DOTr Air Sector Primes Stricter Sanctions for Airport Slot Misuse

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Airline operators at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) are set to face more stringent sanctions for misuse of airport slots.

This comes on the heels of the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2019-01, signed by Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Jim Sydiongco and Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla, and noted by Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Manuel Antonio Tamayo.

JMC 2019-01 aims for the efficient utilization of airport slots to help decongest the NAIA.

Under the JMC, the definition of slot misuse has been expanded to cover the holding of slots that the airline does not intend to operate, as well as the holding of slots for an operation other than planned for the purpose of denying capacity to another aircraft operator.

Also constituting slot misuse are the requisition of new slots that the airline does not intend to operate, and the requisition of slots for an operation other than indicated with the intention of gaining improved priority.

Under the JMC, the Timeslot Committee (TC) reviews the slot coordinator’s findings of the slot monitoring performance of airlines. The slot coordinator is tasked to initiate any disciplinary action against an airline that intentionally misuses its allocated slots.

Stricter sanctions will be imposed to provide teeth in the implementation of efficient slot utilization.

An airline that operates services without the corresponding timeslots, on a regular basis, will not be entitled to historical precedence for either the actual times they operated or for the allocated times.

Further, an airline that continues to misuse or inefficiently use timeslots may be relegated to a lower priority in future slot allocations.

If an airline, despite being sanctioned, continues to misuse or inefficiently use timeslots, the TC shall have the authority to recall slot approval and/or suspend or cancel slot allocations of the erring airline.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade commended MIAA, CAAP and CAB on the issuance of the JMC, noting it is high time for airlines to take responsibility.

“Landing on an airport is a privilege. To intentionally disregard the value of these airport slots is unethical, and an aggravation to the current state of congestion at NAIA. We have to recognize the domino effects of these slot misuses, which ultimately result in the massive inconvenience to our air passengers,” Secretary Tugade stressed.

Recent years saw a substantial increase in the number of passengers, flights, and airport slots per hour at the NAIA, resulting in a compounded state of congestion.

Before 2016, NAIA passenger traffic stood at 36.5 million. The figure swelled to 45 million, or an increase of 8.4 million passengers or 23.08%, by 2018.

During the same period, the number of flights also grew by over 14,000 (5.75%). Consequently, airport slots per hour increased by 22.2% from 36 to 44.

JMC 2019-01 is an expansion of the scope of efficient use of slots under JMC 2016-01 signed by the same agencies in July 2016 to ease airline congestion at the four terminals of NAIA.

MARINA Hosts PHILMARINE 2019; Signs MOU on Maritime Industry

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has successfully hosted the PHILMARINE 2019: Continuous Quality and Productivity Improvement in the Shipbuilding and Ship Repair (SBSR) Sector on 18-20 June 2019.

Hundreds of private companies and government entities from the maritime, shipbuilding, offshore, oil and gas, naval defense, and their supporting industries participated in the three-day affair.

In the exhibit, private stakeholders showcased their innovative products and services. Government partners, on the other hand, exhibited defense equipment and the model ship of the hybrid trimaran project – an eco-friendly vessel that operates on wave energy, instead of fuel, among other significant presentations.

In the technical conference, MARINA - Shipyards Regulation Service (MARINA-SRS) provided updates on the Philippine shipbuilding and ship repair sector, emphasizing the establishment of a global maritime hub or the MIDP’s priority program #5 that aims to transform the country into a one-stop destination for all maritime concerns, including bunkering and transshipment.


PH – JAPAN signs MOU on maritime industry

A major highlight of the PHILMARINE 2019 was the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the MARINA, through OIC – Administrator Vice Admiral Narciso A Vingson Jr, and the Japan Ship Equipment and Machinery Association (JSMEA), through Chairman Shonzo Yamada.

MARINA and JSMEA have committed to exchange information on shipping market and current technological developments in the maritime industry such as maritime trade, shipbuilding, and ship equipment in Philippines and Japan; as well as to conduct dialogues and capacity building in shipping trends among member companies of both parties through regular visits. Above all, the MOU will help establish a concrete ancillary industry for local shipping and shipbuilding in the Philippines.

DepEd-endorsed, NOLI ME TANGERE, THE OPERA Returns Anew to the CCP For One Weekend Only, June 21-23

Wazzup Pilipinas!

‘Ang Sampung Pangarap ni Rizal’ online art exhibit supplements the smash-hit opera.

To celebrate the anniversary month of the Department of Education (DepEd) and to further promote cultural awareness and appreciation, DepEd, together with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), J&S Productions Inc., and Enrique Zobel Foundation Inc., brings back the smash-hit landmark production of “Noli Me Tangere, The Opera,” to the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo of the CCP for one weekend only, from June 21 to 23, 2019.

Based on National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal's 1887 classic novel of the same name, “Noli Me Tangere, The Opera,” made its world premiere in 1957 and features the music and libretto by National Artists Felipe Padilla de Leon and Guillermo Tolentino, respectively. The opera, whose orchestral arrangements were influenced by the kundiman and the Western classical music tradition, broke box office records at the CCP with three sold-out performances last March, which have also prompted this mid-year rerun.

