‘yung pagpasok sa eskwelahan pati na po ‘yung pagpunta sa simbahan, ay mapapadali,” he added.

“This project will incorporate green design principle to benefit not just motorists but also the environment and the economy of the people. It will be inclusive because it will accommodate various modes of transportations. PAREX will complete the vision of seamless north-south, east-west connectivity in Metro Manila,” PAREX Corp. Chairman and SMC President Ramon Ang said for his part.

“This a landmark and monumental project, along with the Skyway, that will provide a long-term solution to the problem of traffic in the Metropolis. It will have many effects that will provide a lot of jobs and force business and economic activity,” said DPWH Undersecretary Cathy Cabral.

Once operational, PAREX will decongest Metro Manila traffic because it will connect toll roads and freeways of the capital - Road-10 in Manila, EDSA, and C5, and further to Rizal, Cainta, and Marikina. The infrastructure project is likewise set to provide faster and alternative access to several business districts, such as the Makati, Ortigas, and Bonifacio Global City.

According to SMC, the Project Road consists of 5.7-kilometer Segment I (from Radial Road No. 10 to Plaza Azul in Manila); 7.3-kilometer Segment II (from Pandacan, Manila to C-5, and 6.3-kilometer Segment III (from C-5 to C-6).

 Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade on Tuesday, 21 September 2021, assured motorists and other users of the country’s expressways that they need not worry about paying increased toll fees amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tugade made the assurance after the signing of the Supplemental Toll Operations Agreement (STOA) for the Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) between the DOTr and the San Miguel Corporation.

Secretary Tugade said that while he understands the clamor of tollway operators for increases in toll rates to generate needed revenue to sustain their operations, he also stressed that the DOTr, through the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) must uphold and protect the interest of the public, especially with pandemic’s economic effects.

“Nakikita natin ‘yung pangangailangan ng operators ng increases na ‘yan nang sa ganon, ‘yung mga funding requirements nila ay maasikaso. Pero kailangan din ‘ho ng tulong sa sambayanan, lalo’t higit tayo ay nasa pandemyang nangyayari ngayon,” said Secretary Tugade.

“We need to strike a good balance. Yung pangangailangan ng mga investors, ‘yung mga kakayanan ng publiko. Kailangan ‘ho ibalanse yan,” the Secretary added.

According to Secretary Tugade, considering the conditions imposed by the pandemic, the DOTr may approve toll rate hikes, but such will definitely be implemented at a later date.

“Are we expecting increases at this time? Kung ako ‘ho ang masusunod, maaaring apruban ‘yung increase, pero ‘wag i-implement ngayon. Pagka’t kailangang balansihin ‘yung pangangailangan ng publiko sa pangangailangan ng mga negosyante,” Tugade said.

A 19.4-kilometer, 6-lane elevated expressway to be built along the banks of the Pasig River, PAREX will connect the Radial Road-10 in Manila, EDSA, and C5, and will decongest traffic volume in Rizal, Cainta, and Marikina. It is also set to provide a faster and alternative access to Makati, Ortigas, and the Bonifacio Global City.

Signing the STOA were Secretary Tugade, San Miguel President and COO Ramon Ang, TRB Executive Director Alvin Carullo, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Cathy Cabral, and Philippine National Construction Corporation (PNCC) Assistant Vice President for Legal Affairs Henry Salazar.

PAREX is based on green architecture principle. A hybrid transport infrastructure, the elevated expressway integrates various modes of transportation – a bus rapid transit system, dedicated bike lanes, pedestrian walkways, and jogging paths.

The elevated expressway will be the country’s first sustainable infrastructure. Designed for multiple uses, it will have direct environmental, social, and economic benefits for Filipinos.

Isko Moreno has announced run as President with Dr. Willie Ong as running mate

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso will join the presidential race in the 2022 election, with former senatorial candidate Willie Ong as his running mate or Vice President. This was confirmed by Manila PIO Chief Julius Leonen.

“Ang gusto kasi  ni Yorme o Mayor Isko Moreno yung makakatulong sa pamamahala lalo na ngayon at meron tayong pandemya… sana man lang 'yung tungkol sa kalusugan ng taumbayan, tungkol sa pandemya ay merong tututok talaga.” - Lito Banayo, campaign manager, on Dr. Ong

What will happen to Manila now? if he could stay as the "Yorme" of Manila then I believe that Manila will have it's glory back once again but running to a higher post? He is still young, and still new that he still has a lot to prove. 

And we should never forget he used to be a strong ally and enabler of the Duterte administration during its first years. It is only lately that he spoke out against them now that election season is nearing.

For a local executive who takes pride in the Manila vaccine rollout, it is really ironic that Isko Moreno would pick a Dengvaxia anti-vaxxer to be his running mate. 

What game are you playing, Yorme? 

