MNTC to confer safety awards to outstanding drivers, firms

MALOLOS CITY—The Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC), builder of and concessionaire of the 90-kilometer North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) is set to confer recognition to outstanding companies that pursues road safety in using the expressway.

Dubbed as the NLEXcellence Safety Awards, 15 awardees will be feted next week at the SM Mall of Asia Convention Center (SMX). Rodrigo Franco, president and CEO of the MNTC, said the awardees include bus and trucking companies who share the same values on road safety as the NLEx.

He said the ingrained culture of safety by both the MNTC and Tollways Management Corporation (TMC), the operator of NLEx, is what sets NLEx apart.

However, joint MNTC-TMC advocacy and mission for road safety cannot be successful without the support and cooperation of drivers and operators of vehicles using the expressways, he added.

As a tribute to responsible partners in road safety, the MNTC has been giving recognition to outstanding companies. However, they restructured the award’s mechanics and criteria this year to further highlight NLEx’s strong advocacy on road safety.

Franco said that in the NLEXcellence award, bus and truck companies will be recognized for exemplary performance in ensuring safety on the road.

“The NLEXcellence Safety Awards demonstrates how deeply we recognize safety as shared value between the awardees and ourselves,” he said. Franco further said “the awards is touted to be a testament of the company’s strengths and capabilities, the quality of its personnel, products and services.

It redounds to the companies reliability and dependability, generates client’s trust and confidence, industry respect and prestige which could lead more business and opportunities for the awardees.”

The awards will have the following categories: vehicle quality, driver’s professionalism, and company operational excellence. Nominees in the vehicle quality category are assessed based on vehicles’ roadworthiness, specifically the condition of vehicle’s engine, tires, breaks, lights, the presence of safety devices and emergency tools, presence of required documents, as well as vehicles’ cleanliness and comfort of the driver and his assistant.

In the driver’s professionalism category, nominees are evaluated based on their skills in driving, knowledge of traffic rules, regulations and signs, physical fitness, health and presentable appearance, apprehension record, their regulatory compliance, and driving qualifications.

In the company operational excellence category, companies are assessed on the basis of their safety record, company policies, and programs physical examination of drivers that may include drugs and alcohol tests, regular skills training, and behavioral workshops, close management supervision.

The company should also have an extensive vehicle care program such as regular pre-emptive maintenance, mandatory replacement of tires and other wearing parts, like break-pads, clutch, belts, filters, and others.

The vehicle should also be washed and cleaned regularly. The garage or motorpool should also be clean and adequately equipped to handle most if not all repair and maintenance work by a qualified mechanic.

Franco said that criteria for each category follow a track towards building an expressway environment where travelers will have peace of mind, as they travel safely, comfortably and conveniently.

Bulacan legislator to file charges vs.DPWH

MALOLOS CITY—A Bulacan provincial board member warned of filing charges against the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for improper implementation of infrastructure projects in the province.

This came as DPWH officials drew flak for the road-widening project along the MacArthur Highway here while public utilities posts have not been transferred.

Records showed that about 1,000 electric and telephone posts have encroached on the road right of way of the Manila North Road or the MacArthur Highway from Meycauayan City Calumpit town.

“I will definitely file charges against the DPWH if they will issue certifi cate of completion to their contractors,” Board Member Michael Fermin said. He said that implementation of road widening project along the MacArthur Highway is “improper.”

Fermin said that over 200 posts are still on the way of drainage canals being constructed or within the road right of way. “That’s a clear misuse of public funds and bad stewardship of people’s money,” he said.

The Senior Board Member also noted that more than a week ago, the said drainage canal was repaired even if the project is not completed yet. “They upgraded the canal and if they spent P2 million with it the first time  constructed the canal, they spent the same for the repair,” he said.

Fermin also blamed the DPWH for lack of consultation with local government units before implementing the project. He also expressed dismay over the lack of monitoring and assessment by provincial and city engineering offices on the said project.

“I wonder why,” Fermin said and added, “they should have the last word before the implementation.”

For his part, Engineer Glenn Reyes, head of the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) said they conduct monitoring on the said projects. But when asked if PEO conducts on-site monitoring and ocular inspection during the implementation of the project, Reyes said they only receive reports from the DPWH.

