DOTr Pushing for Development of New Airports to Complement NAIA, Clark

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The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is pushing for the development of other gateways to complement the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the Clark International Airport (CRK).

At least two airport development projects are now being prioritized --- building a new airport in Bulacan and developing the Sangley airport in Cavite. This airport complementation strategy is aimed at decongesting NAIA, give travelers more options, and spread development across Luzon.

“The idea of having multiple airports is something that the world’s biggest economies do. Ideally, there should be a train service linking these airports, which is also being pursued by the government. This complementation strategy was already part of the air transport roadmap from day one, and rest assured, that’s what we are going to do,” said Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.

The new Bulacan airport, an unsolicited proposal from the San Miguel Holdings Corp. (SMHC), was approved by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Board last April 25, subject to resolution of pending issues, including a submission of “Joint and Several Liability” agreement by SMHC and its parent company.

After submitting the revised Concession Agreement, along with the Risk Allocation Matrix, the NEDA and the Department of Finance (DOF) submitted their comments last August 9, and are now under consideration of SMHC. After which, the DOTr will commence negotiations with SMHC to finalize the draft Concession Agreement and submit the same to NEDA ICC, and finally begin the Swiss Challenge process.

The proposal includes the building of 4 parallel runways and a passenger terminal with 100 million passengers capacity per year.

Meanwhile, the DOTr also welcomes the proposal of the Provincial Government of Cavite to develop the Sangley Airport. The approval process, however, will be defined after the Cavite LGU has determined the legal framework for its implementation. 

While these projects are being developed, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) Board has already approved the grant of original proponent status to the NAIA Consortium for the airport’s rehabilitation project. The concession period will run for 15 years.

Secretary Tugade added that apart from these airports in Luzon, several other airports are undergoing various stages of implementation. Among them is the new Bohol (Panglao) airport, which will be opened within the year. The Bicol International Airport in Albay is now also being constructed after 11 years of delay. The Siargao and Bukidnon airport are also in the works.

“Apart from these new gateways, we are improving our existing provincial airports. We are extending and expanding runways, building new passenger terminal buildings, and generally improving the facilities,” added Tugade.

BGC Enacts One-way Scheme to Ease Traffic

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Starting September 17, 2018, Bonifacio Global City (BGC) will be implementing a new one-way scheme in key roads along its city center to help improve traffic flow and lessen traffic congestion as shown in the map below:

“A one-way traffic flow is the most efficient traffic circulation scheme for BGC’s street grid network because it maximizes the width of the street that is available for traffic, reduces the conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians at intersections, and minimizes the time that vehicles and pedestrians are stopped at traffic signals. Overall, BGC should become less congested and faster to travel in with a one-way traffic scheme” said Bonifacio Estate Services Corporation General Manager, Jun Galvez.

BGC, as one of the country’s top central business and lifestyle districts, is rapidly developing with high-rise condominiums, offices, shopping malls, entertainment centers, museums, and educational institutions. These developments attract traffic from all over Metro Manila and in addition, a large volume of pass-by traffic between C-5, EDSA and Makati passes through BGC which creates congestion during rush hours.

The one-way traffic scheme is intended to address this large volume of vehicles that go to and pass through BGC. A similar one-way traffic scheme was implemented in the Makati CBD in the past which reduced traffic congestion and improved travel time in the area.

To make sure that the new one-way scheme will become effective, BGC will continue its existing wheel clamping and towing operations to curb illegal street parking and keep its major streets free of obstructions. To further reduce the incidence of illegal parking, BGC recently launched an app for both iOS and Android devices to help motorists easily find parking spots within the city.

For further information on BGC’s traffic rules, visit the official Facebook page facebook.com/bonifacioglobalcityph. 

DOTr MRT-3 Press Statement Regarding the Social Media Post of MRT-3 Passenger Ms. Miriam Cabiles on August 22, 2018

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DOTr MRT-3 Press Statement 

24 August 2018

This refers to the social media post of MRT-3 passenger Ms. Miriam Cabiles on August 22, 2018. In the post, she stated that she was unfairly asked to pay an "overstay charge" due to overstaying within the paid area of MRT-3.

Please note that the MRT-3 allows a passenger to stay within the paid area for a maximum of 2 hours (not 1 hour as stated in Ms. Cabiles’s post). Prescribing a maximum stay period is a standard railway operating procedure that is implemented for security reasons and to avoid the turnback of passengers.

Per MRT-3’s investigation of the incident of Ms. Cabiles, it was found that:

- Ms. Cabiles entered the paid area of Cubao Station at exactly 7:17 AM.

