Senate Cooperative Launches Modern Jeepneys Compliant with PUV Modernization Program

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Senate Employees Transport Service Cooperative (SETSCO) will now roll out their new public utility jeepneys (PUJs), that are compliant under the PUV Modernization Program.

SETSCO is composed of 22 operators headed by its Chairperson Remedios Venturina, and is among the 3 pre-selected cooperatives to participate in the initial implementation of the PUVMP.

At the media launch held on Monday afternoon, 18 June 2018, 15 out of the total 35 modern PUJ units, which will ply the route of StarCity/CCP to PICC, GSIS/Senate to MOA to PITX and back by tomorrow, was initially be launched. A ribbon cutting amidst two of the vehicles was done, and a short program where .

The 20-person seating capacity vehicles are airconditioned, have 4 CCTV cameras, has GPS for monitoring, and you can stand inside where they allow up to 3 passengers standing.

DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Tim Orbos and LTRFB Chairman Martin Delgra III were present and were joined by Senate President Vicente Sotto, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.

Chairperson Remedios Ventura

Other personalities from both the government and transport sector were also there to witness the launch.

Isuzu Philippines was the chosen vehicle provider as voted upon by the key people at SETSCO, just as how Euro4 Diesel was also selected. Going electric vehicle was not very popular since they believe the industry is not yet capable of providing convenient facilities and fair-priced consumables like batteries, etc.


Below is the official press release:

DOTr-LTFRB, Senate Transport Coop Roll Out Modern PUVs

 

The Department of Transportation (DOTr), through the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), yesterday rolled out the first batch of modernized public utility jeepneys (PUJs) under the Senate Employees Transport Service Cooperative (SETSCO), an important milestone in the implementation of the government’s PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP).

 

Starting today, 19 June 2018, an initial 15 out of the total 35 modern PUJ units will ply various routes along Metro Manila, which include: Star City / CCP to PICC, and GSIS / Senate to MOA to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) and back. The official turnover of the certificate of the approved route was also handed to SETSCO during the event.

 

Senate President Vicente Sotto III led the official launch, along with DOTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Tim Orbos, LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III, and Office of Transport Cooperatives (OTC) Chairman Emmanuel Virtucio. Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian were also present.

 

“The most efficacious way of making a difference is to lead by example, which is what we are doing now. We are giving the Philippine transport system a new face: a transport system that is innovative, safe, and environment-friendly,” Sen. Sotto said.

 

Usec. Orbos hailed the event as the start of a new way of transporting commuters in a safe and secure manner.

 

“This is very historic. Later on, when our children are used to these kinds of jeepneys, they will not remember anymore how difficult it was for us. Ito po ay proof of life — the very first batch of modern jeepneys to carry our commuters. Sila naman po ang pinaka-importante sa lahat ng ito. It’s the duty of the government to make sure that we bring them from point A to point B in the most convenient, most efficient, and safest manner possible,” Usec. Orbos added.

Consistent with the theme “Arangkada sa Pagbabago,” the brand new and modern PUJs are classified as Euro-4, which is equal to 40% less carbon emissions. Electric jeepneys are also being considered in future projects.

Composed of 22 operators, SETSCO was among the three pre-selected cooperatives that would participate in the initial implementation of the PUV Modernization Program. Pre-selection was done by the OTC, whose recommendation was based on the cooperative’s good standing, financial capability, and its established management structure.

 

SETSCO is the second cooperative to have been granted a franchise to operate following its compliance to the program. It was also able to obtain a loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

The remaining 20 modern PUJs for the given Pasay routes are targeted to be out by July. The DOTr and the LTFRB are also working double time to process the applications of more than 1,000 new jeepneys. Around 100 - 200 more are expected to be on the road by the first half of July 2018.

#WazzupPilipinas #PambansangBlogger #SETSCO

Ma Hao Bin Expects Big Reward if he Triumphs at ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER

Wazzup Pilipinas!

