Mindanao quake damage now at almost P1-B, NDRRMC says

BY AARON RECUENCO

Dec 13, 2023 09:43 AM

  

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The damage to agriculture and infrastructure as a result of the 7.4 magnitude quake that hit Mindanao early this month is now at almost P1 billion, reports reaching the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) revealed on Wednesday, Dec. 13.

In a situation report released on Wednesday, the NDRRMC said the damage to infrastructure is at P837.5 million, almost all of them are in the Caraga region while the rest were reported in Davao Region.

For agriculture damage, it said the report from National Irrigation Administration (NIA) was at P91 million while P19.2 million in agriculture products as reported by the Department of Agriculture.

In the same data, it said a total of 177,689 families composed of 790,773 individuals, some of them lost their homes as the NDRRMC reported that there were 354 damaged houses and 5,442 houses were partially damaged.

The epicenter of the earthquake was traced in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur and so far, it has already triggered a total of 7,444 aftershocks.

There were three reported fatalities, including a pregnant woman, and 74 people who suffered injuries, although the NDRRMC said they are yet to validate the casualty reports from the field.

Power consumers welcome Senate probe into frequent power outage in Samal Island

BY AARON RECUENCO

May 23, 2023 08:54 AM

  

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Power consumers in the Island Garden City of Samal welcomed the investigation into the alleged failure of the Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (NORDECO) to provide adequate services, which they said, resulted in frequent power outages that affected their livelihood and way of life.

The Senate probe, through the  Committee on Energy, will start on May 24 following the commitment of Senator Raffy Tulfo to look into the complaints of the power consumers. Senators Win Gatchalian, Joel Villanueva and Grace Poe will be present during the inquiry.

“We have been experiencing a series of energy crisis. After Occidental Mindoro and Panay Island, now it is Samal Island,” said Tulfo.

As far as he is concerned, Tulfo said the root cause of the power failure in Samal Island is NORDECO’s alleged antiquated submarine cable, which he discovered was installed in the 1980s or 43 years ago, and could no longer cover the entire capacity of the island.

On average, the power outage in the area reportedly lasts up seven to eight hours during peak load and two to three hours during off peak, daily, a problem which was raised since last year.

The power supply problem in the Samal Island, a known tourist spot, has been affecting the local tourism in the area as reported by a local government official. 

And now that Samal Island is frequented by tourists, its peak demand went up from three megawatts (MW) to 9MW due to the rise of establishment such as resorts, restaurants and markets.

It can be noted that Samal Island is connected to the Pantukan Grid via a submarine cable owned by NORDECO, formerly known as Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Daneco). 

Currently, Samal is connected to mainland via a 1-kilometer submarine cable to Davao City. The cable is owned by NORDECO but it has not upgraded that submarine cable since the 1980s. The submarine cable is installed in 1980s or 43 years ago, and it can no longer cover the entire capacity of the island. 

Instead, NORDECO is proposing to build a 15-kilometer submarine cable costing 1.5 Billion Pesos to connect Samal and Pantukan town, with one of its officials saying that it will solve the power woes in the Samal Island. 

Presently, the Mindoro Grid Corporation (MGC) can provide 6.962MW electricity in the island while NORDECO can provide 3MW. In total, there is only 6.12MW supply in the island with a demand of 9MW.

The power supply problem, and the alleged high power rate as Nordeco has been charging P3 to P4 more compared to its neighboring areas, has prompted local officials to seek for measures to stabilize the electricity supply in the area.

In seeking for investigation, Tulfo earlier underscored the need to ensure that there would be a provision in the Power Supply Agreement (PSA) requiring replacement power, through modular gensets, for all power providers to ensure reliable electric service.

He added that the said agreement should also include the requirement for “causer’s pay” clause so the consumers will not be required to pay for gensets. In turn, the party with mistakes are the ones responsible to pay for power service.

LTO to launch electronic version of driver's license

BY AARON RECUENCO

May 8, 2023 10:08 AM

  

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The Land Transportation Office (LTO) is set to launch an electronic version of driver’s license in what it described as a continuing effort to digitalize all its services.

In partnership with the the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the digital license will serve as an electronic alternative to the physical driver's license card, according to LTO chief JayArt Tugade.

"The advantage of the digital license is that motorists can present it to law enforcement officers during apprehension. It is equivalent to presenting the physical driver's license," said Tugade.

“We also appreciate the way the super app functions similarly to a wallet, containing all government IDs, among other things, within your mobile device,” he added.

The digital license is part of the agreement between the LTO and the DICT in March this year that focuses on enhancing the digitalization of systems and processes within the LTO, ultimately improving its overall efficiency and effectiveness.

