Untimely Increase

Commuters are railing against the upcoming fare increases of 50 to 87 percent on the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Metro Rail Transit(MRT) starting Jan. 4, pointing out that LRT-1 and MRT-3 trains often break down.

WIth Victoria Court Parties Are Beyond Ordinary

Victoria Court offers world-class suites, each one distinct from the other. The most sought after suites are the Asgard inspired from the movie Thor, the romantic Marrakesh Suite, Batcave from The Dark Night and other fun exciting themes for you to choose from.Their guests have a wide choice of rooms depending on size, design and preferred themes: Standard, Deluxe and Suites with variants of mini-suites, regular suites and super thematic suites, all different themes. At Victoria Court, no two rooms are the same.

Can We Afford MRT Buyout

The Senate is effectively aborting the planned government takeover of the breakdown-prone Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 next year.Senators are insisting on their decision to take out the P53.9-billion appropriation in the proposed P2.606-trillion 2015 national budget for the buyout plan even if the House of Representatives would insist on retaining it.

We Cannot Afford The Buyout

The government wants to buy out the Metro Manila Line 3 (MRT) to take over its operation. Their target date is First quarter of this year. But it is impossible if they do that because as of now they had a complaint from Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRTC). This company filed a suit in arbitration tribunal in Singapore against the Philippine government for throwing all of their rights. The government signed the 1999 BLT agreement that the MRTC. MRTC private shareholders has the right to operate the MRT and they have also a right to choose contractor for the train development.questioning the government: why they gave a contract to Dalian Locomotive & Rolling Stock Co.? Without any proper consultation on their side; but Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya that said that they are not worried, they are very confident that the buyout will happen.

Your baby’s precious CORD blood can save his precious life

As mothers, you will do anything for your child.  Even way before they are brought into this world, your instincts kick in and you tirelessly worry about your baby.  You want to learn everything there is to learn and more importantly, you want to protect them from anything and everything that can harm them be it the common cold or a fever; and if you had your way, you would gladly get sick for your child.  And your anxiety is not without reason, since there are many childhood diseases that can be harmful or even fatal to children. 

Mobilizing to Improve Healthcare Systems in Rural Areas

First Row, L-R: Asec Gerardo Bayugo, ZFF BOT Daniel Zuellig, ZFF President Ernesto Garilao, ZFF Chairman Roberto Romulo, ZFF BOT Reiner Gloor, ZFF BOT Kasigod Jamias, ZFF BOT David Zuellig, ZFF BOT Dr. Esperanza Cabral

Second Row, L-R:  Hinatuan Mayor Candelario Viola, Magsaysay Mayor Rommel Dela Torre, Cataingan Mayor Wilton Kho, Mandaon Mayor Kristine Salve Hao, Matuguinao Mayor Melissa Dela Cruz, Tinambac Mayor Ruel Velarde, Del Carmen Mayor Alfredo Coro II, San Fernando Mayor Eugenio Lagasca, Jr.

Weak health systems, poor health-seeking behavior, absence of adequate road infrastructure, and lack of transportation facilities prevent Filipinos living in rural communities from accessing quality healthcare services, according to eight municipality mayors from geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA).

In a colloquium hosted by the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF) titled "Bridging Social and Health Inequities: The GIDA Experience," the mayors who also stand as their respective municipality's health leaders shared health challenges experienced by GIDA residents, as well as the reforms implemented to address those health gaps with the help of their local communities and ZFF.

Bid or No Bid

 The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has declared a failure of bidding for the P2.2-billion maintenance contract for the Metro Rail Transit line 3 (MRT-3) after no bidders showed up.

MRT-3 and Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) spokesman Hernando Cabrera said the government is now reviewing the terms of reference of the three-year maintenance contract due to the issues raised by prospective bidders.

Who Gains From MRT 3 Buyout?

There are yet again several controversies surrounding this plan of a buyout. People have wondered why all of the sudden Aquino wants to push through with this expensive buyout which will cost us P56 Billion pesos to complete. Aquino stated that it was to end the huge rental fees the government pays for private sector who owns the MRT3. It was estimated that this buyout will be finalized on the first quarter of 2015.

No To MRT Shutdown

Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya has backtracked on his proposal for a temporary shutdown of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT). Even if he didn't backtrack I still wouldn't say yes to this plan. The operations of MRT-3 have been hampered by a series of breakdowns brought about by broken rails, non-working communications system as well as floods. Last Aug. 13, a train overshot the Taft Avenue station and hit a concrete barrier, injuring at least 36 passengers.

