DOTr, LTFRB, MMDA conduct dry run and site inspection along EDSA in preparation for reopening of public transport on June 1

Wazzup Pilipinas?!

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) have partnered with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in the conduct of an operational dry run and site inspection along EDSA today, 30 May 2020, in preparation for the gradual resumption of mass public transport operations.

The site inspection aims to ensure readiness of the transport sector and other concerned agencies, following the decision of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to downgrade the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) being enforced in the National Capital Region to a general community quarantine (GCQ).

Transport officials, led by DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, and various government agencies laid out their network plan and ironed out measures to be implemented along EDSA, which is expected to again accommodate volumes of motorists and commuters under a GCQ.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said the new traffic scheme in EDSA, which will be done in two phases, is a historic move that will transform the usual severely-congested highway. The new scheme involves the creation of median bus lanes and rationalization of routes.

"Papasinayaan natin’ yung programa na kung saan babaguhin natin ‘yung disiplina, istraktura, at pamamaraan sa EDSA. Never na ginawa ito. Ngayong araw na ito ‘ho, gagawin natin. Sasabihin ko lang sa inyo, itong proyektong ito ay ang pinagbuklod-buklod na samahan ng MMDA, DPWH, DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government), at Kagawaran ng Transportasyon," Secretary Tugade pointed out.

“Ang pamaraan namin na ito ay gradual, calculated at partial, sa kadahilanang hindi pa kailangang biglaan ito ‘pagkat kailangan naming balansehin ang health at safety ng ating mga mamamayan,” the transportation chief added.

During the briefing, MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim and MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia expressed their full support on the DOTr and LTFRB initiative and vowed to execute the traffic management plan.

“Ito po ang tinatawag nating "new EDSA." 'Yung atin pong public transportation like buses, sa left side po ‘yan. Bibigyan natin ng dedicated lane ‘yan. Approve-an po ni Chairman Lim at ng DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways). Para matanggal na po natin na nagi-stop-and-go ang mga bus sa kanan at nakikita naman natin during rush hour ang tao nasa kalsada lang, pumapara sa sasakyan, ginagamit ng tao. So in this scheme, eh imposible na po silang pumara kahit saan, kasi maglalagay po tayo ng dedicated stops – loading and unloading,” GM Garcia said.

The MMDA Chairman said they will also put up bike lanes along EDSA, as proposed by the DOTr, to complement the Department's "new normal" that promotes the use of non-motorized transport (NMT) as a measure to abate the COVID threat by maintaining  physical distancing, deliver substantial environmental and health benefits, and achieve efficient use of road space.

"Yung mga lanes natin sa EDSA, 3.2 meters ‘yan e. Pasok pa rin yan sa national standard. Babawasan natin nang konti ang mga ‘yan and makakapag-generate tayo ng mga 1.5 meters na additional lane. So eventually ‘yan ang gagawin nating bike lane. Right now, makakapagdedicate tayo ng maliit na lane para sa bisikleta," Chairman Lim said.

After inspecting the proposed bus stops at Estrella, Guadalupe, Ortigas, and Quezon Avenue for the new bus network plan, a simulation of MRT-3 operations was done.

During the activity, the inspection team witnessed the swift sanitation process, which will be done regularly in just around 5 minutes between the arrival and departure times of trains at every half-loop. This process of cleaning and disinfection was a proposal of Secretary Tugade that eyes to surpass Japan’s famous 7-minute process of cleaning their high-speed Shinkansen trains.

Other safety measures train passengers can expect on the MRT line are the conduct of social distancing at the train entry/exit points, queues, and seats; provision of foot baths; and body temperature checks.

At the end of the activities, DOTr officials, together with MMDA GM Jojo Garcia and Asec. Celine Pialago, held a virtual press conference led by Secretary Tugade at the LTFRB office in Quezon City.

During the virtual press conference, Secretary Tugade announced that on his order, the operating speed of MRT-3 trains has been increased from 30 to 40 kilometers per hour (kph) in some areas— targetting to achieve 60kph by December.

In addition, the number of MRT-3 trains has also been increased from 15 to 19, to further help accommodate the needs of the riding public, especially since the trains will be operating at a reduced capacity to observe physical distancing measures as part of measures to contain the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).  

I Can't Breathe: The Senseless Killing of George Floyd

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Flames ripped through a Minneapolis police station in Minnesota and seven protesters were shot in Kentucky as unrest spread across the United States over the deaths of black people during police encounters.

