Inauguration of Metro Manila Bike Lane Network

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The establishment of dedicated, safe, and quality bike lanes is finally complete as the Department of Transportation (DOTr), together with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), formally inaugurated today, 27 July 2021, the Metro Manila Bike Lane Network – the country’s longest bike lane network to date.
The bike lane network in Metro Manila has an overall length of 313 kilometers and cuts through 12 cities: Pasig, Marikina, Quezon City, Caloocan, Manila, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasay, Las Piñas, Parañaque, and Taguig. The lanes also measure between 1.5 to 3 meters in width depending on the road's configuration.

The Metro Manila Bike Lane Network forms part of the completed 497 kilometers of bike lanes created in Metro Cebu and in Metro Davao.

“Ngayon, may lugar na para sa ating mga siklista dito sa ating pangunahing kalsada. Malaking hakbang po ito nang sa ganoon ay mabago natin ang nakagawiang sistema at maitanim natin ang kultura, disiplina at kaayusan sa ating kalsada,” said DOTr Secretary Art Tugade in his message delivered by DOTr Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor.

In his message, the transport chief clarified that no orange traffic cones were used as lane separators on the bike lanes as falsely claimed by critics of the project.

The transportation chief pointed out that the Metro Manila bike lanes use concrete delineators and flexible rubber bollards to separate the bikers from motor vehicles. The bike lanes also make use of white and green pavement markings using thermoplastic paint, bollards bolted to the ground, bike symbols and signages, solar-powered road studs, and bike racks.

Asec. Pastor added that the bike lanes maximize road space as these can accommodate 1,250 cyclists per hour for every meter of road space.

Meanwhile, the transport official also shared that other parts of Metro Manila will also have their own bike lanes soon.

“For the national government, meron pa po tayong tinatawag na South NCR bike lanes, which was recently procured by DPWH together with DOTr. Ito po ay nasa Las Piñas, Muntinlupa at Parañaque. Ang intensyon po natin dito is we will connect these three cities po dito sa existing bike lanes para interconnected po talaga at magamit ng ating mga kababayan, not only for social activities but also as a form of transportation going to and from work,” Asec. Pastor said.

For his part, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said the bike lanes will be of great help to workers and commuters in Metro Manila who took to active transport in going to their workplaces and other destinations amid the pandemic.

“The role of public transportation is crucial to both the mobility of workers and the economic stability of the country. Born out of the resourcefulness and dedication of workers despite the pandemic, active transportation such as cycling became the obvious solution,” Sec. Villar said in his message read by DPWH-NCR Regional Director Eric Ayapana.

The creation of the bike lanes was also lauded by House Transportation Committee Chairman and Samar First District Representative Edgar Sarmiento.

“Inuna po ng Kamara ang imprastraktura at transportasyon na mapa sa susunod na 30 years na dire-diretso na po sana. Isa pong ehemplo ang bicycle lane at bus na modified lang po dahil may restrictions tayo dahil sa sitwasyon,” said Sarmiento during the inauguration.

Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Metro Manila Council (MMC) likewise expressed their support and commitment to the project as they cited the presence of bike lanes in the National Capital Region as a "game changer."

“Because of this bike lane, it’s a game-changer. It will change everything – the mindset of everything. This is really a great project,” MMDA Chairman Benjamin Abalos Jr. said.

“Binabati ko ang DOTr at DPWH for a very great project na pakikinabangan po ng taumbayan for safety. Kaya magkakaroon ng encouragement at mahikayat po silang gumamit ng bike lanes,” MMC Chairman and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez, for his part, said.

Virtual inauguration of the completed Cantilan Port development projects

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

An impressive and more spacious Cantilan Port will greet passengers and shippers in Surigao del Sur after the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) have completed the port’s development projects that will not only benefit travelers but also traders and businesses.

During the virtual inauguration of the completed Cantilan Port development projects on Thursday, 05 August 2021, DOTr Secretary Art Tugade cited the important role played by improved transport facilities such as the Cantilan Port as they address connectivity and mobility needs, while ensuring the promotion of equitable and inclusive growth in the areas of employment, trade, and investments.

The development projects at the Cantilan Port cover the construction of its Reinforced Concrete (RC) Pier, back-up area, and a port lighting system.

