DOTr Statement on MRT-3 Smoke Incident

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) expresses sincere apologies to those who were affected and inconvenienced by the recent smoke incident that occurred yesterday in one of MRT-3’s trains. 

At about 1:40 PM, around 600 passengers unloaded a train between Cubao and Kamuning Stations due to reported smell and appearance of smoke from under one of the seats. The passengers were safely assisted to the nearest station, and regular service resumed at about 2:50 PM, ending the day with 321,397 riders.

Fault analysis is ongoing, and in the interest of accuracy and transparency, DOTr has directed MRT-3 Management to release to the public their technical findings at the soonest possible time.

The DOTr appeals to the riding public’s understanding while it pushes ahead, in the most expeditious manner, strategies and actions to effectively and sustainably restore and rehabilitate the current MRT-3 system—a system that has deteriorated due to cumulative errors in policy and operational decisions made across several administrations.

DOTr fully supports MRT-3 Management in its continuing efforts to ensure that MRT-3 is continued to be operated safely, thus providing continuing service to the hundreds of thousands of passengers that rely on it for their daily commute.

Strategy Part 2/4: The MRT-3 MTT

 

The MRT-3 Maintenance Transition Team (MTT) was intended to maintain the system for 3-6 months, until a replacement maintenance service provider is procured.

The MTT has put in place necessary human resources, by absorbing around 450 of the former maintenance service provider’s employees (Busan Universal Rail, Inc. or BURI), and hiring additional personnel to compensate for constraints imposed by civil service rules. Support from experienced and well-qualified railway engineers from LRTA and PNR are also part of the team.

 

Due to BURI’s failure to purchase and maintain a sufficient level of spare parts’ inventory, DOTr created a special Bids and Award Committee (BAC), which has been regularly convening to expeditiously procure spare parts that BURI failed to purchase.

 

Many of the spare parts intended to increase MRT-3’s reliability have been ordered as of Dec. 29. With delivery lead times of 30 days to 6 months, delivery of critical components will begin in February, and restoration of service reliability is expected to begin toward the latter part of February and gradually thereafter.

Strategy Part 3/4: Rehabilitation and Maintenance Service Provider

 

At the beginning of January 2018, the Philippines and Japan formalized an arrangement for the latter’s commitment to assist the DOTr in rehabilitating and properly maintaining MRT-3.

 

By May 2018, the rehabilitation and maintenance service provider for MRT-3 is targeted to be mobilized. The DOTr has stressed with the Government of Japan that the provider they will nominate must be highly qualified and with a proven track record.

Strategy 4/4: Long Term Single Point Operations and Maintenance Provider

Many of MRT-3’s problems in recent years resulted from successive short-term and fragmented maintenance contracts, and from finger-pointing due to having different entities maintaining and operating MRT-3.

DOTr is addressing this by pursuing an Unsolicited Proposal for the 30-year operation and maintenance (O&M) of MRT-3. Original proponent status has been given to the proponent, Metro Pacific Light Rail Corporation (MPLRC), and the proposal will soon be endorsed to NEDA.

Independent Audit and Assessment

Apart from the above strategies, an Independent Audit and Assessment (IAA) by an ISO 17020 and ISO 17065 certified firm, and a member of the IFIA (International Federation of Inspection Agencies), for the entire MRT-3 system is ongoing. 

The report of the IAA firm, TUV Rheinland, is intended to give DOTr additional inputs and guidance on the interventions needed to rehabilitate and restore MRT-3 reliability.

Katarina Rodriguez is Miss Intercontinental 2017 First Runner-up

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Philippine representative Katarina Rodriguez made the Philippines proud with her first runner up finish at the Miss Intercontinental pageant held in Hurghada, Egypt on Thursday, January 25 (Manila time).

Katarina wowed the judges with her impressive performance in the swimsuit and evening gown portions. Proving that she has both form and substance, she garnered tremendous applause during the question and answer portion when she said that she was inspired by the Arabic word “meraki” and that the greatest lesson she learned while participating in the pageant was “to do all things with soul, passion and creativity.”

As the top Asian candidate in the competition, Katarina was also named Miss Intercontinental Asia and Oceania. Katarina also placed in the top 3 of the pageant’s online poll.

In a Facebook video posted by Miss Intercontinental, Katarina said, teary-eyed, “Okay lang ito. I miss all of you. I miss my country. It was a tough ride – it was a lot of work, a lot of hours. Mabuhay! Mahal kita!”

Mexico’s Veronica Salas was adjudged Miss Intercontinental 2017. Rounding up the Top 6 were the Netherlands’ Cathelijne Heppenhuis, Brazil’s Amanda Cardoso, Colombia’s Lizeth Villanueva, and online poll winner Lee Su Jin of Korea.

Katarina, whose advocacies include peace and HIV-Aids awareness, duplicated the first runner up finish of 2015 Philippine bet Christi Lynn McGarry. Last year’s representative, Jennifer Hammond, placed in the Top 15.

Katarina, along with the other Binibining Pilipinas 2017 queens, proved the Philippines remains a powerhouse in the pageant world. Nelda Ibe won first runner up in Miss Globe. Elizabeth Clenci placed second runner up in Miss Grand International. Rachel Peters and Chanel Olive Thomas emerged in the Top 10 of Miss Universe and Miss Supranational, respectively.


Photo: Katarina Rodriguez (Photo from Binibining Pilipinas / Raymond Saldaña)

Millions of Girl Scouts to Get Trained on Energy

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Energy (DOE) will train some 2.2 million Girl Scouts in the country on E-Safety Mo energy conservation as part of its E-Power Mo EnerKids Program.

DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi and Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) National President Susan Locsin will formalize the educational partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding on 30 January 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the agency's Public Affairs Office, PNOC Building 5, Energy Center, Taguig City.

Under the partnership, the DOE will conduct lectures on basic electricity concepts and energy consumption of various appliances to batches of Girl Scouts nationwide. DOE's E-Power Mo Lecturers will also conduct hands-on experiments for Girl Scouts in the provinces.

Cusi said the DOE hopes to engage the Girl Scouts especially in the elementary level to be active in its EnerKids Program, where students are taught to practice E-Safety Mo energy-saving measures at home as “Energy Cost-Busters.”

The DOE-GSP MOU intends also to encourage Girl Scouts to pursue energy-related careers by stimulating their interests and passion despite the challenges in gender stereotyping.

Cusi has always envisioned the involvement of the youth in programs that put theories into action to build their confidence in facing the technological hurdles of the digitalized economy.

On 8 February 2017, GSP officials visited the Energy Research and Testing Laboratory Services (ERTLS) that provides first-hand knowledge on the testing services being offered by the DOE and the facilities that are covered in the educational tour of students.

During the visit, the GSP officials expressed interest in the information and education campaigns of the DOE, including the E-Power Mo Career Talk, and sent some of their Senior Girl Scouts to join E-Power Mo events held in various public secondary schools.

The MOU provides for the DOE and GSP to organize and conduct educational and training programs geared towards encouraging young girls to take up courses on science, technology and energy; implement other activities that would promote energy conservation and formulate guidelines defining the specific activities, roles and responsibilities of the DOE and the GSP in the implementation of the E-Power Mo Programs.