With regards to relocation of public utilities posts along the MacArthur Highway, Engineer Ruel Angeles said they have been coordinating with public utilities companies, but their requests to relocate posts were disregarded.

He added that since they started implementing road widening along the MacArthur Highway in 2005, they had already sent requests. However, Fermin and Gov, Wilhelmino Alvarado said public utilities companies responded by relocating some of the posts in Guiguinto town and in Barangay Dakila in this city.

Fermin stressed that lack of [proper coordination in the implementation of said road widening project will cost the government a lot money.

Family-oriented fun at Grand Clark Festival

CLARK FREEPORT – More fun-filled and family-oriented activities are slated from Nov. 16 and 17 for the much-awaited Grand Clark Festival to be held at the CDC Parade Grounds here.

On the first day, festival goers will be greeted by a fun run early in the morning to be followed by a parade and skydiving exhibition from the Philippine Air Force.

Cooking demos and cultural presentations from Nayong Pilipino and Paradise Ranch are also expected to add to the festive atmosphere of the two-day celebration here.

For music lovers, cap the evening with melodic concerts from the Korean Orchestra Performance and the St. Paul American School Musicale.

Relax and unwind with a fireworks display and live band performances at the stage area.

On the second day, a fun bike followed by the celebration of the Holy Mass will jumpstart the day’s activities.

This will be followed by an animal show by Zoocobia and a dog show organized by the Clark Development Corporation together with PET BERO.

For more details, interested parties that wish to join the Grand Clark Festival may call the CDC Tourism Promotions Office at (045) 599-9000 and look for Noemi or Ellen.

Gapo City Futsal team swept Batang Pinoy Luzon Leg

IBA, Zambales – Over 4 thousand youth all over Luzon ages 15 years old and below have converge in IBA, Zambales last October 15-19, 2013 for the annual Batang Pinoy 2013 Luzon Leg.

Thirty sporting events where played in 5 days, where kids battle it out to top their respective event so they will qualify for the National games that will be held in Bacolod next month.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) have included new sports to be played in this year’s event and one of the newest sports that is becoming very popular with Filipinos is FUTSAL. Thanks to PSC Chairman Ricardo Garcia and PSC Commissioner Jose Luis Gomez.

After 4 days of intense games Olongapo City emerge the first Champions of the Batang Pinoy Futsal for the Luzon Leg Boys and Girls Division.

Olongapo City head coach David Bayarong said that the city have really prepared the kids months in advance for the competition. Our main goal coming to the Batang Pinoy is to qualify for the nationals, but the boys and girls played with all their hearts.

"With the Batang Gapo Futsal Program of the Olongapo City conducted by Lighthouse Amihan FC, there is a huge interest in the sport in all of our barangays," he added.

Philippine Futsal Committee (PFC) chair Ismaeil Sedigh said that grassroots program all over the country has been doing very well because of the availability of basketball courts where futsal can be played.

“With the support of LGu’s and Deped, Futsal is now being introduced to youth level such as regional and national game. Futsal will also make a debut in this coming Palarong Pambansa," Sedigh added.

He added that because of increased futsal coaching trainings, the number of teams is also growing.

Futsal is the official 5 vs 5 variation of football, usually played inside basketball courts. It is also a sanctioned sport of International Football Federation (FIFA).

National finals of Batang Pinoy 2013 will be held at Zamboanga City on Nov. 19-23, 2013. Teams that finish 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd from the different leg in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will battle for the National Futsal Youth Championship. David Bayarong

Who will finance Angat Dam rehab?

MALOLOS CITY—Questions on who will finance the long delayed P5.7-Billion rehabilitation of the giant Angat Dam in Bulacan have re-emerged days after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit Bohol province in the Visayas.

This came as the National Power Corporation (Napocor) which manages the dam said they still have to receive a copy of the contract signed by the Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-Water) and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (Psalm).

Even the provincial government led by Gov. Wilhelmino Alvarado is asking for a copy of the said contract noting that Bulakenyos are alarmed by the recent earthquake in Bohol.

