Tugade leads DOTr team in inspections of seaports, airports over long weekend

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) took advantage of the long weekend - which ends on Monday with the marking of Bonifacio Day - to conduct a series of inspections of seaports and airports in Samar, Cebu, Aklan, Tacloban and Dumaguete.

On Saturday, 28 November, Team DOTr's first stop was Calbayog, Samar, where Secretary Arthur Tugade led the inspection of the Calbayog Airport to check on the progress of its construction. The construction of the new Calbayog Passenger Terminal Building, as well as the widening/expansion of its runway and apron shall be completed in December 2020.

After inspecting the Calbayog Airport, the transport chief and other DOTr officials proceeded to conduct an inspection of the Manguino-o Port, also in Calbayog, Samar.

“It is important that we inspect these airports and seaports, especially those that were in the path of the strong typhoons that recently barreled through the country. We must make sure that operations in these facilities will not be disrupted, and that these are safe for operators and passengers to use,” said Transportation Secretary Tugade.

The Manguino-o Port was previously damaged by Tropical Storm Tisoy, and will undergo rehabilitation starting December 2020.

Rehabilitation works will cover the construction of a continuous Ro-Ro (roll-on-roll-off) ramp and a new Port Operations Building. Partial operability is slated before the end of 2021.

After inspecting the Calbayog airport and Manguino-o port in Samar, Secretary Tugade, along with other DOTr officials, immediately proceeded to Leyte to check on the progress of the Tacloban Airport Development Project.

Upon arrival in Tacloban, Secretary Tugade met with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) project management office and the contractor of the New Tacloban Airport Development Project, for a more comprehensive update on the project’s timeline and deliverables.

During the meeting, it was disclosed by the contractor that the original contract duration for the construction of the new Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) of the Tacloban Airport is 540 calendar days, which means it will only become operational by the 2nd quarter of 2022.

Knowing that the project is of prime importance to the citizens of Leyte and nearby regions, Secretary Tugade directed the contractor to reduce the contract duration to 270 days, through the implementation of 24/7 work schedule. The contractor agreed and committed to submit a revised implementation and catch up plan to CAAP by next week.

With this development, the new passenger terminal building of the Tacloban Airport is expected to be operational by the third quarter of next year, instead of the second quarter of 2022.

The DOTr Team also visited the Tacloban Port in Leyte to check its status and the ongoing developments, giving Secretary Tugade an opportunity to interact with port employees. He conveyed his appreciation for their work and reminded them of the need to be take care of the vital facility and to serve the people well.

“Tulong ko, ituloy mo,” Secretary Tugade told the PPA employees, as he reminded them that his sacrifice, together with that of other DOTr officials who were working and inspecting projects even during long weekends, is his way of helping other Filipinos develop their respective communities.

The DOTr Secretary reminded PPA employees that as members of their own communities, they should also continue pursuing this cycle of helping one another by paying it forward.

After Tacloban, the Team flew to Bantayan Island in Cebu, for their last stop of the day, to inspect the construction works at the Bantayan Airport in Cebu, where Secretary Tugade noted that the airport’s runway is now 100% complete. The airport’s perimeter fence is also about 75% complete.

The transport chief said the total project is now about 85% complete, with the last stages of concreting the 1.2-kilometer runway extension estimated to be completed by the end of the year.

“We will finish before the end of the year," Secretary Tugade noted.

On the 2nd day of inspection, Team DOTr landed in Dumaguete to inspect and check on the progress of the Dumaguete Airport Development Project.

Secretary Tugade and his team of officials inspected the newly-completed expansion project of the airport’s Passenger Terminal Building, as well as the asphalt overlay and shoulder grade correction of its runway.

After inspecting the Dumaguete Airport, Team DOTr then conducted a flyover inspection of the New Siquijor Airport, whose Passenger Terminal Building, Powerhouse and Vehicular Parking Area were completed last 30 October 2020.

After the fly-over inspection of Siquijor Airport, and to cap off their hectic weekend work schedule, Team DOTr led by Secretary Tugade, inspected the progress of work being done on the Kalibo International Airport Development Project in Aklan.

The DOTr team underwent a walk-through of the Kalibo Airport work area, and inspected the site development works for a new apron, taxiway, Passenger Terminal Building, Vehicle Parking Area, and the Airport Access Road. This development project is expected to be completed by July 2021, with the Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) improvement project now 98% complete, and will be ready for operability before the end of this year.