- Per Ms. Cabiles’ post, she was able to board a train at around 8:45 AM.

- Between her entry in the paid area at 7:17 AM and her reported boarding of a train, 10 regular trains and 2 skip trains stopped at Cubao Station.

- The 1st skip train only loaded a few passengers in GMA Station and arrived in Cubao Station at 7:25 AM.

- The 2nd skip train only loaded passengers in Quezon Ave. Station and arrived in Cubao Station at 8:06 AM.

- Per Ms. Cabiles’ post, it is unclear but it appears that she stayed inside the paid area of Cubao Station (i.e., pass the turnstile) between 7:17 AM and around 8:45 AM, or around 1.5 hours before boarding a train.

- It is still being investigated why Ms. Cabiles has not boarded a train despite the 10 regular trains and 2 skipping trains that stopped in Cubao Station during the 1.5 hours that she was already inside the paid area (i.e., pass the turnstile).

- Ms. Cabiles tapped her Beep card at the exit gate of Buendia Station at exactly 9:28 AM.

- Assuming that Ms. Cabiles arrived in Buendia Station at 9:15 AM as stated in her post, it is again still being investigated why it took her 13 minutes (i.e., from 9:15 to 9:28 AM) to exit Buendia Station after alighting from the train.

- Ms. Cabiles eventually exited Buendia Station at 9:33 AM after paying the overstay charge.

- Ms. Cabiles was the only passenger who boarded in Cubao Station and alighted in Buendia Station who was charged the overstay charge. It is still being investigated why the other passengers that entered Cubao Station at the same time as Ms. Cabiles and exited at Buendia Station at the same time as Ms. Cabiles were not identified by MRT-3’s Automated Fare Collection System (AFCS) for having overstayed. It appears unlikely that Ms. Cabiles was the only passenger that boarded in Cubao Station and alighted in Buendia Station at that time.

- For Aug. 22, MRT-3’s AFCS recorded a total of 12 passengers, at different stations, who overstayed and were charged the overstay charge. MRT-3 carried 341,452 passengers on Aug. 22.

The above data are based on MRT-3’s review of the AFCS’s Central Computer System (CCS), CCTV recordings, and other relevant train operations information from the MRT-3 Control Center

On a more general level, MRT-3 wishes to note that in cases where there is a big volume of passengers who will be charged  the overstay charge at the same time in a particular station, for example due to lack of trains or any service interruption, the Station Supervisor may override a turnstile so that affected passengers may exit without paying the overstay charge. This is part of MRT-3’s standard operating procedures.

DOTr and MRT-3 will continue to monitor and review the appropriateness of the 2-hours overstay parameter given the operating condition of MRT-3, and will also remind Station Supervisors to follow standard procedures in cases of service disruption or fewer than usual train availability (e.g., by overriding the overstay parameter in the turnstiles), with the objective of realizing both objectives of deterring overstaying and turnback of passengers for security reasons, and ensuring that passengers are not penalized for situations beyond their control.

We thank our passengers for the continued patronage, and we assure you that we are constantly reviewing our policies and operating procedures to ensure a better travel experience for our riding public.

Aaron Carter Brings the LØVË Tour to Manila

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Kbeam Events officially announces the upcoming concert of 90’s teen sensation, Aaron Carter dubbed as “Aaron Carter LØVË Tour Live in Manila” on Sunday, November 18, 2018 at the Kia Theater in Araneta Center, Quezon City.

The singer, songwriter, and producer who has taken the 90’s and early 2000s by storm with hit singles “I Want Candy,” “I’m All About You,” and “Crush on You,” will be featuring his latest album release LØVË. One of his hit singles in the album “Sooner or Later” went Gold in several countries in Europe and is now enjoying multi-million streams on Spotify.

Now 30 years old, Aaron Carter, has been spending the year touring the US and UK headlining in his own shows, as well as joining his fellow 90’s greats like boyband O-town, Lance Bass from NSYNC, Ryan Cabrera, and Youtube sensation, Tyler Hilton.

Upon learning that he’s now back on tour, fans from the Philippines via Twitter started requesting the singer to come to Manila for a concert. The last time he was here was in 2002 and he was only 14 at the time when he performed at the Araneta Coliseum. Today, Aaron Carter heard his fans loud and clear and he is now schedule to perform at the Kia Theater at 8pm on Sunday, November 18, 2018. Aaron Carter will feature songs from the latest album LØVË, which is distributed by Sony Music.