“The Southern Eagle” Ma Hao Bin has always possessed the drive and talent to achieve all of his lofty goals as he has capitalized on every opportunity that has come his way in his professional mixed martial arts career.

The 24-year-old Chinese national freestyle wrestling champion is unbeaten on the ONE Championship stage, acing his six assignments in the promotion with flying colors.

Making his professional debut in 2016, Ma took home the ONE: DYNASTY OF CHAMPIONS (CHANGSHA) Flyweight Tournament Championship, defeating Wu Ting Shen and Bu Huo You Ga in a single evening of action.

Since then, Ma has strung together an impressive win-loss slate of 11-2, which includes four wins by submission and two by knockout.

In his most recent outing this past January, Ma turned in another well-rounded performance to claim victory via unanimous decision against battle-tested veteran Sotir Kichukov of Bulgaria.

Ma has the chance to cement his status as one of the best flyweights in the world today as he is set to square off with former world title challenger Danny Kingad on the undercard of ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER in Macau, China on Saturday, 23 June.

Although a tall order is in front of him, Ma remains optimistic that he will have his hand raised in triumph as he is driven by his desire to become the best competitor in the organization’s 61.2-kilogram weight class.

“Nothing is easy. A person has to go through hardship to become successful. I know it will be hard, but I am willing to dig deep and get that victory. In order to be a winner, you have to endure. I am here to endure all the hardships because I want to be the best in the division,” he stated.

As Ma crosses paths with an opponent, who is a premier flyweight combatant from the famed Team Lakay of Baguio City, the highly-touted Chinese prospect artist sees a big reward if he plays his cards right against Kingad.

Holding a professional record of 9-1, the 22-year-old Baguio City native is a tremendous striker who possesses well-rounded grappling skills.

“He is so talented as a fighter. I can say that he is exceptional for a flyweight like me. That’s why I am exerting my best effort in training. He is an opponent worthy of a good battle. This match excites me,” Ma said of his three-round flyweight encounter with Kingad.

Following an unsuccessful challenge for the ONE Flyweight World Championship this past November against Moraes, which ended in his first professional defeat, Kingad rebounded with an impressive win over Kichukov four months later.

“We both faced Sotir Kichukov in ONE Championship, and we did walk away with respective victories. Honestly, I believe that I’ve done better than him against Sotir. In our ring clash this Saturday, the commitment to hone and perfect my craft will once again be in full display against Danny,” he shared.

“He is blocking my way. I want that gold around my waist. I have to defeat him in order to reach my ultimate destination in this sport,” Ma added.

Ma hopes that if he secures a convincing victory over Kingad, it will bring him an inch closer to a shot at the coveted ONE Flyweight World Championship.

ONE Championship’s undisputed flyweight crown will be at stake on Saturday as division kingpin Adriano Moraes is slated to lock horns with interim champion Geje Eustaquio in a highly-anticipated rematch, serving as the event’s headliner.

 

“My initial goal is to continue winning until I get closer to the title and become a champion. I want this win. I want to have a remarkable winning result, and then I want to move forward onto that flyweight belt,” Ma ended.

​

For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.

Best Tips for Selecting a Sleeping Mattress to Avoid Back Pain

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Sleeping on the wrong mattress can lead to back pain or worsen an already existing back pain. We all know how excruciating back pains can be. It makes every sleeping moment a hard experience, and waking moments are even harder.

A good sleeping mattress will give you a great sleeping posture, and also gives you a relaxed sleep. Getting a quality mattress is one of the most important decision you will make for your home, and it is also one of the most important furniture you can get for your home.

Getting a mattress that supports your sleeping posture is a great decision, but if your current mattress doesn't really fit your body type or sleeping position, then the best decision is to change your mattress.

According to Dr Jeffrey N Katz, a professor of medicine and orthopedic surgery at Harvard Medical School, changing your mattress can make a vital difference in your back pain rehabilitation.

It is true, there is nothing like a perfect mattress, but there is always a perfect mattress for your body type, sleeping position, and your backpain (if you have one). A good mattress is great for your spine, and getting that mattress to address your back pain can be a life changing decision.

