PHP724-Million cash subsidy, naipamahagi na ng LTFRB at DOTr sa mga PUV operators

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Naipamahagi na ng Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) at Department of Transportation (DOTr) ang mahigit PHP724 million na cash subsidy sa mga operator ng pampublikong bus at jeepneys o public utility vehicles (PUVs) na apektado ang kabuhayan dahil sa coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Ayon kay LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III, ang nasabing ayuda ay napapaloob sa PHP1.158 billion budget para sa Direct Cash Subsidy Program sa ilalim ng “Bayanihan To Recover As One Act” o Bayanihan 2.

"Magpapatuloy ang pamimigay ng subsidies sa mga naapektuhang mga operator ng pampublikong bus at mga jeepney. Ito ay patunay na determinado ang pamahalaan na sila ay tulungang makabangon, at 'di sila pababayaan habang dumaranas tayong lahat ng hagupit ng pandemya," ani Chairman Delgra.

Una nang sinabi ng LTFRB na lampas 110,000 PUV operators na ang nakatanggap ng direct cash subsidy mula sa gobyerno simula nang ilunsad ang programa noong Lunes, ika-16 ng Nobyembre 2020.

Ayon sa LTFRB, ang bawat operator ay nabigyan ng PHP6,500 kada PUV unit na nasa ilalim ng kanilang prangkisa.

Sinabi rin ni Chairman Delgra na sa kabuuang PHP1.158 Billion na inilaan ng pamahalaan para sa subsidy ng mga PUV operator sa ilalim ng Bayanihan 2, 62.53% na ang naipamahagi sa pagtaya noong ika-27 ng Nobyembre 2020 o aabot sa PHP724,516.00

Ayon pa kay Chairman Delgra, ang butal na 37.47% o PHP434,060.000 ay ipapamahagi sa mga PUV operators sa loob ng linggong ito.

Saad ng LTFRB Chairman, naipadala na ngayong araw, ika-1 ng Disyembre 2020, sa mga operator na may "non-LBP accounts" ang PHP48,106,500 na subsidya.

Ang Direct Cash Subsidy Program ay layong magbigay-tulong sa mga operator na hirap makabawi sa kanilang kita dahil sa mga ipinatutupad na safety protocols upang maiwasan ang pagkalat ng COVID-19 sa mga pampublikong sasakyan.

Ang mga benepisyaryo ng direct cash subsidy ay mga operator ng mga sumusunod na PUV na may nakatakdang ruta:
- Public Utility Bus (PUB);
- Point-to-Point Bus (P2P);
- Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ);
- Mini-Bus;
- UV Express; at
- FilCab

Ang cash subsidy ay maaaring gamitin bilang pambayad sa utang; sa fuel at iba pang operational at maintenance expenses; pambili ng equipment, supplies o facilities na mahalaga upang maiwasan ang health risks na dulot ng COVID-19 (i.e. face mask, face shield, alcohol, etc.); at iba pang pangangailangan upang maipagpatuloy ang kanilang araw-araw na operasyon.

Ipinamamahagi naman ang direct cash subsidy sa pamamagitan ng Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) Pantawid Pasada Program (PPP) Cash Cards. Kung walang PPP cash cards, ilalagay ito sa existing LBP account ng benepisyaryo o kaya sa existing bank account ng operators sa pamamagitan ng PESONet o INSTAPay.

Make 2021 Count with Contiki's NEW trips and experiences

Wazzup Pilipinas!


New trips and experiences include a vegan odyssey in Europe, trekking in the Himalayas or Mt Kilimanjaro, surfing in Devon and much more -

Youth travel operator Contiki is feeling optimistic that 2021 will deliver travel dreams for millennials and Gen-Z travellers and has launched the Contiki Pledge, inviting travellers who are 18 to 35 year-olds to make their next trip count.

To inspire travel plans, Contiki has a list of amazing trips curated for every type of travel adventurer. 

1. Contiki’s new Limited Edition vegan trip with the coolest stays

The Vegan Food Explorer Europe, an 8-day vegan odyssey covering Berlin, Prague, Vienna and Budapest hosted by vegan influencers @thelittlelondonvegan and @laurafruitfairy. Departing on 28 August 2021, the trip coincides with the Vegan Summer Festival in Berlin and includes a vegan cooking class in Budapest; a dining experience with locals in Berlin, and the chance to sample a wide range of vegan delicacies on an interactive food tour in Berlin. Immersive cultural experiences include a locally guided bike tour of opulent Prague and a classical music concert in melodic Vienna, the home of Beethoven, are also included. Plus, free-time add-ons include a morning yoga class in Prague and a soak in the famous Széchenyi traditional thermal baths in Budapest, perfect for those who want to relax in style. Accommodation has been specially selected to showcase the coolest stays around, including the Moxy in Berlin and A&O in Budapest, with bespoke vegan breakfasts served exclusively for Contiki guests. Prices from US$1,436 per person.