Although not included in their itinerary, Team DOTr decided to seize the opportunity to conduct a surprise inspection at nearby Roxas Airport in Capiz to check on the progress of the ongoing site acquisition.

Upon landing, the transport chief and Team DOTr were welcomed by Roxas City Mayor Ronnie Dadivas, Pueblo De Panay Inc. CEO Jose Neri Ong, and Roxas Airport Manager II Cynthia Aspera.

The Team made the rounds at the Roxas Airport facilities, and also checked the proposed site acquisition for expansion. The team also inspected the completed asphalting of the runway shoulders and strip grade correction. The initial phase of Roxas Airport Development project was completed last 2019.

Joining Sec. Tugade during the week-end inspection were DOTr Usec. for Finance Garry De Guzman, Office for Transportation Security (OTS) Administrator Usec. Raul Del Rosario, DOTr Chief of Staff and Asec. for Procurement and Project Implementation Giovanni Lopez, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippine (CAAP) Director General Jim Sydiongco, and DOTr Asec for Aviation and Airports Jim Melo.

#BonifacioDay: A call for Filipinos to join the struggle for genuine independence

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"Love your country next to God, your honor, and most of all, yourself."

Today we commemorate the patriotism and bravery of one of our heroes. Mabuhay ang nag-iisang Supremo sa kanyang kaarawan ngayong araw.

Bonifacio founded the Katipunan, a secret society which led the uprising against the Spanish and laid the groundwork for the first Philippine Republic.

In 1896, Andres Bonifacio penned "Pag-Ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa" as a call for Filipinos to join the struggle for genuine independence from Spanish colonial rule. 

Also known as "The Father of the Philippine Revolution." he was among the Philippine heroes who richly contributed to the country’s colorful history. 

Bonifacio is a person of bravery and tenacity that has left his mark into the heart and minds of history, Our Supreme- Andres Bonifacio.

I really adore him after I read the Kartilya ng Katipunan, despite of what happened in the Tejeros Convention. We need more Andres in our country, and even in other countries.

Bonifacio is one of the heroes that youths look up to, an inspiration and an icon of change and leadership.

But apart from what we read in textbooks, what else do we really know about him? 

While we vividly remember him as one of our greatest heroes who led the Cry of Balintawak in Pugad Lawin, we barely knew that the supremo himself made his first declaration of independence inside Pamitinan Cave in Montalban, Morong (now known as Rodriguez, Rizal). This was over a year before the actual outbreak of the revolution.

It is said that those who write history are the current governing officials who may have commissioned authors or historians to write positively of them and of their allies, just as what is happening today where we are bombarded with fake news designed to manipulate our mindset, thinking and perception.

Nevertheless, let us give honor to the Father of the Philippine Revolution. May his life inspire us to be the change our country needs.

Today, we celebrate his 157th birthday. They national celebration of Bonifacio Day is a regular holiday. 

The National Historical Commission of the Philppines will lead the commemoration of at the Bonifacio national monument in Caloocan. Simultaneous flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies will be held in all prominent Bonifacio monuments to commemorate this historical event. 

Duterte and Robredo both call on Filipinos to emulate Andres Bonifacio's courage and determination amid the pandemic crisis. 

President Duterte delivers a taped message during the Bonifacio Day rites. Again, with only a taped presence? Is he still sleeping in his Davao home? Going only to Malacañang for special occasions?

'Today we honor Bonifacio's legacy of sparking the fires of a revolution that awakened our national consciousness and served as foundation of this Republic.

His love for country which aroused our ancestors to fight for our freedom and secure our rightful place in the community of nations is very vital.

Now more than ever as we overcome the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic, as we remember his life and deeds may the values he fought for inspire us all to become worthy heirs of a just and inclusive society that he envisioned more than a century ago.

Fueled by Bonifacio's extraordinary courage and determination, let surmount the many challenges ahead and secure a much better, brighter future for every Filipino. Mabuhay si Gat Andres Bonifacio at ating Inang Bayan."

Meanwhile, Robredo was available for an official statement. She noted that “what Bonifacio exemplifies is not the cosmetic courage of bluster, or power, or brute strength” but rather the “courage of compassion.”