The digital license, according to Tugade, will be integrated into the "super app" currently being developed by the DICT. 

He explained that the digital license aims to replace the Official Receipt (OR) as temporary driver's license currently printed on paper.

“The public will be able to utilize the digital license for various transactions with the agency, including license and registration renewals as well as online payments,” said Tugade.
 
Amid concerns on the security of the digital license, Tugade assured the public that the existing security features of the driver's license would be integrated into the digital version, in addition to the “super app's” security measures.

By simplifying the transactions in the LTO, Tugade said this would help in finally convincing its clients not to tap the services of the fixers.

And in digitalizing more LTO services, he said this would ultimately aid the agency in eradicating corruption.

Flights cancelled, more flight delays expected as power outage hits NAIA anew

BY AARON RECUENCO

May 1, 2023 08:25 AM

  

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The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) was hit with another power outage early morning of Monday, May 1, which is reminiscent of the New Year’s Day technical glitch that caused blackout and led to hundreds of thousands of passengers being stranded due to flight cancellations.

In a statement, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said the power outage hit the NAIA Terminal 3 at 1:05 a.m. 

The power outage, according to the MIAA, forced the use of standby power in supplying electricity to critical facilities enabling computer systems of airlines and Immigration to function partially and enable processing of both inbound and outbound passengers.

“As a result, delayed flights shall be expected,” the statement read.

As of 8:10 a.m. at least 40 domestic flights were cancelled for the Cebu Pacific alone based on the latest flight advisory released at 8:10 a.m. They are:

5J 504/503 Manila-Tuguegarao-Manila
5J 325/326 Manila-Daraga-Manila
5J 383/384 Manila-Cagayan-Manila
5J 196/197 Manila- Cauayan-Manila
5J 703/704 Manila-Dipolog-Manila
5J 637/638 Manila- Puerto Princesa-Manila
5J 911/912 Manila- Caticlan-Manila
5J 553/554 Manila-Cebu-Manila
5J 617/618 Manila- Panglao-Manila
5J 483/484 Manila- Bacolod-Manila
5J 951/952 Manila-Davao-Manila
5J 793/794 Manila- Butuan-Manila
5J 859/860    Manila- Zamboanga-Manila
5J 993/994 Manila- General Santos-Manila
5J 781/782 Manila- Ozamiz-Manila
5J 909/910 Manila-Caticlan-Manila
5J 449/450 Manila-Iloilo-Manila
5J 659/660 Manila-Tacloban-Manila
5J 887/888 Manila- Cotabato-Manila
5J 773/774 Manila- Pagadian-Manila

But the MIAA said its Engineering team is now looking into the cause of power failure along with technical personnel from Meralco. 

“The MIAA Management apologizes to air travellers for the inconvenience that the situation may have brought to them,” the statement read.

“MIAA operations personnel are now continuously doing the rounds of Terminal 3 to provide assistance to passengers and answer inquiries they might have,” it added.

LTO sets maximum fees for driving courses, allows opening of more driving schools

BY AARON RECUENCO

Mar 22, 2023 11:36 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• The maximum prescribed fees for both Theoretical and Practical Driving Courses are P3,500 for motorcycles and P5,000 for light vehicles

• The new fees will take effect on April 15, 2023

• The LTO also allows filing of application for individuals and groups that wish to open driving schools in the country

• Currently, there are 1,400 driving schools in the Philippines

• photos: LTO

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Barely a month after committing to address the high fees being charged by driving schools to their clients, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) issued on Wednesday, March 22, maximum fees that should be charged for both the theoretical and practical driving courses.

From the range of P9,000 to P15,000 before, LTO chief Jose Arturo “JayArt” Tugade said the fees for both the Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) and Practical Driving Course (PDC) were cut by over 50 percent.

TDC focuses more on classroom discussion on the rules and regulations on road safety while PDC focuses on actual driving. 

Based on the guidelines issued by the Technical Working Group of the LTO headed by Kathleen Deann Salayog, the maximum prescribed payment for both the TDC for motorcycles (Driving License Codes A and A1)  and light vehicles (DL Codes B, B1, B2) is P1,000.

For PDC, the maximum fee for motorcycles is P2,500 and P4,000 for light vehicles. 

Tugade said that if the driving schools offer a bundle or package for both the TDC and PDC, the maximum amount that should be charged must not exceed P3,500 for motorcycles and P5,000 for light vehicles.

The standardization of the payment of driving schools, according to Tugade, will be effective on April 15 this year.

“This is our response to numerous complaints that we have been receiving about the high fees and varying fees being charged by driving schools across the country. This is proof that we are listening to the people’s suggestions and complaints,” said Tugade in a press briefing.

