Pulong wants MRP done the right way

Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Z. Duterte is not opposing the continuance of the Mindanao Railway Project which was crafted by the past administration of his father, Rodrigo Duterte, and will allegedly be continued by the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The young congressman however said that the national government must look into several complaints and acccusation of anomalies by some residents affected by the planned project.

For this, Rep. Duterte along with Benguet lone district Rep. Eric Yap filed House Resolution (HR) No.286, which calls for a congressional investigation on the proposed MRP, specifically on the way the Department of Transportation (DOTr) carried out its right-of-way acquisitions and expropriation of private properties to be affected by the rail line.

Rep. Duterte said that he received numerous complaints from Davao City residents whose residences would be directly affected by the proposed railway line.

He said the proposed MRP rail line would pass through densely populated areas in Davao City, “without the appropriate geological surveys or proper public consultations with the affected communities”.

Duterte and Yap however acknowledged in their resolution that the MRP “will not only make travel faster, but also safer, more convenient and comfortable for passengers in the said corridor”.

Rep. Duterte however added that the complaints must also be given weight especially on the report that “there are variations in the offers for acquisition of right-of-way or expropriation of the private properties by the DOTr and/or its contractors, sub-contractors, or other service providers.”

“These variations in offers have substantial discrepancies from the actual Zonal Value or Fair Market Value of the properties affected,” the two congressmen said.

Though not naming names, Rep. Duterte said there were also reports that some politicians bought vast parcel of lands where the rail line will be constructed at a cheap price and are now selling it to the government ten times or more than the original price.

It was learned that the Barangay Catalunan Grande in Davao City has already passed a resolution opposing the MRP as it would affect several residences in their barangay and would “result to undue safety and health hazard, as well as noise pollution, to name a few.”

“There is a need to properly determine the correct and appropriate manner of identifying the areas where the MRP will traverse in order to ensure public safety and welfare while still being able to pursue the MRP for sustained growth and development in the region,” Reps. Duterte and Yap said in filing HR No.286.

Rep. Duterte and Yap said the probe will “ensure transparency and accountability on the use of public funds while always keeping in mind the safety and welfare of the general populace in the delivery of public services”.

Back in the 18th Congress, the two congressmen also filed a similar call for a probe.

The three-phase MRP covers 1,530 kilometers of circumferential and spur rail lines that will connect several areas in Mindanao like the Davao provinces, Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro City, General Santos City, and Zamboanga.

Phase 1 of the MRP (Tagum-Davao-Digos segment) is a 105-km line that is expected to reduce travel time from Davao del Norte to Davao del Sur from 3.5 hours to just 1.3 hours. It will have eight stations: Tagum, Carmen, Panabo, Mudiang, Davao Terminal, Toril, Sta. Cruz, and Digos. A 10-hectare depot will be built in Tagum City. (PR)

Advertisement

Bong Go commends PH infrastructure boom under Duterte Administration

Attends lowering of the Tunnel Boring Machine for the Metro Manila Subway Project



Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has commended the Duterte Administration for making life more comfortable for Filipinos through its Build, Build, Build program as he attended, together with President Rodrigo Duterte, the lowering of the Tunnel Boring Machine of Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) in Barangay Ugong, Valenzuela City on Sunday, June 12.

“Layunin ng mga proyektong magbigay ng mas komportableng buhay para sa mga Pilipino, lalo na pagdating sa pagbyahe. Napaka-importante nito sa paglago ng kabuhayan sa ating mga komunidad at pagkakaroon ng mga economic opportunities sa kanayunan,” said Go.

“Parte po ang mga malalaking proyektong ito sa pamana ng ating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa susunod na henerasyon,” he added.

A project under the Build, Build, Build program, the MMSP is a 33-kilometer subway system with 17 stations interconnecting the north and south portions of Metro Manila, from Quirino Highway corner Mindanao Avenue to Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The project costs PhP488 billion and is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

As of June 6, 2022, the project is 32.06% accomplished and is targeted to be partially operational by 2025 and fully operational by 2027.

The MMSP will serve over 370,000 passengers per day and reduce the travel time from Quezon City to NAIA by half – from about 70 minutes to 35 minutes.

In his speech, Duterte thanked the Japanese government for assisting in the economic development of the Philippines, particularly in the construction of the country’s first subway system.

“May I express my gratitude again to the Japanese government for partnering with the Philippines to make this dream a reality. I am also grateful to have the Japan International Cooperation Agency as an ally in nation-building particularly in initiatives that will benefit our citizens and accelerate our country’s economic development,” Duterte said.