If Andres Bonifacio had a Twitter account today, how would his tweets read? What would he say about the COVID-19 pandemic and the pressing issues hounding the nation? 

The abuse of power is still present in our country, only the oppressors have changed.

Would Bonifacio even dare remained seated infront of the computer and become among the keyboard warriors, or would he still physically raise arms against the oppressive government?

Maybe he'll be also actively swiping and finger tapping on his mobile phone, but still be going against the similar oppression.

This Bonifacio Day, let us remember the heroism of the masses as they fought together with Andres Bonifacio for national liberation. 

As we face this climate crisis, we should stand in solidarity with the Filipino people as we struggle for accountability from our government for their inaction - not just in fixing our climate policies, but also the criminal negligence during the times that our nation is devastated by typhoons.

Disaster risk reduction and management, relief and rescue operations, climate change adaptation and mitigation measures - these are just basic demands we are asking for from the government in these trying times. 

Yet even these basic measures to ensure the safety of their citizens have not been implemented at the scale and rate needed. 

How can we push for more ambitious actions when basic ones can't be met?

How can we ensure a safe and livable environment for the future generations when we have a leader, at a very critical time in the climate movement, who has little to no care about the actual implications of the climate crisis.

Aside from spewing hypocritical statements at international summits?

This is the time for a green new leadership, one that will act and face the climate crisis as it is - a crisis.

Join us in calling for a better response from the government. Demand accountability!

Various labor groups amplify their sector's grievances as they march to different significant spots around the Metro in commemoration of Bonifacio Day.

The Philippines is known to be a luxurious place to relax, but beforehand it was full of power. We were known for our Fierce people and how we fought off the multiple countries who tried to steal us. We celebrate a great leader who led us to freedom!

As we celebrate his heroism, may we also strive to embody the revolutionary Bonifacio’s unwavering love for country.

Let this day be a reminder that the birth of our nation was marred by in-fighting, politics and ambition. 

We should learn from their mistakes and do better.

 “Bear always in mind that the true love of God is love of country, love which is also true love of man” - Andrés Bonifacio

#MatapangPeroDuwag is all about the Duterte Administration

Wazzup Pilipinas! 

#MatapangPeroDuwag Isn't that rather considered a paradox there? I want to know the context of this whole thing.

Is this a Duterte shade? Isn't this the whole Duterte presidency? Can't walk their talk, a bully in a small pond. Strong outside, coward inside.

All bark and no bite!

#MatapangPeroDuwag is legit the whole Duterte administration.

#MatapangPeroDuwag when you don't walk your talk. 

#MatapangPeroDuwag Matapang pag prepared statements, duwag sa live press conference. 

#MatapangPeroDuwag  Matapang magdemand, pero duwag magcompromise

#MatapangPeroDuwag Matapang magsabi na magreresign na, pero duwag talaga mag step down from Malacanang

#MatapangPeroDuwag Matapang kasi may mga kakamping magtatanggol sa kanya pero duwag kapag one-on-one confrontation.

#MatapangPeroDuwag Matapang magpa-Tokhang ng mga mahihirap, duwag naman magpakulong ng mga big-time drug lord at corrupt na pulitiko.

#MatapangPeroDuwag Matapang sa pagiging reckless, pero duwag sa pagharap sa consequences.

#MatapangPeroDuwag Matapang on saying promises pero duwag tuparin kasi hindi talaga kaya. 

#MatapangPeroDuwag Matapang mag call out sa iba pero duwag call out sarili nila 

#MatapangPeroDuwag Matapang mag-bintang pero duwag magpakita ng ebidensya

 #MatapangPeroDuwag Matapang awayin ang lahat, bahay ang buntot kapag kaalyado at China

#MatapangPeroDuwag Matapang manlait kay Vice President Leni Robredo, pero hindi naman siya binibigyan ng pagkakataong mamuno gamit ang buong kapasidad ng gobyerno

The thing with posting your savage thoughts online, only the guilty ones feel like you’re talking about them. The feeling innocent don’t give a single fvck. 

It we know how thick the skins of these Crocs in government. They are used to all these accussations regardless if they are true or not. They will just continue to live like kings in the castles known as government offices and Malacañang while the rest of us are like peasants paying compulsory taxes to feed them fat as pigs.