Tickets to Aaron Carter Live in Manila are now on sale at all Ticketnet outlets (call 911-5555) and at Ticketnet.com.ph. Prices are at P5,830, P4,558, P2,756, P2,120. This concert is presented by Kbeam Events and the official residences Crowne Plaza Manila Ortigas and The Holiday Inn Manila Ortigas.

 LINK TO THE OFFICIAL CONCERT TVC

https://youtu.be/ZoYrqnQfAMY

I’m All About You

https://youtu.be/uESx0DhvYH0

I Want Candy

https://youtu.be/tLPpGKKV3s4

Sooner or Later

https://youtu.be/Z4E82Yxi8Ss

Fool’s Gold

https://youtu.be/ugskNSdZbac

  #aaroncarterliveinmanila

#lovetourph

 https://www.facebook.com/kbeamevents/

Twitter: @kbeamevents

Instagram @kneamevents

Catch ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Nico Santos and Ken Jeong on Sony Channel’s Sitcom Series!

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Superstore
Find Nico Santos from the hit movie ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ familiar? He steals all the scenes as Mateo Liwanag on ‘Superstore’!  Superstore is a sitcom about an odd and colorful mix of store employees. Current season airs every Sunday at 8pm first and exclusive on Sony Channel. 

Sony Channel is available on Cablelink Channel 39, Cignal Channel 120, G Sat Channel 48, and SKYCable Channel 35.

Superstore scene with Nico Santos

Dr. Ken
Is laughter the best medicine? Ken Jeong plays Dr. Ken in this hilarious sitcom about a doctor with questionable bedside manners. Catch more laughs all weekdays at 8:35am (encores at 4:30pm), beginning September 20 first and exclusive on Sony Channel.

Sony Channel is available on Cablelink Channel 39, Cignal Channel 120,  G Sat Channel 48, and SKYCable Channel 35.

On the Dismissal from the Service of Two DOTr-CAR Officials

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The Department of Transportation (DOTr) yesterday served the order to dismiss from the service Atty. Jesus Eduardo Natividad, Regional Director in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DOTr-CAR), and Datu Mohammad Abbas, Assistant Regional Director of the DOTr-CAR, after being found guilty of administrative offenses and corruption charges.

Unfortunately, Mr. Abbas refuses to obey the order, saying only President Duterte can terminate him because he is a presidential appointee. 

For the record, Mr. Abbas does not hold any appointment paper from President Duterte. He was appointed by the previous administration, and is serving the DOTr-CAR on a hold-over and acting capacity. A replacement has already been appointed.

Mr. Abbas was dismissed after several stakeholders in Baguio City and the Cordillera region alleged him of misconduct. Among the charges include accepting money to facilitate the issuance of Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC), extortion in exchange for the release of impounded vehicles, accepting commissions from medical and notarial fees relative to franchise applications, as well as Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service for brandishing and toting a gun against a certain clinic employee.

After painstaking scrutiny and careful evaluation of the statements and affidavits, the DOTr found Mr. Abbas guilty of administrative offense of Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service with the penalty of dismissal from the service.

Meanwhile, Atty. Natividad was found guilty of Gross Neglect of Duty after he issued a CPC for a U-Hop application within the moratorium period.

The dismissal order also comes with accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification for re-employment in the government services.

Why Your SEO Strategy Must Recognize The Impact Of Machine Learning On Google

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With Google pouring in billions of dollars in machine learning and artificial intelligence, it is pretty evident that the SEO landscape is set to undergo a radical transformation very soon. Some areas that will undergo major upheavals:

Content
Even though content has already assumed great importance in SEO, AI is expected to become its driving force soon. It is expected that other on-page activities like keywords, technical issues, backlinks, etc. will take a backseat. Things like keywords, content structure, design, graphics, linking, etc. that partially affect SEO now will assume greater importance with AI being able to assess the quality of a webpage instantaneously. SEO will need to verify that the content is relevant and of high quality and that it satisfies the intent of the user while providing an experience that is positive. Ultimately, the content should drive users towards conversion. With data being machine processed, failure will invariably tank the page rankings immediately.

On-page Optimization and Backlinks
Title tags, URLs, Meta descriptions, alt texts, etc. while continuing to be important will no longer drive SEO as it does today. 

Plumber SEO services, which includes editing and creating website content and code on your plumbing company’s website so each of the web pages rank on page one of search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo.

AI algorithms will easily be able to identify strategies that fail to add value to user experience, design, and content; forcing SEO practitioners to monitor and enhance their efforts. AI will put an end to black hat SEO techniques and also diminish the importance of organic links that drive contemporary SEO. With Google’s AI expertise being able to understand the page contents, assess its value, and also analyze the relevance and value of links, search rankings will no longer be manipulated, according to experts .