“We have reasons to be afraid,” the governor said referring to about 3-Million Bulakenyos and added that in case Angat Dam is damaged by earthquake, Bulakenyos will suffer first.

This is due to possible rush of water from the dam to the Angat River, which was described  to reach up to 30 meters high based on feasibility study conducted by Tonkin and Taylor International about two years ago.

The said study noted that 20 towns and cities in Bulacan will be affected, along with seven towns in Pampanga, and three cities in Metro Manila.

Malacanang took notice of the said scenario and allocated a total of P5.7-B for the remediation of the  Angat Dam, of which, P2.6-B is said to be utilized for installation of  new instruments, while the remaining P3.1 me is intended for the actual rehabilitation.

 

Napocor's Sta. Rita, Vice-Gov. Fernando and Gov. Alvarado.

But a complication came late last year, when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of K-Water as the winning bidder in the privatization of the 246 megawatt Angat River Hydroelectric Power Plant.

According to Architect Gerardo Esquivel, administrator of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), part of the  K-Water’s bid contract affirmed by the SC stipulates that it winning bidder will spent money for the rehabilitation of the dam.

The same is the interpretation of ranking Napocor officials like Engineer Rodolfo German of the Arhepp.

He even said in a recent interview that K-Water will also spend an undisclosed amount for the repair and replacement of existing power generating machines of the Arhepp.

However, Napocor President Gladys Sta. Rita said they still to see the copy of the contract between K-Water and Psalm.

She also disclosed that the Philippine government is looking at the possibilities of setting aside the P3.1-B rehabilitation fund thinking that the Koreans will shoulder it once they assume  operation and management of the Arhepp.

While it is not clear who will now finance the rehabilitation and remediation of the Angat dam, millions of Bulakenyos led by Alvarado are living in fear.

“Nakakapangamba ang sitwasyon, nakaamba yung Marikina West Valley Faultline sa Angat Dam na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa nasisimulan ang repair,  eh, paano kung gumalaw ang faultline at masira ang dam, eh di tayo ang mapipinsalan,” the governor said..

Alvarado said that Tuesday’s earthquake in Bohol is another wake up call for every concerned government agencies to fast track the repair of the Angat Dam.

Local residents estimates claimed that in case of dam break, about a million Bulakenyos will be killed in the first three hours of the water rush from the dam.

But prolong damage and impact will be in Metro Manila which is dependent on Angat Dam for potable water supply.  Dino Balabo

UP CMC awards 18 fellowships in 17th Graciano Lopez Jaena Community Journalism Workshop on Disaster Reporting

MALOLOS CITY—Eighteen journalists, educators and students including the administrator of Promdi News are this year’s fellows in the 17th Graciano Lopez Jaena Community Journalism Workshop.

This was announced on Sunday by Danilo Arao, associate dean of the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communications (UP-CMC) in his blog “Rising Sun.”

Arao is a member of the organizing committee for the 17^th 17th Graciano Lopez Jaena Community Journalism Workshop on Disaster Reporting which will be held at Plaridel Hall, UP Diliman, Quezon City from October 13 to 19.

The 14 fellows who are either journalists or educators are Bernardino Balabo ( Promdi News), Jefferson Caparas (TV5), Janess Ann Ellao (Bulatlat.com), Ofelia Empian (Baguio Chronicle), Marvin David Ferraz (Rappler), Charmaine Ivy Hernando (St. Mary’s University), Ainjeliz Orong (The Freeman Newspaper), Carla Padilla (Central Luzon State University [CLSU] and Cabanatuan Herald), Jessa Mardy Polonio (Baguio Chronicle), Rommel Rutor (DYMS Aksyon Radyo), Macey Salabit (Dyaryo Veritas), John Rizle Saligumba (Davao Today), Seymour Sanchez (Far Eastern University) and Divina Suson (DXRJ Iligan).

The four students admitted as fellows are Iza Darlene Cay (Tinig ng Plaridel and Vera Files), Luis Adrian Hidalgo (Tinig ng Plaridel), Candeze Mongaya (Project NOAH and former reporter of Cebu Daily News) and Vince Alvic Nonato (Vera Files). All of them are students of UP CMC.