The Duterte Administration’s ambitious infrastructure development plan is made up of numerous projects that will be implemented throughout the country. The program’s objectives are to relieve poverty, strengthen the economy, and alleviate traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

Previously, Go reassured Filipinos that he will continue to support infrastructure projects that serve different regions in order to achieve a more equitable distribution of economic development across the country.

“Bilang inyong senador, asahan niyo po lagi kong isusulong ang mga proyekto, panukala at adhikain na makakatulong sa bawat Pilipino,” Go earlier said.

Go has also been vocal in his support for the government’s infrastructure projects. He added that these initiatives will bring in more jobs and economic opportunities outside Metro Manila and will provide livelihood to Filipinos, especially those who were left jobless due to the pandemic.

Go, as Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, actively supported several infrastructure development programs across the country.

“Walang humpay ang ating paglilingkod. Pinag-aaralan natin ang lahat ng posibleng paraan na maaaring makapagpabilis sa daloy ng serbisyo at makatulong sa ating mga kababayan. Para naman sa amin ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte, basta kapakanan ng mga Pilipino, ipaglalaban namin ‘yan hanggang sa huli,” he stressed.

On April 27, Go also joined Duterte in Cordova City, Cebu for the inauguration of the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway at the CCLEX Toll Plaza.

CCLEX to help boost regional development

Says Bong Go as he highlights Duterte legacy of uplifting lives of Filipinos

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go joined President Rodrigo Duterte in Cordova City, Cebu for the inauguration of the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) at the CCLEX Toll Plaza on Wednesday, April 27.

Expected to be one of Cebu’s iconic landmarks, the CCLEX is an 8.9-kilometer road that would link mainland Cebu to Mactan Island through the town of Cordova.

The CCLEX, developed by the Cebu Cordova Link Expressway Corporation (CCLEC), is anticipated to serve at least 50,000 vehicles daily given its design speed of 60 to 80 kilometers per hour (kph), significantly helping decongest traffic in the area.

One of the major infrastructure projects under the Duterte Administration, the CCLEX is also expected to create more economic opportunities for the province and the Visayas.

In his speech during the inauguration, President Duterte thanked the late Cordova mayor and Presidential Legislative Liaison Office secretary Adelino “Addy” Sitoy for their huge support for the project, saying, “The third bridge that connects to Cebu was made possible because their vision and aspirations were for the people of Cordova, and maybe for all.”

The President then congratulated CCLEC and the provincial government of Cebu for completing the CCLEX despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic.

“Your support for this administration’s goal to boost regional development, provide a comfortable life for every Filipino, and realize our vision to be a strongly connected nation is truly commendable. While your hardwork and dedication to ensure the completion of this monumental task are equally note-worthy,” Duterte remarked.

“It is also an opportune and relevant time to inaugurate the CCLEX as it coincides with the celebration of our ancestor’s victory in Mactan of more than 500 years ago… The state-of-art infrastructure will provide a solution to the perennial traffic issues of Metro Cebu,” he continued.

Go likewise congratulated Cebuanos for achieving two milestones as it consequently celebrated the 501st anniversary celebration of the Victory of Mactan in Lapu-Lapu City and the inauguration of CCLEX.

Earlier that day, the senator was also with the President for the commemoration of the historical event that demonstrated the bravery and courage of Lapu-Lapu against the Spaniards. The ceremony was held at the Liberty Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City. The event likewise marks the closing of the 2021 Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Go reiterated that he will continue to support more infrastructure initiatives that would benefit the nation and would promote more sustainable economic opportunities across the country.

The senator has been supporting various infrastructure initiatives of the government throughout different regions in his capacity as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance to help provide more livelihood prospects for more Filipinos.

“Isa na naman pong proyekto ang nagtapos sa Build, Build, Build program at ito po ay aking ikinatutuwa dahil inaasahan ko na napakaraming Pilipino ang matutulungan nito. Sabi nga, tayo ay nasa Golden Age of Infrastructure ng bansa!,” expressed Go.

“Pero higit pa rito, tugma ito sa layunin natin na maramdaman sa bawat sulok ng bansa ang mga magagandang programa at proyekto ng gobyerno upang maisakatuparan ang pangako ni Pangulong Duterte na mabigyan ng mas komportableng buhay ang bawat Pilipino,” he added.

He then urged the next administration to continue and pursue further the Build, Build, Build program as he reiterated how it has notably given Filipinos the comfortable life they truly deserve.