Technical SEO
Technical knowledge and skills will become far less important in SEO with Google being able to diagnose and auto-correct technical errors on your website. Today Google is encouraging the adoption of technologies like Alexa, Google Home, and Amazon Echo simply because it wants to access sites for analyzing and ranking them; not having the initial data, the AI prowess is left useless.

User Experience
Unlike many technical aspects of SEO, UX quality will continue to grow in importance and be a key ranking factor. Today, if you want to know whether users have been enamored by a specific webpage, the best indicators are user engagement and the click-through rate. However, with time Google is expected to refine its AI capabilities to such an extent that it would be able to understand the level of user satisfaction just like a human and be able to rank the site accordingly. All those involved with the website, not only the SEO team but also digital marketers, designers, developers, etc. will need to get their act together to ensure that there are no flat spots in the UX.

Conclusion
The AI implementation will make Google even smarter and lend it the power to assess the true value and utility of websites very much like a human being but without the mistakes and biases. The technology will permit instantaneous assessment of whether the user’s intent has been met and a page rank allocated.

Remote DBA Expert Understands The Importance Of Choosing Database For Analytics

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Whenever the analytics questions run into edges of latest tools, it is time to head towards database for analytics. It is not a clever idea to construct scripts to query production database. Chances are high that you might delete vital info accidentally if you have engineers or analysts poking around over there. At that point, you need separate form of database for analysis. Which is the right one to choose?

While working with lots of customers to get DB up, the most interesting criteria are the amount of data you possess, type of data to analyze, focus of your engineering team and how fat you need it.

Types of data for analyzing:
Check out for the data you are planning to analyze. Will it fit well into columns and rows or would it be more appropriate into Word Doc? When it comes to Excel, relational database like MySQL, Postgres, Amazon Redshift or even BigQuery might be the ones to consider.

These are relational structured databases, which are amazing when you are aware of the data to receive and how it might links together. It basically works on ways in which rows and columns relate.

For major user analysis, relational database will be the perfect one for you. Some user traits like emails, names and billing plans will get nicely into table just like user events and the significant properties.

In case, the data fits better on paper, you might have to check for non-relational database or NoSQL like Mongo or Hadoop.

The non-relational ones work well with larger data points of semi-structured plans. Some classic examples of semi-structured data are social media, email, books, audio and visual aids, and even geographical data.

In case you are working on larger amount of text mining, image or language processing, you may have to visit non-relational data stores. You can get information on that from RemoteDBA.com now.

The amount of data to work with:

You need to know the amount of data you are planning to get hands on. The more amount you have, the non-relational database will be the most helpful option for that. NoSQL is not going to impose any kind of restraints on incoming data, which will definitely allow you to write a lot faster.

For <1TB, you can use Postgres MySQL. Then you have Amazon Aurora for 2TB – 64TB. Amazon Redshift and GoogleBigQuery are the major databases for 64TB to 2PB. And lastly you have Hadoop for covering all the data sizes as mentioned right now.

Well, there is no strict limitation as each database can handle an amount depending on multiple factors. For under 1TB data, Postgres helps in offering a good performance ratio price. But it might slow down around 6TB.

In case, you are looking for MySQL but with a bit more upscale, you have Aurora, which can go up to 64TB. In case of petabyte scale, Amazon Redshift is the best bet as it can be well-optimized for running analytics for up to 2PB.

In case, you are looking for parallel processing or more MOAR data, you can always try out for Hadoop.

The focal center of your engineering team:

Another important question asked by experts from RemoteDBA.com during database discussion is to check on the engineering team and its focus center. The smaller this team might get, the higher are your chances to need engineering focusing on building product and not on database management and pipelines. The number of people dedicated to work on your project will affect your options more.

With engineering resources, you have vast array of choices. You can either opt for non-relational or relational database. Relational DBs are likely to take less time for managing when compared to NoSQL.

If you have engineers working on setup but cannot find any help with the maintenance, you can focus on using Google SQL, Postgres or even Segment Warehouse any day over Aurora, Redshift or BigQuery.

When you have enough time in hand for maintenance, then you can select BigQuery or Redshift for faster queries at larger scale.

Relational database covers another advantage. SQL can be used for query. SQL is known among engineers and analysts and quite easier to learn when compared to other programing languages.

Moreover, running analytics on semi-structured data will require object oriented programming based background or a code based science background.

With some recent inventions of analytics tools like Hunk or Slamdata, analyzing such database types will always need help of an advanced data scientist or analyst.