2. Give back on your travels and Make Travel Matter

What better way to make our travels count than doing something positive for the destinations, communities or wildlife we visit? Contiki has an increasing number of Contiki Cares experiences designed to support the people, planet or wildlife in the destinations we travel to, with the goal of having at least one such experience across 50% of our trips by 2025.

Contiki’s New York Uncovered is a 4-day adventure of the Big Apple with an included New York subway pass, and a group size of not more than 25 persons. Guests will stay at Moxy Hotel Times Square, right in the hear of midtown Manhattan, where this boutique hotel has a trendy rooftop bar perfect for enjoying cocktails and offering stunning views of the Empire State Building. Locals love its "urban amusement park" complete with a rotating carousel, a topiary garden and a chic indoor "Foreplay" golf course.

Make travel matter with a visit to the Bronx to learn about Green Bronx Machine, a non-profit introducing school-based urban agriculture projects to transform marginalised communities into inclusive neighbourhoods. Prices are from US$700 per person.




3. Reach new heights with a mountain trek in the Himalayas or Mt Kilimanjaro

Contiki’s NEW six-day Nepal Trek Challenge is the ultimate bucket list trip where views of the famous Annapurna peaks from Sarangkot viewpoint awaits. Admire the unique beauty of the Nepalese Himalayas. Accommodation is in a hotel at Pokhara at the beginning and the end, and in comfortable hiking lodges along the trek itself. There is free time at the end to enjoy a well-earned rest by Pokhara lake. Prices from US$1,063 per person.

For more experienced climbers, Marangu Kili Climb is an epic seven-day journey up the highest peak of Africa in Kilimanjaro. Climb up the Marangu route to Uhuru Peak and the true adventure of paths trodden, wildlife spotted and friends made will make this an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime trip. Prices from US$1,905 per person.



4. Do something that scares you

There’s not much that will counter the lethargy of 2021 than the adrenalin rush of pushing our limits and doing something that terrifies us, but it’s much more fun amongst friends and in beautiful surroundings

Contiki’s Cape to Delta Safari is a 15-day trip that offers some heart-thumping experiences, with the opportunity to raft down the Zambezi river (one of the world's best spots for white water rapids), bungee jump over the Victoria Falls, slide across the Zambezi from Zambia to Zimbabwe or swing off the famous bridge connecting Zimbabwe to Zambia. Not to mention the wildlife spotting games drives in Kruger National Park and the Okavango Delta, alongside a three-night stay in cosmopolitan Cape Town. Prices from US $3,300 per person.

Check out Canada & the Rockies with countless adventures including zipline, white water rafting and a walk along the Capilano Suspension Bridge in the break-taking’ scapes of the Canadian Rockies. Starting from the charming village of Whistler, the trip covers Lillooet Mountain Range, Jasper, & Banff, before finally landing amongst the cool vibes of Vancouver. Prices from US$1,978 per person.



6. Learn a new skill


Surf & Yoga in Devon is a four-day glamping trip includes surfing lessons (with all the kit provided), coastal hikes, ocean swims, outdoor cookery lessons with @veganwise, energising and restorative yoga sessions and sunset fireside dinners. A Detour trip by Contiki, this is a trip that you will come away with new skills and a journey that introduces spectacular destinations through a local's eyes. Prices start from $594.




Learn to be a Safari Guide in Kruger National Park is a six-day trip that visits the northern part of Kruger National Park Through ten fully guided game drives and walks, travellers are offered daily practical instruction designed to mirror safari guides training, for example wildlife tracks and tracking, ecology and conservation and animal identification and behaviour. After the days in training, travellers enjoy sundowner drinks on afternoon game drives and nights swapping stories around the campfire under the stars. Prices from US$1,459 per person.


6. Live like Royalty

If staying in a French Chateau is good enough for ‘Emily in Paris’, it’s good enough for us too. Contiki’s 17th century Château de Cruix in Beaujolais has undergone a $.1.5 million renovation this year and mixes original features with modern décor and art, offering Instagrammable backdrops at every turn. With views across valleys, vineyards and farmhouses, Château de Cruix offers a host of activities, from cooling off in the outdoor pool to sunrise yoga on the lawn, picnics, hikes and bike rides, volleyball on the new outdoor court and local wine tastings.