Willy Ong is also only probably fit for a lower government position but not as VP yet. His background as medical practitioner or expert may be what we need during this pandemic but we are talking about the whole 6 years of service. Is it necessary to have such an expertise in the second highest position of government?

Sa mga napipisil for president, si Leni Robredo lang ang talagang nagpakita ng leadership at malasakit. Lalo na sa pandemic na ito... Naappreciate ko naman si Yorme dahil marami talagang nagbago sa Manila.. But Leni has reached the "laylayan" kahit na less budgetted at hindi suportado, lagi pang kinokontra, ng Malacañang.

Leni would probably give way. Pero since hindi ganun kapatok si Isko, baka manalo pa rin si Duterte and his cronies.... or perhaps BongBong Marcos.

Ang sad kasi we know the maraming vote na makukuha si Isko but we also know na di enough yun para manalo. Ang gagawin lang niya is mahati yung mga voters. He is the 2nd Grace Poe. Leni is trying to strategize but these ambitious men are killing our country...or maybe they just don't believe in the capabilities of Leni. Why will they agree to become Leni's VP when they are ahead of Leni in every survey. Lahat naman yan sila nagpasurvey na and with Sara Duterte not running for president, anybody can win.

Hindi ko lang alam saan kumukuha ng confidence kay Isko, eh nung huling senatorial elections hindi nga siya makapasok pasok di ba. Isko lost placing at 16th and losing to Pacquiao placing at 7th.

A Leni-Isko tandem would be a more winnable tandem for the opposition but I guess too much ambition killed it. This decision will surely bite Isko back.

Isko played his cards right by being somehow an enabler yet being vocal lately. What makes the Leni-Isko tandem a great tandem is Leni defeating BBM or Sara and Isko's chances of defeating PRRD for VP.

Kahit na madaming magpa-rehistro kung madami ding tatakbo na kakalaban sa DDS tiyak na sila ulit ang mananalo dahil mahahati ang mga boto.  

So much for a UNITED OPPOSITION.

But sadly this infighting by the opposition might spawn a Marcos-Duterte or Go-Duterte win.

Hopefully not, since ganyan din naman noong 2016 with Grace running also. Pero at the end nanalo pa rin si Leni Robredo kaya naniniwala ako kaya natin siya ulit ipanalo now na mas madami na ang gising sa katotohanan. It's a matter of funding na lang talaga yan since hindi siya ang administration bet ngayon.

PLDT highlights PH as strategic hyperscaler destination in China event

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


PLDT highlighted the increasing attractiveness of the Philippines as the next strategic hyperscaler destination in Asia during the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) 2021.

According to PLDT Territory Head for China and Asia Pacific Region Darren Wu, the Philippines is getting the attention of global cloud companies for prospective investments in the near to short term.

"Structure Research, a respected research firm niched in the data Center, internet and cloud space cited Manila, Philippines as one of the emerging DC markets which are in the opportunity quadrant. The country was positioned to having a high growth rate outlook alongside Malaysia and Thailand," said Wu.

He also noted that the Philippines' cultural affinity has the propensity to access foreign content. Its mobile phone connections and internet users are the second highest in the Southeast Asia region, showing the capability of the local market to consume data and access services, and content from hyperscalers.

The country also has a promising business market where primary consumers of cloud solutions and services are local enterprises. Likewise, the US News and World Report and investment management company InvestAsian both ranked the country as one of the best countries to invest in.

"The ongoing investments of telecom companies for the country's adoption of 5G network and their impending localization simultaneous with PLDT's aggressive 5G infrastructure expansion thrust increases the attractiveness of the PH as a market for hyperscalers," Wu added.

PLDT owns the largest carrier-neutral network of globally certified VITRO Data Center facilities in the Philippines designed to support and fortify the operations of hyperscalers with its over 9,000 racks. VITRO data centers also host two major internet exchanges in the country and serve as the global gateway across different sectors, making it the preferred colocation site for hyperscalers.

This showed the country's acknowledgment of the digital economy and service opportunities to further expand bilateral economic relations. Similarly, PLDT also presented its hyperscaler thrust at the Philippine Digital Services Forum in the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) 2021.

The CIFTIS' Philippine Digital Services Forum seeks to promote the Philippine Information Technology (IT) and IT-enabled services to support Chinese enterprises' internationalization and complement services for Chinese consumers.

Present during the event were DTI Sec. Ramon Lopez, Philippines to China Ambassador for Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Jose Santiago Sta. Romana, PTIC-Beijing Commercial Counsellor Glenn Peñaranda and IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IT BPAP) Executive Director for External Affairs & Investor Relations Ricky Salvador, among others.

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) and the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Beijing (PTIC-Beijing) are co-organizers of the country’s participation in the event.

The PLDT Group recently joined the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI) for the government’s push to invite massive technology providers to expand their operations in the Philippines.

For more information, visit pldtenterprise.com or hyperscale.ph