Last month, Tugade committed to address the complaints regarding the high fees being charged by the driving schools—complaints that are also the subject of discussions in social media and prompted Pampanga 4th District Rep. Ana York Bondoc to call out the LTO for what she described as an anti-poor policy

The LTO only charges a minimal fee in securing driver’s license—P250 for student permit (P100 for application fee and P150 for student permit fee) and  P685 for the regular driver’s license (P585 for the license fee and P100 for application fee). 

But it is the mandatory requirement that those who want to secure a student permit and driver’s license must undergo Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) and Practical Driving Course (PDC) that resulted in an applicant shelling out P9,000 to P15,000—and even higher for some.

Why they agreed

Salayog said the guideline set by the LTO was based on their own study, including the cost of operating a driving school and prevailing inflation in various areas.

During the consultation they made, Salayog said there were some suggestions from the representatives of driving schools to raise the maximum fees—suggestions that were rejected since the LTO has its own study on the matter.

LTO Region 3 Director Glorioso Daniel Martinez said one of the reasons why the driving schools agreed to limit the maximum fees for both TDC and PDC is that they are now allowed to accept more applicants.

During the pandemic, he said the driving schools can only allow a maximum of 20 applicants.

“But with the lifting of the Covid-19 restrictions, they can now accept a maximum of 40 students,” said Martinez.

The penalties 

The operation of driving schools in the country is governed by accreditation from the LTO.

In case there is a violation of the maximum fees for TDC and PDC, Tugade said the penalty for first offense is P50,000 and suspension of six months while the second offense has P100,000 penalty and one year suspension.

For the third offense, he said the penalty is revocation of the accreditation, which means that the driving schools which committed three violations would no longer be allowed to operate.

The catch 

While the LTO set the uniform maximum fees that should be charged by the driving schools nationwide, Tugade said there is a provision in the Omnibus Guideline that driving schools can appeal the fees.

The major consideration for the inclusion of the provision on review, he said, is that the prevailing inflation in a certain region must also be considered. 

Lifting of moratorium

In the press briefing, Tugade also announced that starting Thursday, March 23, the LTO will also lift the moratorium for the restriction in the opening of driving schools.

This means, he explained, that individuals and groups can start submitting applications to open driving schools.

Currently, Salayog said there are 1,400 driving schools operating across the country.

Japan to send team of experts to assist in oil spill removal ops

Published March 9, 2023, 9:25 AM

by Aaron Recuenco 

The Japanese Coast Guard (JCG) has committed assistance to the Philippine government in containing and cleaning the oil spill off the waters of Mindoro Island. 

In a statement, the Philippine Coast Guard said personnel from the JCG are expected to be deployed in the country to assist in the ongoing oil spill response operations, particularly in Naujan town of Oriental Mindoro.

photo: PCG

“According to Ambassador of Japan in the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa, Japan will send a disaster relief expert team on oil removal and control to augment the country’s manpower and assets,” the statement read. 

Aside from Japan, the United States Coast Guard has already informed the Philippine government that it will assist in the same operation.

The oil spill occurred after the MT Princess Empress sank off the waters of Oriental Mindoro on Feb. 28. It carries more than 800,000 liters of industrial fuel oil.

The oil spill has already affected the coastal areas of at least eight towns of Oriental Mindoro while oil slicks were monitored in nearby areas. The oil spill also threatens to reach tourist spots in the nearby areas. 

Discussions are still ongoing to contain the spread of the oil spill, including the mapping out of strategies on what to do with the oil tanker. 

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In a statement, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said the location of the vessel was already located through the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) BRP Hydrographer Ventura.

Based on the DENR data, the vessel was located about northeast of Pola, Oriental Mindoro but it is “believed to have moved southeast from its last known position where it completely submerged.”

The site is about 1,200 feet or approximately 400 meters below sea level.

Cash-for-work

On Wednesday, March 8, the PCG started meeting with the Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro to deploy as many people to help in the oil spill clean-up drive.

photo: PCG

During the meeting, it was agreed that the government will hire one person per family in all affected coastal areas under the “cash-for-work” program.  

“There will also be a massive and simultaneous shoreline clean-up on Friday, March 10,” the PCG statement read.

For other missions, BRP Bagacay (MRRV-4410) applied 1,200 liters of oil dispersant in the vicinity waters off Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. 

Meanwhile, shoreline clean-up teams, LGU representatives, and volunteers collected several sacks of oiled debris in Pola, Oriental Mindoro.

PH jeepneys’ iconic look can still be retained, LTFRB says

by Aaron Recuenco 

The old look of the iconic Philippine jeepneys may still be retained as the government pushes for the shift to modernization of public transport, particularly the world-famous jeepneys dubbed as the country’s “king of the road”. 