Thousands joined the protests in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which were triggered by the Monday death of 46-year-old George Floyd after being arrested on suspicion of using a counterfeit banknote.

There is no difference between black, white, and brown cops as far as power of badge, authority and abuse in uniform are concerned. Look at the brown cops of Ph, violators of quarantine protocols are being arrested, hurt, shot dead, whereas, cops (generals & senator) are let loose from punishment!

The DDS are offended coz we make it seem like they have no right to call out injustices. Ahm, yes… As enablers of an oppressor, wala kayong karapatan. Either you wake up or pretend you’re neutral, then try again.

May it be intentional excessive harrasnent on a colored guy, the cops of Minneapolis are just like our Philippine police - Abusive of their authority.

The white Minneapolis police officer who knelt on George Floyd’s neck was arrested and charged with murder. Let him go to prison, together with the other three police officers.  I am sure that whatever jail they will be sent to, the black community in that jail are all waiting to welcome them.

Butwe all know that just like in the Philippines, these cops will just be reinstated and assigned somewhere else after when everything goes silent.

Minneapolis police officer at the center of George Floyd's death had been with the department since 2001. During his career, he was the subject of a dozen police conduct complaints; he was never disciplined, records show.

Theres always a collateral damage in the middle of a war.. Blame it to the leaders who tolerated drugs during their regime and not the one who fought against it.

There are so many unfortunate examples of police brutality. This one, however, was one of, if not the most, heinous displays to date. It is not just that this officer decided to execute a man on the street by choking the life out of him with a knee crushing his neck, which should be enough on its own. 

What is even more nauseating is the systematic racism that is so evident here. The other officer turns his back on a murder in progress because the murderer is his partner. And this is no spontaneous reaction on the part of the murderer. It is a cold slow-motion execution, with on lookers passionately pleading for the man’s life. 

A person doesn't often just snap and become a violent individual, but rather a steady growing unchecked  violence leads to incidents like this. Check his record and his background personal life, I bet he is and has been a violent person for a long time. And the other officers either also are violent, or so indoctrinated to cover their kind that they participated in this tragedy. They ALL 4 MUST be charged.

What Are The Chances of Success of IVF in The First Attempt?

Wazzup Pilipinas!

When a patient plans to undergo an IVF treatment procedure, he or she should be sure of one thing; that there is nothing fixed for an IVF treatment.

You have to mould yourself as per the
situations, and the response of your body towards the treatment.

You shall end your expectations and improve your patience when you are preparing for an IVF procedure.

It is not that you cannot conceive in the first round of IVF cycle, but it is equally valid that the first cycle may fail.
So, never think about:

● The number of IVF cycles, and
● IVF Procedure Cost.

It is because the cost automatically increases, with the number of cycles. Thinking more about such things can only create stress which is not at all advisable during IVF treatment.

Relation in the First IVF Cycle and Result:
Different researches and data show different conclusions for IVF treatment.

Some reveal that the success of IVF is higher after the five cycles. While some others say, you get the results within the first three cycles.

Some reports connect the data of achieving results within the first IVF cycle with age. It says:

● Over 70% of the couple who undergo the IVF treatment before the age of 35 years
avail the success in the first cycle
● Now, couples who proceed with the treatment between the age of 35 to 40 years have
40% chances to get the results in the first IVF cycle
● For those who delay in the treatment, and plan for it after the age of 40 years, have
only 25% of chances to receive the good news by the end of the first cycle.

Well, there is no denying the fact that there is a significant relation between IVF treatment results and the age of the couple.

At the same time, we cannot say that only age is the factor that determines the success of the treatment. Several other factors need to be considered for the treatment results.

Some of the most common reasons that alter the results of an IVF treatment includes:

● The cause of infertility in the couple
● Who is sterile, the male or the female partner
● Experience of the doctor in dealing with the condition of the patient
● Procedure planned for the treatment
● Proper analysis of the condition of the patient, and deciding on the treatment plan
accordingly

So, we can say there is no guarantee to get the results in the first cycle. The assurance can only be of getting the results.

You might avail the results in the very first attempt or might go for multiple cycles with the heartbreaking outcome every time.

You need to be strong to accept the result, and further proceed with the treatment.

In a Nutshell:
You can get a recommendation of IVF from the doctor, and he can also make an IVF 
Treatment Package for the first cycle, but he can never guarantee the number of cycles.

No doctor or surgeon, irrespective of their experience and expertise can answer the same. So, live with the fact before you decide to undergo an IVF treatment.