The 18 fellows were chosen on the basis of their professional background, sample works and story idea for an article they should write during the workshop.

The speakers for the workshop are Prof. Luis Teodoro (Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility and former UP CMC dean), Dr. Georgina Encanto (former UP CMC dean), Marites Vitug (Rappler), Ed Lingao (Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism), Dr. Diosa Labiste (UP Department of Journalism), Prof. Ma. Gisella Dizon-Reyes (UP College of Law) and Dr. Benito Pacheco (UP College of Engineering).

Grace Morales and Editha Tiamson whose loved ones were victims of the November 23, 2009 Ampatuan Massacre will also speak during the workshop, along with Melanie Pinlac of CMFR. The urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY) will help facilitate the field work for the 18 fellows.

Aside from Arao,other members of the organizing committee for the workshop are Dean Roland Tolentino,Department of Journalism Chair Lucia Tangi, former Dean Luis Teodoro, Office of Extension and External Relations (OEER) Director Patrick Campos, Administrative Officer Gina Villegas, Office of Research and Publication staff Alex Tamayo and OEER staff Regina Mendez. CLSU Prof. Ben Domingo is the workshop moderator.

Angat Dam break simulation study, inaccurate?

MALOLOS CITY—Inaccuracies in the conduct of feasibility study in Angat Dam could result in catastrophic event.

This is part of the of a Bulakenyo dam safety expert who conducted analysis on the six month feasibility study conducted by an international consultant for the P5.7-Billion rehabilitation of the Angat Dam.

The bidding for the rehabilitation of the dam is likely to be held before the end of the year.

Engineer Roderick Dela Cruz cited simulation conducted by Tonkin and Taylor International on possible dam break.

He said that simulation showed that towns of Pulilan, Plaridel, Baliag, Calumpit and the City of Malolos will be inundated by five to 10 meters deep flood, while in Hagonoy and Paombong, a meter deep flood will inundate both towns.

Comparing said data in two flood events in Bulacan, Dela Cruz said that the simulation on possible dam break is inaccurate.

He said that in 2011, over a meter deep flood inundated Hagonoy when Angat Dam release about 1,000 cubic meters per second (cms) of water into Angat River at the height of typhoon Pedring.

In October 1978, Hagonoy town was inundated by at six to seven feet deep flood inundated  Bulacan when Angat Dan released 5,000 cms at the height of typhoon Kading.

Based on records, Angat Dam have the capacity to store at least 800-Million cubic meters of water.

Dela Cruz said that in case of a dam break, all that water could rush out and it will not only cause five to 10 meters deep flood in the towns of Plaridel, Pulilan Calumpit and Malolos.

Based on his estimates, the Tonkin and Taylor simulation study have a 20 meter plus or minus inaccuracy.

“Its good if the outcome will result into minus 20 meter inaccuracy, but what if it is on the plus 20 meter inaccuracy,” he said noting that abovementioned town will be inundated by at 25 to 30 meter deep flood.

As a dam safety expert managing 82 dams in the United States, Dela Cruz stressed that providing accurate data in preparation for disaster is crucial.

This is due to the fact that people depends on information government by officials, and prepare themselves based on it.

“What if people prepare for a 10 meter deep flood, when a 20 meter flood is coming, they will have nowhere to go,” he said.

Dela Cruz also scored the lack of site specific seismic study on the Angat Dam.

“I understand their situation, they were given six months to conduct a feasibility study,” he said noting that the time given is just not enough for a more comprehensive study on the dam.

With regards to country’s preparedness on possible dam break, he said that the country still have no national dam safety program or an approve dam safety law.

He said that the Philippines is the only country in Southeast Asia that still do not have a dam safety legislation.

Earlier this year, Vietnam passed their own version of dam safety law.

Dela Cruz said that lack a national dam safety program increases risk of dam failure in the country.

This is due to the absence of available financing for the maintenance, upgrades and repairs of dam structures, along with lack of single accountable authority on dam safety.

He also said that it also entails lack of emergency preparedness and public awareness on how to deal with possibilities  dam break.  Dino Balabo