Alongside the opera’s triumphant return to the CCP, an art exhibit titled “Ang Sampung Pangarap ni Rizal,” which features the artworks of the Pasig Art Club Members and other guest artists, will be on display on media partner BroadwayWorld.com. Part of the proceeds will go to 10 different youth organizations and groups, which include Tanghalan Mandaluyong, Natasha Goulbourn Foundation, Soup Kitchen of Pasig, Phil-Asia Assistance Foundation, Gota de Leche, Pasig Catholic College Center for Culture and Arts, Sagip Batangpalengke, Teach Peace Build Peace Movement, San Pablo Apostol of Tondo Youth Ministry, and Hospicio de San Jose.

“We're thrilled that our stage production of Felipe Padilla De Leon and Guillermo Tolentino's ‘Noli Me Tangere, The Opera,’ which we first produced in New York City in 2013, will be back at the CCP this weekend, which also culminates the 158th birth-anniversary week of Dr. Jose Rizal,” said J&S Productions’ executive producers Edwin Josue and Jerry Sibal, who is also the show’s director, set and costume designer.

“’Noli Me Tangere, The Opera’ celebrates the timeless work of our National Hero and two National Artists, as well as the immense talent of our young classical singers and musicians. We can't wait to share the magic of this opera once again with the CCP audience,” Josue and Sibal added.

Co-directed by veteran theater director-playwright Jose Jeffrey Camañag, “Noli Me Tangere, The Opera” features the 53-piece NOLI Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Herminigildo Galang Ranera, who will bring to life the opera’s beloved arias such as “Kay Tamis Ng Buhay,” “Awit Ng Gabi Ni Sisa,” “Gising na, O Inang Ko,” and “Sa Lupang Pangako.”

The opera stars Bianca Lopez (Maria Clara), Mheco Manlangit (Maria Clara), Nomher U. Nival (Juan Crisostomo Ibarra), Ivan Nery (Juan Crisostomo Ibarra), Joseleo Logdat (Elias, Pilosopo Tasyo), Greg Abelardo de Leon (Elias, Pilosopo Tasyo), Nil's Flores (Padre Damaso), Ronaldo Villaruel Abarquez (Padre Damaso, Kapitan Tiago), Miguel Espiritu (Kapitan Tiago), Allison Cervantes (Sisa), Bernadette Mamauag (Sisa), Miguel Suarez (Basilio), Matteo Teehankee (Basilio), Johann Andra (Basilio), Mia Bolaños (Doña Victorina), Charina Althea Balmores (Sinang), Micah David J. Galang (Andeng), Krissan Manikan-Tan (Tiya Isabel), Rare Jireh Yzel Columna (Victoria), Paul Dominique Galvez (Albino), Santino Juan Santiago (Crispin), Jose Mari Javato (Padre Salvi), Oliver Pineda (Tenyente Guevarra), Timothy Racho (Alferez), Ruzzel Clemeno (Don Filipo), Lorenz Edward Sarondo (Linares), Renz Nathaniel Cruz (Manlilibing), and Airo Saret (Manlilibing).

They are joined by Angeli Benipayo, Cris Go, Eden Lorrice Dumlao, Erielle Fornes, Katrine Jamar Sunga, Kevin Chen, Marifel Motilla, Mavel Bautista, Michael Del Rosario, Neomi Giron, Otepp Billeza, Sheila Gamo, Via Villasin, Ray Justin Cornelio, Courtney Gormley, Grace Pedrocillo, Larian Villamarin, and Marian Maxilom.

Rounding out its creative team are Dingdong Fiel, assistant musical director and pianist; Ronan H. Ferrer, voice coach and choirmaster; Albert Figueras, co-costume designer; Dennis Marasigan, lighting designer; TJ Ramos, sound designer and engineer, and Alan Dela Rama, graphics and video designer.

“Noli Me Tangere, The Opera” tells the timeless story about love, betrayal, and hope set against a repulsive backdrop of tyranny, torture, and murder. It follows Juan Crisostomo Ibarra who returns to the Philippines after pursuing scholarly studies in Europe. He plans to open up a school and marry Maria Clara, his betrothed. However, parish priest Padre Damaso, the archenemy of the Ibarras, is out to hinder Crisostomo's agenda. “Noli Me Tangere, The Opera” paints a clear picture of the so-called "social cancer" that illustrates the rotten system of governance, the illicit way of the church, and the unfavorable trade of the privileged class.

The show is performed with English supertitles.

To buy tickets, call 0915 593 4777, 0947 168 1714, CCP Box Office 02 832 3704/06, or visit https://ticketworld.com.ph/ (Official hashtags: #NoliMeTangereOpera #NoliOpera)

This rerun of “Noli Me Tangere, The Opera” is made possible by sponsors UGEC, McDonalds, Golden Phoenix Hotel, Island Rose, Pancake DC House, Gourmet Farms, Gardenia, pH Care, Vital, Tent King, Makeup Science Asia, Via Mare, Philippine Women’s University, and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. Media partners are Journal Group, Inquirer.net, DZFE, DZMM, PTV, and BroadwayWorld.com.