How fast you are in need of data:
Even though real time analytics is quite popular nowadays for covering cases like system monitoring and fraud detection, moist analyses will not even need real time data or even immediate insights. Whenever you are answering questions like what causes users to churn or how people are currently moving from app to website, accessing data with slight lag is more or less ok. Your data won’t change every minute.

So, if you are planning to deal with after-the-fact analysis, you have to go for database as designed under hood for accommodating larger data amount and to read and join data quickly. That will make queries work faster than usual.

This step might also load data fast reasonably only if you have someone resizing, vacuuming and even monitoring the cluster.

In case you are direly in need of real-time data, you have to check for some unstructured database, such as Hadoop. You can easily design that database for loading rather quickly even when queries can take long time to scale, based on RAM usability, disk space availability and how the data has been structured.

Once you are sure of the right database to use, it is important to figure out ways to get you data involved with database. It is hard for newbies to actually build scalable data pipeline. That’s why experts are always down to offer some crucial help. It takes time to find the right team, but once available, their services are worth it.

Get a Grip on Your Phone with PopSockets

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The hit mobile phone grip is now available in the Philippines.


The PopSockets Story

In 2010, Philosophy professor David Barnett had a problem: when getting his groove on listening to music on his phone, his earphones got tangled. In a moment of genius, he glued a button to the back of his phone to keep the cord neatly wrapped – this was the moment when the seed for PopSockets was planted. Fast forward to today, that simple button had expanded into a simple device that really did work great as a cord wrap, but also as a handy phone grip and a phone stand too.


So What’s A PopSockets Grip?

It’s that simple thing you never knew you needed but now can’t live without. PopSockets Grip offers a secure grip for texting or snapping that perfect selfie, and propping your phone up for catching the latest video. Double PopSockets Grips are great for competitive mobile gamers who want a solid grip on the base of their phone to put their twin thumbs into action. They are also a great tool to store untangled earphones by simply winding them over the knobs. With the PopSockets Mount, you can hang your phone just about anywhere. Your PopSockets Grip slides easily into the Mount for hands free function while driving, video chatting and more.

It may have started out of David’s garage but PopSockets soon became a commercial success. It is a huge hit with many fans including celebrities such as Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Fifth Harmony, Serena Williams, Gigi Hadid, Jared Leto and Michael Phelps. The company has sold over 35 million PopSockets Grips and Mounts in 2017 and is on track to double that number to 70 million this year, including its expansion into the Philippine market.


PopSockets are phone grips and stands that are collapsible, customizable, and re-positionable. PopSockets have over 100 designs priced at PHP 499 for the original designs, PHP 749 for the licensed designs (such as Harry Potter and Marvel) and the designs that are made of premium materials such as leather, metal and wood.

PopSockets Grips have over 100 various original designs priced at P499. It is also available in designs made with premium materials such as Vegan Leather, Metal and Real Wood for P749. Licensed designs from well-known franchises such as Harry Potter and Marvel, which will be available in the next coming months, are also priced at P749. PopSockets also offers combo pack comprised of 1 black PopSockets Grip and 1 mount for only P749. You can also purchase PopSockets Mounts on its own for P499.
PopSockets is now available at leading local retail stores Urbanize, Elecom, Bratpack and, Rustan’s Department Stores. For more information about PopSockets, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @PopSockets.PH

EURO-II Option Enhances Competition Among Oil Players

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Department of Energy Secretary Afonso Cusi again clarified that the Department’s directive for oil companies to provide Euro-II compliant diesel fuel - is meant to provide a cheaper diesel alternative, particularly for those operating older vehicles in the public transport sector.

“The DOE is actively finding ways to help control inflation. Bringing in Euro-II compliant diesel fuel gives our countrymen an additional option. Euro-II diesel matches diesel engines without the catalytic converter. These are usually the 2015, 2014 and earlier models of vehicles,” Sec. Cusi said.

In particular, the Energy Chief said those owning older vehicle models from 2015 below, particularly in the transport sector, would benefit from additional savings that the Euro-II diesel fuel would provide.

“With rising prices, each centavo of savings counts,” Sec. Cusi noted.

To ensure proper implementation of the Energy Secretary’s directive, the DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) required all oil companies to submit their respective implementation programs by the 24th of August 2018.

In their respective implementation plans, the oil companies are expected to indicate the participating retail outlets, the date of intended implementation and other related information for the provision of an additional diesel fuel alternative.

Likewise, the DOE assured consumers that it would continue the stringent monitoring of the quality of fuels being sold in the country.

"We empower our consumers when we give them the ability to choose. We are enhancing the competition among the suppliers. This is what the Euro-II diesel option is all about,” Sec. Cusi said.