“Kahit na po patapos na ang termino ni Pangulong Duterte, patuloy ko pa rin po susuportahan ang mga inisyatiba ng gobyerno lalo na kung ito ay magpapabilis sa serbisyo at makakatulong sa ating mga kababayan. Basta para sa kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino, ipaglalaban ko ito,” Go reassured.

“Nakita naman po natin na sa anim na taon na pamumuno ni Pangulong Duterte, pag-aangat ng buhay ng Pilipino ang kaniyang pangunahing agenda. Kaya naman aking ipagpapatuloy ito at sana po ito rin ay ipagpatuloy ng susunod na administrasyon,” he appealed.

Sara ends country-wide tour

Mayor Sara Duterte Message
Mahalin Natin ang Pilipinas Ride Thanksgiving Dinner

Assalamulaikum. Madayaw. Maayong gabii sa tanan!!!

Finally, we are home. After 28 days of being away from the comforts our homes, away from our families — nakabalik na tayo.

At dapat lang tayo magpasalamat dahil tagumpay ang Mahalin Natin Ang Pilipinas Ride na ginawa natin sa buong bansa. At natapos natin ang ating byahe nang walang problema. Nakauwi tayo sa ating mga pamilya nang safe.

Sa Mahalin Natin Ang Pilipinas Ride, nalibot natin ang 34 na probinsya.

Sa ating byahe mula Mindanao mula noong February 1 hanggang sa pagbalik natin ngayon araw — nakita natin ang mga reyalidad at sitwasyon sa mga komunidad na ating nadaanan.

May mga parte sa Pilipinas na nangangailangan ng tulong dahil sa nararanasan nilang paghihirap. May mga lugar din na progresibo. Pero sa kabila ng mga reyalidad at pagkakaiba ng sitwasyon, nakita natin ang pagiging masayahin ng mga Pilipino. Naranasan din natin ang pagiging likas na mapagbigay ng mga kapwa natin.

I will never forger the warmth of the people we met along the way. And I will always remember the courage, the strength, and the resiliency they’ve shown us as we passed by — rain or shine.

Sa lahat ng mga sumama sa ating byahe sa loob ng 28 days sa buong bansa, maraming maraming salamat po.

Sa ating mga riders, sa mga staff, sa volunteers, thank you.

Sa ating mga senatorial candidates — kay Senator Robin Padilla, kay Senator Harry Roque, salamat po.

Salamat din sa suporta HNP President Gov Claude Bautista, Lakas CMD President at Majority Floor Leader Martin Romualdez, at House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.

Ang Mahalin Natin Ang Pilipinas ay simula pa lang ng ating byahe. Mahaba pa ito. At tiyak po ako na sa patuloy ninyong pagsama sa akin ay malayo ang ating mararating.

Sa muli — mahalin natin ang Pilipinas!!!

Shukran. Daghang salamat!!!

Sara Duterte wants better wages, benefits for village workers

Davao City Mayor and Vice Presidential aspirant Sara Duterte wants a law that would give better wages and benefits for barangay workers and volunteers.

Sara stressed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the barangay workers are the first ones to help the city and municipal governments.

“Laging ang barangay volunteers natin ang tinatawag natin. It’s time po na pag-usapan sa kongreso na merong standardization sa pagpapasweldo ng ating barangay volunteers,” Duterte said during Friday’s Metro Manila Virtual Caravan with her presidential running mate Bongbong Marcos.

Sara said despite the contributions of barangay volunteers in the implementation of government programs in the grassroots level, they are not well compensated.

“Ang ating mga BHWs (Barangay Health Workers) ay nakababad diyan sa mga tao, particularly na sa pagdadala ng mga health programs ng ating city health (at) municipal health office,” she said.

Duterte, in her message, stressed that barangay workers and volunteers must not spend eight hours or more a day working.

“Ang volunteers sa amin sa Davao City not more than 2-3 hours a day ang trabaho. Ang nagyayari sa ating mga Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS), Barangay Health Worker (BHW) at Barangay Kagawad ay naging main work na nila yung pagiging volunteer. In that case, hindi na po sila dapat tawaging volunteers but dapat meron na po talaga silang standard na sweldo na tinatanggap,” Sara said.

She also said government should look into mechanisms to justly compensate the volunteers for the tasks they perform.

“Dalawa lang po ang ating options: Una, i-acknowledge natin na kayo ay volunteers at ipagbawal natin ang full time na pagta-trabaho. Pangalawa, gawin nating standard yung sweldo ng ating mga volunteers, in that way, na-renumerate nang maayos yung inyong pagserbisyo sa ating communities,” Sara added.

The virtual caravan is a series of online meet-ups which aims to hear the sentiments of sectoral groups. HNP MEDIA