The MRT Mess

The Senate public services committee turned into a mediator while the Department of Transportation and Communications chief Joseph Emilio "Jun" Abaya and Fil-Estate and MRT Holdings Chair Roberto Sobrepeña gave their respective sides to the story on the sorry state of the mass rail transit system MRT 3. Bob Sobrepeña revealed MRTC tried four times to buy new trains for the mass rail system as early as 2004, but there was no action on the part of DOTC.

MRT Crossroads

The Metro Rail Transit Corporation expresses concerns on the purchasing of new trains which are scheduled to arrive next year may not be compatible with the system. MRTC Chairman Robert John Bob Sobrepeña says the DOTC has kept them out of the loop in MRT Holdings operations. He adds, they were not consulted on the purchase of the new trains.

Malacañang is quick to rally, defend, coddle (pick any of those that will all work just the same) behind embattled Transportation and Communications Secretary Jun Abaya.Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda affirmed that Abaya is ready to clear his name on the alleged anomalous Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 contract although he would not be compelled to go on leave pending the investigation by the Ombudsman. But still to be tagged  as Abaya corruption you should have delicadeza to resign.

According to him this is another arena where Secretary Jun Abaya will be willing and ready to face whatever accusation is hurled against him. Why can’t he do it now? Why will he have to wait til he is asked to do so?

Government Should Reach Out To MRTC

I think the government should dialogue with MRTC so they can improve the system, the spare-parts condition, improve the maintenance, bring about new trains—together. Because that’s how it was envisioned in the agreement. We own it, they operate. We have to work together,Bob Sobrepena's first live interview about MRT expalined a lot of things.

Senate starts MRT Investigation

I was happy about the Sen. Grace Poe's visitation. The senate really felt the need to see the current situations of the Senate MRT probing system and experience what commuters are experiencing. This only proves that DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya has no concern to the public. The fact that they rode the car for seniors and ladies area really says a lot. While Senator Grace Poe went incognito and really understood what the typical commuter  felt really tells the typical Filipino that they understand what they are going thru.

The Long Wait Is Far From Over

 The solution is simple really and I don't understand why things have to be complicated , raise the MRT fare and find a way to make the buses plying EDSA run faster . Our train fares are the cheapest in the world. There is a saying, if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys. If pinoys can afford the most expensive cellphones, and change everytime a new model comes along, (not to mention load everyday so they can text and FB non-stop), I dont see any reason why they cant add five pesos more to have a safer and more comfortable train ride to work.

Who Will Run The MRT?

After four years in office, the Aquino government suddenly realized the MRT3 needed new coaches. They should have realized that as soon as they assumed power because the capacity and density problems did not just start last year or this year. They failed to act on it from the start.

SONA 2014

I  just had the time to read the full text of   Station of the Nation Address .In my opinion if you are running your own business in fairness the report on Economy; "nagkamit tayo ng investment grade status", is true, institutional investors as to where I'm at now in this part of the country I'm pretty much convinced that our economy is okay with relatively low risk on trading & agriculture.

PNOY VS SUPREME COURT

I think the act of defying the Supreme Court is childish for PNOY to urge his supporters to wear yellow to show they backed him on his Disbursement Acceleration Program, parts of which were struck down as unconstitutional is just crazy.

It was childish of Aquino to call on his supporters to wear yellow.Why? Because a legal decision is not subject to a popularity vote. A referendum cannot overrule the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is the final arbiter of what is legal or not legal, what is constitutional or not constitutional. There is no higher authority than the Supreme Court. We must learn to respect that.

5 Minutes Matter with Panadol

 

 GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), a global leading healthcare company and maker of Panadol^® announced the brand entry and launch of the new (paracetamol) Panadol^® with Optizorb^® in Philippines today. The world’s trusted pain reliever will be made accessible to consumers at pharmacies across the country starting next month.

WINNERS OF VILLAR SIPAG AWARDS FOR POVERTY REDUCTION ANNOUNCED

Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance) yesterday announced the 10 Most Outstanding Community Enterprises and 10 Most Promising Community Enterprises chosen from among the almost  200 entries nationwide  during a simple ceremony held at Villar SIPAG Bldg., C5 Extension Road, Las Pinas City.