Getting that perfect mattress for you can be a herculean task, from overly ambitious salespeople to the confusion over the best type of mattress, and also the financial commitment involved in getting a quality mattress.

To get yourself the perfect mattress, the best practice was going to the mattress store, and testing out different mattresses till you find the perfect one for your body posture, and sleeping position, and at the same time, overly ambitious and aggressive salespeople breathing down your neck to close the sales.

These days the buying process has changed, with customers able to order for mattresses online, and getting to test the mattress for a week, if they feel comfortable with the mattress then they can purchase it, but if they don't, they can return of for little or no fee at all.

Best mattresses for different types of sleepers

There are different types of mattress that suits different categories of sleepers, this section will identify the best mattress that best suits your sleeping position.
Stomach sleepers:  Stomach sleepers adopt this position mostly because of back pain, and the best type of mattress that suits this sleeping position is a firm mattress.


2. Side sleepers:   Side sleepers relax their body on their shoulders and hip, and need to mattress that will serve as a cushion to the hips and shoulder. The best mattress that fits this sleeping position is a soft mattress.


3. Back sleepers:   For back sleepers, they need a mattress that is soft and hard at the same time. The best mattress to accomplish this objective is a medium-firm mattress.


Popular mattress types to consider

Adjustable beds:  Adjustable beds are great for people with pain in different parts of their body. And as the name suggests, the bed can be adjusted to accommodate the part of the body feeling the pain at the moment.


Air mattress:  This mattress offers a unique level of comfort and support, and it allows you to adjust it to the level of firmness comfortable enough for you. Air mattresses have an air like chamber covered by bed cushion, which makes it look like a normal bed.


Innerspring mattress:  This type of mattress is extremely popular and features hundreds of springs paddings and coils, and the level of firmness depends on the strength of the coil and paddings used.

Specialty foam mattress: Specialty foam mattresses uses foams to mimic your body type, and provide enormous support. Foams used includes latex, memory, and polyurethane.


Best tip for buying a mattress good for your back

Tip 1: Don't buy firm mattresses:   If you already suffer from back pain, or you're just avoiding it. It is better to keep off firm mattresses. For patients suffering from back pain, a medium firm mattress is the best way to go.

Sleeping on a mattress that is extra firm puts extra pressure on the back, which ultimately results in more back pain if you already suffer from one. So if you have back pain or trying to avoid back pain, keep off extra firm mattresses.

Tip 2: Consider your body type:  You have to consider your body type before making that pocket unfriendly decision of getting yourself the best type of mattress. Tall or short, top heavy, bottom heavy, or lightweight, getting a mattress that supports your body type is major. Soft, firm, or medium-firm mattresses don't matter if it doesn't support your body type.

Tip 3:  Know the best time to buy:    This might just be the best tip you will need, pocket-wise at least. A report from the National Sleep Foundation, the new models for mattresses usually hit mattress stores between May and September. So during that period, you should get a great mattress deal.

Tip 4:  Price don't always mean quality:    When you want to get the best mattress that fits your body type, sleeping position, and great for your back, the price is not a major deciding factor. Because a mattress is expensive doesn't mean that mattress is the best for you. Going for the mattress to avoid back pain depends on the technology behind its creation.

So a mattress that fits your body type might be expensive or cheap, but the price doesn't decide the value it offers to your back.

Tip 5:   Ask for professional opinion:   Knowing the cause of your back or body pain is the best way to start planning the best mattress to buy. Why did you get back pain, how did you get it? You need to get a professional opinion on the issue, then decide on the best mattress that would help correct the why and the how.

If you can address the cause of your back pain, then it is a great tip for you not to get confused when trying to purchase the perfect mattress for you.


AUTHOR BIO
Lana Hawkins is an architecture student from Sydney, Australia. She enjoys cooking, but her truly passion is writing about home décor. Also, Lana loves reading about sustainability and it's inspired by green architecture.