In a statement, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it is open to such idea, provided that the modern version of the Philippine jeepneys should be compliant to the Philippine National Standards set by the Bureau of Philippine Standards under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

“The modernized jeep that you saw is clear proof that the traditional look can be maintained so the possibility of a phase out is very, very remote. What we only wanted was to improve the roadworthiness of the vehicle,” said Guadiz.  

A local manufacturer of Philippine jeepneys has already initiated moves to come up with a design that would comply with the DTI requirements but would retain the jeepneys’ old look.

The DTI’s Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) specified dimensional limits for PUVs with strict limits on the seating arrangement and capacity, as well as maximum mass. 

Also included in the dimensional limits are the vehicle’s overall height, width and length, wheelbase and even front and rear overhang, cabin, seat and seat layout, step board, service door and emergency exit.

Aside from the standards set for its size, the DTI said modern jeepneys must be powered by a Euro-4 emissions compliant engine or electric motor powered by onboard batteries. 

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The use of Euro-4 engines are already 43-percent more efficient than the traditional jeepneys, based on the study. 

They should also be equipped with dash cams, speed limiters, CCTV cameras and an automatic fare collection system (so that the driver doesn’t have to manage giving change).

Designed after World War II Willys Jeeps left by the American military during their occupation of the country, the Philippine jeepneys have been operational since the 1940s and became the country’s symbol of public transportation. 

More flights cancelled despite full restoration of NAIA air traffic operations

by Aaron Recuenco 

At least 48 more domestic and international flights were cancelled on Monday, Jan. 2, as aviation personnel continue to adjust flight schedules following the technical glitch at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) that affected around 65,000 passengers from nearly 300 flights.

In an advisory released on Monday, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said the cancellation of some flights scheduled on Monday is part of the effects of the technical issue at the Air Traffic Management Center of the the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Sunday, Jan. 1.

The technical glitch was restored at 7:45 p.m. on Sunday. 

For international flights, cancelled flights of the Cebu Pacific were 5J 845 Manila-Dubai , 5J 760 Jakarta-Manila, 5J 502 Kula Lumpur-Manila, 5J 804 Singapore-Manila.

For the Philippine Air Lines (PAL), cancelled international flights were PR538 – Bali (Denpasar)/MNL, PR101/01 – Honolulu/MNL (originally departing from Honolulu on January 1)
and PR113/01 – Los Angeles/MNL (originally departing from Los Angeles on January 1).

Cancelled domestic flights for PAL were: 

-PR2808– Davao/MNL,

-PR1809/1810 – MNL/Davao/MNL,
-PR1811/1812 – MNL/Davao/MNL
-PR1841/1842 – MNL/Cebu/MNL
-PR1836 – Cebu/MNL
-PR1867/1868 – MNL/Cebu/MNL
-PR1859 – MNL/Cebu
-PR2781/2782 – MNL/Puerto Princesa/MNL
-PR2921 – MNL/Legazpi
-PR2557 – MNL/Dipolog
-PR2035/2036 – MNL/Caticlan/MNL

For Cebu Pacific, cancelled domestic flights were:

5J 885 Manila-Cotabato
5J 504 Manila-Tuguegarao
5J 891 Manila-Caticlan
5J 625 Manila-Puerto Princesa
5J 6055 Caticlan-Manila
5J 447 Manila-Iloilo
5J 381 Manila-Cagayan de Oro
5J 473 Manila-Bacolod
5J 963 Manila-Davao
5J 785 Manila-Butuan
5J 627 Manila-Dumaguete
5J 451/452 Manila-Iloilo-Manila
5J 383/384 Manila-Cagayan de Oro-Manila
5J 561/562 Manila-Cebu-Manila
5J 567/568 Manila-Cebu-Manila
5J 619/620 Manila-Tagbilaran-Manila
5J 373/374 Manila-Roxas-Manila
5J 325/326 Manila-Legazpi-Manila
5J 506/507 Manila-Tuguegarao-Manila
5J 655/656 Manila-Tacloban-Manila
5J 703/704 Manila-Dipolog-Manila
5J 895/896 Manila-Caticlan-Manila
5J 951/952 Manila-Davao-Manila
5J 485/486 Manila-Bacolod-Manila

CEBGO (DG)
DG 6113/6114 Manila-Naga-Manila

On the other hand, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport also announced the cancellation of the following flights: 

5J562 Cebu-Manila
5J608 Cebu-Clark
PR1836 Cebu-Manila
PR1841 Manila-Cebu
PR1842 Cebu-Manila