“Maraming benepisyo ‘yan. Mayroong employment potentials. Nagkakaroon ka rin ng convenient mobility. Napalawak ‘yung puerto, mga kargamentong pisikal, ‘yung mga semento at kargamento mas madali at mas malawak ang kilos mo diyan. In other words, makakadagdag sa negosyo mo ‘yan. Kung mayroon kang pasilidad na ganito at magiging mas malawak ang objectives mo, magkakaroon ka rin ng connectivity,” Sec. Tugade explained during the virtual inauguration.

“Yung pagbihaye from one point to another mas OK. Kung pinaguusapan ang connectivity, ‘yun po ang hangarin natin kaya binabago natin at naglalagay tayo ng continuing improvements upang sa ganun yung objective na mobility and connectivity ay mapalawak,” he added.

With the development projects completed, the improved and expanded Cantilan Port can now handle at least 25,000 to 30,000 bags of cement shipments a month and carry twice the current cargo volume, according to Sec. Tugade.

“Nadoble ang kapasidad ng Cantilan Port, na kung saan pati yung mga kapitbahay na lugar kagaya ng Carascal, Madrid, Carmen at Lanuza ay nakikinabang na rin,” Sec. Tugade explained.

As a result of the development projects, passengers at the Cantilan Port will no longer have to suffer also the poorly-maintained facilities and inconvenient travel experience.

Meanwhile, PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago mentioned that the agency has a lot in store for the Caraga Region as they eye to complete ongoing projects in other ports, such as Masao, Nasipit, Lipata, as well as the Jubang Cruise Terminal and cargo terminal in Siargao, and the Port of Donya Helene also in Siargao.

“Tuluy-tuloy ang pag-improve natin sa mga pasilidad natin dito sa CARAGA Region. Sisikapin po natin na bago matapos ang termino ng ating Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte ay marami po tayong nakumpletong proyekto for the convenience and comfort of our fellow Filipinos,” GM Santiago said.

67 Billion reasons to fire Duque

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Commission on Audit finds deficiencies in the management of COVID-19 funds of the Department of Health amounting to P67.323 billion. 

"The (COA) report also noted some P11.89 billion were unobligated, despite an urgent need to strengthen the capacity of the DOH to address the pandemic."

Now, how much CLEARER should INEPTITUDE AND BAD LEADERSHIP be described?!

 We’re not yet finished with PhilHealth’s 15 billion and now we have @DOHgovph

67 billion CORRUPTION under this Duterte administration.

Wow our healthcare system is really a mess. Ipasa na ang corona. (pun intended)  

For context, if this is a budget of just a single department it would be included in the top 10 departments with the highest budget allocation for 2021, slightly higher than Dept of Agri’s budget (P66.4bn). Tapos nawawala/hindi nagagamit? 

Sa Php 67 BILLION kayang doblehin ang buong pondong nilalaan para sa Public Health Program ng DOH, 70+ DOH hospitals, Lung Center, NKTI, PCMC, at Heart Center!

That 67 Billion is equivalent to 120,000 pabahay with 120,000 families or 500,000 individuals na sana ay makikinabang! Instead iilang tao lang ang nakinabang! Ang tindi ng corruption sa Duterte Administration!

tangina 67 billion pesos. it could have been used for mass testing, ayuda, vaccines, dagdag saghod ng mga fronliners and many more that can help the covid-19 situation in the country. tangina talaga.

Our health care workers could have been properly hired and compensated, we could have established centralized contact tracing, improved vaccine rollout, subsidized mass testing and given social support during lockdowns BUT WTF !!! WALA DAW TAYONG PERA!

Transparent and accountable leadership can make a great deal of difference in saving and changing lives for the better!

DOH must ensure transparency and provide full accounting of the 67-B COVID funds.

67 Billion. Time and time again, (even in a literal pandemic) our government proves that they have always valued the filling of their wallets over the lives of the Filipinos.

The lives that 67 billion could have saved. Kung ‘di ka pa rin galit putangina mo.

Even if none of the funds were stolen, P11 billion in unobligated funds? While our healthcare workers have practically been begging for their hazard pay and benefits? 

Wala daw pera. Pero may 67 billion worth of deficiencies? Worst government ever. 

I swear its not just Duque whos behind this. I feel like theres someone more powerful helping him . I mean 67 BILLION??!

and the fact na our healthcare professionals are underpaid and overworked JESUS WTF SAAN NIYO GINAMIT YUNG 67 BILLION??? WE NEED TRANPARENCY!!!!!!

67 Billion reasons why the Philippines need a new government ASAP!