A stay at Chateau de Cruix is available on the new Food and Wine in a French Chateau is a 4-day mini-break, offering an exploration of the region's gastronomy with a local host. Meet Anne Sophie, a Lyon local who is passionate about her family recipes. This passion led Anne to launch her very own cooking blog, where she combines culinary skills with her love for photography. On an unforgettable culinary experience, Anne Sophie will take guests to Lyon's local markets to find the freshest produce, before sharing her passion for food during her masterclass for French cooking. Prices start from US $556 per person.

Contiki’s incredible accommodation doesn’t stop there, with Special Stays including the luxurious Riad Mouana and the Belle Etoile Sahara Desert Camp on the Moroccan Adventure and the chalet-style accommodation of the Tunnel Mountain Resort in Banff on The Powder Rush ski and snowboarding trip in Canada.

Contiki is offering up to 30% worldwide savings as part of its Cyber Sale until Dec 3, 2020. With a US$99 deposit, travellers can secure their trip fares for 2021 and 2022. Plus, they can change their trip or dates later for free.

Pledge and join in the conversation to Make 2021 Count and use the hashtag #Contikipledge on social. For more info on Contiki Detour, check out the video here.

The RFID buzzer beaters cause mammoth traffic at toll gates

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Day one of RFID lanes only but they are still accepting cash and on the spot installation. 

Imagine trying so hard to have your radio frequency identification or  RFID installed a month ahead, only for them to open all toll gates as installation lanes.

I know! It's the most annoying thing ever! When they try to push you so hard on installing the RFID ahead but ending up opening toll lanes to install RFID... IT'S SO BS!

Did too many Filipinos leave their RFID installation until the last minute? SMC and MPTC have installed more than 3 million stickers, but traffic today at NLEX and SLEX toll plazas for stickering was horrendous.

Toll operations start implementing the transition period for cashless transactions in the north and south expressways causing mammoth traffic in areas where RFID tags are claimed as vehicle owners and drivers beat the deadline.

It's chaos. Someone needs to intensify the roll out of RFIDs and information campaign while at the same time accommodate cash toll collection until adoption is close to 100%.

I think we all know so well that 80% of the population would only try to get theirs on the last day. If only there was no limit of 100 stickers per day on installation stalls, it wouldn’t be such a task to the lazy.

Now here you are. With your RFID installed for your “supposedly” convenient trip, waiting behind a line of buzzer beaters who’ll only try to have theirs installed on the 1st day of implementation.

It's confusing because as I understand it even after they are "cashless" there will still be an option to buy a RFID sticker at the main toll gates, which is what they are doing now. Kaloka!

Also, can’t we just have one RFID valid in all expressways na lang please DOTrPH? I am pretty sure that there’s technology available to integrate the systems for Autosweep and Easy Trip naman na. This will avoid the unnecessary long lines in the installation of RFIDs.

Isang RFID na lang. Hindi yung magkaiba pa sila. Shuta mas lalo nila tayong pinapahirapan tapos palpak naman ang pag read.

Dapat yun muna ang ginawa nila. Hindi yung hiwa-hiwalay. Also dapat ginawa nila yung hatian na maayos. Like north, isang company lang. South, isang company. Hindi yung nahati pa.

Naiinis ako sa RFID na yan. They shouldn't implement a deadline kung wala naman capacity yung toll installation sites to forcibly  install stickers on all cars. 

I think the toll operators miscalculated the stickers needed. There is so much demand for very limited supply.

Senator Grace Poe said the RFID installation period should be extended beyond January 11 next year while Senator Nancy Binay said that it is better to have a functioning system in place than setting up an arbitrary deadline only to fail. 

Siguro mga senador namin, dapat nagpanukala kayo na dapat isang RFID para sa lahat ng toll sa Pilipinas. At hindi extension ng RFID installation ang sinabi ninyo. 

They shouldn't have done away with the cash option either - COVID OR NO COVID.

Kung ipinilit nila yung RFID na yan, eh di sana iisa nalang for all expressways, or sige two stickers pero one dedicated for north and one dedicated for south.

Bakit din kailangan na 1-2 RFIDs per car when in other countries like in the US you just buy the box or the card and use it on any car you're using, total binabayaran mo din naman ang toll.

The deadline is for toll operators to implement cashless transactions. There is no deadline for having the stickers. If you are non-frequent traveler (you live in far away province) there is no need to cram. I think we need to let the frequent travelers to have the RFID muna. 

Government and the private partners lacks accountability on the failed RFID distribution.

Despite the company’s efforts to open 100 additional RFID sticker installation sites and implementing 24 hours installation at major locations, Tycoon Ramon Ang, president of San Miguel Corporation said the number of applications is just too much. 

Ang urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to consider the high number of motorists who have yet to secure their RFID electronic stickers.