BREAKING

Sunday, December 31, 2017

Thank 2017 for the Blessings and Welcome 2018 with Enthusiasm



Wazzup Pilipinas!

Today is the LAST DAY of the year. Let's leave this year with hopes that 2018 will be BETTER for all of us. Being positive and looking forward to always having the gift of family, friends and love ones.

It was a year we will always remember for reasons of our own. Give thanks to 2017 and welcome 2018 with a braver heart, even if the past year has broke you, has failed you, has done the worst to you, or has done damage to any of your relationships with anyone, you should thank it for all the lessons it has given you.

Every moment of life, more specifically the future, holds surprises. If you have a positive attitude, you shall make most of them pleasant and beautiful. Enjoy life with meaningful developments throughout the course of it.

Make sure to welcome 2018 with only those you hold dearest. There's nothing more meaningful and happier than being at peace with yourselves and the people who only matter in your lives. Let's embrace 2018 with no room for mediocrity and crap.

We're closing out 2017 and we're ready to ring in 2018! Next year will be a year of hard work and sweeping change. Help us close out 2017 strong. But we are all hoping to be blessed beyond your expectations in 2018! We're actually claiming it already! 2018 will be another great year for us!

Best to all of you in 2018. Roof over our heads, food in our mouths and smiles on our faces. All that matters. Live well.

Thank you for your support and Happy New Year to you!

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Commemorating Jose Rizal's Death



Wazzup Pilipinas!

Every 30th of December, the Philippines observes Rizal Day to commemorate the life and works of Dr. Jose Rizal who was executed on this date in 1896.

Today, we remember the 121st death anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal, our national hero who prompted the revolution with the strong belief that words can be weapons.

From his hometown in Calamba to the world, Dr. Jose Rizal showed what the Filipinos had to offer.

He was an educator, agriculturist, writer, engineer, surgeon, freedom fighter.

"The pen is mightier than the sword." Indeed, the pen wields a stronger power than any sword of the sharpest blade. This nation owes you its life and freedom had it not been for your sacrifice. Rest well, Dr. Jose Rizal.

May we emulate his greatness and aspire the heroes within ourselves to be the disciple for the good of our beloved country.

Pay tribute to Dr. Jose Rizal on this day by remembering his life and works that highlighted the roots of being a Filipino.

May this drive us to fulfill our duties and responsibilities to our nation for a better and brighter future.

"On this battlefield, man has no better weapon than his intelligence. No other force but his heart. " -Dr. Jose Rizal

DOTr Now Finalizing Govt to Govt Accord for MRT-3



Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is now finalizing its government to government agreement with the Government of Japan (GOJ) for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).

In a recent interview with a morning program, DOTr Assistant Secretary for Railways TJ Batan said that DOTr is now in the final stages of exchanging Note Verbales between the Government of the Philippines (GOP) through the Department of Foreign Affairs, and GOJ through the Japan Embassy in Manila.

Asec. Batan said that the arrangement will involve the grant of an Official Development Assistance (ODA) for the rehabilitation and maintenance requirements of MRT-3, which has been encountering numerous malfunctions in recent years due to substandard maintenance and underinvestment in overdue system renewal requirements.

“Bakit Japan? Number one, alam naman natin yung qualifications at experience ng Japan in running railway systems. For example, yung Tokyo pa lang na halos kasing laki ng Metro Manila, has 700-km. of operating metro railway systems, while yung atin is a total of almost 80-km. kasama na PNR,” Asec. Batan said.

“Number two, nandyan na yung napakalawak nating platform for cooperation. Napakadami nating proyekto sa riles at sa ibang sektor na ginagawa kasama ang Japan. Actually si Secretary (Arthur) Tugade mismo ang nagtulak na maisama na ang pagsasa-ayos ng MRT-3 dun sa iba pang mga proyektong ginagawa na natin kasama ang Japan,” he added.

Asec. Batan likewise noted that the DOTr shall utilize the bidding process of Japan in getting the rehabilitation and maintenance service provider for MRT-3, as required in all ODA arrangements with them. He emphasized that procurement rules and regulations will be observed in choosing the service provider, noting that the provider will be Japanese like other projects of DOTr with Japan.

Further, Asec. Batan said the GOP is expecting to exchange Note Verbales with GOJ in the first week of January 2018, as the New Year holiday in Japan starts earlier than in the Philippines.

After the exchange, the DOTr and railway engineers from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will conduct a due diligence study of MRT-3 from January to February next year to clearly identify the needed rehabilitation works.

“So in February, March, April, gagawin ang study, aalamin natin kung anong kailangan gawin at magkano, tapos kukuha tayo ng mga approvals from both Philippine and Japan governments, at finally ang pagpili ng magiging service provider ayon sa mga panuntunan ng Japan. Pagdating ng May, ang commitment sa atin ng Japan ay ready to mobilize na ang ating service provider. And this is the reason kung bakit from the very beginning sinasabi natin yung Maintenance Transition Team (MTT) natin ay talagang nakatakda lamang na mag operate for three to six months,” Asec. Batan said.

The procurement of a rehabilitation and maintenance service provider for MRT-3 is Part 3 of DOTr’s 4-Part Strategy for fixing MRT-3:

Part 1: promoting accountability with the termination of BURI

Part 2: ensuring continued service delivery by establishing the MTT and purchasing needed spare parts

Part 3: contracting a rehabilitation and maintenance service provider together with an Official Development Assistance partner

Part 4: putting in place a long-term, single-point-of-responsibility, operator and maintenance provider for MRT-3
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